A Complete Rotary Tablet Press Buying Guide for 2024

Are you considering purchasing your first rotary tablet press? Are you looking to upgrade from an older model to expand your business? Yet, the multitude of options in the market can make the process overwhelming. Don't worry! We created this page to guide you and help you find the rotary tablet press without feeling lost.

In this guide, we will take you through the types of tablet press machines and important factors to consider before purchasing. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge needed to make a well-informed decision. Get ready to elevate your tablet manufacturing game in 2024 as we dive in and help you find your rotary tablet press today!

What is a Rotary Tablet Press?

Even if you are new to the world of tableting, chances are you have heard about tablet presses. These machines are widely used across industries, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food, and chemicals. Amongst diverse tablet presses, rotary ones stand out as a popular choice.

Rotary tablet presses are specifically designed for high-speed mass production of tablets. With automation capabilities, they offer control over tablet weight, thickness, and hardness. Today, rotary tablet presses are indispensable for companies requiring batch and continuous production.

What are the Different Types of Rotary Tablet Presses?

There are several types of rotary tablet presses out there. All these types share a similar working principle. If you explore these classifications in greater detail, you can better understand which options might be best for your needs.

Depending on their production capacity, rotary tablet presses can be classified into single-sided and double-sided.

Single-Sided Rotary Tablet Press

Single-sided rotary tablet presses feature one set of compression stations. Tablets are formed on one side of the machine. This type of rotary tablet press is suitable for small to medium-scale production.

(Image Source: Korsch)

• Powders or granules are filled into the die cavities arranged on one side of the machine.
• The upper and lower punches press the material inside the cavities as the turret rotates.
• The formed tablets are then pushed out of the cavities by lower punches once the compression is complete.

Double-Sided Rotary Tablet Press

Double-sided rotary tablet presses boast two sets of compression stations located opposite each other. Tablets are produced on both sides of the machine simultaneously. This type of tablet press is designed for higher output requirements.

(Image Source: Korsch)

• The process involves filling powders or granules into the die cavities on both sides.
• The compression stage takes place on both sides as the machine rotates.
• Once the compression is complete, the formed tablets are ejected from the die cavities. The take-off blades guide the tablets to the discharge chutes on both sides of the machine.

The main difference between these two rotary tablet presses lies in the number of compression stations. Thanks to the configuration, double-sided tablet presses can double the production output. The choice between the two depends on your specific production needs and volume requirements.

Additionally, rotary tablet presses can be divided into single-layer and bi-layer presses based on the number of layers in a tablet.

Single-Layer Rotary Tablet Press

A single-layer rotary tablet press is designed to produce tablets with single formulations. Depending on the design, the single-layer rotary tablet press can be either a single-sided or a double-sided machine.

• The machine has one filling station where one tablet formulation is loaded into the die cavities.
• The tooling system compresses the material inside the cavities to form a single-layer tablet.

Bi-Layer Rotary Tablet Press

A bi-layer rotary tablet press can manufacture tablets with two distinct layers, each with different compositions. This machine is used to layer different formulations in one tablet.

(Image Source: Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results)

• The machine features two separate filling stations, one for each layer.
• The compression occurs twice to form tablets with a clear distinction between the top and bottom layers.

The main difference between single-layer and bi-layer rotary tablet presses is the number of layers they can produce. There are also options available for creating more than two layers in a tablet. Ultimately, the choice between the two types depends on your desired tablet designs and functionalities.

What Features to Consider When Buying a Rotary Tablet Press

When buying a rotary tablet press, it's essential to consider the functions and features that the machine offers. Here are the key features you should keep an eye on:

• Tablet Compression. This is the core function of a rotary tablet press. Check if the machine can provide precise compression force to achieve uniform tablet weight, thickness, and hardness.

• Speed Control. Look for a rotary tablet press featuring variable speed control. This feature helps to optimize tablet production, especially when working with different tablet shapes or formulations.
• Adjustable Parameters. Check if the tablet press allows you to adjust various manufacturing parameters. This includes tablet thickness, diameter, hardness, compression force, turret speed, feeder speed, and more. Adjustable parameters allow the machine to accommodate diverse production needs.

• Tablet Rejection. This function helps save you time in eliminating defective products, ensuring only high-quality tablets are collected. A rotary tablet press with a rejection system can automatically remove defective tablets.

• Force Feeding. If you intend to handle materials with different properties, look for a tablet press coming with a reliable force feeder. This mechanism can facilitate the tableting process, ensuring consistent quality of the final product.

• Quick Changeover and Easy Cleaning. Look for a machine that boasts a tool-less design. This allows for quick changeover between different tablet formulations or formats. Also, it makes it easier to access all parts and components of the machine for cleaning and maintenance.
• Safety Features. Verify if the machine is equipped with the necessary safety features. They include emergency stop buttons, interlocking guards, pressure sensors, and automatic shutoff. These functions can effectively protect operators from potential hazards. They can also prevent damage to the tablet press.

• Tablet Dedusting. Some rotary tablet presses have built-in dedusting systems to remove excess powder from the tablets. This helps create a cleaner working environment that benefits both the products and operators.

Where to Find the Rotary Tablet Press That Best Suits Your Needs

Not sure where to start? Finding a reliable manufacturer or supplier is a brilliant first step! At iPharMachine, we take pride in providing flexible pharmaceutical machinery solutions for tablet production. Efficient, versatile, and reliable, our rotary tablet presses are tailor-made to meet your manufacturing needs, no matter the size of your business.

So, if you're on the hunt for a quality rotary tablet press, look no further than iPharMachine. Our diversified product portfolio can help you start or scale your business affordably. Here are some of the outstanding models that you might be interested in.

• ZP-9 Rotary Tablet Press
• ZPW-15D Rotary Tablet Press

• ZP-41D Rotary Tablet Press
• ZP-G32 High-Speed Rotary Tablet Press

Get ready to take your tablet production to new heights with our dependable rotary tablet presses and unrivaled customer support! Contact us today to learn more!