A tablet press compresses powder or granules into tablets between an upper punch, a lower punch and a die. Its capacity depends on the number of stations, the turret speed and how many compression points the press has.
Indian makers build the full range, from single-punch laboratory machines to high-speed double-sided rotary presses. They also make the tooling, the feeders and the dust extraction that go with them.
The main types
- Single-punch presses make one tablet per stroke. They suit research, formulation work and very small batches.
- Single-sided rotary presses carry many punch and die sets on a rotating turret, with one compression point per turn.
- Double-sided rotary presses have two compression points, so each station makes two tablets per turn of the turret.
- High-speed presses add pre-compression, force feeders and automatic weight control for long production runs.
- Bilayer presses fill and compress two different granules into one tablet.
How capacity is calculated
Maximum output per hour equals the number of stations, times turret speed in revolutions per minute, times 60, times the number of compression points. A 27-station single-sided press at 30 rpm would make 27 × 30 × 60, or 48,600 tablets an hour. This is an illustration, not a figure for any particular machine.
Real output is usually lower than the maximum. Poor powder flow, large tablets, hard formulations and weight control all limit the safe turret speed. Ask makers for the output they achieved on a product like yours, not just the catalogue maximum.
Tooling sets the limits
Punches and dies follow tooling standards, commonly known as D, B and BB types under EU and TSM conventions. D tooling handles larger tablets and higher forces, so a turret fits fewer stations. B tooling suits smaller tablets and allows more stations on the same turret.
Confirm which standard the press uses, and whether your existing tooling fits. Agree in writing who owns tooling made for your tablet shapes. Ask for the tooling drawings too, so you can reorder punches and dies from another toolmaker if you ever need to. Punch tips wear and chip, so budget for spare sets from the start.
What to ask for in a quote
- Maximum main and pre-compression force in kilonewtons.
- Maximum tablet diameter and maximum fill depth.
- Number of stations, turret speed range and tooling standard.
- Contact parts in stainless steel 316L, with certificates, as discussed in 304 or 316 for contact parts.
- Dust extraction, containment level and how quickly the turret can be cleaned and changed over.
- Control software features, such as recipe storage, batch reports and audit trails.
- The qualification documents supplied, explained in DQ, IQ, OQ and PQ.
Testing before shipment
Ask for a factory trial with your granules or a close placebo. Record weight variation, hardness, thickness and friability at the speed you plan to run. Make those results part of the acceptance test, as described in FAT and SAT.
Next step
We find press makers with relevant references, check their documents and supervise trials before dispatch. To discuss your requirement, book a free sourcing review.