Saturday, October 8, 2016

Why There Is A Need For Standardized Table Punches And Dies

By Elizabeth Cooper


Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a complex process. There are different forms medicine can come in. From capsules, syrups to tablets. In each type of form there is a way they are specifically produced. This includes the equipment and technology that is used to manufacture these products.

If you are not keen into detail, there seems to be very little difference among tablets. These variations have a huge impact in its production and standardization. While there is still no one common practice for tableting, there was an ISO certification issued that added to one of the many standards used for this process. This Eurostandard of using tablet punches and dies has been getting traction since its certification on 2005.

The varying procedures that involve tableting calls for standardization. The different standards that are used for this making tablets make usage and purchase of punches and dies a bit more costly for manufacturers. This restricts the procedures from being interchangeable even with almost similar functions and parts.

With the presence of a global standard, it becomes easier to have the same procedures, with similar machines in multiple manufacturing locations. Automation for these methods make production faster. Using the same technical regulations eliminates the need to shift from one standard to another. This sort of makes both the parts of the machine and the procedures portable and easier to duplicate from one site to another.

The time spent on making the tablets are also cut. This makes it easier for suppliers to adhere to the high demand of the medicines. The machines are programmed and designed to remain accurate without compromising speed and efficiency. The delivery of the merchandise become faster, as a result.

The procurement, operation and maintenance for the tablet pressers would come easier. Having only one type of punches and dies to produce means lesser time for learning the technicalities of other machine orientations. More companies will adapt to the standard. Since more people share the same knowledge for one globalized process of making tablets, compliance to inspections and reviews become easier to pass.

The standardization also provides a wide array of available technical information that does not have to change depending on what tooling is being used. Problems and issues are easier to solve, given that the tooling method is used all over the industry. What differs one tablet tooling from another are very little specifications such as the sizes of the clearances between the punch tip and the die bore.As small as these specifications are they can predict the success of tablet production.

The little differences on the parts makes them not interchangeable with other tablet pressers. This means that a presser that uses Eurostandards in their punches and dies, cannot be used in a machine that operates with Tablet Specification Manual Standards, TSM. Standardization eliminates the need for such nit picky details and deal with the compatibility issue. This reduces the costs of procuring the little parts that make up for different standards, thus resulting to lesser manufacturing costs.

The machine manufacturers are always innovating which will lead to a revision of standards. Needless to say there are many benefits that come with having uniform tooling and processes for these kinds of things. There is a common interest across all parties that are involved but adapting these practices may take time to become an actual necessity.




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