Dosator machines, capsules

Fig. 24 The effect of percentage of sodium lauryl sulfate in the formulation on the dissolution of hydrochlorothiazide from capsules containing dicalcium phosphate as filler, 0.75% magnesium stearate, and filled on a dosator machine with 300 N tamping force (USP method 2, 900 mL 0.1 N HC1, 50 rpm). (Adapted from Ref. 71.)... 

The MG-2 series of dosator machines also exhibit similar plug forming parameters across machines with different production capacities. For example, the 16 station (up to 48,000 capsules per hour) and 64 station machines (actually a double 32 station machine up to 200,000 capsules per hour) operate at the same RPM, have the same spacing between dosators, and have similar dosator penetration and withdrawal speeds, plug compression dwell times and plug ejection speeds (McKee, 2005 ). Unlike the powder bed... 

Fig. 16 Typical force-time trace from an instrumented Zanasi LZ-64 automatic capsule-filling machine. PC, precompression resulting from dipping of dosator into the powder bed C, compression resulting from actual piston tamping R, retention force Ej, ejection D, drag force developing during retraction of piston. (From Ref. 38.)...

JE Botzolakis, LE Small, LL Augsburger. Effect of disintegrants on drug dissolution from capsules filled on a dosator-type automatic capsule-filling machine. Int J Pharm 12 341-349, 1982. 

There are two main types of plug forming machines the dosator type (e.g., MG2, Zanasi, and Matic machines) and the dosing disc type (e.g., Bosch GKF, Impressa, and Index machines). Bosch GKF machines were formerly manufactured by Hofliger and Karg (H K). Both types of machines have capsule rectification and separation operations in common. As empty capsules are fed into these machines, they are first rectified, i.e., oriented so that they are delivered body-end down into split bushings. 

The MG-2 Futura series of machines can be fitted with different numbers of dosators to give outputs ranging from 6000 to 96,000 capsules per hour. Because turret and annular powder bed dimensions would remain the same, few problems should be expected when scaling-up within this range on this machine. However, it is important to recognize that since the distance between dosators will increase when fewer than the full complement... 

Heda PK, Muteba, K, Augsburger LL. Comparison of the formulation requirements of dosator and dosing disc automatic capsule filling machines. AAPS Pharm Sci, 2002 4(3) article 17 DOI 10.1208/ps040317. http //www.aapsi. psj.org/view.asp art = ps040317... 

Auger or Screw Method. This was the first mechanism used in industrial-scale machines, although the dosator and piston tamp mechanisms have now largely superseded it. The capsule body in its holder passes beneath the powder hopper on a turntable. The powder is fed into the capsule body by a revolving archimedian screw. The auger rotates at a constant rate so the fill weight is related to the duration of filling that is related to the speed of rotation of the turntable. 

This mechanism is the most widely used mechanism and can be found on small pilot scale machines using an intermittent action similar to rotary machines capable of production rates in excess of 120,000 capsules per hour. As a result of its popularity, there have been considerable studies into the formulation of powder for filling on these types of machines and instrumentation of the dosators. 

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