External Lubrication System Enhances Tablet Press Performance

Pharma Technology Inc. (PTI) introduced the PharmaSpray external lubrication system that sprays dry lubricant continuously onto tablet press punch tips and die walls. The system delivers a consistent, validatable amount of dry lubricant to enhance tablet press performance.

Excess lubricant is eliminated by vacuum suction on the side of the spray nozzle and collected in a double bag discharge system. This system allows consistent amounts of lubricant to be applied to tablets throughout a batch and from one batch to another. It also allows the amount applied to be accurately validated.

For existing hygroscopic or effervescent formulations, external lubricant helps reduce die wall friction at the ejection stage and lower punch-face friction at the take-off stage and also helps prevent logo picking or stickiness issues. Lubrication provides the added benefit of reducing wear on tooling and ejection cams.

For new formulations, the system helps eliminate the need for dry lubricant in the blend, which enhances the solubility of the tablet because blended magnesium stearate tends to create hydrophobic bridges in compressed tablets. This solubility enhancement has been in demand for new drugs that often have poorly soluble APIs. The minimal quantity of lubricant sprayed externally onto the tablets can be accurately measured and validated, allowing manufacturers to remain below the threshold for listing this lubricant as an ingredient under US Pharmacopeia requirements.

Source: Pharma Technology Inc.