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Pneumatic Conveying Systems Prescription for Maximized Pharma-Ingredient Delivery The process of making tablets and capsules has always been tedious, and although there have been great advances in pro- cessing equipment that automates the manufacturing process, one of the principal factors engineers must consider is how that equipment will affect the final end-product quality. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), Bulk Pharmaceutical Ingredients (BPI), excipients, and nutraceuticals can cost hun- dreds of dollars per ounce, where material handling can present costly challenges in all steps of the process including loading feeders, blenders, sifters, tablet presses, capsule fillers. Whether the application requires direct loading of blenders or mixers, the gentle handling of empty or filled capsules, the dust- free transfer of ingredients to table presses, gravimetric feeder refill, or continuous pharmaceutical extrusion, sanitary pneumatic conveying systems and vacuum technology has become an indispensable tool in streamlining pharmaceutical and nutraceuti- cal production lines. Pneumatically conveying ingredients to processing equipment con- sists of 5 components that come together to act as a single unit. In the most basic of explanations, material gets sucked into the chamber for a period of time long enough to fill a container, the vacuum turns off, the valve of the chamber opens up, discharges the material, closes and then the process repeats itself again. Two systems that are commonly adapted in the pharmaceutical arena to eliminate tedious manual labor, keep work areas cleaner, and speed up operations, are the Multiple Tablet Press Loading Systems and Tablet Coating Pan Unloading and Package Filling Systems, combining modern electronic technology with innovative mechanical and pneumatic designs to produce ingredient handling systems that not only free operators of physical effort, but also per- form sophisticated operations with minimal assistance. Systems can be designed to convey multiple ingredients from different pick up points into weigh hoppers and automatically batch them according to preprogrammed formulations. For more information on the VAC-U-MAX line of vacuum receiver and pneumatic conveying systems for pharmaceutical applica- tions please visit our website at www.vac-u-max.com or call 800-VAC-U-MAX. Vac-U-Max Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. ® (SGTI) is a full-service contract manufacturer, specializing in providing marketers with premium quality dietary supplements in a soft gelatin capsule delivery system. SGTI is dedicated to the production and marketing of branded products and turnkey custom formulations exclusively to the nutraceutical industry. We have the capacity to meet high volume demands as well as accommodate smaller jobs in a reliable manner. SGTI obtained GMP certification through the NPA and NSF, including NSF's Athletic Banned Substances program, known as GMP for Sport ™ . The company has an extensive analytical laboratory on site, which assures product integrity and quality. Global sourcing of ingredients and the ability to provide a full range of product development and marketing services allows SGTI to give its business partners a distinct advantage. SGTI is committed to giving its customers the highest levels of service and support. At Soft Gel Technologies, Inc., we provide our customers with branded and scientifically-researched ingredients, patent and trademark protection, exclusive soft gelatin products, and the latest, state-of-the-art technology and machinery for soft gelatin encapsulation. We offer the customer the full-spectrum package of manufacturing—from formulation to bottling. We can take a customer's concept and deliver a product ready for sale. By having Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. do the work, the customer can focus on branding and marketing the new product. Soft Gel Technologies, Inc. (SGTI) 6982 Bandini Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph: (323) 726-0700 Toll-Free: (800) 360-7484 (SGTI) Fax: (323) 726-7065 Website: www.soft-gel.com E-mail: sales@soft-gel.com Soft Gel Technologies Tablets & Capsules January 2016 63