JP6910642B2 - Control device and control method for rotary powder compression molding machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the control of a rotary powder compression molding machine used for compressing powder to form pharmaceutical tablets, foods, electronic parts and the like.

A mortar hole is provided in the table of the turntable, and the upper and lower pestle are held slidably above and below each mortar hole, and both the mortar hole and the pestle are rotated horizontally to form the upper and lower pestle. A rotary powder compression molding machine that compression-molds the powder in the mortar when the pair passes between the upper roll and the lower roll is known (see, for example, the following patent documents).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-22148

In the rotary powder compression molding machine, the powder is filled into the mortar through a feed shoe, which is a filling device arranged directly above the table. There are two types of feed shoes: an open feed shoe that simply drops powder into the mortar and a stirring feed shoe that rotates the built-in stirring blade to stir the powder and drop it into the mortar. It is the same in that the powder is dropped into the mortar by.

Powder is supplied from the powder supply device to the feed shoe of the rotary powder compression molding machine. The powder supply device, for example, mixes a plurality of powders and then delivers the powder toward the feed shoe. The supply flow rate of the powder supplied to the feed shoe by this powder supply device per unit time is not always constant. Defective powder that causes segregation is eliminated in the powder supply device. As a result, the powder supply flow rate from the powder supply device to the feed shoe is temporarily reduced.

In addition, the consumption of powder per unit time in a rotary powder compression molding machine is not always constant. In the rotary powder compression molding machine, the pressure at which the upper and lower punches compress the powder filled in the mortar is measured, and the mortar is filled so that the compression pressure converges to the required target value. Feedback control is implemented to adjust the amount of powder to be used. More specifically, if the compression pressure is higher than the target value, the position of the lower punch when the powder is filled into the mortar from the feed shoe is raised to reduce the amount of powder filling, and the compression pressure is the target value. If it is lower than, the position of the lower punch when the powder is filled into the mortar from the feed shoe is lowered to increase the filling amount of the powder. In this way, the amount of powder consumed in the rotary powder compression molding machine can be increased or decreased.

Then, when the balance between the amount of powder supplied from the powder supply device to the rotary powder compression molding machine and the amount of powder consumed by the rotary powder compression molding machine is lost, the powder is generated in the feed shoe. There is a risk of deficiency, or conversely, powder overflow at any point in the feed shoe or powder supply device. If this happens, the desired molded product cannot be manufactured normally, so it is necessary to stop the operation of the rotary powder compression molding machine and the powder supply device, perform inspections and cleaning, and then restart both machines. It becomes. Naturally, such work is laborious and time consuming.

Not only that, once the rotation of the rotating disk of the rotary powder compression molding machine is stopped, when the rotating disk is restarted, the upper and lower compression rolls (a pair of upper and lower punches between them) are temporarily stopped. The powder must be compressed and locked by passing through the powder) to reduce the compression pressure by the upper and lower punches and reduce the resistance to re-acceleration of the rotation of the turntable and the punches. Then, when the rotation speed is sufficiently accelerated, the compression roll is returned to the original position, but the thickness, hardness, density, and weight of the molded product compressed in the mortar are stable to the desired size. Until (recovery), defective molded products continue to be manufactured. They have to be discarded, resulting in powder loss.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY In a rotary powder compression molding machine for compression molding powder, the present invention maintains an equilibrium between the supply amount and the consumption amount of powder without stopping the rotation of the rotary disk, and manufactures a desired molded product. The intended purpose is to be able to continue.

In the present invention, a table provided with a mortar hole and a turntable provided with a pestle holding portion for holding the pestle arranged above and below the mortar hole so as to be slidable up and down are rotated together with the pestle and arranged directly above the table. By filling the mortar with powder from the filling device, the powder filled in the mortar is compressed by a pestle to control a rotary powder compression molding machine for molding a molded product. Adjust the rotation speed of the turntable and punch so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe that is directly connected to the device and supplies the powder to the filling device or inside the filling device is within a certain target range. A control device for a rotary powder compression molding machine was constructed.

Increasing the rotational speed of the turntable and the punch increases the amount of powder consumed per unit time in the rotary powder compression molding machine. On the contrary, if the rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is reduced, the consumption of the powder per unit time decreases. If the amount of powder consumed per unit time is increased, the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe directly connected to the filling device or inside the filling device decreases, and the powder is consumed per unit time. If the amount is reduced, the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device increases.

According to the present invention, the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is constantly within a constant target range by manipulating the rotation speed of the rotating disk and the punch of the rotary powder compression molding machine. Can be converged to. That is, the rotation speed of the turntable is reduced before the powder is depleted in the filling device to reduce the consumption of the powder, and the rotation speed of the turntable is increased before the powder overflows to obtain the powder. Increases body consumption. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operation of the rotary powder compression molding machine has to be stopped.

More specifically, when the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range, the rotating disk and the punch are compared with the case where the height is not. When the rotation speed is increased and the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is equal to or less than the lower limit of the target range, the rotation speed of the rotating disk and the punch is compared with the case where the rotation speed is not increased. It is preferable to decelerate.

In the control of the rotation speed of the turntable and the punch, the period for increasing the rotation speed, that is, the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device decreases from the upper limit to the lower limit of the target range. The period and the period in which the rotation speed is reduced, that is, the period in which the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device rises from the lower limit to the upper limit of the target range may be repeated alternately. .. Therefore, with respect to a certain acceleration period and the next acceleration period, the rotation speeds of the turntable and the punch are controlled so that the latter is longer than the former, and a certain deceleration period and the next deceleration period are reached. If the rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is controlled so that the latter is longer than the former, the height of the upper surface of the powder finally converges to neither the upper limit nor the lower limit of the target range. It becomes possible to make it.

As a factor that greatly reduces the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device, the powder removing portion of the device that sends the powder toward the supply pipe has a predetermined amount of powder. For example, there is a case where defective powder is eliminated without being supplied to the supply pipe. In such a case, it is preferable to reduce the rotational speed of the rotating disk and the punch as compared with the case where it is not.

The control method of the rotary powder compression molding machine according to the present invention includes a table provided with a mortar hole and a rotary disk provided with a pestle holding portion for holding a pestle arranged above and below the mortar hole so as to be slidable up and down. By rotating the mortar together with the pestle and filling the mortar with powder from a filling device placed directly above the table, the mortar is compressed by the pestle to control the molding machine for molding the molded product. Rotation of the turntable and pestle so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe that is directly connected to the filling device and supplies the powder to the filling device or inside the filling device falls within a certain target range. It adjusts the speed.

The powder is an aggregate of minute individuals, and is a concept including an aggregate of granules such as so-called granules and an aggregate of powder having a shape smaller than the granules. Examples of the powder include an excipient, a binder, a disintegrant, a stabilizer, a preservative, and the like, in addition to the powder containing the main agent. A powder obtained by mixing two or more kinds of powders is also a kind of powder referred to in the present invention, and a powder containing a main agent mixed with a lubricant such as magnesium stearate also corresponds to a powder.

According to the present invention, in the rotary powder compression molding machine, it is possible to continue the production of a desired molded product while maintaining an equilibrium between the supply amount and the consumption amount of the powder without stopping the rotation of the rotating disk.

A side sectional view of a rotary powder compression molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The main part plan view of the rotary powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment. The cylindrical view of the rotary powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment. The perspective view of the powder mixture supply apparatus of the same embodiment. The side view of the powder mixture supply apparatus of the same embodiment. A side sectional view of a vertical mixing device which is an element of the powder mixing and feeding device of the same embodiment. An enlarged side sectional view of a main part of the vertical mixing device of the same embodiment. A side sectional view showing another example of a vertical mixer. The perspective view of the stirring shaft and the stirring blade (second mixing member) of the horizontal mixing device which is an element of the powder mixing and feeding device of the same embodiment. The side view of the main part of the powder mixing and feeding apparatus of the same embodiment. The perspective view of the main part of the powder mixing and feeding apparatus of the same embodiment. The perspective view of the main part of the powder mixture degree measuring apparatus of the same embodiment. The plan view of the main part of the powder mixture measuring apparatus of the same embodiment. The perspective view of the case of the powder mixture measuring apparatus of the same embodiment. The perspective view of the drive body of the powder mixture measuring apparatus of the same embodiment. The block diagram of the control system of the rotary powder compression molding machine system of the same embodiment. The plan view of the main part which shows the mounting position of the rotary encoder of the rotary powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the roll and the load cell of the rotary powder compression molding machine of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a supply pipe of the powder mixing and feeding device of the same embodiment. The timing diagram which shows the control pattern which the control system of the rotary powder compression molding machine system of the same embodiment performs.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overall outline of the rotary powder compression molding machine (hereinafter referred to as “molding machine”) in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a vertical shaft 2 serving as a rotating shaft is established in the frame 1 of the molding machine, and a rotating disk 3 is attached to an upper portion of the vertical shaft 2 via a connecting portion 21. A worm wheel 7 is attached to the lower end side of the vertical shaft 2. A worm gear 10 meshes with the worm wheel 7. The worm gear 10 is fixed to a gear shaft 9 driven by a motor 8. The driving force output by the motor 8 is transmitted to the gear shaft 9 by the belt 11 and rotates the vertical shaft 2 via the worm gear 10 and the worm wheel 7. Then, as the vertical shaft 2 rotates, the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 rotate.

The turntable 3 rotates horizontally around the axis of the vertical shaft 2, that is, rotates on its axis. The turntable 3 includes a table (mortar disc) 31, an upper punch holding portion 32, and a lower punch holding portion 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the table 31 has a substantially disk shape, and has a plurality of mortar holes 4 at predetermined intervals along the rotation direction on the outer peripheral portion thereof. The mortar hole 4 penetrates the table 31 in the vertical direction. The table 31 may be divided into a plurality of plates. Further, the table 31 itself may not have the mortar hole 4 directly, but a mortar having the mortar hole 4 may be mounted on the table 31.

An upper pestle 5 and a lower pestle 6 can be slid vertically with respect to the mortar hole 4 individually above and below each mortar hole 4. The lower punch body portion 62 is held by the lower punch holding portion 33. The tip 53 of the upper punch 5 goes in and out of the mortar hole 4. The tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is always inserted into the mortar hole 4. The upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 rotate horizontally, that is, revolve around the axis of the vertical shaft 2 together with the turntable 3.

As shown in FIG. 17, at the end of the gear shaft 9, a rotary encoder 23 for detecting the rotation angle and rotation speed of the gear shaft 9 and thus the rotary disk 3 (table 31, mill holes 4 and punches 5 and 6) is provided. , It is connected via the speed reducer 24. The rotary encoder 23 outputs a pulse signal each time the gear shaft 9 rotates by a predetermined angle. By receiving the pulse train, the control device C of the rotary powder compression molding machine system can detect the rotation angle and the rotation speed of the rotary disk 3, that is, which mill hole 4 on the table 31 has. You can know where you are currently. The speed reduction device 24 reduces the rotation speed of the gear shaft 9 so as to be suitable for the input speed of the rotary encoder 23 and transmits the speed to the rotary encoder 23.

In order to fill the mortar hole 4 of the turntable 3 with powder, a feed shoe X, which is a filling device, is used. The feed shoe X may be an open feed shoe that simply drops the powder into the mill hole 4, and is a stirring feed shoe that drops the powder into the mill hole 4 while stirring the powder by rotating the built-in stirring blade. Although it may be present, in this embodiment, a stirring feed shoe is assumed. The feed shoe X is located on the outer peripheral portion of the rotating table 31, particularly directly above the rotation trajectory of the mortar hole 4. The powder is supplied to the feed shoe X from the powder supply pipe 191 (shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) which is the discharge unit M6 of the powder mixture measuring device M. A buffer tank 19 is used to supply the powder to the supply unit M5 of the powder mixture measuring device M.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the orbit around the axis of the vertical shaft 2 of the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6, the preload upper roll 12 and the preload lower pair are vertically paired so as to sandwich the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6. There are a roll 13, a main pressure upper roll 14, and a main pressure lower roll 15. The preload upper roll 12 and the main pressure upper roll 14 press the head 51 of the upper punch 5, and the preload lower roll 13 and the main pressure lower roll 15 press the head 61 of the lower punch 6. Then, the preload upper roll 12 and the preload lower roll 13 and the main pressure upper roll 14 and the main reduction roll 15 are used to compress the powder filled in the mortar hole 4 from above and below at the tip surfaces of the punch tips 53 and 63. The upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 are urged to approach each other.

The upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 have heads 51 and 61 pressed by rolls 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively, and body portions 52 and 62 having a diameter smaller than the heads 51 and 61, respectively. The upper punch holding portion 32 of the turntable 3 holds the body portion 52 of the upper punch 5 slidably up and down, and the lower punch holding portion 33 holds the body portion 62 of the lower punch 6 slidably up and down. do. The tip portions 53 and 63 of the body portions 52 and 62 are thinner than the other portions so that they can be inserted into the mortar hole 4, and have a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the mortar hole 4. Due to the revolution of the punches 5 and 6, the rolls 12, 13, 14 and 15 approach the heads 51 and 61 of the punches 5 and 6 and come into contact with each other so as to ride on the heads 51 and 61. Further, the rolls 12, 13, 14 and 15 push down the upper punch 5 downward and push up the lower punch 6 upward. While the rolls 12, 13, 14 and 15 are in contact with the flat surface on the punches 5 and 6, the punches 5 and 6 continue to apply the required pressure to the powder in the mortar 4.

As shown in FIG. 18, on the upper rolls 12 and 14 of the molding machine, the pressure at which the rolls 12, 13, 14 and 15 compress the powder in the mortar 4 through the punches 5 and 6 is detected. A load cell 121 for this purpose is attached. The control device C of the present embodiment has a large pressure (preload pressure) for the preload rolls 12 and 13 to compress the powder by receiving a signal output by the load cell 121 attached to the rolls 12, 13, 14, and 15. The magnitude of the pressure (main pressure) at which the main pressure rolls 14 and 15 compress the powder can be known. Further, the signal received from the load cell 121 takes the form of a pulse signal sequence in which a pair of punches 5 and 6 peaks at the time when the pressure for compressing the powder in one mortar 4 is maximized. Therefore, the control device C can know the production quantity of the molded product per unit time in the molding machine by counting the number of the pulse trains thereof.

A molded product collection unit is formed at a downstream position that advances from the pressurizing position by the main compression upper roll 14 and the main reduction roll 15 along the rotation direction of the rotary disk 3, the upper punch 5, and the lower punch 6. The molded product collecting unit includes a damper 17 that guides the molded product extruded from the mortar hole 4. The damper 17 has a molded product collection position 18 as a base end, and its tip extends so as to be closer to the center side of the table 31 than the rotation locus of the mortar 4. The molded product extruded from the mortar hole 4 by the lower punch 6 comes into contact with the damper 17 and moves toward the molded product collection position 18.

To outline the manufacturing process of the molded product, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower punch 6 is lowered, and the powder (mixing) is powdered (mixed) from the feed shoe X into the mortar hole 4 into which the punch tip 63 of the lower punch 6 is inserted. Powder) is filled (filling step). Next, the lower punch 6 is raised so that the amount of powder (mixed powder) filled in the mortar hole 4 becomes a required amount, and the powder overflowing from the mortar hole 4 is worn away.

Then, the upper punch 5 is lowered, and the preload upper roll 12 and the preload lower roll 13 press the head 51 of the upper punch 5 and the head 61 of the lower punch 6, and the tips 53 and 63 of the punches 5 and 6 are used. Precompression is performed to compress the powder in the pestle 4. Subsequently, the main compression upper roll 14 and the main compression lower roll 15 press the head 51 of the upper punch 5 and the head 61 of the lower punch 6, and the powder in the mortar 4 at the tips 53 and 63 of the punches 5 and 6. This compression is performed to compress the body (compression molding process).

After that, the lower punch 6 rises until the upper end surface of the punch tip 63 of the lower punch 6 becomes the upper end of the mortar hole 4, that is, substantially the same height as the upper surface of the table 31, and the molded product in the mortar hole 4 is mortared. Push out from 4 onto the board. The molded product that has exited the mortar hole 4 comes into contact with the damper 17 due to the rotation of the turntable 3, and moves along the damper 17 to the molded product collection position 18.

In the molded product collection unit of this powder compression molding machine, a molded product exclusion mechanism W for selecting a specific molded product, for example, a sampled product or a defective product from the molded product group to be collected at the molded product collection position 18. Is provided. Specifically, an air injection is formed inside the damper 17 to allow pressurized air to flow, and the tip of the air passage 16 is opened outward along the radial direction of the turntable 3. The nozzle 16a is used. A control valve 22 for opening and closing the flow path 20 is installed on the flow path 20 connecting the air supply source (not shown) such as a pump for supplying pressurized air and the air passage 16. The control valve 22 is, for example, an electromagnetic solenoid that opens by a control signal given from the control device C.

When the control valve 22 is opened when the specific molded product extruded from the mill hole 4 passes near the air injection nozzle 16a before coming into contact with the damper 17, the pressurized air supplied from the air supply source is released. , Is ejected from the air injection nozzle 16a via the air passage 16 in the flow path 20 and the damper 17. The ejected air blows a specific molded product to the outside of the table 31. The blown-off molded article does not arrive at the molded article collection position 18 ahead along the damper 17. As described above, in the present powder compression molding machine, the air flow passages 16 and 20, the injection nozzle 16a and the control valve 22 supplied from the air supply source constitute the molded product exclusion mechanism W.

Incidentally, the above-mentioned molded product exclusion mechanism W can also be used for sampling the locked molded product.

Hereinafter, a powder mixing supply device Z, which is a device for supplying powder to the buffer tank 19, in other words, a device for delivering powder to a supply pipe 191 directly connected to the feed shoe X, will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, three measuring feeders Z1 (Z1a, Z1b, Z1c) in the powder mixing and feeding device Z are used. Since the number of measuring feeders Z1 varies depending on the number of types of powder to be mixed, the number may be two or four or more, and the number is not particularly limited.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first measuring feeder Z1a, the second measuring feeder Z1b, and the third measuring feeder Z1c each measure and supply different types of powder, but the same type of powder may be measured and supplied. .. In the present embodiment, the first metering feeder Z1a is a main drug, the second metering feeder Z1b is a powder such as an excipient such as lactose, and the third metering feeder Z1c is a lubricant.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the powder mixing and feeding device Z includes a first measuring feeder Z1a, a second measuring feeder Z1b, a vertical mixing device Z3 (first mixing device), and a measuring feeder Z1 ( The first connecting pipe Z2a connecting Z1a, Z1b) and the vertical mixing device Z3, the horizontal mixing device Z4 (second mixing device), and the second connecting pipe Z2b connecting the vertical mixing device Z3 and the horizontal mixing device Z4. , A third connecting pipe Z2c connecting the third measuring feeder Z1c and the horizontal mixing device Z4, and a fourth connecting pipe Z2d connecting the horizontal mixing device Z4 and the buffer tank 19. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the powder mixing and feeding device Z is attached to the powder compression molding machine, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the powder mixing and feeding device Z. The arrangement and shape of the measuring feeders (Z1a, Z1b, Z1c) can be changed and are not limited to the modes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In each of the first measuring feeder Z1a and the second measuring feeder Z1b, the powder, that is, the main agent, the excipient, and the like are weighed and supplied to the first connecting pipe Z2a. In the third measuring feeder Z1c, the powder, that is, the lubricant is measured and supplied to the third connecting pipe Z2c (measurement supply step). These measuring feeders Z1 are known, for example, a loss-in weight method (weight loss integrated value method), and the weight of the powder discharged from the feeder Z1 is constantly measured via a weight sensor, and the transition of the weight is set. It is a device that performs feedback control in which whether or not it matches the target discharge flow rate is compared, and the discharge speed of the feeder Z1 is increased or decreased in the direction in which the deviation between the two is reduced. By supplying each of the powders to be supplied to the connecting pipes Z2a and Z2c while measuring them in this way, the content of the main agent and the like in the molded product is stabilized.

As described above, the first connecting pipe Z2a is a pipe connecting the first measuring feeder Z1a and the second measuring feeder Z1b and the vertical mixing device Z3, and is the main ingredient and the second measuring pipe discharged from the first measuring feeder Z1a. Excipients and the like discharged from the feeder Z1b are supplied to the vertical mixer Z3. The second connecting pipe Z2b is a pipe that connects the vertical mixing device Z3 and the horizontal mixing device Z4, and supplies the mixed powder of the main agent and the excipient discharged from the vertical mixing device Z3 to the horizontal mixing device Z4. .. The third connecting pipe Z2c is a pipe that connects the third measuring feeder Z1c and the horizontal mixing device Z4, and supplies the lubricant discharged from the third measuring feeder Z1c to the horizontal mixing device Z4. Further, the fourth connecting pipe Z2d is a pipe connecting the horizontal mixing device Z4 and the buffer tank 19, and the mixed powder of the main agent, the excipient and the lubricant discharged from the horizontal mixing device Z4 is collected in the buffer tank 19. Supply to.

More specifically, the first connecting pipe Z2a includes a first branch pipe Z2a1 connected to the first measuring feeder Z1a, a second branch pipe Z2a2 connected to the second measuring feeder Z1b, a first branch pipe Z2a1 and a second. It is composed of a branch pipe Z2a2 and a main pipe Z2a3 connected to each. The lower part of the main pipe Z2a3 is connected to the vertical mixing device Z3. As a result, the powders weighed and supplied from the first weighing feeder Z1a and the second weighing feeder Z1b are mixed by the vertical mixing device Z3 (first mixing step).

The second connecting pipe Z2b, the third connecting pipe Z2c and the fourth connecting pipe Z2d will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, the vertical mixing device Z3 has a lid Z36 provided with a supply port Z361 to which powder is supplied, and a funnel-shaped third lid Z36 located below the lid Z36. One case Z31, a stirring shaft Z33 arranged at a substantially central portion of the first case Z31 and rotating, a stirring blade Z34 (first mixing member) attached to the stirring shaft Z33, and a stirring shaft Z33 are rotated (rotated). The motor Z37, the powder passing member Z32 arranged below the first case Z31 and having a plurality of holes Z321, and the auxiliary blade Z35 (first) for encouraging the powder to pass through the holes Z321 of the powder passing member Z32. It is composed of a mixing member) and a second case Z38 that covers the powder passing member Z32. Here, the stirring blade Z34 and the auxiliary blade Z35 are both first mixing members. In the present embodiment, both the stirring blade Z34 and the auxiliary blade Z35 are provided, but only one of them may be provided.

In the vertical mixing device Z3, the stirring shaft Z33 does not necessarily have to be arranged vertically, and may be inclined at an angle. The vertical mixing device Z3 may be any device as long as the powder supplied from the supply port Z361 flows downward and the powder can be stirred and mixed between them.

The powder supplied to the supply port Z361 of the vertical mixing device Z3 is mixed by the rotation of the stirring blade Z34 (first mixing step). Of course, it may be mixed by the rotation of the auxiliary blade Z35.

The lid portion Z36 includes a supply port Z361 and a shaft port Z362 for passing the stirring shaft Z33, and has a shape that covers the upper opening of the first case Z31. The lid portion Z36 is attached to the first case Z31 so that the powder does not spill or scatter from the first case Z31. The supply port Z361 of the lid portion Z36 is connected to the first connecting pipe Z2a. The powder supplied from the supply port Z361 into the first case Z31 is stirred and mixed by the rotation of the stirring blade Z34 and / or the auxiliary blade Z35. The powder passing member Z32 of the storage portion Z30 has a plurality of holes Z321, and the mixed powder passes through the holes Z321 of the powder passing member Z32.

By adjusting the amount of powder supplied from the supply port Z361 or increasing the rotation speed of the auxiliary blade Z35, the amount of powder supplied from the supply port Z361 is larger than the amount of powder passing through the hole Z321. Can be increased. Therefore, the powder stays in the storage unit Z30 to some extent. That is, in the vertical mixing device Z3, at least a part of the powder measured and supplied from the first measuring feeder Z1a and the second measuring feeder Z1b stays in the storage portion Z30 (storage step) and is agitated by the auxiliary blade Z35. As a result, the mixing degree of the powder is improved. A plurality of supply ports Z361 may be provided.

The upper part of the first case Z31 is open, and the powder passing member Z32 is provided in the lower part thereof. The shape of the first case Z31 in the present embodiment is substantially funnel-shaped, but the shape is not limited to such a shape, and any shape can be used as long as the powder can be supplied to the powder passing member Z32. It may be.

The stirring shaft Z33 is provided at the center of the first case Z31 in a plan view, and is rotated (rotated) by being driven by the motor Z37. Stirring blades Z34 are attached to the upper portion and the central portion of the stirring shaft Z33 in the axial direction, and auxiliary blades Z35 are attached to the lower portion. As the stirring shaft Z33 rotates, the stirring blade Z34 and the auxiliary blade Z35 rotate.

The stirring blade Z34 (first mixing member) stirs and mixes the powder supplied from the supply port Z361 into the first case Z31. The shape of the stirring blade Z34 may be any shape. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the stirring blade Z34 has a rectangular shape at its tip, and is arranged at two locations on the stirring shaft Z33. On the other hand, the vertical mixing device Z3 shown in FIG. 8 has a partially different structure from the vertical mixing device Z3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the vertical mixing device Z3 shown in FIG. 8, the stirring blade Z34 is arranged at one place on the stirring shaft Z33, and has a shape different from that of the stirring blade Z34 of FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 do not limit the shape and arrangement position of the stirring blade Z34.

As shown in FIG. 7, the powder passing member Z32 in the storage portion Z30 is provided in the lower part of the first case Z31 and includes a plurality of holes Z321. Further, the powder passing member Z32 is covered with a second case Z38. The powder that has passed through the hole Z321 of the powder passing member Z32 is discharged from the discharge port Z381 provided in the lower part of the second case Z38. The number and diameter of the holes Z321 are arbitrary. With such a configuration, the powder stays on the powder passing member Z32, and the mixing degree of the powder is improved. In the first vertical mixing device Z3a, the powder that has passed through the holes Z321 of the powder passing member Z32 is supplied to the horizontal mixing device Z4 via the second connecting pipe Z2b.

The auxiliary blade Z35 stirs the powder in the storage portion Z30. The auxiliary blade Z35 is provided in the central portion of the storage portion Z30 in a plan view, and is provided in the lower portion of the stirring shaft Z33. In the present embodiment, the shape of the auxiliary blade Z35 has a structure that matches the internal shape of the powder passing member Z32, and promotes the powder to pass through the hole Z321. The auxiliary blade Z35 is also a type of stirring blade.

Further, although the vertical mixing device Z3 of the present embodiment includes the stirring blade Z34, even if the vertical mixing device Z3 is composed of the second case Z38, the powder passing member Z32, and the auxiliary blade Z35. good. The second case Z38 covers the powder passing member Z32, has a substantially funnel-shaped shape, and includes a discharge port Z381 at the lower portion. The second case Z38 guides the powder that has passed through the hole Z321 of the powder passing member Z32 to the discharge port Z381.

The second connecting pipe Z2b is a pipe that connects the vertical mixing device Z3 and the horizontal mixing device Z4 described later. The second connecting pipe Z2b is connected to the lower part of the vertical mixing device Z3 and the upper part of the horizontal mixing device Z4, respectively, and supplies the powder that has passed through the discharge port Z381 in the vertical mixing device Z3 to the horizontal mixing device Z4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal mixing device Z4, which is the second mixing device, rotates (rotates) the tubular case Z41, the rotating stirring shaft Z42 arranged at substantially the center of the case Z41, and the stirring shaft Z42. ), And a stirring blade Z44 attached to the stirring shaft Z42 and moving the powder in a substantially horizontal direction by rotation. The supplied powder, that is, the main agent, the excipient, and the like, and the lubricant are mixed by the horizontal mixing device Z4 (second mixing step). In the present embodiment, the case Z41 does not rotate (rotate), but the case Z41 may rotate. Then, the mixing degree of the powder is further improved.

The case Z41 is provided with a plurality of supply ports for supplying powder into the case Z41 and a discharge port Z413 for discharging mixed powder from the case Z41. In the present embodiment, two supply ports (first supply port Z411 and second supply port Z412) are used, and the second connection pipe Z2b is connected to the first supply port Z411 in the case Z41 of the horizontal mixing device Z4. There is. The first supply port Z411 is a supply port for supplying a powder obtained by mixing a main agent, an excipient, and the like into the case Z41. The mixed powder supplied into the case Z41 moves toward the discharge port Z413 of the case Z41 by the rotation of the stirring blade Z44. The second supply port Z412 is a supply port for supplying the lubricant provided from the third connecting pipe Z2c. The lubricant supplied into the case Z41 moves toward the discharge port Z413 of the case Z41 by the rotation of the stirring shaft Z42 and the stirring blade Z44. The unused supply port is closed with a lid.

The discharge port Z413 is arranged in the lower part of the case Z41. A fourth connecting pipe Z2d, which will be described later, is connected to the discharge port Z413. Then, the mixed powder in the case Z41 is discharged from the discharge port Z413 by the rotation of the stirring blade Z44 and moves to the fourth connecting pipe Z2d.

The stirring shaft Z42 extends in the longitudinal direction of the case Z41 and is arranged at a substantially central portion in cross-sectional view. The stirring shaft Z42 rotates (rotates) by being driven by the motor Z43. As shown in FIG. 9, a stirring blade Z44 is attached to the stirring shaft Z42. As the stirring shaft Z42 rotates, the stirring blade Z44 rotates and moves to the discharge port Z413 side while mixing the powder.

The stirring blade Z44 is for stirring and mixing the powder supplied from the supply ports (Z411, Z412) into the case Z41. The shape of the stirring blade Z44 may be any shape, but a configuration in which the powder is mixed and flowed to the discharge port Z413 side is preferable. As shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, both ends of the stirring blade Z34 are widened, and the angle of the stirring blade Z44 with respect to the stirring shaft Z42 can be freely adjusted.

The third measuring feeder Z1c is for measuring and supplying the lubricant to the horizontal mixing device Z4. A third connecting pipe Z2c is connected to the lower part of the third measuring feeder Z1c. The lubricant in the third measuring feeder Z1c is supplied to the horizontal mixer Z4 through the third connecting pipe Z2c (sluice supply step). The lubricant may be supplied to the horizontal mixer Z4 by a μR feeder (manufactured by Nisshin Engineering Co., Ltd.). Further, a spraying device (injecting device) may be used to supply the lubricant to the horizontal mixing device Z4.

The third connecting pipe Z2c includes a branch pipe Z2c1 and a main pipe Z2c2. One end of the branch pipe Z2c1 is connected to the lower part of the third measuring feeder Z1c, and the other end is connected to the main pipe Z2c2. The lower part of the main pipe Z2c2 is connected to the second supply port Z412 of the horizontal mixing device Z4.

The upper end of the fourth connecting pipe Z2d is connected to the discharge port Z413 of the horizontal mixing device Z4, and the lower end is connected to the supply port Z361 of the buffer tank 19. The horizontal mixing device Z4 supplies the mixed powder from the discharge port Z413 to the buffer tank 19 through the fourth connecting pipe Z2d.

The lower part of the buffer tank 19 is connected to a powder compression molding machine. The mixed powder that has passed through the buffer tank 19 is supplied to the feed shoe X in the powder compression molding machine, and is finally compression molded in the mortar hole 4.

Then, the mixing degree of the mixed powder discharged from the buffer tank 19 of the powder mixing and supplying device Z toward the powder compression molding machine is measured by the powder mixing degree measuring device M. If the mixing degree is out of the predetermined range, the mixed powder is discharged, a warning sound is sounded, the device is stopped, and the like. That is, the powder mixing and feeding device Z measures and responds to the mixing degree of the mixed powder in real time.

Various methods for measuring the mixing degree of the mixed powder include Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray transmission measurement, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the like. Any method may be used as long as the mixing degree of the above can be measured in real time. In this embodiment, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR or near-infrared absorption spectroscopy) is mainly used. That is, the amount or ratio (ratio) of the main agent in the mixed powder moving from the powder mixing and feeding device Z toward the feed shoe X of the molding machine, in other words, the uniformity of the mixed powder (whether segregation has occurred? In order to evaluate (whether or not), irradiate the moving mixed powder with near-infrared spectroscopy, measure the absorption and scattering of light, and use the spectrum to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of the concentration of the active ingredient and other factors. Repeat at a predetermined cycle. As the measurement wavelength, a wavelength band in which there is no peak of the excipient or lubricant and is a specific absorption peak of the main drug is used. Moreover, according to the near-infrared spectroscopic analysis, the particle size of the mixed powder can also be measured.

In the present embodiment, a near-infrared sensor is used as a PAT (Process Analytical Technology) sensor for measuring the mixing degree of powder and the like. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, first, before the mixed powder is stored in the buffer tank 19, the mixing degree of the mixed powder is measured using the first sensor S1 which is a near infrared sensor. do.

The powder mixed by the powder mixing and feeding device Z is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 19 which is a storage device after measuring the mixing degree by the first sensor S1. The powder stored in the buffer tank 19 is supplied to the powder mixing degree measuring device M after measuring the mixing degree again using the near infrared sensor S2. The mixed powder may be further stirred and mixed in the buffer tank 19.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the powder mixture measuring device M includes a case M1, a rotating body M2 which is a moving member in the case M1, and a motor M3 which is a driving device for driving the rotating body M2. Near-infrared sensors S2 and S3, which are sensors for measuring the mixing degree of powder, a powder removing section M4 for eliminating defective mixed powder, and a mixed powder brought from a buffer tank 19 are placed in a case M1. It includes a supply unit M5 for introduction and a discharge unit M6 for discharging the mixed powder to the stirring feed shoe X, which is a filling device of the powder compression molding machine.

As shown in FIG. 14, on the bottom surface of the case M1, a mounting hole M11 for installing the near infrared sensor S3, an exclusion hole M12 (powder exclusion section M4) for removing powder, and powder are powdered. A discharge hole M13 (discharge unit M6) for discharging is provided in the supply pipe 191. On the upper surface of the case M1, a supply unit M5 for supplying powder into the case M1 is provided. The mixed powder reaches the inside of the case M1 via the buffer tank 19 and the supply unit M5. A second sensor S2, which is a near-infrared sensor for measuring the mixing degree of the mixed powder passing through the supply unit M5, is installed in the supply unit M5.

The rotating body M2 includes a plurality of moving portions M21. The mixed powder is supplied to the moving unit M21 from the supply unit M5. The rotating body M2 is rotationally driven by a motor M3 located above the rotating body M2.

The third sensor S3, which is a near-infrared sensor, is mounted in the mounting hole M11 of the case M1 and is used to measure the mixing degree of the powder supplied to the moving portion M21.

The powder removing unit M4 includes a case, a driving body M41, and a driving device M42 for driving the driving body M41. The case of the powder removing portion M4 is integrated with the case M1. The drive body M41 has a disk shape in the present embodiment, and includes a protrusion M411 that engages with the drive device M42 in the center, and a notch portion M412 in a part thereof. The drive device M42 includes a tip portion M421 that drives back and forth in the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 13, and an engagement hole M422 that engages with a protrusion M411 of the drive body M41 on the tip side thereof.

When the tip end portion M421 of the drive device M42 is moved in the positive direction of the Y axis as shown in FIG. 13, the notch portion M412 of the drive body M41 is located at the center position of the exclusion hole M12 of the case M1. On the contrary, when the tip portion M421 is moved in the negative direction of the Y axis, the notch portion M412 is detached from the exclusion hole M12 of the case M1.

That is, when the tip portion M421 moves in the negative direction with respect to the Y-axis direction by the drive of the drive device M42, the drive body M41 is driven clockwise in conjunction with the drive, and the notch portion M412 overlaps the exclusion hole M12. do not have. In this case, the powder of the moving portion M21 of the rotating body M2 is not excluded. On the other hand, when the tip portion M421 moves in the positive direction with respect to the Y-axis direction by the drive of the drive device M42, the drive body M41 is driven counterclockwise in conjunction with the drive, and the notch portion M412 overlaps the exclusion hole M12. .. In this case, the powder of the moving portion M21 of the rotating body M2 is eliminated.

In the present embodiment, the drive body M41 is driven clockwise and counterclockwise to eliminate the powder of the moving portion M21 of the rotating body M2, but the driving body M41 rotates and moves only in one direction. The powder of the part M21 may be excluded.

It can be seen that the mixing degree of the powder measured via the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2 and / or the third sensor S3, that is, the amount or ratio (ratio) of the main agent in the mixed powder is out of the predetermined range. Then, the mixed powder in the moving portion M21 is eliminated by the powder removing portion M4. In addition, when the measured values of all the mixing degrees by the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2, and the third sensor S3 are out of the predetermined range, the mixed powder in the moving portion M21 may be excluded, and any one of them may be used. When the value measured by the sensor S is out of the predetermined range, the mixed powder in the moving portion M21 may be excluded.

Incidentally, the powder removing unit M4 can also be used for sampling the mixed powder.

The mixed powder not excluded by the powder removing unit M4 passes through the discharge hole M13 and moves to the powder supply pipe 191. That is, the mixed powder moves to the discharge unit M6.

The mixed powder that has moved to the powder supply pipe 191 measures its mixing degree by the fourth sensor S4, which is a near infrared sensor, before being guided into the stirring feed shoe X, which is a filling device of the powder compression molding machine. .. Further, in the present embodiment, the mixing degree of the mixed powder is measured by using the fifth sensor S5, which is a near infrared sensor, even in the stirring feed shoe X of the powder compression molding machine.

When the mixing degree of the powder measured via the fourth sensor S4 and / or the fifth sensor S5 is out of the predetermined range, the mixed powder is temporarily transferred from the feed shoe X to the mortar 4 of the table 31 of the molding machine. Is filled in, and this is compression-molded with the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 to form a molded product. Then, the molded product is removed by the molded product exclusion mechanism W before reaching the molded product collection position 18. That is, in the powder compression molding machine, the control valve 22 is opened when the mill hole 4 filled with the defective mixed powder and the molded product is locked passes in the vicinity of the air injection nozzle 16a, and the air injection nozzle is opened. Air is injected from 16a to blow the molded product out of the table 31.

Generally speaking, if the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2 and / or the third sensor S3 finds that the mixing degree of the mixed powder is out of the predetermined range, the mixed powder is the powder removing unit M4. If it is found by the fourth sensor S4 and / or the fifth sensor S5 that the mixing degree of the mixed powder is out of the predetermined range, the molded product exclusion mechanism W is used after the mixed powder is compression-molded. Is eliminated by.

Even if the load cell 121 finds that the compression pressure when compressing the powder in the mortar hole 4 is out of the predetermined range, the molded product compressed and molded in the mortar hole 4 is excluded from the molded product. It is eliminated by the mechanism W.

The flow of manufacturing a continuous compression molded product carried out by the rotary powder compression molding machine system of the present embodiment will be reviewed. First, the main drug is weighed and supplied by the first weighing feeder Z1a, and the excipient and the like are weighed and supplied by the second weighing feeder Z1b (measurement supply step). Next, powders such as the main agent and excipients are supplied to the vertical mixing device Z3, which is the first mixing device, and mixed (first mixing step). In the vertical mixing device Z3, the stirring blade Z34 rotates around the stirring shaft Z33, which is a substantially vertical axis, and the powders such as the main agent and the excipient are mixed.

The mixed powder of the main agent, the excipient, etc. that has undergone the first mixing step is supplied to the horizontal mixing device Z4, which is the second mixing device, and is mixed again (second mixing step). In the horizontal mixing device Z4, the stirring blade Z44 rotates around the stirring shaft Z42, which is a substantially horizontal axis, and the powders such as the main agent and the excipient are mixed. By going through such a step, the mixing degree of at least two kinds of powders (base material, excipient, etc.) is improved, and segregation of the base material is less likely to occur. After the second mixing step by the horizontal mixing device Z4, a third mixing step in which powder is supplied to a further vertical mixing device and the powder is mixed may be performed. Then, the mixing degree of the powder is further improved.

The first mixing step preferably includes a storage step of storing at least a part of the powder. That is, in the powder passing member Z32 provided with the plurality of holes Z321, the powder passes through the holes Z321, but the amount of the powder supplied to the first vertical mixing device Z3a is larger than the amount of the powder passing through the holes Z321. The powder is stored in the storage unit Z30 by increasing the number of powders or increasing the number of rotations of the auxiliary blade Z35. Then, the powder passes through the hole Z321 while being mixed by stirring with the auxiliary blade Z35.

In addition to the above, the lubricant is supplied while being weighed by the third weighing feeder Z1c (lubricant supply step). In the present embodiment, the lubricant is supplied to the horizontal mixer Z4, but the supply location of the lubricant is not limited to the horizontal mixer Z4, and the lubricant is supplied to, for example, the second vertical mixer Z3b or the feed shoe X. The agent may be supplied. Further, the lubricant may be supplied using a μR feeder (manufactured by Nisshin Engineering Co., Ltd.) or may be supplied using a spraying device (injecting device).

The mixed powder produced by mixing the main agent, excipients and the like and the lubricant is supplied to the buffer tank 19 of the powder compression molding machine. The mixed powder supplied to the buffer tank 19 is subsequently measured for mixing degree by sensors S2 and S3 (measurement step). Of course, the mixing degree of the mixed powder may be measured by the sensor S1 before the mixed powder is supplied to the buffer tank 19.

When the mixing degree of the measured mixed powder is out of the predetermined range, the mixed powder is excluded (exclusion step). Subsequently, the mixed powder is supplied to the feed shoe X, which is a filling device. The mixing degree of the mixed powder may be measured by the sensor S5 in the feed shoe X, or the mixing degree of the mixed powder is measured by the sensor S4 immediately before the mixed powder is supplied to the feed shoe X. May be good.

The mixed powder supplied to the feed shoe X is filled in the mill holes 4 provided in the table 31 of the rotary disk 3 of the powder compression molding machine (filling step). The mixed powder filled in the mortar hole 4 is compression-molded by the upper punch 5 and the lower punch 6 (compression molding step). The compression-molded mixed powder is collected as a molded product by the damper 17 at the molded product collection position 18. However, the control device C of the rotary powder compression molding machine system of the present embodiment determines the mixing degree of the mixed powder supplied to the feed shoe X by the powder mixing and feeding device Z and filled in the mill hole 4. When the measurement is repeated via the sensor S4 and / or the fifth sensor S5 and the mixing degree of the measured mixed powder is out of the predetermined range, the mill hole 4 filled with the mixed powder The defective molded product that was compression-molded in the above is eliminated by the molded product exclusion mechanism W provided in the powder compression molding machine (molded product exclusion step).

Further, the control device C measures the compression pressure at the time of molding the molded product by compressing the powder with the punches 5 and 6 in each mill hole 4 via the load cell 121 , and the compression pressure is large outside the predetermined range. In this case, the defective molded product that was compression-molded in the mill hole 4 whose compression pressure was out of the predetermined range is eliminated by the molded product exclusion mechanism W (molded product exclusion step). When the mortar hole 4 is filled with a larger amount of powder than an appropriate amount, the compression pressure measured by the load cell 121 becomes larger than a predetermined range, and the mortar hole 4 is filled with a smaller amount of powder than the proper amount. Then, the compression pressure measured by the load cell 121 becomes smaller than the predetermined range. In any case, the weight, density and hardness of the molded product to be compression-molded in the mortar 4 deviate from the desired values, resulting in a defective molded product.

The mortar hole 4 which is presumed to be filled with a defective mixed powder whose mixing degree is out of the predetermined range, the mortar hole 4 whose compression pressure is out of the predetermined range, in other words, the molded product which may be defective is air. The timing of passing in the vicinity of the injection nozzle 16a can be known by referring to the output signal of the rotary encoder 23.

Prior to the filling step of filling the mortar hole 4 with powder in the powder compression molding machine, a lubricant (external) is applied to the lower end surface of the upper punch 5, the upper end surface of the lower punch 6, and the inner peripheral surface of the mortar hole 4. Lubricants) may be sprayed (lubricant supply process).

Originally, the supply weight (flow rate) of the main ingredient per unit time is feedback-controlled by the first weighing feeder Z1a, and the supply weight of excipients and the like per unit time is feedback-controlled by the second weighing feeder Z1b. The feed weight of the agent per unit time is feedback controlled by the third weighing feeder Z1c, and the mixing ratio thereof should be the desired ratio. Nevertheless, for some reason, the amount of powder discharged from the measuring feeder Z1 and supplied to the mixing devices Z3 and Z4 may deviate from the original target amount. In fact, the amount of powder supplied from the measuring feeder Z1 to the mixing devices Z3 and Z4 is often less than the target amount, and as a result, the amount of the main agent in the mixed powder is less than the desired ratio. Or conversely, it may be excessive. A molded product obtained by compression molding such a mixed powder is a defective product that cannot exhibit the expected medicinal effect.

Even if this is not the case, if the powders are not sufficiently mixed in the mixing devices Z3 and Z4, segregation occurs in the main agent or excipient contained in the mixed powder supplied to the feed shoe X of the powder compression molding machine. , The amount of the contained component varies for each molded product, and defective products also occur.

Therefore, the control device C of the rotary powder compression molding machine system of the present embodiment is a mixed powder by the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2, the third sensor S3, the fourth sensor S4 and / or the fifth sensor S5. Based on the measured values of the mixing degree of, the supply amount of each powder by each measuring feeder Z1a, Z1b, Z1c, the rotation speed of the stirring shaft Z33, the stirring blade Z34 and the auxiliary blade Z35 of the vertical mixing device Z3, and the horizontal mixing device. The rotation speeds of the stirring shaft Z42 and the stirring blade Z44 of Z4 are adjusted. The control device C may be a microcomputer system including a processor, a memory, an auxiliary storage device, and an input / output interface, a programmable controller, or a general-purpose personal computer or workstation.

The amount or ratio of the main agent contained in the mixed powder, which is repeatedly measured by the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2, the third sensor S3, the fourth sensor S4 and / or the fifth sensor S5, and the ratio thereof. If the absolute value of the deviation from the target value exceeds a predetermined threshold value (that is, the proportion of the active ingredient is unreasonably small or unreasonably large) continues for a certain period of time or longer, the first metering feeder Z1a, It is considered that the amount of powder supplied by at least one of the second measuring feeder Z1b and the third measuring feeder Z1c is not appropriate. In this case, the control device C interrupts the weight feedback control by the weighing feeder Z1 itself, and interrupts the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2, the third sensor S3, the fourth sensor S4, and / or the fifth sensor S5. The rotation speed of the drive motor of each measuring feeder Z1 is adjusted so that the amount or ratio of the main agent in the mixed powder measured in 1 converges near the target value. For example, if the amount or proportion of the base material in the measured mixed powder is below the target value, the discharge amount of the base material by the first measuring feeder Z1a is increased and / or by the second measuring feeder Z1b. The discharge amount of excipients and the like and the discharge amount of the lubricant by the third measuring feeder Z1c are reduced. On the contrary, if the amount or ratio of the base material in the measured mixed powder exceeds the target value, the discharge amount of the base material by the first measuring feeder Z1a is reduced and / or the second measuring feeder Z1b. The amount of excipients discharged by the third measuring feeder Z1c and the amount of lubricant discharged by the third measuring feeder Z1c are increased.

Alternatively, when the absolute value of the deviation between the amount or ratio of the main ingredient contained in the mixed powder and its target value continues to exceed the threshold value for a certain period of time or longer, in order to optimize the supply amount. The target value of the discharge amount of the powder commanded from the control device C to each of Z1a, Z1b, and Z1c may be changed. For example, if the amount or ratio of the base material in the measured mixed powder is below the target value, the target value of the discharge amount of the base material given to the first metering feeder Z1a is raised from the previous value, and / Alternatively, the target value of the discharge amount of excipients and the like given to the second measuring feeder Z1b and the target value of the discharge amount of the lubricant given to the third measuring feeder Z1c are lowered from the values before that. On the contrary, if the amount or ratio of the main ingredient in the measured mixed powder exceeds the target value, the target value of the discharge amount of the main ingredient given to the first measuring feeder Z1a is lowered from the value before that. And / or, the target value of the discharge amount of the lubricant and the like given to the second measuring feeder Z1b and the target value of the discharge amount of the lubricant given to the third measuring feeder Z1c are raised from the values before that.

The amount or ratio of the main agent contained in the mixed powder, which is repeatedly measured by the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2, the third sensor S3, the fourth sensor S4 and / or the fifth sensor S5, and the ratio thereof. If the absolute value of the deviation from the target value exceeds the threshold value for a certain period of time, but the absolute value of the deviation exceeds the threshold value instantaneously or for a short time, powder compression molding is performed. Segregation has occurred in the mixed powder (base material, excipient, etc. or lubricant) that moves toward the feed shoe X of the machine, that is, there are locally high and low concentrations of the base material. It is thought that there is. In this case, the control device C changes (adjusts) the rotation speed of the stirring shaft Z33 of the vertical mixing device Z3 and thus the stirring blades Z34 and Z35 from the previous speeds, and / or the stirring shaft Z42 of the horizontal mixing device Z4. By extension, the rotational speed of the stirring blade Z44 is changed (adjusted) from the previous speed to further increase the mixing degree of the powder.

Even when the absolute value of the deviation between the amount or ratio of the main agent contained in the mixed powder and its target value continues to exceed the threshold value for a certain period of time or longer, the stirring blade Z34 of the vertical mixing device Z3 , The rotation speed of Z35 may be changed from the previous speed, and / or the rotation speed of the stirring blade Z44 of the horizontal mixing device Z4 may be changed from the previous speed.

As described above, the amount of powder discharged by each of the measuring feeders Z1a, Z1b, and Z1c can be increased or decreased, the rotation speed of the stirring shaft Z33 of the vertical mixing device Z3 can be changed, or the rotation of the stirring shaft Z42 of the horizontal mixing device Z4. If the speed is changed, the flow rate of the mixed powder supplied to the powder supply pipe 191 per unit time may fluctuate.

Despite the change in the flow rate of the mixed powder toward the powder supply pipe 191, when the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine are constantly rotated at a constant rotation speed, the molding machine is used. Since the consumption amount of the mixed powder per unit time does not change, the height of the upper surface L of the mixed powder accumulated inside the powder supply pipe 191 fluctuates. That is, when the flow rate of powder supplied to the powder supply pipe 191 per unit time increases more than the amount of powder consumed per unit time by the molding machine, the upper surface of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 The height of L rises. On the contrary, when the supply flow rate of the powder to the powder supply pipe 191 per unit time is smaller than the consumption amount of the powder by the molding machine per unit time, the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 is charged. The height of the upper surface L decreases.

Then, when the height of the upper surface L of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 above the feed shoe X and directly connected to the feed shoe X rises and falls significantly, the feed shoe X fills the mortar hole 4. There is a risk that the amount of powdered powder will increase or decrease more than the appropriate amount, and the molded product molded in the mortar hole 4 will become defective.

In order to suppress such fluctuations in the filling amount of the powder, the control device C of the present embodiment knows the height of the upper surface L of the mixed powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 via the sensor S6. At the same time, the rotation speeds of the motor 8 of the molding machine, the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are adjusted according to the height of the upper surface thereof.

As shown in FIG. 19, the powder supply pipe 191 is provided with two capacitance type level switches S61 and S62 as sensors S6. Each of the level switches S61 and S62 detects whether the height of the upper surface L of the powder accumulated inside the powder supply pipe 191 is higher or lower than that of the level switches S61 and S62. In the control device C, the height of the upper surface L of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 is higher than the upper level switch S61 or lower than the upper level switch S61 via the level switches S61 and S62. It is possible to determine whether it is higher than the level switch S62 of the above level or lower than the level switch S62 of the lower level. When the height of the upper surface L of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 is lower than the upper level switch S61 and higher than the lower level switch S62, the height of the upper surface of the powder is within the desired target range. Can be said.

In the control device C of the present embodiment, when the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range, that is, when the height of the upper surface becomes higher than the level switch S61 above. In addition, the rotation speeds of the rotary disc 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine are increased as compared with the case where the height of the upper surface is within the target range. As a result, the amount of powder consumed per unit time by the molding machine is increased, and the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 can be lowered within the target range.

In turn, if the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 is equal to or less than the lower limit of the target range, that is, the upper surface height becomes lower below level switch S6 2 below, the upper surface height Is within the target range, and the rotation speeds of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine are reduced. As a result, the amount of powder consumed per unit time by the molding machine is reduced, and the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 can be raised within the target range.

In the control of the rotation speed of the rotary disc 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine, the period for increasing the rotation speed, that is, the height of the upper surface of the powder in the powder supply pipe 191 moves from the upper limit to the lower limit of the target range. The period of decrease and the period of decelerating the rotation speed, that is, the period of increasing the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 from the lower limit to the upper limit of the target range may be repeated alternately.

Under such a situation, as shown in FIG. 20, the control device C of the present embodiment has a rotating disk 3 so that the latter is longer than the former for a certain acceleration period and the next acceleration period. And the rotation speed of the punches 5 and 6 is controlled. For example, the rotation speed of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 in the next acceleration period is made slower than the rotation speed of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 in a certain acceleration period.

Further, the control device C controls the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 so that the latter is longer than the former for a certain deceleration period and the next deceleration period. For example, the rotation speed of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 in the next acceleration period is made higher than the rotation speed of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 in a certain acceleration period. As a result of such control, ultimately, the height of the upper surface of the powder in the powder supply pipe 191 can be stably converged to a state where neither the upper limit nor the lower limit of the target range is reached.

Further, as already described, the powder exclusion unit M4 of the powder mixing supply device Z that delivers powder toward the powder supply pipe 191 removes defective powder without supplying it to the powder supply pipe 191. I have something to do. When the powder is removed by the powder removing section M4, the amount of powder sent out to the powder supply pipe 191 per unit time is reduced, so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the powder supply pipe 191 is reduced. There is a concern that

Therefore, in the control device C of the present embodiment, even if the top surface height of the powder is lower than the upper level switch S61 and higher than the lower level switch S62, the powder removing unit M4 removes the powder. When the above is executed, the feedforward control for decelerating the rotational speeds of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine is performed as compared with the case where the above is not performed. Specifically, the control device C receives a signal indicating that the drive device M42 operates in the powder exclusion unit M4 and the powder captured in the moving unit M21 of the rotating body M2 is dropped into the exclusion hole M12. When this is done, the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are made slower than before. The rotation speed of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 at this time is a value obtained by multiplying the rotation speed immediately before deceleration by a coefficient smaller than 1 (greater than 0).

When the control for decelerating the rotation speeds of the rotating discs 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine is executed in response to the powder removal by the powder removing unit M4, it depends on the rotation speed immediately before the deceleration. It is preferable to change the rate of deceleration.

In a situation where the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 immediately before deceleration are relatively high, the flow rate of the powder per unit time supplied from the powder mixing supply device Z to the powder supply pipe 191 and thus to the feed shoe X. Originally there are many. On the other hand, the amount of powder removed by the powder removing unit M4 at one opportunity is equal to the amount of powder captured by one moving part M21 of the rotating body M2, which is basically a constant amount. .. Therefore, when the powder is removed under the condition that the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are relatively high, the powder per unit time supplied from the powder mixing supply device Z to the powder supply pipe 191 is supplied. The rate of decrease in body mass is small and its effects are relatively minor. Therefore, the rate of deceleration of the rotational speeds of the rotating discs 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine when the powder is eliminated may be small, and the coefficient to be multiplied by the rotational speed immediately before deceleration is set to be larger.

On the other hand, in a situation where the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 immediately before deceleration are relatively slow, the flow rate of the powder per unit time supplied from the powder mixing supply device Z to the powder supply pipe 191 is increased. Originally few. On the other hand, the amount of powder that the powder removing unit M4 removes at one opportunity is basically a constant amount, and the powder is removed under the condition that the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are relatively slow. When this occurs, the rate of decrease in the amount of powder per unit time supplied from the powder mixing supply device Z to the powder supply pipe 191 is large, and the effect is relatively significant. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the rate of deceleration of the rotation speed of the rotating disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine when the powder is eliminated, and set the coefficient to be multiplied by the rotation speed immediately before deceleration to be smaller. ..

In the present embodiment, a table 31 provided with a mortar hole 4 and a rotary disk 3 provided with punch holding portions 32 and 33 for holding the pestle 5 and 6 arranged above and below the mortar hole 4 so as to be slidable up and down are punched. The powder filled in the mortar hole 4 is compressed and molded by the punches 5 and 6 by rotating the mortar hole 4 together with the mortar holes 4 from the filling device X arranged directly above the table 31 while rotating the mortar holes 5 and 6. It controls a rotary powder compression molding machine that molds products, and the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 that is directly connected to the filling device X and supplies the powder to the filling device X. A control device C for a rotary powder compression molding machine that adjusts the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 is configured so as to be within a certain target range.

According to the present embodiment, the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 is constantly set within a constant target range by manipulating the rotation speeds of the rotary disc 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the rotary powder compression molding machine. Can be converged within. That is, the rotation speed of the turntable 3 is reduced before the powder is deficient in the filling device X to reduce the amount of powder consumed, and the rotation speed of the turntable 3 is increased before the powder overflows. To increase the consumption of powder. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operation of the rotary powder compression molding machine has to be stopped.

Keeping the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 (or inside the filling device X) constant, that is, keeping the pressure of the powder inside the filling device X constant is constantly constant. It is also effective for filling an amount of powder from the filling device X into the mortar hole 4. If the amount of powder filled in the mortar 4 is larger or smaller than the appropriate amount, the hardness, density and weight of the finished product will deviate from the desired values. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the variation in the amount of powder filled in the mortar hole 4. If the amount of powder to be filled in the mortar hole 4 can be precisely controlled, the quality of the obtained molded product can be maintained.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above. In the above embodiment, the height of the upper surface L of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 is detected by using the two level switches S61 and S62, but for detecting the height of the upper surface L of the powder. The sensor S6 is not limited to the level switches S61 and S62. For example, a contact-type level meter that directly contacts the powder accumulated inside the supply pipe 191 to measure the height of the upper surface L of the powder, or emits ultrasonic waves or electromagnetic waves toward the upper surface L of the powder. A non-contact type level meter that measures the height of the upper surface L of the powder by receiving the reflected wave can be adopted as the sensor S6. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to photograph the inside of the supply pipe 191 with a camera sensor and analyze the obtained image with the control device C to know the height of the upper surface L of the powder.

In the above embodiment, the rotation speeds of the rotary disc 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine are set so that the height of the upper surface L of the powder inside the supply pipe 191 directly connected to the filling device X is within a certain target range. Was adjusting. On the other hand, the filling device X is provided with a level switch or a level meter for knowing the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the filling device X (especially when the filling device X is an open feed shoe). However, the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine can be adjusted so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the filling device X is within a certain target range.

In that case, when the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the filling device X is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range, the rotation speeds of the rotating disc 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are increased as compared with the case where the height is not. On the other hand, when the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the filling device X is equal to or less than the lower limit of the target range, the rotation speeds of the rotary disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are reduced as compared with the case where the height is not.

In addition, the rotation speed of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 is such that the control device C moves from the state where the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the filling device X is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range to the lower limit of the target range. And the rotation speed of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 is decelerated from the state where the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the filling device X is below the lower limit of the target range to the upper limit of the target range. In setting the period to be used, the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 are controlled so that the latter is longer than the former for a certain acceleration period and the next acceleration period. Regarding the deceleration period and the deceleration period to be reached next, it is preferable to control the rotation speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 so that the latter is longer than the former.

Further, when the powder removing unit M4 included in the device Z that sends out the powder to the supply pipe 191 and the filling device X removes a predetermined amount of powder without supplying it to the supply pipe 191. It is preferable to reduce the rotational speeds of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 as compared with the case where the case is not.

The height of the upper surface L of the powder detected by the control device C via the sensor S6 so as to keep the height of the upper surface L of the accumulated powder inside the supply pipe 191 or the filling device X within the target range. Feedback that finely adjusts the rotation speed of the rotating disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine according to the amount of deviation from the target value (the median value of the target range or the upper limit or the lower limit of the target range). Control may be carried out. When the top surface height of the powder is higher than the target value, the larger the absolute value of the deviation between the top surface height and the target value, the slower the rotation speed of the rotating disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine. On the other hand, when the top surface height of the powder is lower than the target value, the larger the absolute value of the deviation between the top surface height and the target value, the higher the rotation speed of the rotating disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 of the molding machine. Speed up. At that time, how to design the controller of the control system embodied by the control device C is arbitrary. As a control controller design method, various methods such as PID control, model prediction control, and learning control can be adopted.

For the purpose of keeping the height of the upper surface L of the accumulated powder inside the supply pipe 191 or the filling device X within the target range, the control device C measures the flow rate of the powder supplied to the supply pipe 191 with a flow meter. It is also conceivable to carry out control to increase the rotation speed of the rotating disk 3 and the punches 5 and 6 when the flow rate is large as compared with the case where the flow rate is small.

Further, for the purpose of keeping the height of the upper surface L of the powder accumulated inside the supply pipe 191 or the filling device X within the target range, the control device C is inside the supply pipe 191 or the filling device X. The pressure (received from the accumulated powder) is measured via a pressure gauge, and when the internal pressure is high, the rotation speed of the turntable 3 and the punches 5 and 6 is increased as compared with the case where the internal pressure is low. It is also conceivable to carry out control.

In addition, the specific configuration of each part can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

3 ... Turntable 31 ... Table 4 ... Mill hole 5 ... Upper punch 6 ... Lower punch 191 ... Supply pipe C ... Control device L ... Upper surface of powder M4 ... Powder exclusion unit S6 ... Sensor S61, S62 ... Level switch X ... Stirring feed shoe (filling device)
Z ... A device that delivers powder toward a supply pipe (powder mixing and supply device)

Claims (4)

A table provided with a mortar hole and a turntable provided with a pestle holding portion for holding a pestle arranged above and below the mortar hole so as to be slidable up and down are rotated together with the pestle, and a mortar from a filling device arranged directly above the table. By filling the pores with powder, a rotary powder compression molding machine that compresses the powder filled in the mortar with a pestle to form a molded product is controlled.
The rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is adjusted so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe that is directly connected to the filling device and supplies the powder to the filling device or inside the filling device is within a certain target range. I decided to adjust
The rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is increased so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range to the lower limit of the target range. The period and the period for decelerating the rotation speed of the rotating disk and the punch so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is below the lower limit of the target range to the upper limit of the target range. Provide,
For a certain acceleration period and the next acceleration period, the rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is controlled so that the latter is longer than the former.
Further, a control device for a rotary powder compression molding machine that controls the rotation speeds of a rotating disk and a punch so that the latter is longer than the former for a certain deceleration period and the next deceleration period. When the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range, the rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is increased as compared with the case where the height is not. ,
The first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is equal to or less than the lower limit of the target range, the rotation speed of the rotating disk and the punch is reduced as compared with the case where the height is not equal to or less than the lower limit of the target range. Control device for rotary powder compression molding machine. When the powder removing unit of the device for delivering powder toward the supply pipe removes a predetermined amount of powder without supplying it to the supply pipe, the rotating disk is compared with the case where it is not. The control device for the rotary powder compression molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation speed of the punch is reduced. A table provided with a mortar hole and a turntable provided with a pestle holding portion for holding a pestle arranged above and below the mortar hole so as to be slidable up and down are rotated together with the pestle, and a mortar from a filling device arranged directly above the table. In controlling a rotary powder compression molding machine that molds a molded product by compressing the powder filled in the mortar with a pestle by filling the pores with powder.
The rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is adjusted so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe that is directly connected to the filling device and supplies the powder to the filling device or inside the filling device is within a certain target range. I decided to adjust
The rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is increased so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is equal to or higher than the upper limit of the target range to the lower limit of the target range. The period and the period for decelerating the rotation speed of the rotating disk and the punch so that the height of the upper surface of the powder inside the supply pipe or the inside of the filling device is below the lower limit of the target range to the upper limit of the target range. Provide,
For a certain acceleration period and the next acceleration period, the rotation speed of the turntable and the punch is controlled so that the latter is longer than the former.
Further, a control method for a rotary powder compression molding machine that controls the rotation speeds of a rotating disk and a punch so that the latter is longer than the former for a certain deceleration period and the next deceleration period.

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