Tablet, Pill, and Film Coating Machine

Yep, sure!!!

A tablet coating machine applies a thin, uniform layer of coating material onto tablet cores. Key purposes include:

• Taste masking (bitter APIs)

• Moisture protection (hygroscopic materials)

• Light protection (photosensitive drugs)

• Controlled release (enteric, sustained-release coatings)

• Identification (brand colors, markings)

• Swallowability improvement (smooth surface)

• Mechanical protection (reduce chipping/dusting)

1. Standard Pan Coaters: Conventional coating pans (angled, rotating)

2. Perforated Pan Coaters:

   • Accela-Cota™: Baffled pan with perforations

   • Driacoater™: Fully perforated drum

   • Hi-Coater™: Angled perforated pan

3. Fluid Bed Coaters: Wurster bottom-spray systems for pellets

4. Continuous Coaters: For high-throughput production

1. Coating Pan: Rotating drum (perforated or solid)

2. Spray System:

   • Guns/Nozzles: Typically pneumatic or airless

   • Pump: Peristaltic or piston pumps for coating solution

   • Air Supply: Atomizing and pattern air

3. Air Handling System:

   • Inlet Air: Heated, filtered air supply

   • Exhaust Air: Removal of solvents/moisture

4. Control System: PLC/HMI for parameter control

5. Dust Collection: Filters to recover fines

6. Discharge System: For coated tablets

Baffles are angled plates inside the coating pan that:

• Improve tablet mixing and uniformity

• Prevent tablet sliding (promote cascading motion)

• Enhance drying efficiency by exposing all tablets to air

• Reduce tablet-to-tablet impact (minimize attrition)

1. Spray Rate: Volume of coating solution per minute

2. Atomizing Air Pressure: Creates droplet size (typically 1-3 bar)

3. Pattern Air Pressure: Controls spray shape/flattening

4. Inlet Air Temperature: Typically 40-70°C (depends on coating type)

5. Bed Temperature: Key indicator (usually 30-45°C)

6. Pan Speed: RPM (affects mixing and attrition)

7. Exhaust Air Temperature/RH: Indicates drying efficiency

8. Gun-to-Bed Distance: Typically 6-12 inches

1. Preheating: Warm tablets and equipment

2. Spraying: Apply coating solution in multiple passes

3. Drying: Evaporate solvent between spray cycles

4. Sealing: Initial moisture barrier (for hygroscopic cores)

5. Color Coating: Main coating layer(s)

6. Polishing: Final glossy layer (if required)

7. Cooling: Before discharge

8. Unloading: Through discharge port

• Proper tablet mixing (correct pan speed/baffle design)

• Optimized spray pattern (overlap, coverage)

• Consistent droplet size (proper atomization)

• Adequate drying between spray passes

• Weight gain monitoring during process

• Immediate Release: HPMC, PVP, PEG-based

• Enteric Coatings: Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), HPMC phthalate, Eudragit® L/S

• Sustained Release: Ethyl cellulose, Eudragit® RL/RS

• Aqueous vs. Organic: Water-based (common) or solvent-based (for moisture-sensitive APIs)

• Inspect daily: For wear, clogging, or damage

• Clean after each batch: Prevent buildup

• Replace when:

  • Wear affects spray pattern

  • Droplet size becomes inconsistent

  • Visible damage/corrosion

  • Every 6-12 months (preventive)

1. Weight gain (2-5% typical for film coating)

2. Coating uniformity (color, thickness)

3. Dissolution profile (for functional coatings)

4. Appearance (smoothness, gloss)

5. Friability (post-coating)

6. Moisture content

7. Taste masking efficiency