The Dry Blending Process
Dry blending is a vital step in the production of pharmaceutical drugs. These substances are usually powders but may also be in the form of granules. The active pharmaceutical ingredient or API is blended with a non-active ingredient known as an excipient to produce tablets. The excipients can serve different purposes; for example, they can serve as carriers for the active ingredient.
The blending efficiency is influenced by several external factors, such as the desired degree of homogeneity and the required blending time, which mainly depends on the blended materials’ properties and the blender’s geometry.
Proper blending aims not only to ensure accurate dosing and aid compaction. Proper blending is also necessary to maintain the mixture between the API and the excipient. When two different materials of varying particle sizes are mixed, they will not stay that way for long. Over time, segregation occurs, and de-mixing takes place. Proper blending ensures both materials are of similar particle sizes. This will help maintain the mixture over time and prevent de-mixing.
Blending Equipment
Making use of the right equipment is one way to ensure the quality of the dry mix process. It is important to know the appropriate blender to use depending on the material’s size, nature, and volume to blend.
METO Systems manufactures efficient stainless-steel blenders that ensure the process occurs quickly, safely, and hygienically.
Lab Scale Blenders
Used extensively across many industries, not just the pharmaceutical industry, lab scale blenders mix dry powders, granules, pellets, and other solid forms. Typical applications range from pharmaceutical powders, food supplements, and spice blends to polymer blends and composite fillers.
METO Systems’ laboratory blender can blend, lift, and position right onto the column to ensure that the products are combined consistently and quickly discharged for further processes. Its fail-safe lift mechanism, the full-locking swivel casters, and floor leveling locks ensure safe blending and keep the system in place on the platform in the event of power loss. These stainless-steel laboratory blenders, used for blending round or square containers, are ideal for high-potency materials. They come with a wide range of control and drive options, from pneumatic to hydraulic to full automation, in a simple design, resulting in low maintenance costs.
Drum Blenders
Drum tumbling is a common way to keep ingredients in liquid suspension and break up powder clumps before discharge. Container blending also provides fast and easy mixing of dry powders and granular materials directly in the containers.
METO Systems’ sanitary drum tumblers work for all three activities, but they differ from more common drum rollers in that they rotate the drum end over end instead of spinning about the center axis. This ensures a more robust agitation action inside the drum and eliminates the need to position it on its side.
Small Stationary Column Blender
METO Systems’ small stationary column blender is used with containers up to 0.5 cubic meters in capacity. The blender is floor mounted, with either top or side support. The system can blend products in round or square containers using a 1 to 20-rpm drive. Multi-sized portable containers can be used with the system, all at the same footprint and relative dimensions, regardless of volume.
Constructed of 304 stainless steel, two parallel lifting arms locate and lock the IBC in place during blending. The unit is supplied with a ground-level laser scanner to ensure the operating area is clear for use.
Production Stationary Column Blender
METO Systems also manufactures a full-sized IBC blending system for use with containers up to 1.5 cubic meters in capacity. The blender is also floor mounted, with either top or side support, and can blend the product in round or square containers using a 1 to 20 rpm drive.
Constructed of stainless steel, this blender can be supplied to mate with existing bins. Height and reach are as required by the application. Fail-safe lift mechanisms hold the platform in position without drift, even when utilities are lost. The rotational column option provides precise positioning.
All METO Systems equipment is designed for reliable service over many years, and our solutions can run 24/7/365 with minimal routine maintenance. High-quality components are used throughout, and our stainless-steel structures are just that–all stainless steel, no stainless-steel cladding materials are used.
About METO Systems
METO Systems manufactures custom and standard stainless-steel material handling equipment. Our equipment consistently exceeds our clients’ strict hygienic processing specifications, helping to ensure the sanitary quality of their ingredients never wavers.
We produce products that can handle everything from fine powders and particulates to granulated compounds and salts. Our robust designs and machine capabilities can support the size and scale of the largest nutraceutical processing facilities.
For more information about our products and services, please get in touch with our sales team at 201-405-0311 or visit our contact page.