The single punch tablet press is a machine with simple structure and easy operation. Through its compact appearance, you can tell that its composition and function are not complicated.
The components of a single-punch tablet press include the hopper, die, punch, feed mechanism , cam truck , tablet adjuster , ejector adjuster , and handwheel. However, the primary components of interest are the die and punch, which come into direct contact with the tablet and control tablet weight and hardness. Other components, such as the adjuster, are used to adjust these key components. Below, I'll provide a detailed overview of the components and their functions in a single-punch tablet press.
Single Punch Tablet Press Overview
The working principle of a single punch press is simple: a set of punches and a die are used to compress powder into a solid tablet . Unlike rotary tablet presses, which have multiple stations for large-scale production, single punch presses use only one station.
This makes it best suited for:
- Research and development (R&D) in pharmaceutical laboratories .
- before scaling up production .
- Small-scale manufacturing , such as nutraceuticals, herbal tablets, or specialty products.
Main components and their functions
1. Hopper
The hopper is where the powder or granules are stored before compression. Its function is to use gravity to feed the material into the mold cavity.
Function: Provides a continuous supply of powder to ensure uniform filling.
Operator Tip: Regularly check the hopper for blockages and ensure the powder is flowing freely to avoid variations in tablet weight.
2. Die
The die is the cavity that the tablet is formed into. The die size and shape determine the final dimensions of the tablet , ensuring accuracy and preventing powder loss during the compression process.
Function: Define tablet diameter and thickness, and add custom imprints.
3. Punch (upper and lower punch)
The punch is the moving part used to compress the powder inside the die. There are two types of punches:
- Upper punch: Mainly used to adjust the compression force to control the hardness of the tablet .
- Lower punch: mainly controls the powder filling amount, that is, the tablet weight, and helps eject the tablet .
Function: Under their joint action, the powder is compressed into tablets with uniform hardness and thickness .
4. Cam track
The cam guides the movement of the punch, controlling the distance the punch moves and the time it contacts the powder.
Function: Synchronous punch movement for precise filling, compression and ejection.
Importance: Without proper camming action, tablets may break or change in hardness.
5. Feeding mechanism
This component ensures smooth flow of powder from the hopper into the die. In simple presses, the powder is fed by gravity; in more advanced presses, mechanical feeders are used to help maintain uniformity.
Function: Prevents the mold from being underfilled or overfilled.
Operator Tip: Monitor the feed rack to avoid weight variations between tablets.
6. Ejection system
After compression, the lower punch rises and pushes the finished tablet out of the die.
Function: Safely remove the tablet without causing damage.
OPERATOR NOTE: Misalignment or dirty dies may cause tablets to break during ejection.
Working principle of single punch tablet press
Here’s how the various components of the tablet-making process work together:
- Powder flows from the hopper into the mold cavity .
- The lower punch sets the depth of the powder filling.
- The upper punch moves downward and applies force to compress the powder into tablets.
- upper punch retracts and the lower punch rises to eject the finished tablet.
- The cycle repeats with the next tablet.
This simple yet effective cycle is why the machine is often referred to as a single-station press .
Related topics and FAQs
What is the difference between a single punch tablet press and a rotary tablet press?
A single punch tablet press has only one station (slower speed, smaller batch size), while a rotary tablet press has multiple stations and can achieve large-scale production.
How do punch and die dimensions affect tablets?
The larger the die, the larger the tablet. The upper punch adjusts the compression force to control tablet hardness; the lower punch adjusts tablet weight.
What materials are the punches and dies made of?
Typically made of hardened steel or special alloys to resist wear and corrosion.
Summary
The single- punch tablet press may be a simple machine, but each component plays a vital role in producing high-quality tablets. The hopper , die, punch, cam, feed mechanism, and ejection system all work together to create consistent tablets. Support systems like hardness and weight adjusters help maintain consistency.
At LTPM China , we design single-punch tablet presses that are durable, user-friendly, and fully customizable for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and R&D applications. We offer a 5-year warranty and turnkey solutions to ensure smooth production and consistent tablet quality. For more information, please contact us for a quote.