Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/238663
m-MiniCH_48-62_MINICH 12/30/13 2:09 PM Page 54 54 January 2014 Tablets & Capsules Product Review PharmaCare® 7 Step Audit Step 1 – Clean – An essential start to the process to ensure tooling is free from contamination. Tablet compression tools are generally viewed as expendable items that can easily be replaced, but I Holland, specialist manufacturer of tablet tooling for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, challenges this view. Tablet tooling may no longer need to be replaced as often if a simple 7 step process is followed. The I Holland PharmaCare® 7 Step Process offers simple steps for maintaining punches and dies to help improve profitability by limiting tablet press downtime. Step 2 – Assess – Following cleaning, punches and dies must be inspected to determine general condition. This program of professionally planned maintenance includes 7 key steps; clean, assess, repair, measure, polish, lubricate and store and has been adopted as a Standard Operating procedure by many companies world-wide. To help companies implement this procedure, I Holland can make a site visit to audit and review tool maintenance procedures, methods & equipment used. An introduction to the PharmaCare® 7 Step Process will then be made, resulting in a presentation of recommendations and a full audit report. Step 5 – Polish – Automated polishing is recommended to ensure an even polish and consistent finish. I Holland's experienced and professional team will uncover the root cause of a customer's problem, for example wear or corrosion, and advise on an informed and working solution, or optimisation of current maintenance techniques. For further information on the PharmaCare® 7 Step Audit and how your company will benefit visit www.iholland.co.uk Correct maintenance is critical in obtaining maximum life from punches and dies, with a high proportion of problems being traced to poor handling and maintenance procedures. The audit is a way to directly detect and rectify this, ultimately saving many hours of reduced production through unplanned tooling maintenance and tool replacements. Step 3 – Repair – Rectify any damage to the tooling including any light corrosion and damage through polishing and repairing. Step 4 – Measure – This is essential after polishing and repair to ensure critical tooling dimension have stayed within tolerance. Step 6 – Lubricate – This step is important to protect, preserve and aid the smooth operation of tooling in the tablet press. Step 7 – Store – The final step is important to protect and minimise damage of tooling. Correct storage facilitates good tooling management. It is recommended specially designed storage cabinets are used.