GEA hopes for top Performa with new tablet press
was presented at this year's Interpack conference in Dusseldorf,
Germany, can help increase output and reduce costs for tablet
manufacturers worldwide.
The new press is aimed at pharmaceutical firms wishing to manufacture long runs of the same product with few changeovers, rather than those that use the same facility to produce a range of different products, or those for which the containment of toxic or high potency products is an issue. The Performa range is a variation on GEA's well-established Modul range of tablet presses, but has some key differences, according to the company. Jan Vogeleer, managing director of GEA Pharma Systems' GEA Courtoy NV division, told in-PharmaTechnologist.com that: "where the Modul tablet press, thanks to its inherently contained design, is the machine of choice in case of frequent product changeovers and toxic products, the Performa range of machines are the machine of choice when one is producing big batches or long campaigns." Vogeleer explained that: "because [Performa] will run very long batches, special attention has been given to reduce powder loss to an absolute minimum thanks to a special powder feeder and novel type of die." He also commented that: "in combination with superior output, the Performa machines offer the same compression control features as the modul machines resulting in superior process control for improved tablet quality." Detachable multi section turret system Performa P's turret system consists of the conventional three sections: upper and lower punching guiding modules; and a middle die disc. However, in contrast with competitor technologies the middle "exchangeable die disc" (EDD) unit can be completely detached from the punching apparatus, allowing easier access for maintenance. The firm added that this feature will cut down on gaps in production runs and will help eliminate the need to produce duplicate punch guiding modules to ensure the continuity of subsequent runs. Additionally, while the EDD unit is compatible with conventional dies, it can be used with thin walled die shells, increasing the number of stations and thereby improving potential yields. Vogeleer went on to say that the GEA Courtoy would be installing the first Perfoma P system later in the year, but could not disclose the name of the client for reasons of confidentiality. The first product in the range is aimed at pilot-scale production runs but the firm will be launching medium- and large-scale versions of the machine, Performas S and D, over the next two years.
