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A range of semiautomatic capsule filling machines is available from Dott. Bonapace. Designed to handle a variety of capsules per cycle, each consists of an orientating unit, which rectifies the unopened capsules and loads them into a tray. Capacities start at 50 capsules per cycle, then 100, 150 and finally 300 capsules per cycle on a fully automatic orientating unit.
The trays loaded with capsules are transferred to the filling unit, which accept the appropriate number of capsules. The bases of the capsules are gripped, and the caps removed as the tray is lifted off. This reveals the open bases allowing the loading of powder or other products into the capsules, usually by means of a spreader and the integral vibrator. A compaction device to compress the product into the shell is also included for use if necessary.
Once filling is completed, the tray of caps is repositioned and a retaining cover put in position over them. The bases are then pushed up into the caps and locked shut. The tray is removed and the filled and closed capsules are discharged.
The Minicap 50 and Minicap 100 units have both orientator and filler on a common base for ease of bench top mounting and movement, while the larger units are separate devices. The largest, the AB1/S, is a fully automatic orientating unit while the largest filler, the BB2000, uses pneumatics in place of the normal manual operations.
These machines can handle all the conventional sizes of capsules, both hard gelatine and HPMC, in sizes from 00 to 4, and also Size 000 and DB capsules in special execution.
They are used throughout the world in hospitals, research and development laboratories, for clinical trials and small batch output. They are ideal when very small quantities of capsules are required, such as for Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials.
Their semiautomatic operation makes them suitable for handling difficult powders and products which do not flow easily, such as in the herbal, homeopathic, nutritional and natural product industries.