For U.S. pharmaceutical, biotech, and CDMO projects
Command GMP Pharmaceutical Freeze Dryers & Lyophilizers
Compare 0.5 to 5.4 m² Command configurations for sterile vials, peptides, biologics, vaccines, and temperature-sensitive APIs. Final controls, validation documents, utilities, installation, and service scope are confirmed against your URS and quotation.
Engineering selection request
Get a practical Command model path
Send the minimum project information below. The first response should identify a suitable model range, the configuration questions that still need answers, and whether a budgetary range can be prepared.
- Recommended Command model range and shelf-area basis
- Stoppering, condenser, cleanroom, controls, and document questions to confirm
- Budgetary range only after the requested configuration is clear
Submitting this form does not create a compliance, delivery-time, price, or service commitment. Those items are confirmed in the written proposal and contract.
A documented U.S. field record
A July 2026 field record shows a 13-shelf pharmaceutical-type freeze dryer installed and commissioned at a U.S. customer site for a peptide application.
- Application: peptide lyophilization
- Scope: delivery inspection, start-up, commissioning, and operator handover
- On-site work: two working days
- Important boundary: this was not the customer’s site-specific IQ/OQ/PQ or process validation
See Command equipment and vial stoppering
These equipment clips show the physical system, stoppering motion, and control interface. Video demonstrations do not replace a project-specific FAT, URS review, or validation package.
Freeze Dryer Stoppering System Demo
SJ Command 50FT GMP Freeze Dryer
Command F configuration reference
Command F Flexible Shelf GMP Freeze Dryer
Command F is a configurable pharmaceutical vial-lyophilizer platform built around 450 × 600 mm shelves. Choose fewer shelves for more vertical clearance or more shelves for higher small-vial density; final condenser, stoppering, controls, utilities, and document scope are engineered against the project URS.
Quick product facts
- Platform
- Configurable pharmaceutical vial lyophilizer
- Shelf format
- 450 × 600 mm (0.27 m² per shelf)
- Planning range
- 4–13 product shelves
- Nominal shelf area
- 1.08–3.51 m², based on shelf count
- Shelf clearance
- 58–120 mm, model dependent
- Condenser sizing
- Matched to fill volume, total ice load, vapor path, and cycle target
Flexible-shelf configuration range
The model table is an early selection map. “F(T)” indicates that stoppering can be reviewed for an applicable configuration; it is not automatically included.
| Model | Shelves | Nominal area | Shelf clearance | Early vial-fit guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Command SJ-100F(T) | 4 | 1.08 m² | 80–120 mm | 30R, 20R, or smaller |
| Command SJ-135F(T) | 5 | 1.35 m² | 80–120 mm | 30R, 20R, or smaller |
| Command SJ-160F(T) | 6 | 1.62 m² | 80–120 mm | 30R, 20R, or smaller |
| Command SJ-190F(T) | 7 | 1.89 m² | 80 mm | 20R or smaller |
| Command SJ-210F(T) | 8 | 2.16 m² | 80 mm | 20R or smaller |
| Command SJ-240F(T) | 9 | 2.43 m² | 80 mm | 20R or smaller |
| Command SJ-270F(T) | 10 | 2.70 m² | 80 mm | 20R or smaller |
| Command SJ-290F(T) | 11 | 2.97 m² | 70 mm | 10R or smaller |
| Command SJ-320F(T) | 12 | 3.24 m² | 62 mm | 10R or smaller |
| Command SJ-350F(T) | 13 | 3.51 m² | 58 mm | 6R or smaller |
Nominal area is the 0.27 m² shelf format multiplied by shelf count. Vial fit remains subject to the partially inserted stopper height, tray, stoppering travel, loading method, and required clearance.
Reference vial-loading geometry per shelfShow the 12 published vial-planning rows
Counts below are geometric planning values for one 450 × 600 mm shelf—not an approved customer batch capacity.
| Vial | Outside diameter | Glass-vial height | Per shelf | 4 shelves | 6 shelves | 8 shelves | 10 shelves | 13 shelves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2R | 16 mm | 35 mm | 1,036 | 4,144 | 6,216 | 8,288 | 10,360 | 13,468 |
| 3R | 16 mm | 40 mm | 1,036 | 4,144 | 6,216 | 8,288 | 10,360 | 13,468 |
| 4R | 16 mm | 45 mm | 1,036 | 4,144 | 6,216 | 8,288 | 10,360 | 13,468 |
| 6R | 22 mm | 40 mm | 540 | 2,160 | 3,240 | 4,320 | 5,400 | 7,020 |
| 8R | 22 mm | 45 mm | 540 | 2,160 | 3,240 | 4,320 | 5,400 | 7,020 |
| 10R | 24 mm | 45 mm | 450 | 1,800 | 2,700 | 3,600 | 4,500 | 5,850 |
| 15R | 24 mm | 60 mm | 450 | 1,800 | 2,700 | 3,600 | 4,500 | 5,850 |
| 20R | 30 mm | 55 mm | 300 | 1,200 | 1,800 | 2,400 | 3,000 | 3,900 |
| 25R | 30 mm | 65 mm | 300 | 1,200 | 1,800 | 2,400 | 3,000 | 3,900 |
| 30R | 30 mm | 75 mm | 300 | 1,200 | 1,800 | 2,400 | 3,000 | 3,900 |
| 50R | 40 mm | 73 mm | 165 | 660 | 990 | 1,320 | 1,650 | 2,145 |
| 100R | 47 mm | 100 mm | 108 | 432 | 648 | 864 | 1,080 | 1,404 |
Multiply the per-shelf planning count by the selected shelf count only for an early estimate. Final quantity can change with vial tolerance, stopper style, tray design, loading method, edge clearance, and stoppering travel.
Configured to the URS—not assumed as standard
- Product-contact material review for AISI 304 or 316L requirements
- Hydraulic or pneumatic stoppering review using the vial and stopper drawings
- SCADA scope for recipes, user access, audit trail, batch reports, and electronic-signature functions
- CIP/SIP and facility-integration review where the project requires them
- URS, FAT, SAT, DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ-support, risk, and traceability-document scope
Command F does not have one universal shelf-temperature range, condenser temperature or ice load, vacuum package, utility load, footprint, price, or lead time. Those values are confirmed for the selected configuration after the batch, vial, stopper, site utilities, and URS are reviewed.
Choose by process stage and real batch requirement
Shelf area is a useful first filter, but the final selection also depends on vial drawing, fill volume, formulation, condenser load, loading arrangement, stoppering, utilities, and the required documentation scope.
| Model | Shelf area | Typical project stage | Configuration review | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Command SJ-50F(T) | 0.5 m² | Formulation work, small GMP-oriented batches, and vial trials | Confirm vial layout, stoppering, condenser, controls, and document scope | View model |
| Command SJ-100F(T) | 1.0 m² | Pilot, process development, and clinical-batch planning | Confirm stoppering, cleanroom interface, controls, utilities, and validation deliverables | View model |
| Command SJ-200F(T)-30L | 2.16 m² | Clinical and small-scale production projects | Confirm vial count, condenser load, product changeover, controls, and FAT/SAT scope | View model |
| Command SJ-300F(T) | 3.2 m² | Scale-up and commercial-production planning | Confirm loading method, CIP/SIP requirements, redundancy, utilities, and documentation | View model |
| Command SJ-500F(T) | 5.4 m² | Commercial pharmaceutical production | Confirm line integration, condenser option, loading, cleanroom interface, utilities, and lifecycle support | View model |
The table is a selection guide, not a final specification. A model suffix or option shown on one project must not be assumed to be standard on another.
What must be confirmed before a GMP equipment decision
A supplier can provide equipment functions and documents, but the purchaser remains responsible for the validated state, procedures, intended use, data governance, and site quality system.
Part 11 and data integrity
- Review the proposed audit trail, user roles, electronic-signature workflow, time synchronization, record retention, backup, and export functions.
- Use “Part 11-ready” only after the exact SCADA configuration and responsibility matrix are defined.
- Confirm how the customer will validate the configured system within its own procedures and quality system.
Qualification documents
- DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ-support, FAT, SAT, calibration, material, and welding documents can have different standard and optional scopes.
- Ask for a document index and sample pages before purchase.
- Write the agreed language, format, review cycle, execution responsibility, and acceptance criteria into the quotation or contract.
Aseptic and line integration
- Stoppering, manual or automated loading, RABS or isolator interface, pass-through layout, and CIP/SIP are project engineering topics.
- Confirm vial and stopper drawings, Grade A continuity, cleanroom boundary, loading direction, and upstream or downstream interfaces.
- Do not assume every option is available on every Command model without an engineering review.
U.S. site and service scope
- Confirm site voltage, frequency, phase, cooling water, compressed air, drainage, room access, and equipment placement.
- Define shipping terms, installation, commissioning, training, travel, spare parts, remote access, warranty, and on-site response in writing.
- On-site availability depends on project schedule, site readiness, travel arrangements, and the contracted service scope.
What a useful budgetary response should contain
A low-friction form should still collect enough information to avoid a meaningless price. The response should separate the base machine, required options, documentation, site services, and items that remain open.
What the response should return
- Recommended model or model range with the shelf-area and condenser basis
- Known required options and open engineering questions
- Budgetary equipment range when enough configuration information is available
- Utility and site-readiness checklist
- Proposed FAT/SAT and qualification-document scope
Information that improves accuracy
- Application and project stage
- Vial or bulk format, vial drawing, fill volume, and target units per batch
- Formulation notes, solvent, and expected condenser load
- Stoppering, cleanroom, loading, Part 11, and validation requirements
- U.S. site location, utilities, target decision date, and URS if available
Questions to settle before requesting a formal proposal
What is the difference between a pharmaceutical lyophilizer and a food freeze dryer?
A pharmaceutical project is selected around product-contact design, vial or bulk handling, cleanroom interfaces, controlled records, qualification documents, cleaning, and the purchaser’s quality system. Food, candy, fruit, pet-food, and home-use inquiries should use the separate H-series or FFD food pages.
Is a Command system automatically 21 CFR Part 11 compliant?
No equipment purchase automatically makes a site compliant. Command SCADA configurations can be reviewed for functions such as audit trail, user access, electronic signatures, record retention, backup, and export. The exact configuration and responsibility matrix must be defined, then validated by the purchaser within its intended use and quality system.
Are IQ/OQ/PQ documents included with every model?
Do not assume a universal package. Ask for the document index and confirm which DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ-support, FAT, SAT, calibration, material, welding, and software documents are standard, optional, or customer-executed for the quoted configuration.
How should we choose between SJ-50F, SJ-100F, SJ-200F, SJ-300F, and SJ-500F?
Start with vial format, fill volume, units per batch, shelf loading pattern, condenser load, formulation, process stage, stoppering, loading method, utilities, and documentation requirements. Shelf area alone is not enough for a final selection.
Can the system support vial stoppering?
Stoppering is available on applicable configurations, but vial and stopper drawings, loading pattern, compression requirement, cleanroom boundary, and the exact model must be reviewed before it is included in a proposal.
Do you have a documented U.S. field record?
Yes. The linked July 2026 field record describes installation and commissioning of a 13-shelf pharmaceutical-type freeze dryer for a U.S. peptide application. The article also states clearly that the two-day handover was not the customer’s site-specific qualification or process validation.
Can you provide on-site installation or service in the United States?
A U.S. installation has been documented. Future on-site availability depends on project schedule, site readiness, travel arrangements, and the contracted service scope. Installation, commissioning, training, remote access, spare parts, warranty, and response expectations should be written into the proposal.
Why is there no generic “download datasheet” button?
A generic PDF can create false confidence when stoppering, condenser, controls, cleanroom interface, utilities, and document scope vary by project. The page requests the minimum selection inputs first; the supplier should then return model-specific information relevant to the proposed configuration.
Start with the batch, vial, and compliance requirement
Use the short engineering form for a model path, or send a detailed inquiry when you already have a URS or a defined equipment specification.
Use the Short Engineering Form
Best when you need a model path and do not yet have a complete URS.
Use the Short Engineering FormSend a Detailed Command Inquiry
Best when you already know the vial format, batch target, utilities, and compliance scope.
Send a Detailed Command Inquiry