Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - June 2010 - (Page 4)

Tabletting equipment: common problems and how to avoid them We regularly deal with tabletting equipment problems and malfunctions, and find that the most common cause is misuse or improper handling and transportation, which often leads to accidental damage to tablet punches (including nicks and dents to the punch tip edges). Premature wear to the punch heads through incorrect operation/set up of the tablet press is also a common problem, as is picking and sticking of the product to the punch faces leading to defective tablets. Seven steps to maintenance best practice Tool maintenance is essential for problem-free production of tablets and to obtain the best service life of both the tooling and the tablet press. There are many systems and equipment choices available, but the ‘Seven Step’ approach can be adopted as a logical guide to best practice for tool maintenance. • Step 1. Clean: When the tooling is removed from the tablet press it should be thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of product, lubricant and contamination. • Step 2. Assess: The condition can show if the process is running well or not; various types of damage and wear can give clues to problems with the press or tooling. The assessment is usually carried out by visual inspection of the tooling under magnification. • Step 3. Repair: Repair can be carried out on lightly damaged tips and minor head wear. Equipment is available in various forms, but the person performing the repair must be well trained and experienced in these techniques. • Step 4. Measure: Tooling should be measured to check for natural wear during the compaction process and also after any repair work. The essential measurement is the critical working lengths of the punches because this controls the thickness, weight and dosage of the tablets. Other measurements include the tip size and die bore size/condition. • Step 5. Polish: Keeping the punch tip faces polished to a high degree of surface finish will maintain the tooling life and reduce problems, such as sticking and capping. Polishing can be carried out manually using polishing motors or automatically using special polishing machines. • Step 6. Lubricate: When the tooling is polished and ready for future use, it is essential to protect it from oxidation. Various types of rust Trevor Higgin s, I Holland inhibitors are available, including food safe options. • Step 7. Store: The safe storage and transportation of tooling is also essential to maintain the condition of the tooling and prevent damage to the delicate punch edges. There are various systems available, including custom-designed storage boxes and cabinets with special insert trays for keeping the tooling separated. PTE Based on a contribution by Trevor Higgins, Director at I Holland. To read the full version of this article, go to www.pharmtech.com/higgins www.iholland.co.uk 1 CONTENTS 7 CONTINUOUS PROCESSES 3 CHANGING TRENDS 8 COATING CHALLENGES 4 EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS 10 CODING TECHNOLOGIES 5 GRANULATION 12 TOP TECHNOLOGIES http://www.pharmtech.com/higgins http://www.iholland.co.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - June 2010

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - June 2010
Contents
Find Out What PTE Readers Feel Are the Most Common Problems Encountered with Their Tabletting Equipment.
Tablet Compression: Changing Trends, More Demands
Tabletting Equipment: Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Granulation: Evolving Slowly But Surely
Drying: Moving from Batch to Continuous Processes
Challenges in Coating
Flexible Blending
Coding Technologies: Breaking Down the Barriers
Inspection Technologies Update
Twelve Latest Technologies Showcased

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - June 2010