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A Comprehensive Guide to Auto Coaters Used in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

July 11, 2024

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, auto coaters or automatic coating machines are vital for uniformly coating tablets, pills and other small particles. This guide provides practical insight into auto coaters' operation and maintenance by exploring their working principles, features, and applications.

Working Principle

The auto coater operates through multiple integrated systems.

  1. Control system: Designed to be controlled by a PLC for precise operation.
  2. Coating Pan: A rotating drum with perforations that mixes and coats the tablets evenly.
  3. Spraying system: Equipped spray guns for atomizing and applying the coating solution.
  4. Hot Air System: This system uses heated air filtered to quickly dry the coating.
  5. Exhaust system: Removes dust and excess air, ensuring a clean environment for coating.

During the coating procedure, the tablets are loaded in the rotating coating pan. This process involves precise control of parameters such as temperature, air flow and spraying rate to ensure consistency. To ensure consistency, this process requires precise control over parameters like temperature, airflow, and spraying rates.

Applications

The auto coater is used by many industries.

  • Pharmaceutical Industry : Film and sugar coating for tablets, pills and capsules. Enhance stability, mask the taste and control drug release.
  • Food Industry: Coating candies, nuts and other food items with sugar or edible coatings.

Features and Benefits

  1. High-Efficiency: Automates coating processes, increasing production speed and consistency.
  2. Consistent quality: Assures an even thickness of coating and a high-quality finished.
  3. User Friendly Operation Modern control systems with touch screens simplify the operation.
  4. Flexible batch operations: Able to handle different batch sizes without changing the drum.
  5. Exhaust System: Removes excess air and dust, maintaining a clean coating environment.

Installation and Maintenance

  • Installation : Install the autocoater in an area designated, connect air and power supplies, and configure control parameters.
  • Maintenance: Check solenoid valves and filters regularly to ensure they are working properly. It is important to perform preventive maintenance in order to avoid unplanned downtime .

Details of Operational Steps

  1. Preparation - Identify the batch, and choose the coating formulation.
  2. Loading : Carefully load the tablets into the coating tray to avoid damage.
  3. Heating: Pre-heat the tablets at the temperature set to reduce moisture and increase adhesion.
  4. Spraying Atomize the coating with a spray gun to ensure even distribution.
  5. Drying : Use heated air to evaporate the solvent and dry out the coating material.
  6. Repeating : Continue spraying until desired thickness is reached.
  7. Cooling Rotate the coated tablet to cool them and prevent clumping.
  8. Release the coated tablets carefully for further processing.

Benefits of Traditional Methods

Auto coaters offer many advantages over manual coating methods.

  • Increased production speed: Capability to coat large quantities simultaneously.
  • Enhanced precision: uniform coating thickness and coverage.
  • Reducing Human Error Automated Control Reduces Variations and Inconsistencies .

Auto coaters are essential for the pharmaceutical and food industries. They provide an efficient and uniform way to coating tablets and other items. They are user-friendly and have advanced technology that ensures high-quality results and increased production.

 

Are you interested in improving the quality of your production with auto coaters of high-quality? For customized solutions, contact us today to learn about our current promotions and discounts. Our website offers more information on the best equipment to suit your needs.