Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/316458
During actual manufacturing, however, the tablet press commonly would use automatic weight control and a rejection gate so that you can collect tablets that are within specification. With today's technology, tablet presses can control the tablet weight of layer stages, not just the final compression. Even so, there is no substitute for a thorough examination of the tablet press setup. The checklist above covers the basics. T&C Robert Sedlock is technical sales manager at SMI, 1309 Route 22, East Lebanon, NJ 08833. Tel. 908 534 1500, fax 908 534 1546. Website: www.smitmc.com. Verify these components to minimize downtime and material waste. 1. Is your fill cam size slightly higher than your layer-one weight cam depth? 2. Is your upper punch penetration for layer one set properly for the weight cam of layer two? 3. Are your paddle feeder scraper bars in good condition? Is the die table running clean? 4. Are your paddle feeders running at optimum speed? 5. Are all of your vacuum ports connected properly and is the vacuum drawing at the correct pressure? 6. What is the RSD of the compression forces of layers one and two? As a reference, it shouldn't exceed 10 percent. —R.S. Setting up and operating a bilayer tablet press 26 May 2014 Tablets & Capsules Need info? New subscriber? Find past articles at www.tabletscapsules.com. Click on Article index g-Sedlockart_22-27_Masters 5/14/14 10:16 AM Page 26