Pharmaceutical scientists determine the proportion of drug compounds and inactive ingredients in medicinal tables. Prior to volume production, sample tablets are tested for mechanical properties to minimize development time in the manufacturing process.

In high-scale production the synchronized application of vertical and horizontal force is critical. Pressure must be applied and released from both axes simultaneously and at the same rate.

Phoenix designed a dual-action press using custom tooling to produce prototype tablets. The two-axis design replicates the manufacturing operation, and produces a sample pill with very similar properties to those required in actual production.

The heart of the press consists of a 20 ton vertical cylinder and a 5 ton horizontal cylinder. The cylinders operate in a force-over-time mode as selected in the operator interface. The ramp time for each cylinder is 30 to 60 seconds, with a hold time ranging from 5 seconds to two minutes. Pressure is controlled to within +/- 5 percent.

Electronic press controls include a Delta Motion Controller, Micrologix 1100, and a PanelView operator interface with a 10" screen. PLC/HMI communications are provided through Enternet connections.