ACHEMA 2012 - Single rotary press

The FE35 is a single rotary press that can be fitted with up to 51 punch stations, enabling the production of approximately 370,000 tablets per hour. The rapid product changeover makes this machine efficient: Fette Compacting estimates that the turret can be removed within a mere 15 minutes, allowing for a very fast product changeover.

The design of the pressing cell ensures that all components can be accessed in an optimal manner when they are to be refitted or cleaned. Despite a larger pitch circle diameter of 325mm, the die table segments have the same weight as segments with a smaller pitch diameter. The machine offers upper and lower compression rollers which can be adjusted automatically, as well as pressure measurement cells with integrated measuring amplifiers and drive units with a new position measurement system. This results in much shorter refitting times – operators no longer have to move to reference marks after a turret change, and can calibrate the measurement cells at the operations terminal using software.

When changing the turret, all operational steps are fully automated or can be executed tool free. Furthermore, all supply lines are connected to the machine via a single plug. The exhaust unit can be connected above, under or to the side of the press. The removal or installation of the unit itself takes only seconds. Operators can align the table on which the filling unit is located via a lever, which is accurate down to 30 micrometer. Peripheral devices can be connected via a standardized plug-and-play interface, in which all the cables and the dust extraction unit are integrated.

The optimized structural frame allows for low-vibration operation and reduces noise output. The direct torque drive features an enormous reserve capacity, easy maintenance and low heat generation. This is made possible in part by the revised cooling design of the drive compartment. Customers may choose between an integrated and an external switch cabinet. As with the FE55, the housing of the FE35 is made of an FDA-approved high-performance plastic.