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Pharmaceutical Technology TRENDS IN MANUFACTURING 2022 eBOOK 15 preferable as all punches are polished to a uniform finish. Manual polishing methods can also increase the risk of over polishing and coating removal as mentioned previously. Slick moves Once polishing has taken place it is important to address lubrication. This protects the tools from environmental effects during storage and ensures tooling is ready for use at any time. The biggest problem if lubrication is not addressed is corrosion caused by excessive moisture and hu- midity. If this cannot be controlled, lubrication must be used to prevent it from forming. If tooling is to be stored long-term, a grease is recommended as they are more viscous than oils and, therefore, adhere to the tool for a longer period of time giving greater protection for the extended storage. If tools are to be stored for a short time, oil is recommended. The most common forms of lubrication found in the industry are synthetic vegetable and mineral oils. Another option to prevent corrosion is volatile corrosion inhibitors. These create an invisible mo- lecular protection layer around the metals surface. Although easy to apply, it is important to be aware that it can be very difficult to determine its effective- ness as it deteriorates from manufacture and so is hard to validate. The final step The last maintenance procedure to consider is storage. Tooling storage and transportation should be specifi- cally designed and developed with high security and safety handling considerations a priority as this re- duces the probability of damage and deterioration. Knocks and bruises caused through careless stor- age have a major effect on the punch tip as the dam- age creates a weakness, which may propagate into a crack and tip breakage. This would result in the edge of the tablet being uneven and the need to re- place the tooling. There are many methods for storing punches and dies, from specially designed plastic storage boxes, to custom designed and built storage cabinets, all of which provide high levels of protection. If tools are to be removed from storage for a short period of time (e.g., during measuring and repair work), then corrugated strips are a good option to hold to the tooling as they provide separation. A good storage solution can help reduce the risk of damage as it will reduce handling as much as possible and ensure tools are separated. Tools will then be readily available for when you need them. An added extra Adding a tool management system to production should be seriously considered. It will help to estab- lish compliant, efficient, and accurate maintenance of punches and dies. This will ensure quality speci- fications are met, regulatory standards are adhered to, and data are recorded for a complete audit trail which covers tooling usage and maintenance. This is not only good practice, but an important regulatory requirement in most pharmaceutical environments. The idea that tablet tooling is easily replaceable should be turned on its head. It is a costly mistake to make and will negatively impact tablet production. Life from all tooling should be maximized through a consistent and accurate approach to tool- ing maintenance. Applying practiced procedures will ensure tooling is clean, serviceable, and within specification when required for production, result- ing in a better product for longer, and a high-quality end tablet. PT