External Tablet Lubrication
The iSpray system is a unique punch face and die wall lubrication solution that continuously sprays dry lubricant onto tablet presses, delivering a consistent and verifiable amount of lubricant onto the tablet’s outer surface.
Key Benefits:
- Highly accurate dosing
- Continuous control of lubricant through a flow measuring device
- No recirculation of lubricant thanks to a high under-pressure vacuum system
- Pressure monitoring for automatic switching to the backup line
- Backup line ensures continuous operation in case of pipe blockage
- Easy to install on any tablet press with customizable spray nozzles
- Quick dismantling and fast, easy cleaning
- Standard “DT” Dust Tight, with an option for “C” Containment
- Central HMI with OPC UA, CFR 21 Part 11 compliant
Excess lubricant is immediately vacuumed from the spray nozzle and collected in a removable bin. The system features an innovative double-sided nozzle, designed for optimal coverage of most tool sizes on rotary tablet presses, and includes a backup line with a pressure sensor built into each nozzle. This feature allows automated switching between lines, preventing costly interruptions due to potential blockages.
The iSpray system is equipped with a touch screen HMI that stores recipes and includes audit trail recording, compliant with FDA regulations. It optimizes the amount of lubricant applied to the upper punch face, die wall, and lower punch face, reducing the amount of dry lubricant in the compression blend while maintaining the necessary lubrication for tablet production.
For hygroscopic or effervescent formulations, iSpray reduces die wall friction at the ejection stage and lower punch friction at the take-off stage, helping prevent issues like logo picking or stickiness. It also minimizes wear on tooling and extends the life of ejection cams.
For new formulations, the system eliminates the need for dry lubricant in the blend, enhancing the solubility of the tablet, which is particularly beneficial for poorly soluble APIs, such as those found in biotech drugs. The minimal amount of lubricant sprayed externally is precisely measured and validated to meet US Pharmacopeia requirements, ensuring consistency and quality in every batch.
Technical Data
| Spray technology | Dual spray nozzle allowing upper punch, lower punch and die spraying and revacuuming of the exceed lubricant |
| Vacuum technology | COAX Technology, the most energy efficient way to produce vacuum |
| Backup line & pressure monitoring | Yes |
| Lubricant dosing monitoring | Yes |
| Dosing calibration/validation protocol | Yes |
| Tablet press application | Any kind of tablet press (existing press or new project with integrated communication) |
| Press speed | No limitation |
| Tablet size | No limitation |
| Spraying/Vacuuming nozzle | Standard – but can eventually be customised to fit specific tablet press |
| Conveyor Material | Approved FDA |
| Contact parts finishing | RA ≤0,5 µm |
| Floor dimension | 1000 x 655 x 1938 mm (HEPA filter included) |
| Frame parts | Stainless steel 304 – brushed |
| Frame mounted on wheels | Yes |
| Material certificate | Available |
| IQ-OQ protocol | Available |
The eSpray is an ergonomic punch face and die wall lubrication system designed to continuously spray dry lubricant onto tablet press tooling. It ensures a consistent and verifiable amount of lubricant is applied to the product’s outer surface, providing an efficient solution to address issues such as capping, sticking, excessive ejection force, chemical incompatibility, and poor dissolution.
Key Benefits:
- Accurate spray rate
- Consistent lubricant application
- Prevents lubricant recirculation
- Retrofittable to all existing presses
- Suitable for both single and double-sided tablet presses
- Fast and easy dismantling and cleaning
The eSpray system applies the precise amount of lubricant required, while a vacuum mechanism eliminates excess lubricant directly from the nozzle, keeping the production environment clean. This system helps reduce the amount of dry lubricant in the blend and can even eliminate it entirely for new formulations. The minimal amount of lubricant applied externally to the tablets can be accurately measured and validated, ensuring it stays below the threshold required for listing as an ingredient in the formulation.
Technical Data
| Spray technology | Dual spray nozzle allowing upper punch, lower punch and die spraying and revacuuming of the exceed lubricant |
| Vacuum technology | Venturi system |
| Backup line & pressure monitoring | N/A |
| Lubricant dosing monitoring | Yes |
| Dosing calibration/validation protocol | Yes |
| Tablet press application | Any kind of tablet press (existing press or new project with integrated communication) |
| Press speed | No limitation |
| Tablet size | 1 – 28 mm |
| Spraying/Vacuuming nozzle | Standard – but can be customised to fit specific tablet press |
| Spraying rate | 1,5 – 15 g/min |
| Conveyor Material | Approved FDA |
| Contact parts finishing | RA ≤0,5 µm |
| Floor dimension | 800 x 1000 mm |
| Frame parts | Stainless steel 304 |
| Frame mounted on wheels | Yes |
| Material certificate | Available |
| IQ-OQ protocol | Available |
| Hepa filter | standard |
