Compression Tooling
Compression Tooling
BY
SAJJAD AHMAD
OFFICER PRODUCTION
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF COMPRESSION MACHINES
i. SINGLE PUNCH/SINGLE STATION/ECCENTRIC PRESSES
ii. MULTI-STATION/ROTARY PRESSES
MULTI-STATION/ROTARY PRESS
PARTS OF MULTI-STATION/ROTARY PRESS
ADVANTAGES OF ROTARY PRESS
PRINCIPLE OF MULTISTATION PRESS
CONTENTS
MULTI-STATION/ROTARY PRESSES
Multi-station press is a mechanical device that unlike the single punch tablet press has
several tooling station which rotates to compress granules/powder mixture into tablets of
uniform size, shape (depending on the punch design) and uniform weight.
It was developed to increase the output of tablets.
In rotary press, the compaction force on the fill material is exerted by both the upper and
lower punches leaving the powder granules to be compressed in the middle.This is known
as accordion type of compression.
The capacity of a rotary tablet press is determined by the rotation speed of the turret and
the number of stations on the press.
PARTS OF A ROTARY PRESS
HOPPER
FEEDER SYSTEM
PUNCHES
DIE SYSTEM
TURRET
CAM TRACKS
TABLET PRESS FILLING STATION & WEIGHT CONTROL
COMPRESSION ROLLERS
EJECTION CAM
TAKE OFF BLADE AND DISCHARGE CHUTE
TOUCH SCREEN CONTROL PANEL
SEALING SYSTEM
ELECTRIC MOTORS,GEARS AND BELTS
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
HYDRAULIC PUMP UNIT
PARTS OF A ROTARY PRESS
TABLET PRESS HOPPER
The tablet compression process starts from here.
Hopper is basically a material feeding section.
It is the point where we put all powder/grains intended to compress into tablets.
Tablet press hoppers come in a wide range of shapes and designs. Whatever the shape, it should be such
that the material can flow seamlessly into the tablet compression chamber.
Since it is in direct contact with the material, it is made of stainless steel.
Depending on the design of a tablet press machine, powder can be filled manually or using other
automated systems.
Hoppers may feature optimal flow angles to facilitate flow, especially where it is nearly impossible to adjust
formulation.
Some hoppers may have feature vibratory rods.This is done carefully to enhance product flow and to
prevent possible product separation.
PARTS OF A ROTARY PRESS
PRINCIPLE
In the tablet compression machine main principle is compressing the grains/powder in upper and
lower punch in a die hole.
The hydraulic pressure plays a key role.
This pressure is transmitted unreduced through the static fluid.
Any externally applied pressure is transmitted via static fluid to all the direction in same
proportion.
It also makes it possible to multiply the force as needed. If we increase the hydraulic pressure
more compressing force on tablet then it becomes more hard.
STAGES OF TABLET COMPRESSION
PROCESS
i. FILLING
ii. METERING/WEIGHT ASDJUSTMENT
iii. COMPRESSION
iv. EJECTION
FILLING
The filling stage of tablet compression process involves transfer of granules to the compressing machine
punch-die cavity.
The punch die cavity is composed of upper punch, die and lower punch. The position of lower punch
within the die determines the volume of the punch-die cavity.
This volume must be appropriately sized for the weight of granulation to be compressed into tablets.
The granulation is overfilled on the die table (turret) to ensure complete filling of the punch-die cavity
volume.
STAGES OF TABLET COMPRESSION PROCESS
METERING/WEIGHT ASDJUSTMENT
The metering stage of the tablet compressing process involves removal of excess granulation from the compressing machine.
This stage enables the exact weight (volume) of granulation to be compressed into tablets.
The exact weight of granulation is controlled by the height of the lower punch in the die. The height of the lower punch is
controlled by the metering cam (also called the dosage cam).
The lower punch is raised to the appropriate level in the die to provide the exact weight of granulation in the punch-die cavity.
The excess granulation is scraped from the surface of the die table.
COMPRESSION
The compression stage of the tablet forms the tablet.
This stage involves bringing together the upper and lower punches under pressure within the die to form the tablet.
As the punches enter the compression stage, the upper and lower punches move between two large wheels called pressure
rolls. These pressure rolls push the punches together to form the tablet.
The distance between the upper and lower punches determines the thickness and the hardness of the tablet. When the
punches are close together, a thin and hard tablet is created. When the punches are farther apart, the tablet made is softer
and thicker.
The proper balance of thickness and hardness determines the optimum roll distance for any specific product. These
adjustments are made while keeping the tablet weight constant.
STAGES OF TABLET COMPRESSION PROCESS
EJECTION
The ejection stage of the tablet compressing process involves removal of the tablet from
the lower punch-die station.
In this stage, the upper punch retracts from the die cavity and rises above the turret table.
Then the lower punch rises in the die, which in turn pushes the tablet upward to the top
surface of the die table and out of the die cavity.
A scraper (also called takeoff scraper or tablet rake-off) then pushes the tablet off the die
table away from the compressing machine into the collection container through discharging
chute.
STAGES OF TABLET COMPRESSION
PROCESS
STAGES OF TABLET COMPRESSION PROCESS
CLASSIFICATION OF MULTI -STATION PRESS
TOOLING
The TSM punch head configurations have an angled top profile versus the domed head profile of EU
The TSM punch inside head angle for “B” punches is 37° compared to the EU, which is 30°
Overall head thickness is greater in both “B” and “D” configurations for TSM tooling specifications in comparison
to the EU spec
The overall punch length of the TSM tool is 0.010 inches shorter than the EU
CLASSIFICATION OF MULTI-STATION PRESS
“D” type
This type has larger nominal barrel diameter of 1in. (25.4mm) and a die diameter of 1.500in. (38.10mm)
and thus is suitable for tablets with maximum diameter or maximum length of 25.4mm.
Tablet press is designed to be used with either “B” or “D” tooling but not both. The compression force
obtainable in a machine depends on the type of tooling used.
Machines that use the “D” type configuration exert 10 tones compression force.
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
COMPRESSION MACHINE PUNCH
HEAD
The end of the punch that guides it through the cam track of tablet machine during Rotation.
HEAD FLAT (DWELL FLAT)
The flat area of the head that receives the compression force from Rollers (in upper punches) and
determines the weight and ejection height (in lower punches).
OUTSIDE HEAD ANGLE
The area gets in touch with the roller prior to head flat , while Compression.
INSIDE HEAD ANGLE
This is the area, which pulls down the lower punches after ejection and lifts the upper punches after
compression.
NECK
The relived area between the head and barrel, which provides clearance for the cams.
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
BARREL
The area between neck and stem of punch.
This area guides the punch (while going up and down) with reference to turret guides.
BARREL CHAMFER
Chamfers at the ends of the punch barrel, eliminate outside corners.
BARREL TO NECK RADIUS
The area at junction of barrel and neck which provide smooth transition from barrel to neck.
BARRELTO STEM RADIUS
The are at junction of barrel and stem which provide curved transition from tip length to barrel.
BARREL TO NECK CHAMFER
The beveled area located between barrel and barrel to neck radius.
The chamfer reduce wear to punch guide.
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
BARREL TO STEM CHAMFER
The beveled area located between barrel and barrel to stem radius.
The chamfer allows for the proper insertion of upper or lower punch into oil seal.
STEM
The area of the punch opposite the head, beginning at the tip and extending to the point where
the full diameter of the barrel begins. If the chamfer is present the barrel usually reaches its full
diameter just above the chamfer.
TIP
This determines size, shape & profile
TIP FACE:
This area of punch is where the tablet is formed. Good surface finish is required here to get
quality tablets.
CUP DEPTH
The depth of the cup from the highest point of the tip edge to the lowest point of the cavity
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
BAKELITE TIP RELIEF
An undercut groove between the lower punch tip straight and the relief; it assures a sharp corner to assist
in scraping product adhering to the die wall; normally a purchased option for lower punches.
TIP RELIEF
The portion of the punch stem which is a undercut or made smaller than the punch tip straight.
Most common for lower punches to aid in reducing friction from the punch tip and die wall as the punch
travels through the compression cycle.
the area where the punch tip and relief meet must be sharp to scrape product from the die wall as the
lower punch travels down for the fill cycle
TIP LENGTH
The straight portion of the punch stem
TIP STRAIGHT
The section of the tip that extends from the tip relief to the end of the punch tip; it maintains the punch tip
size tolerance.
WORKING LENGTH
This distance between bottom of the cup and the head flat is called as working length which determines
weight and thickness of the tablet.
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
OVERALL LENGTH
Distance between top of the cup and the head flat.
KEY
A projection normally of mild steel which protrudes above the surface of the punch barrel.
It maintains alignment of the upper punch for re-entry into the die, mandatory on upper punches with
multiple tips and all tablet shapes other than round.
Commonly used with embossed round tablet shapes when rotation of the punch causes a condition
known as double impression
KEY ANGLE
The relationship of the punch key to the tablet shape. The keys position is influenced by the tablet
shape, take-off angle, and turret rotation.
KEY POSITION
The radial and height position of a key on the punch barrel; not found in all presses .
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
DOMED HEADS
Increases the dwell time and hence help to achieve the better tablet hardness.
DWELL TIME
The time punches spends below the pressure roller while rotating in the machine.
LAND
The area between the edge of the punch cup and the outside diameter of the punch tip; this adds
strength to the tip to reduce punch tip fracturing
MAJOR AXIS
The largest dimension of a shaped tablet
MINOR AXIS
The smallest dimension of a shaped tablet
Clearance:
Die bore dia – punch tip dia = Clearance.
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
DIE TERMINOLOGY
DIE.O.D.
The outside diameter of the die, which is compatible with the die pockets in the press.
DIE HEIGHT
The overall height of the die.
DIE BORE
The cavity where the tablet is made. The Cavity’s shape and size determine the same form of tablet.
CHAMFER
Entry angle of the die bore.
TAPER DIES
Dies with tapered bore on one or both sides is used.
They are used for easy removal of entrapped air and easy ejection of tablets (mainly for double layered tablets).
DIE GROOVE
The groove around the periphery of the die, which allows the die to be fixed in the press.
LINED (INSERT) DIES
Dies fitted with a linear insert made from a much harder, more wear resistant material such as tungsten carbide and
ceramic.
TOOLING TERMINOLOGIES
SHAPES OF PUNCHES/TABLET IN REGULAR USE
Round
GEOMETRIC
CONVEX
CONVEX & BEVEL
OVAL
MODIFIED OVAL
CAPSULE
MODIFIED CAPSULE
COMPOUND CUP
FLAT FACED
FLAT FACED BEVEL EDGED
FLAT FACED RADIUS EDGED
DEEP CONCAVE (ROUND/CAPSULE)
EXTRA DEEP
MODIFIED BALL
SHALLOW CONCAVE (ROUND/CAPSULE)
STANDARD CONCAVE (ROUND/CAPSULE)
SHAPES OF PUNCHES/TABLET IN REGULAR
USE
SHAPES OF PUNCHES/TABLET IN REGULAR USE
SHAPES OF PUNCHES/TABLET
The head of the punch rotates independently to the keyed punch body.
This creates increased contact surface area between the cam and punch head.
Back angle aging is therefore drastically reduced, allowing for less head wear and
longer punch service life.
Dwell time is also increased.
ADVANCE TOOLING DESIGNS
LINED DIES
Lined dies, commonly called insert dies, are used specifically to compress abrasive and corrosive
formulation.
BENEFITS OF LINED DIES
Increased tool life.
Less head wearing.
Reduced friction.
Elimination of corrosion.
Extended tablet quality.
CARBIDE LINED DIES
Recommended with abrasive granulations.
Work well for neutraceutical applications.
Provide a high level of wear resistance during the compression of abrasive products.
Increase die life by more than 10 times due to their wear liner.
ADVANCE TOOLING DESIGNS
DIAMOND COATING
The idea here is to introduce properties of diamond to a punch and die system.
Such tools are suitable for effervescent tablets.
Diamond coated tools are generally abrasive resistant and durable.
They don’t stick and their hardness is nearly 6 times more than the ordinary tablet presses.
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