Parts of a tableting machine

Hopper

HOLDS the formulatio

Feed frame

TRANSFERS the formulation from the hopper to the die cavity

Die

Define the SIZE and SHAPE of the tablet

Punches

COMPRESS the granular formulation

Upper punch: Compression

Lower punch: Ejection

Cam tracks

GUIDES the MOVEMENT of punches

Direct Compression (simplest method)

Reserved for a small group of crystalline chemicals having all the physical characteristics required for the formation of good tablet

• Potassium salts (chlorate, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, permanganate)

• Ammonium chloride

• Methenamine

Diluents

microcrystalline cellulose and spray dried lactose

Steps in Sugar Coating

6. printing

5. polishing

4. color coating

3. smooth coating

2. sub coat

1. seal coat

Sealing or “waterproofing'“

• Prevents penetration of water in the tablet core

• Addition of shellac, cellulose acetate phathalate or polyvinyl pyrrolidone

Subcoating

• addition of 3 - 5 subcoats of sugar, based syrup or gum, based solution (with dusting powder after every layer to prevent tackiness

• Increase in 50 - 100% weight (build-up occurs)

Smoothing

• application of a simple syrup solution (60 - 70%)

• used to obtain a smooth surface

Color coating

Application of multiple syrup solutions containing appropriate colorant

Most critical to the successful production of a sugar coating product

i. Grossing - develop color base

ii. Heavy syruping - builds up color

iii. Regular syruping - final color

Polishing

• Develop GLOSS on sugar coated tablet

• Addition of waxes

Printing

• Application of pharmaceutical branding ink

• Process: offset rotogravure