Automated Tablet Tooling Inspection System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated inspection systems for pharmaceutical tablet tooling require significant manual intervention and time adjustments when inspecting different types of tooling, leading to inefficiencies and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An automated tablet tooling inspection system that includes a base plate, punch and die holders, an LED micrometer, a Laser sensor or con focal sensor, and a control unit with a Graphical User Interface, which allows for the measurement of various parameters without configuration changes, minimizing manual intervention and reducing inspection time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual intervention is used to configure inspection systems for different tooling types, then adaptability is improved, but inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to inspect different tooling typesVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system automatically identifies and measures different tooling types without requiring manual configuration. The system self-adjusts its measurement parameters and fixture positioning based on the tooling inserted, eliminating the need for operator intervention to reconfigure the system for different punch or die types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes its measurement parameters and operational characteristics based on the detected tooling type. Different measurement cycles, sensor configurations, and evaluation criteria are automatically selected according to the specific punch or die being inspected, allowing rapid adaptation without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple fixtures are used to measure different parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of fixtures

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single integrated fixture design accommodates multiple measurement functions and different tooling types. The fixture incorporates multi-functional measurement cycles that can evaluate various parameters (dimensions, concentricity, wear) using the same physical structure, eliminating the need for separate fixtures for each measurement type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple measurement functions and fixtures are merged into a single integrated inspection system. The system combines different measurement capabilities (e.g., dimensional measurement, concentricity checking, wear assessment) into one unified fixture and measurement cycle, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If vision measurement is used for inspection, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddimensional measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces pure vision-based measurement with a hybrid approach that incorporates mechanical contact sensing and optical measurement. This combination provides both the ease of automated operation and the precision of physical measurement, using sensors that can directly contact the tooling surface to obtain accurate dimensional data while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves enhanced accuracy and reduced inspection time by automatically measuring parameters such as punch and die dimensions, concentricity, and overall length without requiring manual adjustments for different types of tooling, thereby minimizing manual intervention and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a LED micrometer fixed with a LM rail and carriage assembly to measure parameters of said tablet tooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and detection: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a Laser sensor or con focal sensor fixed with said base plate to measure parameters of said tablet tooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS10598605B2Automated tablet tooling inspection system and a method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 PACIFIC TOOLS PVT LTD

AI summary

An automated tablet tooling inspection system (100) for inspecting defects in tablet tooling's including upper punch, lower punch and die. The system (100) comprising of a base plate (101), a punch holder (102), a punch stopper (103), a die holder (104), a LM rail and carriage assembly (105), a LED Micrometer (107) to measure parameters of said tablet tooling, a Laser sensor or con focal sensor (108) to measure parameters of said tablet tooling and a control unit. The automated tooling inspection and system (100) reduces the inspection time of said tablet tooling by minimizing manual intervention; wherein said manual intervention is reduced by eliminating the requirement of changing configuration of said system (100) when a different type of tablet tooling is inspected such as TSM/Euro, B, D, BD, BB and BBS and the like.