Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/238663
d-Davidsonart_16-19_Masters 12/31/13 9:53 AM Page 16 16 January 2014 Tablets & Capsules capsule filling John Davidson Capsugel Courtesy of Robert Bosch Packaging Technology, Minneapolis, MN Strategies for improving capsule filling efficiency Finding the right balance of equipment, capsule, and formulation can boost yields, increase filling speed, and reduce downtime, allowing you to deliver products more quickly and increase profits. T he ground rules have changed for product development and production in the health and nutrition industries, as well as in the pharmaceutical business. Today, manufacturers must meet demands for better products while making them faster and at less cost. In addition, companies that fill their products into capsules must meet the needs of new and emerging consumer populations, contend with competitors, and stretch ever-tightening budgets. Because of this new environment, "cost leadership" has become the mantra. And while companies have always scrutinized the costs of raw of materials, there are limits to how much savings this can provide over the long term. This is particularly true when lower-cost materials lead to compromises in manufacturing efficiency or product performance. Consequently, evaluating total "cost-in-use" is the paradigm to follow when seeking to improve the productivity and performance of your capsule filling operation. Total cost-in-use will speed up filling, increase yields, and cut downtime. These improvements will reduce manufacturing costs and time, thereby increasing your company's profits. In fact, the combined savings generated by higher yields and faster machines often exceeds what you spend on empty capsules.