KORSCH and LB Bohle present their complementary technology at ACHEMA 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in a shared booth. KORSCH, the global specialist in tablet press technology, complements with its innovations the processes delivered from Bohle to plan and map the entire tablet production process. Both companies offer world-class, complementary technology and have worked together on a wide range of projects involving integrated technology and process equipment trains.
Along with the presence of KORSCH subsidiary MEDELPHARM and its specialist compaction simulation instruments, the joint display in Hall 3, Booth A49 / A71 will cover the whole spectrum of tablet manufacturing process, from R&D to high-speed high-volume production.
Starring role for X 5 Tablet Press
A highlight of the KORSCH display will be the recently introduced X 5 advanced single-sided tablet press, which raises the benchmark for manufacturing efficiency, with significantly higher output capability than comparable machines on the same footprint. This is achieved by leveraging KORSCH trademark ergonomic fast-change design with a newly engineered turret execution with segments. For example, the standard B turret with conventional dies has 43 punch stations, and the segmented execution offers 54 punch stations, which represents a 25 % increase in machine output.
The X 5 comes in two versions: the X 5 SFP provides dedicated single-layer capability, while the X 5 MFP offers single-layer, bi-layer and tri-layer flexibility.
Both models share a common turret and interchangeable product contact parts for maximum efficiency and flexibility in high-speed, high-volume production environments. Incorporating KORSCH’s latest innovations, the X 5 features an integrated electrical cabinet, torque drive, fully sealed design, and unsurpassed accessibility for cleaning, changeovers and maintenance. Installation options include through-the-wall mounting.
X 3 mid-range maximised
Also on display will be the mid-range X 3 Tablet Press that incorporates production capabilities and versatility traditionally limited to large-scale production machines. The X 3 is a single-sided rotary press that redefines the market segment for presses suitable for product development, scale-up, clinical production, mid-range production and continuous manufacturing.
The X 3 shows why it won the 2022 Pharma Innovation Awards with advanced technologies and features that include a fully integrated control cabinet, exchangeable turret configuration to offer unprecedented flexibility and production adaptability, the capability for fully instrumented measurement of precompression, main compression or ejection forces, and unsurpassed accessibility for cleaning, changeovers and maintenance. The X 3’s optional integrated data acquisition system permits full characterisation and documentation of scale-up parameters.
The X 3 Tablet Press is available in two models, with the X 3 SFP accenting high speed production at up to 266,400 tablets/hour while the X 3 MFP places the emphasis on flexibility between single-layer and bi-layer capabilities.
XT 600: a proven 24/7 workhorse
KORSCH will also show its XT 600 High Speed Double Rotary Press, which combines key features from proven KORSCH technology with a simple, modular and cost-efficient design focused both on high output and operator convenience to set new standards in high-volume production equipment. Leveraging the unique and patented carrier plate concept from the XL-Series, the XT 600 features the same market leading noise reduction technology.
As with all KORSCH tablet presses, the XT 600 features a control system interface that uses the intuitive Smart-Touch HMI to deliver unprecedented levels of on-line help and assistance with every aspect of machine operation. The 19in touchscreen display supports gestures to permit move, zoom and scroll functions to simplify and enhance the user experience.
R&D laboratory featuring compaction simulators
The ACHEMA stand will also feature a tableting R&D Laboratory equipped with one of the industry’s most advanced product lines for OSD material characterisation, feasibility assessment, formulation development and scale-up. The ACHEMA Lab will feature live demonstrations of the MEDELPHARM STYL’One range of Compaction Simulators, including the benchtop STYL’One Nano and the STYL’One Evo.
The STYL’One Evo can claim to be the most advanced and versatile compaction simulator in the world, allowing researchers to replicate any high-speed production press with unlimited flexibility to explore single-layer, multi-layer and tablet-in-tablet formats. A GMP Production module permits the production of small technical batches, including weight regulation, tablet sorting and batch report. A multitude of options and features can be selected, including dry granulation mimicking module, radial die pressure measurement, automatic external lubrication units etc.
Meanwhile, the ultra-compact STYL’One Nano provides an ideal tool to develop formulations using small material quantities. An integrated data acquisition and analysis system offers a simple and powerful tool for material characterisation, while its unique drive system permits a range of standard compression profiles, including the ability to replicate precompression and main compression on a small rotary tablet press.
With Operator Safety as a top priority, all MEDELPHARM & KORSCH equipment is available in DryCon® & WipCon® executions to meet rigorous OEB containment Level 4 and 5 requirements.