Tabletting formulations

In the tablet-pressing process, it is important that all

ingredients be fairly dry, powdered or granular,
somewhat uniform in particle size and freely flowing.
Mixed particle sized powder can segregate during
manufacturing operations, which can result in tablets
with poor drug or active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)
content uniformity.
Content uniformity ensures that the same API dose is
delivered with each tablet.
Most tablet formulations include excipients.
Binder is added in the formulation to help hold the tablet
together and give it strength e.g. lactose and
hydroxyproylmethylcellulose.

 Often, an ingredient is also needed to act as a

disintegrant to aid tablet dispersion once
swallowed releasing the API for absorption.
Some amounts of lubricants are usually added
as well. The most common of these is
magnesium stearate. These help the tablets
once pressed to be more easily ejected from the
die.

Tablet production
Powders intended for compression into tablets must
possess two essential properties:

Powder fluidity
The material can be transported through the hopper
into the die.
To produce tablets of a consistent weight.
Powder flow can be improved mechanically by the
use of vibrators, incorporate the glidant.

Powder compressibility
The property of forming a stable intact mass when
pressure is applied.

Important technical properties of powders must be

controlled to ensure success of tableting operation such
as,
-

homogeneity,
good flowability,
good compressibility,
cohesiveness,
avoidance of sticking to the die surface or punch tips.

Since most materials have none or some of these

properties,
methods of tablet formulation (addition of tablet
excipients)
and preparation (three methods; wet granulation, dry

Compressed tablets
Tablets diameters and shapes are determined by the die and
punches used for the compression of the tablet. The thickness of a
tablets are determined by the amount of fill permitted to enter the
die and the amount of pressure applied during compression .
The tablets is formed by the pressure exerted on the granulation by
the punches within the die cavity. While round tablets are more
generally used, shapes such as oval, capsule-form, square,
triangular may be used. The curvature of the faces of the punches
determines the curvature of the tablets.
Punch faces with ridges are used for compressed tablets scored for
breaking into halves or fourths. Tablets engraved or embossed with
symbols, require punches with faces embossed or engraved with the
corresponding designs.
The use of the tablet sometimes determines its shape, effervescent
tablets are usually large, round, flat, while vitamin tablets are
frequently prepared in capsule-shaped forms.

Tableting is a compaction process

and Involves two steps:
Compression
Reduction in bulk volume by eliminating voids and
.bringing particles into closer contact

Consolidation
Increased mechanical strength due to interparticulate
.interactions

Tablet manufacturing
Tablets are prepared by forcing particles (drug and excipients) into a
closed compartment (die cavity) followed by (powder or granules)
compression (by punches), to allow the particles to cohere into a
porous solid mass (tablet).

Tablet machines
Hopper

:Machines built to compress tablets consist of

.Hopper: for holding granulations for compressing- 1
.Feed frame: for distributing the materials into the dies - 2
.Dies: for controlling the size and the shape of the tablet- 3
.Punches: for compressing the granulations within the dies- 4
.Cam tracks for guiding the movement of the punches- 5

Tablet machines cont.

Upper punch
Die cavity
Die

Dies: for controlling the size and the shape of the

tablet

Stages in tablet formation

"Compaction cycle
1- Die filling.
2- Tablet formation.
3- Tablet ejection.

1- Die filling:
Flow of powders (or granules) of the drug and excipients
from a hopper into the die. N.B. the die is closed at its
lower end by the lower punch.
2- Tablet formation:
The upper punch descends powder and enters the die
and the powder is compressed until a tablet is formed.
N.B. lower punch may be stationary or moving upward in
the die. After maximum applied force is reached, the
upper punch leaves the die by moving upward.
3- Tablet ejection:
The lower punch rises up until its tip reaches the die top.
The tablet is subsequently removed by a pushing device.

Stages of tablet formation

Types of Tablet press

They differ in their rate of production:
1- Single-punch press: It is composed of one
die and one pair of punches (up to 100 tab/
min).
2- Rotary tablet press: It contains 60 dies
(10,000 tablets/min). It is used for large scale
production.
3- Hydraulic press: For research work
(computerized).

Single punch machine:

The compression is applied by the upper
punch
Stamping press

Single punch machine

The weight of the tablet is determined by the volume of the die cavity, the lower punch is
adjustable to increase or decrease the volume of granulation, thus increasing or decreasing the
.weight of tablet

Single Punch Machine (Tablets)

Upper and
Lower Collar
Collar locker

The compression cycle of single-punch

tablet press

Rotary tablet machines

Multi-station rotary presses
.For increased production the rotary machines offer the greatest advantages
The head of the tablet machine that holds the upper punches, dies and lower punches
in place rotates. A head carrying a number of sets of punches and dies revolves
continuously while the tablet granulation runs from the hopper into the dies
placed in a large, steel plate revolving under it. This method promotes a uniform fill
.of the die and therefore an accurate weight for the tablet
As the head rotates, the punches are guided up and down by fixed cam tracks, which
. control the sequence of filling, compression and ejection
The portions of the head that hold the upper and lower punches are called the upper
.an lower turrets

The portion holding the dies is called the die

table
The pull down cam (C) guides the lower
punches to the bottom, allowing the dies to
overfill.
The punches then pass over a weight-control
cam (E), which reduces the fill in the dies to
the desired amount.

 A swipe off blade (D) at the end of the feed

frame removes the excess granulation and
directs it around the turret and back into the
front of the feed frame.
The lower punches travel over the lower
compression roll (F) while simultaneously the
upper punches ride beneath the upper
compression roll (G).

 The upper punches enter a fixed distance into

the dies, while the lower punches are raised to
squeeze and compact the granulation within the
dies.
After the moment of compression, the upper
punches are withdrawn as they follow the upper
punch raising cam (H).
The lower punches ride up the cam (I) which
brings the tablets flush with or slightly above
the surface of the dies.

 The tablets strike a sweep off blade affixed to

the front of the feed frame (A) and slide down a
chute into a receptacle.
At the same time, the lower punches re-enter
the pull down cam (C) and the cycle is
repeated.

Rotary Press Machine

Rotary tablet press

Although tablet compressing machinery has

undergone numerous mechanical modifications
over the years, the compaction of materials
between a pair of moving punches within a
stationary die has remained unchanged

The principle modification from earlier

equipment has been an increase in production
rate which is regulated by
Number of tooling sets
Number of compression stations
Rotational speed of the press

 Special adaptations of tablet machines allow

for the compression of layered tablets and
coated tablets. Multilayer rotary tablet machine.

Tablet Ingredients (excipients)