MACHINE CONSTRUCTION

Sound Reduction :
The tableting zone of the machine is totally enclosed to minimize noise emission. Entire drive mechanism is contained within the lower cabinet, which is closed by vibration isolated, sound reducing guards. Anti-vibration mounts are fitted as standard.

Operator Safety :
Safe machine operation is of utmost importance. To ensure safety, all upper guards have been fitted with interlock switches. If a guard is open, while the machine is in operation, the machine will stop immediately. Lower guards are fitted with lockable handles.

Cleanliness and Cleanability :
Within the tableting zone there are no painted surfaces and the large cabinet combined with wide counterbalanced upper guards give excellent access to the area for cleaning purposes. Lower punch scraper seals prevent material passing through the lower punch guides into the cam tracks. (Lower punch scraper Seals are available in 37 station and 45 station only). This results in reduced wear and extended tool life in addition to enabling the machine to run for longer periods between clean downs. Externally the machine is paint free and the stainless steel panels on all sides facilitate cleaning operations. A hinged transparent cover protects the control panel, although the safety stop is operated without opening the cover. Easy access to upper Punch for removal due to quick release mechanism. The upper punches are protected from dust by an upper punch guard. This helps in the minimizing of tight upper punches and reduced, punch and cam wear. Hoppers, doors and guards of lower cabinets etc. Are quick removable without using any tools. This also helps reducing downtime.

Obviating Dust Hazards :
In high speed tableting, Dust extraction is essential. Dust extraction nozzles at compression point are provided as standard. Suitable dust extractor unit with necessary hose piping can be supplied extra, for fitting to Vega Press II when a centralized system is not available.

Quick and easy tool change over :
‘Vega Press II’ has been designed to minimize the change over time. The weight adjustment section is easily removable which provides goods access for the removal/replacement of lower punches and dies. This adjustment can be done without opening lower cabinet, away from compression zone. The handwheel is conveniently located for indexing the turret suring tool changeover with single operator.

Feeding of Material :
Vega Press II is fitted with rotary feeders specially designed for high speed operation. Exceptional tablet weight consistency and operational cleanliness are ensured. Feeders can be easily removed for cleaning between product changeover. Effective feeder leveling ensures that the feeder base can be easily set and maintained at the desired height. Resetting of the feeder base is not required even if the feeder is removed for cleaning.

The stainless steel hoppers have powder sights for visual checking. Material flow from hopper to feeder is easily regulated within fine limits, without having to shut down the machine. Powder spilling losses are kept to an absolute minimum by the powder circulating band fitted to the feeder. Generated cam tracks, which reduce machine and tool loadings, ensure highly efficient operation with low wear factors Three sets of fill cams keep the die table clean and prevent over loading of the rotary feeders. These cams cover the full filling range of the machine.

Drive Arrangement and Lubrication :
The drive is transmitted from the electric motor with variable frequency control to gearbox through timing belt. The final drive is by replaceable internal helical gearing. The turret is mounted on bronze bushes and antifriction thrust bearings. The gear drive and turret bearings are continuously pumped and lubricated. All pressure pins are lubricated by an automatic intermittent forced feed system and lubrication is provided to the punch heads. All revolving parts are mounted an anti-friction bearings.

Pressure Loading and Overload Release :
The pressure units are self-contained to obviate stress on other parts of the machine. Pressure is applied by means of manual hydraulic pump. The overload release is unique in its operation on both upper and lower punches, providing a valuable extra safeguards against overload. Effectively it is the safety valve of the machine. It ensures that any overloading transmitted to the punches is only a small percentage of the total loading. Both upper and lower pressure rolls are adjustable, allowing variation of position at which the tablet is made in the die. This is particularly desirable with difficult materials, or when thinner tablets are being produced. Double die life can be obtained by reversing the dies.

Weight adjustment, tablet thickness and pressure roll positions are all graduated, enabling matched setting to be made both sides of the machine. Adjustments may be carried out while the machine is running. Removable panels allow access for a fork lift truck and give a clearance of approximately 100 mm below the machine. Alternatively the machine may be moved by a direct lift applied to an eyebolt on the top of machine.