FABON Pharma

Auto Coater

4,800,000.00

A Pharma Auto Coater is an extremely efficient and accurate coater machine for tablet, pellet, and capsule coating with uniform application, enhanced drug stability, and controlled release features. With the use of state-of-the-art PLC-based automation, HEPA filtration, and spray gun technology, it is an important machine in today’s pharmaceutical industry.

Auto Coater : Technical Specification & Application

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A Pharmaceutical Auto Coater is an automatic tablet coating apparatus for depositing film or sugar coatings on tablets, capsules, or pellets. It provides a uniform coating, controlled process, and high efficiency, and therefore, it forms an essential tool in contemporary pharmaceutical production.

Technical Specifications of Auto Coater

  1. Material of Construction

Stainless Steel (SS 316L for product contact surfaces, SS 304 for non-contact surfaces) – maintains strength and GMP and FDA compliance.

Perforated or Non-Perforated Coating Pan – facilitates the even spread of coating solution.

Mirror/Matte Finish – makes cleaning easy and avoids contamination.

  1. Coating Pan & Capacity

Pan Capacity: From 5 kg to 1000 kg per batch.

Pan Speed: Adjustable 3–30 RPM according to coating needs.

Perforation Size: 1–3 mm (for effective drying).

  1. Spray System

Gun Type: HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) Spray Guns for uniform atomization.

Number of Spray Guns: Usually 2–8 guns depending on pan size.

Spray Nozzle Size: 0.5–1.5 mm for accuracy coating.

Pumping System: Peristaltic Pump for precise and controlled liquid flow.

  1. Air Handling System

HEPA Filters (H13 or H14) for Air Inlet – eliminates airborne pollutants.

Dehumidification System (Optional) – ensures humidity control for moisture-sensitive formulas.

Exhaust Blower Capacity: 200–2,000 CFM, for effective drying.

  1. Drying System

Hot Air Blower: 5–30 kW heat system for fast drying.

Temperature Control Range: 25°C to 80°C, for maximum drying without degradation.

  1. Control System

PLC-Based HMI Touchscreen Panel – automates and controls coating parameters.

Real-Time Monitoring: Regulates spray rate, air pressure, pan speed, and temperature.

Recipe Storage: Stores multiple formulations for easy batch processing.

  1. Safety Features

Automatic Spray Gun Cleaning System – avoids clogging.

Interlock System – inhibits operation when the door is open.

Explosion-Proof Motor (For Solvent-Based Coating) – provides protection in hazardous environments.

Applications of Auto Coater in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Film Coating of Tablets & Pellets

 

Improves tablet appearance, taste masking, and enhances stability.

Normal coatings: HPMC, PVA, and Acrylic-based coatings.

Enteric Coating

 

Preserves tablets from stomach acid and facilitates drug release in the intestine.

Applied to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and NSAIDs.

Sugar Coating

 

Traditional coating for use in taste masking and palatability enhancement.

Used in vitamins, pediatrics, and nutraceutical applications.

Controlled Release & Modified Release Coatings

 

Contributes extended-release (ER), delayed-release (DR), or sustained-release (SR) functionality.

Moisture & Light Protection

 

Preserves sensitive drugs from external influences such as humidity, light, and oxidation.

Tablet Branding & Identification

 

Colorful coatings facilitate brand distinction and counterfeit deterrents.

Conclusion

 

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FAQs

What is an Auto Coater?
An Auto Coater is a pharmaceutical machine used for coating tablets with a film or sugar layer. It provides uniform coating through a controlled spraying process inside a rotating perforated drum.
What are the applications of an Auto Coater?
Film coating (for taste masking, protection, or identification) Enteric coating (to protect tablets from stomach acid) Sugar coating (for aesthetic and palatability) Modified-release coating (sustained, delayed release)
What are the key components of an Auto Coater?
Perforated coating drum Spray guns (typically airless or HVLP) Hot air blower and inlet air handling unit Exhaust air system with filters Solution tank and peristaltic pump WIP (Wash-in-place) system PLC/HMI control panel
What materials are used in construction?
Product contact parts: SS 316 or SS 316L Non-contact parts: SS 304 or powder-coated steel Gaskets: FDA-approved food-grade silicone or EPDM
What is the capacity range of Auto Coaters?
Auto coaters come in various batch capacities: Lab-scale: 1–10 kg Pilot-scale: 10–100 kg Production-scale: 100–800+ kg Models are usually sized by nominal tablet load (e.g., 50 kg, 150 kg, 500 kg).
What are the control systems used?
PLC with HMI touchscreen 21 CFR Part 11 compliance (for electronic records/audit trail) Recipe management and batch reporting SCADA or BMS connectivity (optional)
How is uniform coating ensured?
Even tablet bed movement via optimized baffle design Precision spray gun control (droplet size and pattern) Hot air temperature, RH, and flow control Exhaust rate monitoring to prevent over-wetting or agglomeration
What safety and cleaning features are included?
Auto interlocks for spray and drum movement Explosion-proof design (for organic solvents) WIP or CIP systems with dedicated spray balls and drain points HEPA filters on inlet air (optional for GMP)
What validations are required for Auto Coaters?
Design Qualification (DQ) Installation Qualification (IQ) Operational Qualification (OQ) Performance Qualification (PQ) Spray pattern and droplet size validation Airflow and temperature mapping
What are common troubleshooting issues?
Issue Possible Causes Uneven coating Improper baffle design, poor spray pattern, or airflow imbalance Tablet sticking Over-wetting, low exhaust air, or poor temperature control Gun clogging Inadequate cleaning or improper suspension Color variation Inconsistent coating suspension or spray rate
What optional features are available?
Dust extraction and solvent recovery systems Auto cleaning / CIP modules Inlet air dehumidifier or RH control Load cells for batch weight monitoring Online tablet bed temperature and spray droplet monitoring
What standards and guidelines does an Auto Coater comply with?
cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) US FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (for electronic controls) EU Annex 11 and GAMP 5 ATEX compliance (for solvent-based coatings)
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