OBJECTIVE
To lay down the procedure for the operation and cleaning of Compression Machines.
SCOPE
Procedure applies to assembling, operation and cleaning of compression machine
RESPONSIBILITY
Operator: Shall be responsible for operating and cleaning of equipment.
Supervisor: Ensuring that procedure is appropriately followed for optimum output and longer machine life span.
Operation of Machine
- Check the lubrication of machine after every change over.
- After cleaning, if the machine is not utilized within 24 hrs. clean the machine with lint free duster before use.
- At the end of day, remove the upper punches and put it again after cleaning with dusters.
- Record and sign the destruction details in respective product BMR.
- Wear nose mask & hand gloves.
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- Rotations of machine should be in clockwise direction.
- Check punches are free in punch guides.
- Check punches body is lightly smeared with oil.
- Check feed frame is properly assembled.
- Update the status board with details.
- Keep the machine OFF. & engage the clutch by pulling out the clutch lever.
- Keep machine ON and rotate the machine by jog and complete the rotation of turret to ensure proper setting of dies and punches.
- Load the blend in hopper, if necessary adjust the height of hopper.
- Keep the polythene-lined container below the chute.
- Rotate the machine by jog and increase the sufficient pressure to form tablets
- Rotate the machine by jog and complete the rotation of turret to ensure free rotation
- Disengage the clutch.
- Switch ‘ON’ the mains.
- Switch ‘ON’ the machine.
- Operate the clutch.
- Collect the sample tablets of one rotation & check the specifications as per respective product BMR.
- Check the parameters of tablet as per respective product batch manufacturing record.
- If necessary, adjust the parameters by setting the machine as per respective product BMR.
- Compress the batch as per standard parameters specified in respective product BMR.
- Check the parameters are within limits, as per frequency given in BMR.
- After completion of compression stop the machine by disengaging the clutch.
- After completion switch off the machine by pushing OFF switch.
- Switch off the mains.
- Make the machine dust free by vacuum cleaner.
- Update the status board with details.
- Release compression pressure.
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Cleaning of Machine
Cleaning for product to product change over
- Update the status board with details.
- Release the pressure of lower punch by rotating pressure wheel spring anti Clockwise.
- Remove powder from turret, upper punches, lower punches & machine by vacuum Cleaner.
- Remove hopper, upper punch locking plate per punches & feed frame by unscrewing the screws.
- Remove side guards by unscrewing the screws.
- Clean the upper punches with diesel and duster.
- Apply oil on the tip and body & store in punch box.
- Unscrew the lower punch anti turning device.
- Remove lower punch window lock.
- Remove lower punches. Clean the lower punches with diesel and duster.
- Apply oil on the tip and body of the lower punches & store in punch box.
- Unscrew the die locking screw. Remove the dies with the help of Tommy.
- Clean the dies & keep in a punch box.
- Clean the body of machine top to bottom with diesel and duster.
- Clean the die, apply oil to the screws & punch guides with diesel & duster.
- Remove the feed frame stand by unscrewing the screws.
- Wash the feed frame stand, feed frames & hopper with water till visually it is cleaned.
- Wash feed frame stand, feed frames & hopper with 1% soap solution.
- Wash feed frame stand, feed frames & hopper with water till detergent is removed.
- Rinse feed frame stand, feed frames & hopper with purified water.
- Send rinse sample for QC analysis.
- Keep the cleaned parts on clean SS trolley. Allow them to dry.
- Take out punch box & store in punch storage racks.
- If the machine is not used after cleaning within 24 hours, Machine to be re cleaned by following above same procedure.
Cleaning for batch to batch change over
- Frequency of cleaning to be done after every 3 batches
- Clean the machine as per above steps.
Setting of the machine for round punches
- Take the required punch set. Clean the dies with dusters from inside & outside.
- Ensure the cleanliness of machines change parts, machine, and de dusting units & filter bags.
- Fix the dies in die cavities with the help of Tommy. Fix the dies by tightening die-locking screw.
- Clean the lower punches with clean cloth smear the body of punches with oil.
- Remove the oil from the tip.
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- Put the lower punches through punch loading plug.
- After putting all lower punches close the lower punch-loading hole by window lock.
- Tighten the punch anti rotating pins so as to prevent rotating of punches.
- Tighten the lower punches so tight that punches should move up & down after pressing only.
- Smear the oil to the body of upper punches. Put the upper punches.
- Rotate the turret by hand wheel & check for setting.
- Fix the lower cam guards. Fix the feed frame stands & feed frames.
- Fix the hopper.
- Update the status with details.
Setting of the machine for shaped punches
- Take the required punch set. Clean the dies with dusters from inside & outside.
- Remove upper punch cam plate. Place upper punches smeared with oil to the body & place the die with punch tip in die cavity.
- Fix the die by hammering gently along with upper punch and tight the die-locking nut.
- Check free movement of upper punch & fix other punches in the same manner.
- Fix upper punch cam plate. Rotate the machine by hand wheel & check setting.
- Fix the removed piece on upper punch cam plate.
- Fix the dies in die cavities with the help of Tommy. Fix the dies by tightening die-locking screw.
- Clean the lower punches with clean cloth and smear the oil to the body of the punches.
- Remove the oil from the tip.
- Put the lower punches through punch loading plug.
- After putting all lower punches close the lower punch-loading hole by plug.
- Tighten the punch anti rotating pins so as to prevent rotating of punches.
- Tight the lower punches so tight that punches should move up & down after pressing only.
- Put the upper punches. Rotate the turret by hand wheel & check for setting.
- Fix the lower cam guards.
- Fix the feed frame stands & feed frames.
- Set the scraper blade & ejector plate & ejection level. Fix the hopper.
- Update the status with details.
ABBREVIATIONS
SOPs : Standard operating procedures
BMR. : Batch Manufacturing Record.
SS : Stainless steel.
REFERENCES
Equipment manual
REVISION HISTORY
Nil
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