Tablet tooling – More punch through smaller punches

Tableting is a well established process in pharma production. In fact, the basic principles have not changed since the first rotary tablet presses were invented in the 19th century. Nevertheless there is room as well as need for innovation. High-performance double rotary presses from Fette Compacting, for instance, using the new 110-station segment turret, are achieving production yields of 1.3 million tablets per hour. And while the average OEE achieved in tablet production facilities is around 30% according to the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Fette Compacting’s customers regularly achieve values above 60%.

Pmax with 66 stations and FS12 punches for the 2090i

A crucial element for these performance figures are the new FS12 punches. In order to achieve a major improvement, it was necessary not only to provide more closely spaced die holes in the die table, but also to design a new punch form. Fette Compacting’s experts designed the FS12 punch, with a shaft diameter of only 12 millimetres for this purpose. While the smaller diameter reduces the maximum loading capacity of the punch, the maximum compression force of 25 kN for the FS12 punch is nevertheless quite sufficient. The smaller punch diameter also reduces the diameter of the punch head. A new shape for the head has allowed the Fette Compacting developers to provide the largest possible surface to enable the necessary pressure dwell time.

Equipped with the new generation punches, turrets from Fette Compacting are at the heart of the fastest tablet presses in the world, giving evidence that there is much potential for innovation, even in established technologies – if you are willing and able to take a fresh look.