Tablet Press F10i as the beginning of a new machine generation

The new F10i tablet press from Fette Compacting is a flexible and powerful single-stroke press for small batches – with or without HPAPIs.

Innovative: In the F10i press room, approximately 50 percent of all covering parts are eliminated. This reduces the surface area to be cleaned by 70 percent.

Integrative: The new i Series features the technical connectivity for state-of-the-art production environments, including plug-and-play integrated process equipment.

Intelligent: In the customer intranet, users can access production data and documentation around the clock and have the ability to monitor the machine via mobile devices.

Intuitive: A Workflow Operation Wizard simplifies the setup of the tablet press.

Olaf J. Müller, CEO LMT Group and Division President Fette Compacting

The i Series from Fette Compacting has stood for productive, flexible, and reliable tablet production for decades. This remains the case in the future, but with many more possibilities: The new i Series, which launches on September 5, 2019, with the F10i single rotary tablet press, offers numerous innovative features.

Schwarzenbek, September 5, 2019. – Tablets are the most widely used form of medication in medical history. This will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future, as tablets can be precisely dosed, easily administered, and produced cost-effectively (transport and storage). However, the requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturers are becoming increasingly complex, while economic pressure continues to rise.

Thomas Friedrich, Director of Product Management at Fette Compacting, explains: “Together with our customers, we have meticulously searched for an interface between proven production and the digital pharmaceutical future – and rethought our i Series. The existing i Series includes high-performance machines 2090i and 3090i, as well as standard tablet presses 1200i, 2200i, and 3200i. These single and double rotary tablet presses ensure high output across various types of production, with an installed base of several thousand machines worldwide. We are building on that now.”

Efficiencyi – Meeting of Machine Generations

In the next generation of the i Series, Fette Compacting has developed a technological platform based on electrical and mechanical components. The special feature is that the components relevant for validation are largely preserved. “This means that the i Series retains all the properties that make it so valuable for our customers,” emphasizes Friedrich. “Efficiencyi means that users will keep everything that makes their production successful today – in even higher efficiency and with more possibilities in the future.”

The First Machine: F10i for Small Batches

The F10i was introduced as the first model of the new machine generation on September 5, 2019, in Schwarzenbek. The F10i is a flexible and powerful single rotary tablet press for small batches – optionally also for highly active substances. Producers can quickly adapt the tablet press to different requirements. Flexibility and versatility are ensured by features such as a handling arm that assists operators during rotor changes and a mechanically manual rotor tension system.

The Key Features of the F10i at a Glance:

Innovative: From dust-tight to containment New, interactive containment solutions save resources and protect employees. For example, the die cavity design is optimized for cleaning, and about 50 percent of all covers are eliminated. This reduces the surface area that needs cleaning by 70 percent. The machine is also available in a dust-tight version to minimize cleaning efforts and the risk of cross-contamination.

Integrative: System-compatible up to IoT and MES An integrated, closely connected system enables flexible use of new and existing devices. As adaptability increases, complexity decreases in many ways. The new i Series features technical connectivity for modern production environments up to “Pharma Production 4.0.” This includes plug-and-play integrated process equipment and open interfaces for connections to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

Intelligent: SmartInterface and RFID The simple and intuitive operation is key to efficient production. The core is real-time machine monitoring, allowing users to control their production processes via mobile devices. “The user can download batch protocols at any time and always stay up-to-date with production parameters,” Friedrich explains. To further enhance process security and prevent setup errors, the new i Series tablet presses feature an RFID option (Radio-Frequency Identification). The contactless sender-receiver system allows process components to be automatically identified by the machine and matched with pre-set recipes.

Intuitive: Tactile HMI and Workflow Assistant A state-of-the-art Human Machine Interface (HMI) enables operators to intuitively control, monitor, and document the machine and process equipment via a terminal. Tactile feedback, which vibrates and produces a sound when buttons are pressed, adds extra security during input. On the software level, an assistant supports users in implementing workflows safely and error-free.