Allentown T200 Series Tunnel-Type Cage Washer

Overview

The Allentown T200 Series Tunnel-Type Cage Washer is an engineered solution for high-throughput, validated cleaning and thermal disinfection of laboratory animal caging systems—including wire-top cages, solid-bottom plastic or stainless steel enclosures, feeders, water bottles, racks, and transport carriers. Operating on a continuous-flow tunnel principle, the T200 eliminates batch processing limitations by maintaining uninterrupted throughput across pre-wash, main wash, rinse, and drying zones. Its design adheres to core principles of veterinary hygiene engineering: consistent thermal delivery (≥82°C for ≥1 minute in final rinse), uniform mechanical action via multi-zone spray manifolds, and full traceability of critical process parameters. The system is purpose-built for AAALAC-accredited facilities, biomedical research centers, and contract research organizations requiring reproducible, auditable decontamination outcomes aligned with NIH OLAW, USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, and ISO 14644-1 cleanroom-compatible ancillary operations.

Key Features

• Fully modular 304 stainless steel construction—no plastic or elastomeric structural components—ensuring compatibility with alkaline (pH 11–13) and acidic (pH 2–4) detergent chemistries and resistance to long-term corrosion in humid, high-chloride environments.
• Continuous tunnel architecture with variable-speed conveyor drive, enabling throughput scalability from 200 to 600 standard mouse cages per hour depending on configuration and load density.
• Triple-stage filtration system: coarse basket filters located externally on lateral access panels for rapid debris removal without internal disassembly; each filter serves a discrete zone (pre-wash, wash, rinse) to prevent cross-contamination.
• Integrated safety architecture including dual emergency stop buttons (infeed and outfeed stations), proximity sensors on all access doors, and torque-limiting clutch on conveyor drive to prevent entanglement hazards.
• Nylon-reinforced guide rails and low-vibration pump mounts reduce operational noise to <85 dB(A), meeting OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 permissible exposure limits for extended-shift environments.
• Tilted drying conveyor section combined with optional forced-air curtain nozzles ensures gravitational drainage and laminar airflow across cage surfaces, achieving surface dryness within 90 seconds post-rinse under standard conditions.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The T200 accommodates standard IVC rack-mounted cages (e.g., Allentown ECO, Tecniplast GreenLine), static and ventilated shoebox cages (up to 12″ × 7″ × 5″), bottle racks, feed hopper assemblies, and stainless steel transport carts. It supports validated cycle development per ASTM F2369-22 (Standard Practice for Validation of Laboratory Animal Cage Washing Equipment) and aligns with USP requirements for thermal disinfection of reusable devices. All control logic and data logging comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when equipped with Ethernet and Activ monitoring options—enabling electronic signatures, audit trails, and user-level permission tiers (Operator, Supervisor, Administrator). No proprietary firmware locks or vendor-restricted calibration routines are implemented.

Software & Data Management

The embedded microprocessor controls all 12+ programmable cycle parameters—including zone temperatures, dwell times, pump pressures, and conveyor speed—with real-time graphical display on the 5-inch TFT touchscreen. Cycle logs record timestamped values for inlet water temperature, steam pressure, final rinse temperature, and door status for every run. Built-in diagnostics map fault codes to physical subsystems (e.g., “Pump-2 Flow Fault → Pre-Wash Zone”) and display annotated component diagrams for rapid troubleshooting. Optional Ethernet connectivity enables secure HTTP/S API access for integration into centralized facility management platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Honeywell Forge). Thermal cycle data can be exported as CSV or printed via optional integrated thermal printer for regulatory binder documentation.

Applications

The T200 is deployed in academic vivaria, pharmaceutical preclinical units, biotech CMC labs, and government research facilities where reproducibility, capacity, and compliance convergence are non-negotiable. Typical use cases include: daily decontamination of immunocompromised rodent housing prior to re-use; terminal sterilization of surgical instrument trays in barrier surgery suites; cleaning of large-volume fluid containers used in IVF or stem cell media preparation; and validation-grade washing of reusable PPE components in BSL-2+ containment labs. Its modular footprint allows integration into linear workflows with upstream垫料清倒 stations (Sure-Vac compatible) and downstream automated filling modules.

FAQ

What validation support documentation is provided with the T200?
Allentown supplies IQ/OQ protocol templates compliant with ASTM F2369-22, along with factory-as-tested thermocouple mapping reports and electrical safety certification (CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1). Site-specific PQ must be conducted by the end user or qualified third party.
Can the T200 be integrated with building automation systems?
Yes—via optional Ethernet module supporting Modbus TCP and BACnet/IP protocols for real-time status polling, alarm forwarding, and remote parameter adjustment under authenticated access.
Are replacement parts available through local distributors?
All mechanical and electrical components—including pumps, valves, heating elements, and touchscreen controllers—are industrial-grade, non-proprietary parts sourced from global suppliers (e.g., Grundfos, Parker Hannifin, Omron); no vendor lock-in applies.
Does the system meet wastewater discharge regulations?
When specified with the optional pH neutralization module, effluent pH is automatically adjusted to 6.5–8.5 prior to discharge, satisfying EPA 40 CFR Part 403 and most municipal pretreatment ordinances.
What is the expected service life under continuous operation?
Based on field data from >15 years of deployment in 24/7 academic vivaria, mean time between unscheduled maintenance exceeds 12,000 operating hours; stainless steel frame lifetime exceeds 25 years with routine inspection.