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Pharmaceutical Technology TRENDS IN MANUFACTURING 2022 eBOOK 7 of weig ht va riat ion i n combi nat ion f i l l cap- sules. Additionally, they offer different release prof iles to deliver drugs in t he gastrointesti- na l tract. Adva nces in ma nufacturing met h- ods are making it easier for manufacturers to meet these trends, with innovations in encap- sulation technologies as well as customized s olutions retrof itted to existing machines. As such, these types of specialized medicines are becoming financially viable. Customizing dosages with 3D printing. 3D print- ing is another trend making its mark on every manufacturing industr y, and the pharmaceu- t ica l industr y is no dif ferent. It a l lows com- panies to develop novel dosage forms quick ly, such as bespoke, specia list, a nd low-volume produc t s . Usi ng t h i s adv a nc ed tech nolog y ma kes it possible to create complex products and include multiple APIs in one single dosage form. 3D printing also enables manufacturers to customize their formulations according to spe- cific consumer needs for a more patient-friendly option. An example of what can be done with 3D printing technology is a unique release pro- file or bespoke designs. While these new formats are gaining interest in the pharmaceutical market, they can bring complex manufacturing cha llenges. But how can manufacturers tackle these issues without impacting quality, safety, or speed to market? Overcoming challenges with predictive maintenance Ensuring manufacturing processes are as seam- less a s possible is cr ucia l to meet i ng t hese growing trends, especially in an uncertain eco- nomic environment where every penny counts. However, unplanned downtime has long been a challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers. With global supply chain pressures, increased dema nd across t he hea lt hcare industr y, a nd potent ia l labor shor tages fol low ing t he pa n- demic, preventing unplanned downtime from machinery stoppages is a key priority for manu- facturers. Unplanned downtime costs time and money a nd is not qu ick ly remed ied . Ma nu- facturing equipment can take hours to get up and running again following a stoppage. This ca n cause shipment delays, d issat isf ied cus- tomers, and lost revenue, potentia lly costing manufacturers heavily. One way manufacturers are tackling unplanned downtime is with the use of digital predictive maintenance technologies as part of a proactive approach. The latest adaptor kits can help opti- mize machine performance through data analysis, allowing operators to remotely monitor machine conditions and predict when maintenance is needed. For manufacturers adapting to a "new normal" after the COVID-19 pandemic, it can significantly speed up maintenance because tech- nical experts can provide essential support from across the globe. By combining real-time data across multiple data points, manufacturers have access to important insights before machinery fails, enabling them to order spare parts in ad- vance and plan time more effectively—especially in periods of high demand. 3D printing is another trend making its mark on every manufacturing industry, and the pharmaceutical industry is no different.