Real-time Monitoring of Powder Flow in Tablet Presses

This technical report discusses the integration of the MicroNIR PAT-U miniature process spectrometer into tablet presses for real-time monitoring of powder flow. It outlines the common defects in tablet manufacturing, such as sticking and lamination, which can arise from various factors including inaccurate excipient addition and moisture levels. The document details the advantages of using NIR spectroscopy for early detection of formulation anomalies before the compression stage, thereby facilitating immediate corrective actions and reducing material waste. The report explains the system configuration for the MicroNIR PAT-U, including setup procedures and operational capabilities. It also describes data processing techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Moving Block Standard Deviation (MBSD) for monitoring blend uniformity. The findings demonstrate how real-time monitoring can enhance process understanding and contribute to Quality by Design (QbD) in pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as improve efficiency in other industries engaged in similar processes.