Machines for aerosol manufacture

Delivering partner services in the production of aerosols requires experience of dealing with the unique difficulties that storage and dispensing methods entail. One firm leverages know-how from its valve and machine divisions to offer global services.

The machines produced by Coster Technologie Speciali for aerosol applications in the pharmaceutical industry range from semi-automatic (laboratory and low-volume) machines to fully automatic high-performance machines, with a production capacity from 10–250 cans per minute. Easy to operate, highly flexible, reliable, secure, long-lasting and with low maintenance requirements, Coster’s pharmaceutical machines are based on a modular design. The same operating heads (product fillers, crimpers and propellant fillers) are used to guarantee continuity between laboratory testing and full-scale production, minimising the need for re-verification.

Coster’s pharmaceutical filling machines can be used to fill glass, plastic and aluminium containers with capacities ranging from 0.15ml to 1000ml, with both 20mm and 1in valves, as well as various pump configurations. The machines have the capability to meter products ranging from unpressurised water-based solutions to aggressive products, such as alcoholic emulsions and aerosol suspensions, and are equipped to fill all types of propellants including HFA 134a, HFA 227, LPG, traditional CFCs and nitrogen.

Safety and high standards

In order to guarantee maximum safety, compliance and compatibility in the handling of pharmaceutical products, all Coster pharmaceutical machines and lines are designed and manufactured to facilitate cGMP and ISO 14644-5:2004 compliance, with specifications including:

• AISI 316 L stainless steel construction
• Ceramic (FDA-approved) piston rods suitable for abrasive suspension products filling
• System designs suitable for both single-stage and two-stage filling of canisters
• Filling head design fully compatible with external homogenisation and recirculation systems
• Metering cylinders designed for high fill accuracy (±1 per cent, max ±0.05ml)
• Food contact-approved and CFR-compliant PTFE gaskets and Viton® O-rings
• Quick-release systems for easy part replacement
• Units equipped with clamp connections
• Units can be connected to a cleaning system for easy CIP/SIP

Alongside these specifications, all materials that come into contact with the product and/or propellant meet regulatory (including FDA) approval. Metering cylinders are internally polished to ensure a smooth surface for easy cleaning and to avoid contamination of product and/or propellant. Crimping heads enable precision to 0.05mm on crimping dimensions and three million maintenance-free cycles. Furthermore, all equipment is manufactured and tested using HFA 134a as standard and is completely suitable for all current aerosol propellants (LPG, DME, nitrogen or HFA).

Customer care

Coster has adopted a customer-facing quality system, committed to continuously improving both its products and services. Product offerings are accompanied and enhanced through full-service technical assistance. The company’s customer care service offers worldwide pre- and post-sales technical support, including:

• 2D/3D CAD-aided installation design
• Database-assisted management of production and design
• Prototypes
• R&D integrated with design and testing
• Installation and customer training
• Documentation for operation, maintenance and validation to enable proficient use and complete satisfaction of legislative requirements for all production and testing units
• Certifications of conformity with European safety rules and the Atex standard for operations in areas at risk of explosion and/or fire

Company profile

With over 40 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of machines, Coster Tecnologie Speciali is an international leader in the provision of equipment to companies in the pharmaceutical, household, technical products, perfumery and cosmetics industries. The company serves as a global partner in the aerosol sector, offering aerosol components (valves, pumps, spray caps, standard and special actuators) and machinery for filling aerosol, spray and dispensing products.

For more information, visit www.coster.com.

< Back to Manufacturing index

< Back to Market Resources index

All equipment is manufactured and tested using propellant HFA 134a as standard.




The same operating heads are used to guarantee continuity between lab testing and production.