oscillation granulator

Types of oscillation granulators

An oscillation granulator is a pharmaceutical machine that helps in the processing of powders into uniformly sized granules through oscillation. The granulator is used to improve powder flow, making it easy to compress powders into tablets. There are different types of oscillation granulators, which are generally categorized based on their specific features and functions.

• Application-specific models

  These models are designed and manufactured to suit a particular field of use. They often come with some added features to meet the specific requirements of a certain industry.

• Adaptability to material characteristics

  Granulators may have different electromagnetic oscillation frequencies and amplitudes, allowing them to adapt to various material properties, such as particle size, viscosity, and moisture content.

• Modular design and integration

  Some oscillating granulators may adopt a modular design, which makes it easy for customers to integrate these granulators into their existing production lines. Besides, the granulator can also be combined with other processing units, like mixers and classifiers, for an overall supply granulating solution.

There are also two main types granulators based on their oscillating mechanisms.

• Electromechanical Oscillators

  They rely on electric motors to oscillate the sieve. The motor is directly connected to a crank, which then turns the sieve. The granulator is used in industries that deal with less sticky materials. It is easy to operate the oscillator using a frequency inverter that controls the speed of the oscillation.

• Pneumatic Oscillators

  Also known as air-driven oscillillators, they use compressed air to oscillate the sieve. Inside the granulator, there is an air motor that turns the crank. The granulator is used for materials that can easily be granulated. The advantage of the air oscillator is that it can be used in explosion-prone areas. It also has a low weight and energy requirement.

Specification and maintenance of Oscillation Granulators

Oscillation granulators are available in different specifications to satisfy various needs. They have different sizes, capacities, power requirements, speeds, and weights.

• Size and dimensions: Oscillation granulators' sizes vary, but many of them usually have an external diameter of between 0.5 and 1.5 meters. Their heights range between 0.6 to 1 meter. The size and dimensions of a granulator can affect its capacity.
• Capacity: the granulator's capacity indicates how much material the machine can handle per hour. The oscillating granulator capacity varies depending on its model and size. Many granulators have capacities ranging from 20 to 200 kg per hour. Ideally, the capacity of a granulator may be lower or higher depending on the material's characteristics and the machine's settings.
• Power requirements: Oscillation granulators have different power requirements. Some granulators need low voltage of about 110V, while others require a high voltage of about 220-240V. The oscillating power requirements granulator are determined by the motor driving the machine.
• Speed: Oscillation granator operates at different speeds, depending on their models. Their speeds range between 40 to 200 oscillations per minute. Particles are broken down by high-speed oscillations. The granulator's final product may differ if the speed is low.
• Weight: Many oscillation granulators have a weight of about 150- 800 kg. They are moving using fork lifts or other handling equipment since they are moving heavy.

Maintenance

Almost all manufacturing equipment and machines need some level of maintenance to keep them in excellent working condition. Regular maintenance can prevent premature failure and minimize granulator repair costs.

It is essential to develop a schedule outlining specific tasks and responsibilities before commencing the granulator maintenance process. Some tasks may need the assistance of a trained and qualified technician, while others may be easy to perform and complete on their own.

The oscillating granulator should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning helps keep the machine free from corrosive and harmful substances. Granulator manufacturers often provide detailed cleaning instructions. When disassembling the device for cleaning, it is recommended to take note of the configuration of parts.

Lubrication of components that are moving is critical to granulator maintenance. Lubricating oscillating granulator moving parts can reduce unnecessary wear and tear. Lubrication ensures that parts move freely, thus enhancing their operating efficiency.

The technician or operator performing maintenance should inspect the machine parts regularly. During inspection, fasteners should be tightened. Also, worn-out parts should be replaced to prevent malfunction or breakdown.

Scenarios of using oscillation granulators

The pharmaceutical industry uses oscillation granulators extensively. They are fundamental machines in the sector's quest for quality, uniformity, and maximum product recovery.

Granulation is a vital process for making drugs with particular characteristics. Drugs benefiting from the process include oral medication that patients must ingest and tablets that must be easy to manufacture, robust, and have a predictable dissolution pattern. Drugs with these attributes will often have an oscillation granulator involved in their production.

Granules formed with oscillation granulators are generally easier to compress into tablets and more straightforward to coat. Furthermore, the drug substances are bound to the granules, helping to reduce powder flow and increasing the odds of a higher yield during the coating process.

The main product from an oscillation granulator, namely granules, is not exclusive to the pharmaceutical sector; other industries also benefit from their formation. The food industry employs granulation to manufacture, among other things, breakfast cereals, instant coffee, salt, sugar, and preservatives in granule form.

Granules produced in the chemical sector, which may be fertilizers, plastics, or other chemical compounds, may have a further processing requirement that necessitates the use of an oscillation granulator. By applying the granulator to break the chemical up into smaller granules, one ensures easier and more efficient packaging, handling, and dispersion.

While the pharmaceutical industry is perhaps the most significant user of oscillation granulators, it is clear that the food, chemical, and other industries also benefit from their presence in the workflow. Businesses in these industries could take advantage of the knowledge that oscillation granulators are beneficial machines to have even if one operates outside the confines of the pharmaceutical industry.

How to choose oscillation granulators

Granulating powders into uniform particles of specific sizes is the main goal of selecting an oscillation granulator. When choosing granulators, manufacturers should look at the end product and what granulator will help achieve that product. Consideration of the following factors will help select the suitable oscillation granulator for pharmaceuticals and other industries:

• Product Throughput

  Established manufacturing industries will usually look for granulators with higher product throughputs to meet their production demands. The bigger the oscillation plate's dimension, the more product it can handle. Higher throughputs are also possible with increased oscillation speeds. Higher throughput is usually indicative of more extensive production capabilities.

• Granule Size and Distribution

  A suitable oscillation granulator should be able to create granules of the desired size and distribution. When selecting the granulator, buyers should evaluate how the proposed machine would affect the final product in terms of size and distribution. They should Also consider whether the granulator could be coupled with further processing equipment, like sieving or milling, to achieve the goal of the desired granule size and distribution.

• Adaptability to Formulation Changes

  Industries with different product formulations will need granulators that are adaptable to varying chemical compositions. Such granulators would typically feature adjustment mechanisms allowing for oscillation speed alterations. Moreover, they may have interchangeable oscillation plates of different shapes and sizes.

• Cleanability and Maintenance

  When choosing granulators for sale, the supplier should ensure that the machines have cleanable components. Oscillation granulators often have complex designs, and maintenance is crucial to ensure the long-term durability of granulating machines. Suppliers should ensure the machines have easily accessible parts, smooth surfaces, and dismantlable components for cleaning.

Oscillation granulator Q&A

Q1: Where should the oscillating granulator be placed in the production line?

A1: The oscillating granulator is often used in pill making factories. It can be placed after the mixing and milling machine but before the tablet pressing machine. If the formula requires it, the granule produced by the oscillating granulator may pass through a coating pan and then enter the tablet pressing machine.

Q2: Does the oscillating granulator work only with damp powder?

A2: No. While oscillating granulators are typically used to process wet materials to enhance binding through liquid distribution, they can also be employed to granulate dry powders. Granulating dry materials may simplify handling, improve flow, or prepare the product for subsequent processing steps.

Q3: What are the main advantages of oscillation granulators?

A3: Oscillating granulators offer some advantages over other methods of granule making. They are simple and easy to use. Granules of different sizes can be produced without the need for additional screens or granulating liquids. Cleaning the machine is straightforward, and production is generally cost-effective. Granules formed can be recycled and reprocessed as required.

Q4: What are the main disadvantages of oscillation granulators?

A4: While they may operate continuously and granulate several batches of material simultaneously, oscillating granulators are often slower than rotary granulators. Oscillating granulators may also have a higher granule dispersion, which could be disadvantageous if uniform granule size is essential for further processing or final product quality.