tabletting

Tabletting is a manufacturing process used to produce solid dosage forms of medicinal substances and other ingestible products. It involves compressing a powdered or granulated mixture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients into a compact, uniform shape, typically a tablet. This method is widely favored due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the precise dosage control it offers.

The process begins with the selection and blending of raw materials. Excipients, such as binders, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants, are added to the API to facilitate the compression process, improve the tablet's stability, and ensure its disintegration and dissolution in the body. Granulation, a process of forming larger agglomerates from fine powders, may be employed to improve flowability and compressibility of the mixture.

The granulated or powdered blend is then fed into a tablet press. This machine uses punches and dies to exert high pressure on the material, forcing it into the desired shape and size. The pressure applied is critical, as it must be sufficient to create a coherent tablet that can withstand handling but not so excessive as to damage the API.

After compression, tablets are often subjected to coating. Tablet coating can serve various purposes, including masking unpleasant tastes, protecting the API from environmental factors, controlling drug release (e.g., enteric coating or sustained-release coating), or improving appearance. Quality control checks are performed throughout the process to ensure the tablets meet specifications for weight, hardness, thickness, friability, and drug content uniformity.