Fette Compacting has been at the forefront of tableting innovation for decades, designing technologies that set the standard for efficient tablet and capsule production.

In 1991, we unveiled the PT3090 double-sided tablet press. This machine featured an easily-removable turret assembly that simplified the labor-intensive process of press cleaning. As the turret could be removed and cleaned offline, operators could maximize ‘up’ time by swapping a dirty turret with a clean one, thereby minimizing unnecessary downtime.

Today, nearly 28 years after we first revolutionized the tablet press market, we are unveiling a new cost-saving technology—known as the segmented turret—that promises to further minimize the time and labor required for press setup and maintenance operations.

Introducing Segmented Turret Technology

A typical tablet press die table is separated into many dies and die lock screws, each of which needs to be individually installed when setting up a turret. Segmented turret technology simplifies this design and reduces the number of components that need installation by splitting the die table into segments—i.e., segments of premium tool steel that contain several die holes. Depending on the type of tablet press employed, each turret only requires 3 to 5 segments, which are secured into place by two fastening bolts. These design characteristics drastically decrease the time and complexity of assembly and disassembly with some facilities seeing up to a 70% reduction in setup times.

Employing this segmented design is especially helpful when using shaped dies because it eliminates the need for manual alignment of individual dies. Additionally, the segment provides more consistent alignment, which reduces the risk of human error and the associated costs.

Replacing conventional die tables with our patented segments may also lead to increased production yields. Although highly variable and dependent on your existing tooling, increases in output are possible as employing segments allow machines to accommodate more tablet stations within the same pitch circle diameter.

Benefits of Segmented Turret Technology

When used in place of conventional dies and die lock screws, segmented turret technology provides several benefits. These include:

• Reduced cleaning and setup times. Decreasing the number of individual components reduces the total amount of time spent on installation and removal during setup and cleaning operations.
• Increased productivity. Consolidating dies into segments maximizes the use of space between cavities, enabling a greater number of cavities to fit within a turret and, therefore, a higher possible output for each turret.
• Improved yield. The use of segments allows for smoother station-to-station transition as the components are formed from a single piece of tool steel and can be installed with zero clearance between themselves and product scrapers. The lack of spacing between these parts improves the efficiency of scrapers and recirculation components, which can increase production yield and reduce the amount of wasted product.
• Increased durability. Even standard segments boast a Rockwell hardness level that is significantly higher than that found in conventional die steel. Additionally, segments are available with carbide inserts to increase their durability and wear resistance. The addition of the insert can increase the life span of segments by up to 10 times compared to a standard segment.
• Compatibility with existing equipment. Our segmented turrets can be integrated into virtually any Fette press manufactured after 1991 without the need for any mechanical or operating software modifications.

Contact Fette Compacting Today

Our segmented turret technology is designed to be compatible with almost all Fette presses manufactured in the last 28 years. As the segments do not require any alteration of production parameters or filling behavior, you receive all the benefits without having to modify or replace your existing machine, including more simplified operational and maintenance processes, minimized product losses, and higher yields.

Offering even greater output capabilities, segments utilized with Fette Compacting’s Pmax tooling capitalize on the diminutive size of the Pmax punches. A segmented turret using standard “B” tooling on an FE55 press, for example, can be bumped up to 87 stations by making the switch to Pmax tooling and segments. This allows a single-sided press to essentially rival the output of a much larger double-sided press, while economizing available floor space for the end user.

If you’re ready to upgrade your tablet presses with segmented turret technology, contact us today. Our team of experts can easily help you determine the ideal product to suit your needs and existing configuration, thereby making the transition as seamless as possible.