Rotary Press Configuration Using Correlated Tablet Process Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for configuring rotary press processes for producing tablets are unreliable, time-consuming, and material-intensive, relying on personal know-how and lacking reproducibility, as they require extensive testing to find optimal parameter combinations for maintaining desired tablet quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that store and correlate component, process, powder, and tablet parameter data in a database to determine necessary parameter settings for configuring the rotary press, allowing for reproducible and efficient configuration of the tableting process by predicting optimal parameter combinations based on predetermined data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual expertise and trial series are used to determine optimal parameters, then operator-specific knowledge can be applied, but the process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereproducibility of tablet qualityVSAvoidtime for parameter optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the complex parameter optimization process by storing successful parameter combinations and their outcomes in a database. This digital repository captures the essence of multiple trial series and expert knowledge, allowing rapid retrieval and reproduction of optimal settings without repeating time-consuming physical trials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary parameter optimization work in advance by conducting trial series and storing the results in a database before actual production. This pre-computed knowledge base enables quick configuration of optimal parameters when production requirements change, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If extensive trial series are conducted to find optimal parameter combinations, then reliable tablet quality can be achieved, but the process becomes resource-intensive and difficult to reproduce

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet quality consistencyVSAvoidpowder material consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a database to store and reuse successful parameter combinations from previous trials. This digital copying approach eliminates the need to physically test the same parameter combinations multiple times, reducing powder material consumption while maintaining the ability to achieve consistent tablet quality through proven settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where trial results are stored and used to guide future parameter selections. This systematic feedback loop allows the process to learn from previous experiments, avoiding redundant material consumption while continuously improving tablet quality consistency through data-driven decision making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameters are adjusted to maintain tablet quality, then adaptability to different powder materials is improved, but the complexity of process configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different powder materialsVSAvoidprocess configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal database system that stores parameter combinations applicable to different powder materials and tablet requirements. This multi-functional repository can serve various production scenarios by retrieving appropriate pre-stored parameter sets, enabling the system to adapt to different materials without requiring complex real-time calculations or adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies and stores multiple parameter combinations in the database corresponding to different powder material properties and desired tablet characteristics. This pre-computed parameter library allows rapid adaptation to different materials by selecting appropriate stored configurations, avoiding the complexity of manually optimizing multiple parameters for each new material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If statistical design of experiments is used to optimize parameters, then comprehensive parameter coverage is achieved, but time constraints make it infeasible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter optimization accuracyVSAvoidoptimization timeframe
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs comprehensive parameter optimization experiments in advance and stores the results in a database. This preliminary action captures the benefits of statistical design of experiments without the time penalty during actual production, as the optimization work is completed beforehand and results are readily available for retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of comprehensive experimental results in a structured database format. This digital repository preserves the thoroughness of statistical experiments while enabling rapid access to optimized parameters, eliminating the need to repeat time-consuming experimental designs during production configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4446104A1Method and device for configuring a production process of a rotary press
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 FETTE COMPACTING GMBH
  • EP4446104A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4446104A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4446104A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for configuring a rotary press, wherein the rotary press comprises a rotor that can be rotated by means of a rotary drive, wherein the rotor has upper and lower punch guides, wherein upper press punches of the rotor are guided in the upper punch guide and lower press punches of the rotor are guided in the lower punch guide, and wherein the rotor has a die disk with cavities arranged between the punch guides, wherein the rotary press further comprises a filling device by which powder material is filled into the cavities of the die disk, and wherein the rotary press further comprises a pressing device which, in operation, cooperates with the upper and lower press punches to compress the powder material in the cavities of the die disk into tablets, comprising the steps of: • storing several groups of parameter data in a database,Comprehensively, the database contains, in a first group, component parameter data for components assembled in the rotary press, in a second group, process parameter data for process parameters during the operation of the rotary press, in a third group, powder parameter data for the powder properties of the powder material to be compressed in the rotary press, and in a fourth group, tablet parameter data for the tablet properties of the tablets to be produced in the rotary press. The parameter data of the different groups stored in the database are correlated with each other in such a way that, for given parameter data from at least two of the four groups, parameter data from the other four groups can be determined.• To configure the rotary press, parameter data from at least two of the four groups are determined based on predefined parameter data from at least two of the four groups, according to the correlation of the parameter data stored in the database. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.