Instrumented and Computer Interfaced Single Punch Tablet Press for the Rapid Evaluation of Compression and Lubrication Behaviour

A low cost instrumented and computer interfaced single punch tablet press was developed for the rapid data aquisition of compression and lubrication properties of powders arid processed materials.

A Manesty type F3 tablet machine has been modified to enable the fitting of piezo electric load cells to both upper and lower punch assemblies. The paper describes how the modifications permit interchangability of a range of punch sizes and shapes and yet ensure good accuracy and reproducibility of compression end lubrication data.

The instrumentation is interfaced with a dedicated A. I. M. 65 microcomputer for the rapid conversion of the instrumentation outputs into compression force units and for statistical evaluation. The computer software also incorporates a novel method for the evaluation of lubrication properties from a single or a series of pre-determined compression events, using the some sensitivity for force measurement from the lower punch lord cell.

The compression data and the physical properties of the compacts can be stored and retreived as fingerprints using a P. E. T. microcomputer and a digital plotter. A date bank may then be developed for the evaluation of raw materials, product development, monitoring of production performance and trouble shooting.

The paper further describes the evaluation of new lubricants in comparison with magnesium stearate using the instrumentation described.