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Tablet manufacturing

This involves the compression of materials within a die cavity by the pressure exerted by the movement of 2 punches.

Hopper function in a tablet machine

This holds the materials to be compressed.

Feed shoe function

This transfers materials into the die.

Purpose of the die in tablet manufacturing

This defines the size and shape of the tablet.

Punches in a tablet machine

These compress materials within the die.

Cam tracks

These guide the movement of punches.

Single station tablet machine

This involves compression of the upper punch only.

Multiple station tablet machine

This involves movement of both punches.

Flowability in tablet manufacturing

This facilitates transfer of materials.

Direct compression

This is tablet processing without granulation, requiring good flowability and compressibility.

Punches in a tablet machine

These compress materials within the die.

Cam tracks

These guide the movement of punches.

Single station tablet machine

This involves compression of the upper punch only.

Multiple station tablet machine

This involves movement of both punches.

Direct compression

This is tablet processing without granulation, requiring good flowability and compressibility.

Capping

Partial or complete separation of top or bottom crown due to air entrapment.

Lamination

Separation into 2 or more distinct horizontal layers due to air entrapment.

Cracking

Occurrence in concave tablets; rapid expansion of tablets.

Sticking

Adhesion of material to die wall or face of the punch due to excessive moisture.

Picking

Adhesion of material to the design embedded on the punch tip due to excessive moisture.

Chipping

Removal of a small portion of tablet edges due to lack of binder.

Double Impression

Involves 2 engravings on the surface due to free rotation of punches with engravings on faces.

Mottling

Uneven color distribution due to different color material or improper mixing.

Coating

Application of coating material to a moving bed of solids with concurrent use of heated air.

Pan Pouring

Method for viscous solutions.

Pan Spraying

Method that increases efficiency of the coating process.

Standard Coating Pan

Consists of a rotating circular metal pan with ducts (e.g., Peiligrini Pan; immersion tube/sword system).

Perforated Coating Pan

Heated air is exhausted through the perforations in the drum (e.g., Accela-Cota Pan; Driacotter; Giat Coater).

Sugar Coating

The oldest method of coating, involving successive coating of a sucrose-based solution.

Steps of Coating

Include sealing, subcoating, smoothing, color coating, and polishing.

Film Coating

Involves deposition of a thin film of polymer around the tablet core.

Film Former

Produces smooth, thin films.

Examples of Film Formers

Non-enteric: celluloses, methacrylate, PVA, PVP; Enteric: shellac, CAP, PVAP, salol.

Plasticizer

Produces flexibility and elasticity.

Examples of Plasticizers

Castor oil, glycerin.

Surfactant

Enhances spreadability of the film.

Example of Surfactant

Polysorbates (Tween).

Alloying Substance

Provides water solubility/permeability to the film.

Glossant

Provides luster or shine to the tablets without a separate polishing operation.

Volatile Solvent/Vehicle

Allows the spread of the other components over the tablets.

Example of Volatile Solvent/Vehicle

Alcohol + acetone.

Mottling

Uneven color distribution due to poor mixing, uneven spray patterns, or migration of additives during drying.

Sweating

Oily film or droplets of liquid due to humid conditions.

Bridging

Markings are obscured due to coating solution filling in the logo of the tablet.

Erosion

Removal of coating from the tablet surface due to friction among themselves.

Cratering

Crater appear exposing the tablet surface due to disruption of coating at the crown when the surface is more porous.

Blistering

Reduced adhesion and detachment of the film due to entrapment of gases underneath the film.

Blooming

Fading or dulling of the film due to high concentration and low MW of plasticizer.

Blushing

Whitish specks or haziness of the film due to precipitation of polymer at high temperature.

Twinning

Two tablets stick together due to inappropriate tablet shape or tracky coating formulation.

Orange Peel

Rough, non-glossy film surface due to inadequate spreading; remedy: add polysorbate surfactant.

Flaking

Type I – due to thermal expansion of tablet cores caused by over drying; Type II – due to core swelling caused by excessive moisture uptake.

Delayed Distribution

Associated with the exposure of tablet cores to coating process conditions rather than a direct effect of the applied coating.

Pin method/Reciprocating die method

Method ± most common method of manufacturing HGCs

Sealing

The process that involves methods to securely close gelatin capsules.

Gelatin Banding

Seals with a band of gelatin.

Heat Welding

Fuses cap to body through double wall thickness.

Thermal Coupling

Uses liquid wetting agent to lower melting point between cap and body then bonds.

Coating

Modifies solubility characteristics of the capsule (e.g., shellac, cellulose acetate phthalate, salol).

Soft Gelatin Capsules (SGC)

Formed, filled, and sealed in a single operation.

Plate Process

The oldest method which uses gelatin sheets.

Rotary Die Process

Uses gelatin ribbons brought together between 2 rotating dies.

Reciprocating Die Process

Uses gelatin ribbons brought together between 2 rotating dies.