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Tablets & Capsules September 2018 27 Start small Optimizing your tooling doesn't mean that you need to redesign every single tool in your current inventory. Companies always have limited budgets and are generally working with a variety of tablet presses and tooling of various ages and conditions. Also, many companies work with customer-provided tablet designs and tooling over which they have little or no control. These factors make it very difficult to start with a clean slate and optimize all your tablet tooling at once. A more practical approach is to start with one specific tablet. For example, if one of your products contains an ingredient such as magnesium or calcium that can cause oxidation on tool surfaces, you may want to design a spe- cific tool set for that product. Or if one of your products consistently experiences sticking and picking problems, start with that product and design tooling specifically geared toward solving the problem. Then use the new tooling only for that tablet so you can document its per- formance and verify whether the tooling changes improved the process or not. Having an optimized set of tooling for a problem prod- uct and a standard set for easy-to-run products will help you achieve maximum working life from each set and can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the tools. You may also want to consider using extended head flats on special sets. With extended head flats, the flat surface on the punch head is wider, which provides a longer dwell time (the time during which the tablet is under compres- sion), allowing you maximize your press operating speed. Maintenance and handling Finally, while this article is about optimizing your tool- ing, successful tableting also requires a proper tooling maintenance program. Proper maintenance helps you track tooling performance, so you can see where problems or premature wear are occurring and make changes such as upgrading the tool steel or choosing a different coating or tablet design. Consult the section in the TSM that covers tooling procurement, inspection, and maintenance. Make sure press operators, tool-room staff and anyone else installing, removing, cleaning, transporting, or otherwise handling your tooling knows and practices safe handling methods. More tool damage is caused by poor handling than by anything that happens in the tablet press, and even the most optimized tools won't last long or perform well if they're not properly handled and cared for. T&C Mike Beyl is Western tablet tooling specialist at Wilson Tool International (866 752 6531, www.wilsontool.com) and has been with the company for 13 years. Wilson Tool's tableting division provides compression tooling, including standard punches and dies, accessories, and custom-designed tool solu- tions, to the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, industrial compres- sion, confectionary, and other industries. Acid Resistant Vegetable Capsules ) ' u n. , u, ' . ' AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR DELIVERY OF ACID-SENSITIVE ACTIVE INGREDIENDTS . . . <> . BioCaps Enterprises, Inc. www.biocaps.net • info@biocaps.net US Patent 9452141 GEL CAP DRYING TRAYS • Drop ends and/or sides for quicker drying • Interlock stacking increases drying room efficiency • Won't bend, dent or deflect under heavy loads • Easy integration with process equipment Reinforced composites bring a new level of performance to pharmaceutical processing and handling. And the leading name in FRP is MFG. PH 800 458.6050 www.mfgtray.com The mater i al matter s i n mater i al handl i ng LAB TESTED, PHARMA APPROVED