November 2008

Fluid Program - Print Wash Tags

Wash labels can be printed within QA Studio and attached to tags and placed on tanks. Placing the wash tags on the pasteurized tanks can help identified the tank as having been washed and sanitized and the tank is ready for the pasteurizer. The pasteurizer can then write the date and time when the current/new product entered the tank on the tag. The lab or designated person can check the product in the pasteurized tank and then initial that they have checked and "Released" the tank. The filler operators can then check the tag before pulling out of the tank to package the product.

The "Last Product" can be identified by the CIP person so if there is extra testing that needs to be performed then the lab will be aware before releasing the tank. For example; if the last product was chocolate milk, extra testing might be performed to make sure there is no chocolate residue remaining. Please note: This procedure and example are for demonstration purposes only to show how this new feature might be helpful, each facility determines their own SSOPs.

To use this feature you will need a small label printer. For this example we have used a Brother QL-570 (same label printer used to print the raw tanker wash tags) The Brother printer set up: Format: Normal, Width: 2 3/7", Length: 3.54, Feed .12, Orientation: Portrait, Quality: Priority to Speed, Resolution .300 x .300 dpi.

To enter the CIP data in QA Studio: Go to Fluid Program Menu > Fluid CIP window.

Click ADD, enter the details and click OK. The Equipment field contains the pasteurized tanks and the fillers from the Fluid Support Lists. In the field for "Activity" you have several choices including: Wash / Sanitize, Hot Acid Wash, Tear Down, Dye Check and Sanitize only (for re-sanitizing equipment). Highlight the record after entering and click "Wash Tag" and a label will be printed from the details. The label can then be placed on a tag and the tag can be placed on the equipment.

There is a FIND icon in the Fluid CIP window. The FIND icon can be clicked to perform a search for any date range, for any type of equipment and/or for any type of activity. There is a PRINT icon in the Fluid CIP window. The PRINT icon will print the details from the data in the CIP window. The report will sort the pasteurized tanks and fillers separately. The tanks and fillers will be sorted in alpha/numeric order.

Benefit to QA Studio Users: Document washes and other important activities involving the pasteurized tanks and fillers. Easily see details to compare with QA Studio finished product reports. Easily find details on specific equipment.

QA Studio is committed to meeting and exceeding your needs for a dairy laboratory software program.

We would like your feedback. Please email us at support@qastudio.com