Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1499609
4 Pharmaceutical Technology ® Trends in Manufacturing eBook May 2023 PharmTech.com ANTON - STOCK.ADOBE.COM O ral solid dosage (OSD) forms are a mainstay for the pharmaceutical industry, providing a convenient, cost-effective solution to drug delivery. The outlook for the OSD market re- mains positive with estimates of growth reaching a com- pound annual rate of 6.4% between 2022 and 2032 (1). Within this market, tablets account for the largest share, and the segment is forecast to continue to expand during the aforementioned analyzed period (1). The manufacture of tablets, although cost effective (partic- ularly at scale), still requires specialist equipment and tools, which, if not maintained correctly, can cause de- fects in the finished product and ultimately harm the manufacturer's bottom line. Punches and dies—key tools Key tools used within tablet compression are punches and dies, which function together, under pressure, forming the tablets to the required specifications (i.e., thickness and hardness). These punches and dies can be categorized in three ways, explains Andy Dumelow, head of Technical Sales at I Holland; there are the Euro- standard, Japan Norm, and Tableting Specification Man- ual (TSM)—the first being mainly used in Europe and Asia, the second in Japan, and the third in the Americas. "The vast majority of these punches and dies would then be classified into two groups, that would be B-type and D-type tooling, which also have some derivatives to account for different tablet sizes," Dumelow says. "The categories are dimensionally qualified and based mainly on the tablet sizes they can produce. They will also determine the number of stations a tablet press can accommodate, so ultimately links to production vol- umes a manufacturer can make on their tablet presses." However, there is a common misconception that these tools are made from stainless steel, Dumelow remarks. "The vast majority of tooling is not made in stainless steel, but a suitable cold forming tool steel, Keeping Up with Tablet Tooling Maintenance Felicity Thomas is senior editor. A good understanding of tablet tooling and how to properly maintain these key parts will maximize lifespan of tools.