Customized Leak Detection Solutions

For our customers with special leak testing requirements, we offer customized leak detection solutions, such as for the pharmaceutical & CCIT industry, as well as manual or integrated leak test modules that can be used in a wide range of markets.

Leak Test Modules

The ultimate solution for high-quality acceptance tests

Our Leak Test Modules consist of the regular range of the Pfeiffer Vacuum components and can be utilized either as manual test stations or for the integration into larger production and assembly lines. For pre-series production, a manual test bench is often suitable, whereas high-volume series production requires an in-line test bench. Our experience enables us to support you in regard to mechanical and software integration.

Thanks to our long-standing expertise in leak detection and vacuum technology we understand that the entire leak detection process can be complex and challenging. The consideration of how these fits into the overall, even more complex process is key for success. That is why we have expanded our portfolio of Leak Test Modules to increase the value proposition for you and provide a higher value chain solution.

Brochure: Leak Test Modules

Seamless integration into your production lines

We pride ourselves on providing project-based and customized solutions for our customers. Our Leak Test Modules are easy to integrate into your production lines, with mechanical connections, electrical and PLC interfaces. This makes the installation process straightforward, ensuring that you can start testing right away.

Multiple test methods are available

For the realization of your (leak test) project you can chose from a wide range of test methods, such as all relevant tracer gas test methods (Helium, Hydrogen), OES (Optical Emission Spectroscopy), RGA (Residual Gas Analysis) or the conduction of a leak test with air (Micro-Flow/Mass-Extraction). This allows a pressurization of the test object in variable pressure levels.

Webinar: Leak Test Module: From Your Request to a Customized Solution

Customer benefits

  • Project-based and customized solutions

  • Full range of test methods and parameters

  • Pressurization of test object in variable pressure levels

  • Automated process incl. tracer gas filling

  • Easy integration into your production lines

  • Modular approach for adaption to requirements

  • Secure supply chain and decades of experience with leak detection

Applications

  • Hydrogen economy

  • Automotive

  • HVAC-R

  • Medical Devices

  • and more

Pharma & CCIT Solutions

Innovative leak detectors for the pharmaceutical industry

We offer a unique portfolio of equipment dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry and medical markets. Using three different technologies, leak testing and CCIT (Container Closure Integrity Testing) applications can address a wide range of products.

Integrity challenges

Contamination such as humidity, oxygen or microbiological ingress can impact drug stability throughout the product life cycle. To prevent the risks of stability failure of highly moisture-sensitive drugs (e.g. dry powder for inhalation), or the risk of biological ingress of parenteral drugs, integrity tests with a high sensitivity are required. Most test methods are very challenging in regards to time effort, complexity or the limitation of sensitivity and detection range.

Experience our virtual CCIT-Showroom for the Pharma Industry

Helium mass spectrometry

Helium mass spectrometry based upon ASTM3 F 2391-05 is applicable to non-porous packaging such as vials, syringes and cartridges. Currently, the helium leak test, a deterministic method, is being established as the gold standard for its sensitivity and versatility. Furthermore, helium leak detection offers the capability also to locate the position of a leak.

The perfect solution for MALL testing

Pfeiffer Vacuum helium leak detection solutions are perfect for MALL (Maximum Allowable Leakage Limit) testing in the pharmaceutical industry. In order to ensure a correct measurement, it is very important to manage the tracer gas concentration during the measurement. This is especially tricky when handling vials or other sealed packages. Therefore, Pfeiffer Vacuum offers complete solutions including tracer gas handling and charging, as well as adaptations for your packaging and test chambers.

ASM 2000

Turnkey solution for high sensitivity

Our ASM 2000 integrity tester for helium mass spectrometry is a comprehensive solution that is fully tailored to the needs of pharmaceutical customers. Based on a helium mass spectrometer leak detector, it also includes the helium handling as well as the charging module, and can be equipped with custom fixtures for the particular containers to be tested. The instrument is calibrated against NIST2-traceable standard leaks.

Dependable, fast and sensitive

Further advantages of the ASM 2000 are its high helium pumping, its integrated automatic helium charging module as well as the optimized free internal volumes. Those features guarantee high performance measurements on helium filled sealed containers and open sub-assemblies. The ASM 2000 sustains very high throughput, ensures the accuracy and the reproducibility of the measurement results, and allows ultra fast cycle time.

Brochure: ASM 2000

Advanced software

The software proposes intuitive menus easy to navigate. User log in is required to operate the equipment, and four access levels are available (operator, advanced user, maintenance, administrator). Test recipes can be managed for each part format. At the end of the test sequence, the result is clearly displayed and PDF test and calibration reports are automatically generated at the batch closure.

ASM 2000 – A High Sensitivity Solution for Pharma CCIT

ASM 2000 – A High Sensitivity Solution for Pharma CCIT

Customer benefits

  • High sensitivity measurements required for design and validation studies of new containers

  • Turnkey solution including high performances helium leak detector, helium charging module and customized tooling

  • User-friendly interface

  • Fast and fully automatic test sequence to guarantee high repeatability tests

  • Data storage and traceability

  • Identifying the source of leaks using the “sniffer mode”

Applications

  • Pharmaceutical industry: Syringes, Blister, Vials

Optical emission spectroscopy

Our patented method does not require any specific tracer gas. Instead, the gas mixture present in the container headspace of the primary packaging is used to perform high sensitivity tests over a large detection range. Therefore, our method is non-destructive, easy to use and to set up and has higher sensitivity than other conventional methods. AMI equipment has been qualified by leading pharmaceutical companies as in-process control (IPC) leak testing for blister packs. Our software is 21 CFR part 115 compliant.

AMI 1000

Dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry

With the AMI 1000, the products can be sampled directly from the production line and loaded in the test chamber without any specific conditioning. At the end of the test sequence, the result is clearly displayed and a PDF report is automatically generated at the batch closure. Full automation of the test cycle including loading/unloading of the samples can be easily implemented for in-line tests.

AMI 1000 equipment has been qualified by leading pharmaceutical companies as in-process control (IPC) leak testing for blister packs. Our software is CFR21 part 115 compliant.


Deterministic test method

As no operator intervention is required, the measurement results are totally objective. High accuracy measurements can be achieved thanks to a calibration-validation sequence of the equipment based on certified calibrated leaks.

Brochure: AMI 1000

Large detection range

Different detection methods can be combined in order to cover the complete detection range. Massive leak and fine leak tests are performed within a single test sequence, any additional gross leak test (e.g. blue dye ingress) can be omitted.

High sensitivity, high throughput

High sensitivity tests combined with high throughput enables trend analysis to early indicate production issues. In high sensitivity mode, O.E.S is able to detect 0.2 μm defect size on glass containers which corresponds to the sterility barrier defined as the MALL (Maximum Allowable Leakage Limit) in the USP4 <1207> guidelines.

Customer benefits

  • Improves sensitivity, capacity and reliability of your integrity test.

  • Large detection range – can replace gross leak and helium test

  • Improves manufacturing productivity with equipment that is easy to use and to set up.

  • Lower cost of non-quality thanks to advanced process monitoring and feedback control

  • Fast return on investment

Applications

  • Pharmaceutical industry: Blisters, Syringes & Vials, IV bags, Plastic bottles

Innovative CCIT Solution for the Pharmaceutical

AMI 1000 – An Innovative CCIT Solution for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Dry Chiller Module

Mastering integrity under cold storage conditions

The Dry Chiller Module is a versatile addition to both new and existing leak detection systems. Serving as an external cooling component, it is compatible with the ASM 2000 for helium pre-filled containers and the AMI 1000 without any sample preparation, utilizing naturally present gas. This module sets new benchmarks in delivering reliable data for testing container closure integrity at low temperatures. Benefit from real-time results of temperature and leak rate, optimizing your process without wasting cycle time. 

The Dry Chiller Module is designed to prove that the container closure system maintains integrity at deep cold storage temperatures, either at -80°C (-112°F) or even lower. It ensures the quality of substances requiring cold storage conditions, particularly in medical and pharmaceutical environments. Its flexibility ensures that the Dry Chiller Module can be integrated seamlessly into existing equipment. 

Advantages

  • Fast cool down and heat up 

  • Control over entire temperature profile 

  • Continuous leak rate measurement 

Dry Chiller Module

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Mass Extraction

The leak test procedure under vacuum without tracer gas

The Mass Extraction method is carried out under vacuum. This results in an improved detection limit and thermal decoupling due to the vacuum’s insulating effect. This type of test is particularly suitable for packaging or sealed objects such as encapsulated electronic assemblies. During the test, the test unit is placed in a vacuum chamber and the chamber is evacuated. The leakage rate of the test unit is determined by the flow from the test unit to the vacuum reservoir. With this method, a detection limit of up to 7 · 10-7 mbar · l/s can be achieved.

Our USP4 <1207> and ASTM3 (F-3287-17) recognized Mass Extraction Technology works on the principle of rarefied gas flow. Testing takes place in vacuum conditions to attain higher sensitivity. This patented technology type of testing is particularly suitable for pharmaceutical packaging such as IV-bags, pouches or glass vials. Larger defect and defects as small as 1 μm can be detected with this method. The technology is thereby suitable for laboratory applications as well as for the use in production environment allowing stability control as well as automated 100 % testing (also in inline machines).

FDA laboratories in the US and major pharmaceutical companies have been using the Mass Extraction instruments for over 10 years.

SpeedAir 3050: Enhance Pharmaceutical Product Safety

Versatile CCIT1for a wide range of applications

The SpeedAir 3050 is your all-in-one solution for nonporous pharmaceutical applications. Whether your products are flexible or rigid, liquid or solid, the SpeedAir 3050 can swiftly and accurately test them all. With testing times as short as 30-45 seconds, it delivers results you can rely on, ensuring the integrity of your pharmaceutical containers.


Unmatched sensitivity for liquid products

When it comes to liquid products, the SpeedAir 3050 stands out as the most sensitive air-based technology available. You can count on its results for their repeatability and reliability, significantly reducing the risk of false negatives and positives.

Brochure: SpeedAir 3050

Global NDT on the container

Unlike alternative methods that focus on specific areas or access points, the SpeedAir 3050 provides a comprehensive global Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) approach for your containers. It adheres to ASTM3 Standard F3287-17, demonstrating the ability to detect even the tiniest defects using an air-based technology.

Regulatory compliance assured

The SpeedAir 3050 is fully compliant with industry standards. It utilizes the USP4 <1207> recognized and deterministic Mass Extraction technology and operates with FDA5 21 CFR Part 115 compliant software, ensuring your testing processes meet the highest regulatory standards.

Customer benefits

  • High sensitivity for reliable results

  • Covers a wide range of containers

  • USP4 <1207> recognized test method

  • Non-destructive testing (NDT)

  • Fast cycle times compared to competing air technologies

Applications

The SpeedAir 3050 is suitable for a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including but not limited to:

  • Ampoules

  • Autoinjectors

  • Bottles

  • Cartridges

  • Flexible bags (IV Bags, pouches, etc.)

  • Syringes

  • Vials

1) Container Closure Integrity Testing
2) US National Institute of Standards and Technology
3) American Standard for Testing and Materials
4) United States Pharmacopeia
5) Code of Federal Regulations by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)