A small UK company is going high tech with its very first original sterilizer design. The new Ascot autoclaves feature the CS1 programmable logic controller from Omron and the pneumatic valve island built by American manufacturer SMC. This will be the first use of such combined technology by a British company. These autoclaves are structured to meet important validation requirements and can be used in the life science and pharmaceutical markets as well as traditional hospital settings.

Ascot has spent over a decade re-engineering and refurbishing units built by other manufacturers so they have a very good idea of what works and what breaks down over time. They have taken these years of experience and translated them into a machine that incorporates an extensive wish list of their favorite features. The result is an autoclave designed with the ongoing needs of the customer in mind.

The company is serious about reducing wiring costs and complexity and has chosen the CS1 device to make their equipment as efficient as possible. They have been using controllers from Omron to bring older autoclaves back into service so they know the value of having a reliable supplier for these critical components. Ascot is depending heavily upon the name recognition of this top vendor in the electronics field to help market this product. Click on ascotautoclaves.com for more news on this relationship.

Omron bills itself as the supplier of a full 20% of the global demand for automation systems and related products. They have 60 locations in Europe alone and center some of their extensive R&D labs there. One of the main reasons Ascot chose to partner with this company on its new autoclave design is the practical and cost effective fieldbus system.

The top down management of the fieldbus starts with the person programming the machine. Ascot advertises that training takes just a quarter of an hour. That would definitely make the Omron touch screen NT31 one of the most user friendly and easy to understand interfaces on the market. The screen is linked to programmable controllers which translate communication from the user to the actual valve systems, sensors, and other parts distributed throughout the unit. Every cycle run on the machine is meticulously recorded on a flash drive for later review making it easy for labs to comply with validation standards.

Ascot’s Continued Expansion

SAL Pharma has been acquired by this vendor and adds a full range of autoclaves with a capacity of 200 liters and up to the current product line. Ascot also carries effluent sterilization vessels, flexible endoscope washers and steam generators. They continue to upgrade existing machines and provide ongoing maintenance and support on all their products. Technicians on staff can help clients with all required testing processes.

This corporation has also sought and received accreditation from SGS Yarsley for manufacturing medical devices under the 2A classification. This ensures that all CE marked units purchased through the company are safe to use for sterilizing equipment that will be used on human patients. SGS Yarsley has also audited Ascot’s quality management system and recognized that it meets their exacting standards throughout all aspects of the company’s operations.