Tablets are being formed by compressing the granules using the compression machines. Different innovations to tablet compression machines are being done to improve the production rates and now it is possible to produce more than 500,000 tablets per hour. A tablet formation takes place by the combined pressing action of two punches and a die.
1. Filling: This procedure of the tablet compression machine involves the transfer of the granules into position for tablet compression. The ultimate product is then blended into the homogeneous blend. Then the mixture flows to the compressing tool punch-die cavity.
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2. Metering: The metering procedure for the tablet compression procedure involves removal of excess granules from the compression machine. At this stage, the required weight (volume) of granules to be compressed into tablets is controlled by the height of the lower punch in the die and the height of the lower punch is controlled by the metering cam.
The lower punch is raised to the required level in the die to get the required weight of granules in the punch-die cavity. The excess granules are scraped from the surface of the die table. The metering method is similar to the process used to determine the weight of flour during the making of a cake.
3. Compression: During the compression stage, the top and bottom punch (tablet tooling) come together by pressure within the die to form the tablet. As the punches enter into the compression stage, the top and bottom punches move between two large wheels called compression rolls. These compression rolls push the punches to words the die to form the product.
So, the distance between the top and bottom punches determines the thickness and the hardness of the tablets. When the punches are so close together, a thin and hard tablet is created. Today AWC (auto weight control) machine is used for a better result.
There are different types of compression machines are available for tablet manufacturing and these have their identification on the basis of the number of tablet compression stations as 25 stations, 35 stations, 55 stations etc.
The principle of Tablet Compression Machine:
The basic principle behind the tablet compression machine is hydraulic pressure. This pressure is transmitted unreduced through the static fluid. Any externally applied pressure is transmitted via static fluid to all the directions in the same proportion. It also makes it possible to multiply the force as needed.Different Stages of Compression Process:
The tablet compression procedure that is used in different pharmaceutical companies is divided into four distinct stages. These are named as filling, metering, compression and ejection. These all four steps are explained below:1. Filling: This procedure of the tablet compression machine involves the transfer of the granules into position for tablet compression. The ultimate product is then blended into the homogeneous blend. Then the mixture flows to the compressing tool punch-die cavity.
Related: Lubricant Concentration in Pharmaceutical Products
2. Metering: The metering procedure for the tablet compression procedure involves removal of excess granules from the compression machine. At this stage, the required weight (volume) of granules to be compressed into tablets is controlled by the height of the lower punch in the die and the height of the lower punch is controlled by the metering cam.
The lower punch is raised to the required level in the die to get the required weight of granules in the punch-die cavity. The excess granules are scraped from the surface of the die table. The metering method is similar to the process used to determine the weight of flour during the making of a cake.
3. Compression: During the compression stage, the top and bottom punch (tablet tooling) come together by pressure within the die to form the tablet. As the punches enter into the compression stage, the top and bottom punches move between two large wheels called compression rolls. These compression rolls push the punches to words the die to form the product.
So, the distance between the top and bottom punches determines the thickness and the hardness of the tablets. When the punches are so close together, a thin and hard tablet is created. Today AWC (auto weight control) machine is used for a better result.
There are different types of compression machines are available for tablet manufacturing and these have their identification on the basis of the number of tablet compression stations as 25 stations, 35 stations, 55 stations etc.
Very good post. I am reading this in 2021. I am a B.pharm student from BD.
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