Tablet press machines are widely used to produce pharmaceutical tablets and capsules. It is an integral part of the pharmaceutical industry, as it helps to compress coarse material into a tablet form. With its advanced technology and innovative design, these machines offer greater efficiency, precision and accuracy than manual methods. If you’re looking to start producing pharmaceutical tablets or capsules, this guide on pharmaceutical tablet press machines is just for you!
The process of manufacturing a pill requires various ingredients such as pill binders, fillers and excipients which need to be mixed together in precise proportions along with pill binder powder. This mixture is then put inside a die cavity of the machine, where it’s compressed into a round shape. The pressure applied by the dies can range from 3 tons per cm² up to 25 tons per cm² depending on the type of product being made. Depending upon the size of the tablet produced, these presses can produce anywhere between 1-100 thousand pills per hour.
1 – Types Of Tablet Press Machines
There are several different types of tablet press machines available which vary in terms of their working mechanism, output capacity and power consumption. Manual tableting machines are ideal for small batches while rotary tableting machines provide higher outputs at lower costs. Single-punch tableting machines are suitable for producing uniform tablets while multi-punch tableting machines allow multiple cavities within one die set for making complex shapes quickly. High-speed automatic presses save time due to their high output rates but require more maintenance since they have many moving parts that need regular lubrication and cleaning.
2 – Benefits of using pharmaceutical tablet press machines
The use of dedicated tablet press machines offers many advantages over manual processes, including
- Highly accurate
Tablets produced by these machines have consistent weight, shape and overall quality compared to manually pressed tablets, which may not meet the stringent quality requirements needed for medical applications;
- Cost savings
Automatic presses cost less in terms of labour costs as they require only one person to operate compared to manual pressing which requires several people;
- High speed production
These machines can produce large quantities very quickly, resulting in faster turnaround times;
3 – Features of pharmaceutical tablet presses
Modern tablet presses come with several features that make them easier to use and maintain, such as
- Touch screen control panel
Allows the user to easily control all aspects of production such as feed adjustment, speed setting, etc;
- Automatic lubrication system
Ensures proper lubrication at all times, reducing wear and tear on components;
- Tablet counting system
Automatically counts the number of tablets produced so there’s no need for manual counting;
- Safety features
Includes emergency stop buttons, interlocks, etc. to ensure safe operation even if there’s an unexpected incident or malfunction during production;
4 – Dies used in the tableting process
Dies play an important role in both single punch and rotary tableting processes as they contain cavities that act like moulds to accurately shape each individual tablet or capsule according to its intended purpose. There are two main types of dies, concave (for tablet production) and convex (for capsule production). Each type is designed differently depending on the size, shape and complexity required for the particular products they will be used to make. For example, concave molds may have grooves along their surface, while convex holds may have capsular rings along their edges, etc., giving manufacturers greater flexibility in designing their products accordingly.
5 – Maintenance of pharmaceutical tablet presses
As with any other piece of equipment used in an industrial production environment, regular maintenance of your machine is essential if you want it to continue to function properly without unplanned downtime due to breakdowns caused by worn components or lack of proper lubrication etc. Regular maintenance checks should include checking all nuts and bolts for tightness and looseness, and oil and grease levels should also be checked regularly to ensure optimum performance from your machine throughout its lifetime. In addition, replacing worn parts as soon as they are identified will help to prevent further damage that could otherwise occur if these parts were neglected.
6 – Conclusion
In conclusion, investing in reliable & effective pharmaceutical tablet press machinery offers great potential benefits over traditional hand pressing methods when it comes to achieving consistent results with regards to weight, shape & size specifications concerning whatever product you happen to be manufacturing. As long as basic maintenance procedures are followed along with the preventative maintenance tips mentioned above, your machine will continue to run efficiently throughout its lifetime.
