Step 3 · Mix · Homogenize · Mill
FagronLab™ EMP Standard / BASIC
Efficient mixing
Electronic mortar and pestle for suspended formulations. Mixing level and time are selected manually from the FagronLab™ parameter tables according to jar size and API concentration.
How it is used
- Pre-grinding and main mixing of suspensions below 2% API.
- Single-stage mixing for suspensions above 2% API.
- Moistening and swelling phases for large-batch gels and gummies.
- Melting and mixing suppository bases with microfine insoluble APIs.
Advantages
- Closed-system mixing that limits contamination, spilling and spreading
- Quick-lock coupling for rapid attachment and safer operation
- Touch-sensitive keypad with an intuitive, user-friendly guide
- Integrated time tracking of total mixing time
- Quiet operation from optimized mechanics and electronics
- Jar doubles as hygienic mixing vessel and primary packaging
- TÜV Rheinland safety-audited
- Extensive accessory range included
Operating parameters
Source: FagronLab™ Formulation Guide. Always follow the parameters for your jar size and API concentration.
Quality improvement with increasing automation
Scale: ●●●● highest. Source: FagronLab™ EMP brochure, Table 1.
| Method of ointment preparation | Pharmaceutical quality | Content uniformity in creams | Lift arm | Mixing parameters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortar and pestle | ●●○○ | ●○○○ | — | Individually |
| EMP BASIC | ●●●○ | ●●●○ | Manual guided lift | Individually programmable |
| EMP Standard | ●●●○ | ●●●○ | Automatic | Individually programmable |
| EMP PRO | ●●●● | ●●●● | Automatic | Fully automatic |
Comparative specifications of the FagronLab™ EMP product line
| Specification | BASIC | Standard | PRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jar sizes (mL) | 20 – 500 | 20 – 500 | 20 – 2000 |
| Manual guided lift | Yes | No | No |
| Automatic lifting arm | No | Yes | Yes |
| Replaceable lifting arm | No | No | Yes |
| Integrated time tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RPM | 300 – 2400 | 300 – 2400 | 300 – 2400 |
| Functionality test (IQ/OQ) | Yes | Yes | Under development |
| ID-output for documentation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 10 kg / 22 lbs | 11 kg / 24 lbs | 16.5 kg / 36 lbs |
| Dimensions D×W×H (mm) | 255 × 211 × 512 | 255 × 211 × 512 | 339 × 293 × 670 |
| Touch technology | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10.1'' touch panel | No | No | Yes |
| Integrated barcode scanner | No | No | Yes |
| USB ports | — | — | 4 |
| RS232 ports | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| RJ45 ports | — | — | 1 |
| Ports for scales, printers, network | No | No | Yes |
| Rinsable keyboard included | No | No | Yes |
| Mixing motor (W) | 80 | 80 | 169 |
| Lifting motor (W) | — | 54 | 54 |
Pre-grinding — Level 4 (1200 rpm)
FagronLab™ EMP/BASIC, suspensions under 2% API, total volume under 100 mL.
| Jar size (mL) | 15–30 | 50–100 | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 2:30 | 3:30 | 5:00 | 10:00 |
Main mixing — Level 7 (1900 rpm)
FagronLab™ EMP/BASIC, suspensions under 2% API.
| Jar size (mL) | 15–30 | 50–100 | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 1:30 | 2:00 | 3:30 | 4:40 |
Mixing — Level 8 (2100 rpm) / Level 7 (1900 rpm)
FagronLab™ EMP/BASIC when the API concentration is higher than 2%. 300–500 mL jars run at Level 7.
| Jar size (mL) | 15–30 | 50–100 | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 3:00 | 3:30 | 6:45 | 9:30 |
Pre-grinding — Level 4 (1200 rpm), large batches
Total volume above 100 mL, API under 2%.
| Jar size (mL) | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 5:00 | 10:00 |
Main mixing — Level 7 (1900 rpm), large batches
| Jar size (mL) | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 3:30 | 4:40 |
Mixing — Level 8 (2100 rpm) / Level 7 (1900 rpm), large batches
API concentration above 2%. No pre-grinding required.
| Jar size (mL) | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 6:45 | 9:30 |
Gel — moistening phase, Level 8 (2100 rpm) / Level 7 (1900 rpm)
| Jar size (mL) | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 0:30 | 1:00 |
Gel — swelling phase, Level 1 (600 rpm)
| Jar size (mL) | 200 | 300–500 |
|---|---|---|
| Time (min.) | 10:00 | 10:00 |
What it delivers
Standardization
Automated control of speed and mixing time replaces the variability of hand grinding, giving reproducible batches.
Content uniformity
The V-edged blade matched to the jar diameter reduces particle size and prevents ingredient build-up in the jar.
Less physical effort
Removes the labor-intensive grinding and mixing of the mortar-and-pestle method and the fatigue that comes with it.
Documentation
Integrated time tracking and a per-batch ID number support pharmacy records and GMP compliance.
Electronic mortar and pestle technology
The FagronLab™ EMP line introduces electronic mortar and pestle (EMP) technology, based on the original Unguator Technology patented by Gako Deutschland GmbH in 1994. A patented arrangement of the mixing blade and the FagronLab™ EMP jar lets the jar serve both as a hygienic mixing vessel and as primary packaging.
By automating control of the mixing parameters, the EMP delivers standardization, homogeneity and reproducibility for semisolids such as creams, ointments, gels and suppositories, while minimizing human error. The devices have undergone safety audits by TÜV Rheinland, Germany.
Working mechanism
Mixing relies on precise vertical and horizontal movement of the blade inside the jar. The blade diameter matches the jar, and its V-shaped edges both reduce particle size and distribute ingredients uniformly — highly effective at destroying agglomerates and preventing accumulation in any region of the jar.
BASIC and Standard share identical features; the difference is operation. The BASIC requires the pharmacist to raise and lower the arm manually for the vertical axis, while the Standard performs both vertical and horizontal movements automatically.
Why automate compounding
Mortar-and-pestle preparation offers no precise control over speed, applied force or mixing duration, which drives inconsistency in particle size and dosage distribution between batches. It is labor-intensive, prone to human error, exposes the preparation to airborne contamination, and scales poorly.
USP and GMP require that equipment surfaces contacting components are not reactive, additive or sorptive, recommend closed systems for processing and transfer, and emphasize dedicated or disposable equipment to limit bioburden and cross-contamination. Kitchen and industrial mixers are open systems that are not designed or validated for pharmaceutical compounding.
Compounding processes supported
Suspensions, emulsions at room temperature or with heat application, gels, soft-in-soft preparations and suppositories are all prepared in the EMP jar. Simple formulations run in a single step; emulsification and gelation are subdivided into multiple runs at different speeds and intervals.
Deaeration is optional but recommended, and can be performed with the FagronLab™ PM140 before molding and dispensing to the patient.
Specifications
- Jar sizes
- 20 – 500 mL
- Speed
- 300 – 2400 rpm, 10 levels
- Mixing time
- 5 seconds to 99:30 minutes
- Lifting arm
- Standard: automatic vertical + horizontal. BASIC: manually guided lift.
- Mixing motor
- 80 W
- Lifting motor
- 54 W (Standard)
- Weight
- BASIC 10 kg / 22 lbs · Standard 11 kg / 24 lbs
- Dimensions (D×W×H)
- 255 × 211 × 512 mm
- Ports
- 1 × RS232
- Documentation
- ID number generated after each mixing process
- Qualification
- Integrated QM functional test (IQ/OQ)
Questions about equipment?
Contact your Fagron Equipment Representative, Nicholas Fournarakis
Nicholas can help with pricing, demos, installation, training and service for any FagronLab™ instrument or workflow.
Nicholas.Fournarakis@fagron.usContact Fagron
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