Tablet Coating using Thai Coater Machine

Summary

This video demonstrates the process of tablet film coating, explaining the steps and parameters involved in achieving a uniform and effective coating. It covers the preparation of the coating solution, setting up equipment like the tablet coating machine and peristaltic pump, and adjusting key parameters such as pump speed, coating pan speed, and atomizing pressure. The video highlights the importance of controlling temperature and air pressure for optimal results. The final product is tablets with improved taste masking, appearance, and protection, all while ensuring the coating is defect-free.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tablet coating involves applying a coating material to a solid dosage form to provide specific benefits over uncoated varieties.
• 😀 Common purposes for tablet coating include covering unpleasant taste, odor, and color, providing chemical protection, controlling drug release, and improving appearance.
• 😀 The film coating process requires preparing the coating solution by mixing water with coating solids and allowing it to mix for 15-30 minutes.
• 😀 Key components for film coating include polymer, plasticizer, solvent, and vehicle.
• 😀 The coating solution should rest while the equipment is warming up, and the compressor should be activated to prepare the machine for use.
• 😀 A peristaltic pump is used to pump the coating solution, with pump speed influencing the coating outcome. Too high speed can cause over-wetting and tablet sticking.
• 😀 Tablets should be loaded into a perforated coating pan, with a 15-minute warming period recommended for better coating adhesion.
• 😀 Fan speed is another key parameter. High fan speeds can lead to uneven coating and potential tablet breakage.
• 😀 Atomizing pressure of the spray gun is critical. Higher pressure results in smaller particle size, which leads to faster evaporation and smoother coating.
• 😀 The optimum compressed air pressure for the spray gun should be between 2.5 to 5 bars to ensure proper coating.
• 😀 The coating process typically takes about an hour, with key factors to monitor including the inlet and outlet temperatures and the consistency of the coating process.

Q & A

What is tablet coating and why is it done?

Tablet coating is a process where a coating material is applied to the surface of a solid dosage form to provide specific benefits, such as covering unpleasant taste, odor, and color, offering physical and chemical protection from environmental factors like light, moisture, and air, and controlling drug release for sustained-release formulations.

What are some common purposes for double coating of tablets?

The purposes for double coating include covering unpleasant taste, odor, and color, providing physical and chemical protection from light, moisture, and air, controlling drug release (e.g., sustained-release), improving tablet appearance, facilitating drug identification, and easing the swallowing process.

What equipment is used for film coating in tablet production?

The equipment used for film coating in tablet production includes the tie cutter machine, a perforated coating pen, a peristaltic pump, a spray gun, and a compressor.

How do you prepare the coating solution for the film coating process?

The coating solution is prepared by mixing the coating solids with 100 ml of water in a beaker, ensuring that it mixes homogeneously for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Common ingredients for film coating include polymers, plasticizers, and solvents.

What factors can affect the coating outcome during the film coating process?

Factors that can affect the coating outcome include the speed of the peristaltic pump, the coating fan speed, the atomizing pressure, and the inlet and outlet temperatures of the equipment. Adjusting these parameters is crucial for ensuring an even coating and preventing defects like sticking or uneven coating.

Why is the peristaltic pump speed important in the coating process?

The peristaltic pump speed determines how much coating solution is sprayed onto the tablets. If the speed is too high, the tablets may become over-wet and stick together, resulting in defects. Maintaining the correct pump speed ensures a uniform and controlled application of the coating.

What is the role of the coating fan speed during the film coating process?

The coating fan speed helps to control the distribution of the coating solution onto the tablets. If the fan speed is too high, the solution may not reach the tablets properly, resulting in uneven coating. Low fan speed can cause over-wetting or sticking of the tablets.

How does atomizing pressure affect the coating process?

The atomizing pressure determines the particle size of the coating solution being sprayed. Higher atomizing pressure creates smaller particles that evaporate faster, leading to a more even coating. Lower pressure produces larger particles, which may result in uneven coating or excessive application of the solution.

What is the optimal air pressure for atomizing the coating solution?

The optimal air pressure for atomizing the coating solution is between 2.5 to 5 bar. This pressure range ensures the right balance between particle size and evaporation rate, contributing to a uniform coating.

What should be done before starting the coating process?

Before starting the coating process, it's important to check that both the inlet and outlet temperatures are optimized. If both temperatures are too high, the coating solution may evaporate too quickly, leading to coating defects. The equipment should be allowed to warm up for at least 30 minutes before beginning the process.