Recent developments related to vaccines for influenza and human papillomavirus have focused attention on parenteral drugs,
but tablets continue to be the best dosage form for many medicines. This month's products assist operators with granulation,
tableting, and quality-control measures associated with manufacturing solid dosage forms. OYSTAR USA's fluid bed is designed
to reduce the time required for granulation. Quadro's delumper screens pharmaceutical powders and reduces the potential for
contamination. Personnel can ensure that their tableters' components are in good condition using Natoli's punch-inspection
system.
Machine performs efficient granulations and particle coating
Hüttlin HDGC OYSTAR USA Process Division www.oystarusa.com
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The Hüttlin HDGC fluid bed from the OYSTAR USA Process Division (Fairfield, NJ) allows operators to perform fluid-bed drying,
granulation, and coating in one container. The device's Diskjet air-distribution plate includes laser-cut, 150-µm wide slots
positioned radially at a 45° angle. The slots enable process air to move product upward in a circular motion, unlike the convection
movement in a typical fluid-bed dryer. The slots also move the product at a higher velocity than a typical unit does. The
circular motion and higher speed facilitate fast and homogeneous mixing.
The Hüttlin HDGC machine uses the same nozzles, which are embedded in the Diskjet at a 45° angle, for bottom-spray coating
and granulation. The nozzles include a microclimate compressed-air supply that helps prevent nozzle blockage. Because of the
circular motion, product passes in front of the nozzles more frequently than it does in a typical fluid-bed dryer, thus reducing
granulation time by about 30%, according to the company.
Delumper provides clean operation
FlexSift S10, Quadro, www.quadro.com
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Quadro's (Waterloo, Canada) FlexSift S10 product is suitable for the security screening of pharmaceutical powders. The machine's
spoiler arm gently delumps powders without reducing their size or changing their characteristics. The unit's screens are perforated
blanks, which are cleaner than wire-woven screens, that eliminate the opportunity for contaminants to lodge in small crevices.
The device can be totally enclosed inline with the process flow to greatly reduce the amount of airborne fine particles. Enclosure
minimizes product waste and reduces operator exposure.
The FlexSift S10 discharges material perpendicular to the infeed flow, thus eliminating the need for feeder equipment and
the dampening effect that the head load creates on most sifters. The machine uses centripetal force to move material through
the screen, thus reducing the unit's power requirements.
Inspection device offers improved measurements
Laser Vision System Natoli Engineering www.natoli.com
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Natoli Engineering (Saint Charles, MO) has improved its Laser Vision System (LVS) automatic punch-inspection device. The company
repositioned the system's laser to change the angle of its camera. The new camera angle is designed to offer a clearer image
of the punch tip to enhance laser measurements and visual inspection. Natoli also added a fault-detection system to the tool
nest, which now senses improperly seated tools and prevents them from being measured.
The new LVS device enables users to change the password that prevents unauthorized employees from operating the system. Personnel
can create as many as six passwords to protect reference-point data for calibrations. The LVS machine also can store length
values of long and short standards for as many as four tooling types. After the machine detects the tool nest, it automatically
selects the appropriate standard values. The system stores inspection measurements in a user-friendly Tool Management-II database.
