A single station tablet press is a simple mechanical machine that can be used to compress powder

into tablets that are uniform in size, shape and weight. The machine is used for low-volume
production of tablets for a wide range of applications from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to
cleaning products. Unlike larger industrial machines, a single station table press is useful for
production of relatively low-volumes of basic shaped tablets. It is therefore well suited to R&D
departments that need to produce small batches of new materials, or compounding pharmacists that
need to test new formulations, or suppliers of nutraceuticals, supplements or herbal remedies that
require a low-cost method of producing relatively small batches of products. This type of tablet press
is used for a wide variety of applications on account of the low cost and versatility. Single station
tablet presses are also used, for example, in the production of industrial catalysts for the
petrochemical industries.

 A Hopper – this holds the granules that need to be compressed. Powdered material falls by
gravity from the hopper into the die.
 The die – this provides the mould that gives the compressed material the desired shape
form. The base of the die is formed by the lower punch and it is the upper punch that
descends onto the loose powder and compresses it.
 Upper and lower punches – the upper punch provides the compressive force to bind the
powder granules into a tablet. The lower punch acts as a base for the die and is raised at the
end of the compression phase to eject the tablet from the die.
 Cam track – this is the mechanical gear that guides the movements of the two punches
 Capacity Regulator – this regulates the depth of loose powder in the die by adjusting the
depth of the lower punch
 Ejection regulator – regulates the lower punch so that when it is raised at the end of the
compression, the punch is level with the surface of the die, enabling the finished tablet to be
swept aside into the collecting vessel
 Driving wheel – guides the movement of the upper and lower punches and hopper shoe

Note that in a single station tablet machine there is only one upper and lower punch and die set.
Force for compressing the tablet is exerted only through the upper punch, while the lower punch is
stationary for the period of compression The powder material compacted by the pressure exerted
between the moving upper punch and the lower stationary punch. The shape of the tablet is
governed by the shape of the die cavity.

A single press produces tablets through a number of steps that can be described as follows:

Filling
Stage 1 – the upper cam withdraws the upper punch from the die, the bottom punch is low inside the
die cavity so that the powder falls from the hopper and fills the cavity made by the die and bottom
punch.

Stage 2 – the bottom punch is then adjusted to the required weight of material and, as it lifts, excess
powder is ejected from the die.

Compression
Stage 3 – the lower punch remains stationary and the upper punch lowers into the die to compress
the powder into a tablet.
Ejection
Stage 4 – the upper punch is then withdrawn while the lower punch pushes upwards lifting the
formed tablet from the die. The tablet is then removed from the die surface by the surface plate.

Stage 5 – the cycle is then repeated for the next batch.

The machine is adjusted to suit the type of tablet, the material, compression and capacity of material
required for each tablet. Adjustments are usually made by operating the machine manually so that a
check can be made on the appearance, size and mechanical robustness of the formed tablets. Once
the operator is satisfied with the quality of the tablet, the mechanical adjustments are locked into
place, and the machine is ready for automatic production. It is important that settings are checked
regularly especially if large quantities of tablets are made, to maintain the quality and standard of the
product.

Advantages of the single station tablet press

(note that manual pill presses are also available)

 Compact and lightweight (some benchtop models are available), durable, operator friendly
 Designed for pressing a wide variety of granular materials – used for compressing a variety
of round pharmaceutical tablets that contain different excipients
 Versatile unit that can be adjusted, hand operated or motor driven.
 One punch and die set is included when a press is purchased, the tool set can be adjusted to
give required punch pressure, fill depth and table thickness
 The single station press is the most popular type of tablet press, but needs a high level of
attention by the operator
 Advanced machine with new technology providing continuous control over loading of
materials and table thickness
 Can be used for batch or manual production
 Comparable functions to other imported large-scale manufacturing machines
 Can be used for a wide variety of products in tablet form,
o e.g., chewable tablets containing mnnitol and lubricants
o effervescent tablets containing bicarbonates, and tartaric or citric acids,
o traditional pharmaceutical druges conaining diluents, lubricants and disintegrants

Maintenance and precautionary measures

 Before using the machine for the first time, the operator should read the instruction manual
thoroughly
 As with any mechanical machine, regular servicing especially lubrication of certain parts of
the machine will prolong the service life of the equipment.
 Lubricant should be added as recommended by the manufacturer, only to the oil cups or oil
holes and friction surfaces.
 The machine should be emptied first before performing lubrication.
 Add the minimum of lubricant as recommended by the manufacturer will prevent any
spillover that may cause contamination of products
 The machine should only be used in one direction, i.e,, the driving wheel should only be
turned in the correct direction as indicated
  Belt adjustment (with the 2 screws) and other adjustments should be made carefully to avoid
jarring or binding of mechanical parts
 During adjustment, fine-tuning is important. Adjusting the belt should be done through the
two screws.
 When turning on the electricity to the machine, it is important that the upper punch is in its
highest position to avoid any chance of breakage

BALL MILL
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
1. Open one side of vessel by opening the screw situated over the both sides of the vessel and
remove the cap from vessel.
2. Pour the ingredients desired no. and size of balls into the vessel.
3. Close the mouth of the vessel by placing its cap and tightening the screws on it.
4. Insert the main plug into the main switch.
5. On the ON/OFF button of the ball mill.
6. After completion of milling open the cap of the blender and collect the sample from vessel.
7. After completion of practical, remove main plug from switch & clean it with dry cloth.