subject: Tablet Machine [print this page] Ever wondered how those small colorful tablets and capsules that you use whenever you fall sick, came to be? Well, they came to be because of a tablet machine, or a capsule machine, mounted somewhere in a pharmaceutical company.
A tablet machine or a capsule machine essentially presses the tablet or capsule powders into pill form. A tablet machine, also known as a tablet press, is an automated mechanical device that allows the manufacture of tablets of all sizes and shapes, using a variety of materials and powders. These powders often have different chemical and physical properties. The tablet machine can press the powder into a hard form so that it does not disintegrate upon packaging and handling.
To form a tablet, the tablet machine has to perform two punches and then the pill is cast into a die which gives it its final shape. Some granulated materials may take more than two mere pressing actions to form a pill.
A capsule machine is based on a similar action, however, here the pressing action does not require a lot of force because the granulated powder does not need to be in a hardened pill form. In a capsule machine, the powder is simply added to a plastic casing, which is then tightened and sealed shut. The capsule machine is an excellent device, used in large manufacturing units, to produce large quantities and batches of capsules. However, there are manufacturers who supply smaller table top capsule machines and tablet machines as well for apothecary and other such professionals who make their medicines themselves.
These table top machines are very simple to use and do not require a lot of maintenance. They are not as expensive as the assembly line machines as well, which makes them extremely accessible.
Some tablet or capsule machines also have packaging areas for the packaging of these manufactured medicines. However most people prefer having packaging as a separate process of the assembly line.
