title: Accuracy of micro powder dosing via a vibratory sieve-chute system.
abstract: This paper describes a powder dosing system with a vibratory sieve mounted on a chute that doses particles into a capsule. Vertical vibration occurred with a broad range of frequencies and amplitudes. During dosing events, the fill weight was accurately recorded via a capacitance sensor, covering the capsules and making it possible to analyze filling characteristics, that is, the fill rates and their robustness. The range of frequencies and amplitudes was screened for settings that facilitated reasonable (no blocking, no spilling) fill rates for three lactose powders. The filling characteristics were studied within this operating space. The results reveal similar operating spaces for all investigated powders. The fill rate robustness varied distinctly in the operating space, which is of prime importance for selecting the settings for continuous feeding applications. In addition, we present accurate dosing studies utilizing the knowledge about the filling characteristics of each powder.
authors.affiliation: Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria; Graz University of Technology, Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Besenhard
authors.affiliation: Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria; Graz University of Technology, Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Faulhammer
authors.affiliation: Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fathollahi
authors.affiliation: Graz University of Technology, Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reif
authors.affiliation: MG2, Via del Savena 18, I-40065 Pian di Macina di Pianoro, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calzolari
authors.affiliation: MG2, Via del Savena 18, I-40065 Pian di Macina di Pianoro, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biserni
authors.affiliation: MG2, Via del Savena 18, I-40065 Pian di Macina di Pianoro, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), New Frontiers Science Park, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.affiliation: Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Llusa
authors.affiliation: Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) GmbH, 8010 Graz, Austria; Graz University of Technology, Institute of Process and Particle Engineering, 8010 Graz, Austria. Electronic address: khinast@tugraz.at.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Khinast
mesh_terms: D002214:Capsules; D004867:Equipment Design; D010316:Particle Size; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D011208:Powders; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011208:Powders
keywords: Capsule filling; Lactose; Micro dosing; Micro feeding; Online scale; Vibratory sieve