WO2015045473A1

WO2015045473A1 - Rotary-type powder compression molding device and method of operating same

Info

Publication number: WO2015045473A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/062505
Authority: WO
Inventors: 泰典和田; 稔上村
Original assignee: 株式会社畑鐵工所
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-05-09
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: JP5707462B2; JP2015066566A

Abstract

Provided is a method of operating a powder compression molding device with which the mass and thickness of a molded product manufactured by compressing powder are maintained within a standard range irrespective of changes in the temperature of a powder compression molding machine. An estimated pressure variation and a thickness variation when the mass of a molded product is controlled are obtained, and the thickness variation and the mean thickness are used to obtain an estimated thickness. An estimated pressure variation and an estimated punch tip gap when the thickness of the molded product is controlled on the basis of the estimated thickness are obtained, and the set value of the punch tip gap is updated using the estimated punch tip gap. In conjunction with this, the estimated pressure variation values and the mean molding pressure value are used to obtain an estimated pressure control reference value, the pressure control reference value is updated using this estimated value, and a control pressure value in a pressure control unit is updated. The mass and thickness of the molded product are maintained within the standard range by updating the set value of the punch tip gap to control the punch tip gap, and by updating the control pressure value in the pressure control unit to control the molding pressure in this way while the molding machine is being operated.

Description

Rotary powder compression molding apparatus and its operating method

The present invention relates to a rotary powder compression molding apparatus such as a rotary tableting apparatus for producing a molded product such as a tablet by compressing powder and a method for operating the same.

A rotary powder compression molding device (hereinafter referred to as a molding device) having a function of controlling the mass of a molded product in order to maintain the weight (mass) and hardness of the molded product produced by compressing powder within the standard range. Is abbreviated to be a prior art (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The control of the mass of the molded product in this molding apparatus is performed when the upper and lower ridges moved by the rotation of the rotating disk pass between upper and lower preliminary compression rolls (hereinafter referred to as first rolls). 1 based on molding pressure. More specifically, the mass control trajectory is moved up and down by changing the height position of the lower arm relative to the die, and the amount of powder filling into the die is adjusted by the control of the mass control unit to which the first molding pressure is input. Thus, the mass of the molded product is controlled.

The mass control unit is set with a pressure value that is a reference for controlling the first molding pressure (this is commonly referred to as a pressure control reference value or a control set value).

A conventional molding apparatus includes a rotary powder compression molding machine (hereinafter abbreviated as a molding machine). A conventional molding apparatus obtains an average value and an average value of molding pressures of a plurality of molded products sampled every predetermined time during continuous operation of the molding machine, and between the mass and molding pressure of the molded product. The molding pressure corresponding to the mass reference value of the molded product is calculated using the established correlation coefficient, and the pressure control reference value is updated with the calculated value (calculated molding pressure). For this reason, the control which hold | maintains the mass of a molded product within a specification range is implemented by updating the pressure control reference value set to the mass control part at every sampling.

By such control, it is determined that the molded product molded with the molding pressure of the pressure control reference value is maintained within the standard range. Conversely, a molded product molded at a molding pressure outside the pressure control reference value may be a defective product whose mass is outside the standard range.

Japanese Patent No. 2941226

The control of the mass of the molded product in the conventional molding apparatus is based on the premise that the tip interval is constant, and that the mass variation and molding pressure variation are equivalent based on this premise. From the above idea, “the mass is controlled based on the correlation coefficient established between the mass and the molding pressure”. Therefore, the conventional control of the mass of the molded product is, in other words, “controlling the mass of the molded product by adjusting the height of the mass adjusting track in order to keep the molding pressure constant”. Therefore, it is based on the idea that the control of the mass of the conventional molded product is equivalent to the control of the molding pressure.

However, the control of the mass of the conventional molded product is actually caused by the influence of thermal expansion or the like accompanying the temperature change (for example, rise) of each part of the molding machine (mainly the upper and lower ridges and the pressure roll) that is continuously operated. It does not take into account changes in the tip spacing (eg reduction).

In other words, the conventional molding apparatus is generally adjusted so that when the temperature of each part of the molding machine is normal temperature (usually around 20 ° C.), the setting value of the tip distance and the actual tip distance are substantially the same ( Calibration). Here, the “tip point setting value” refers to the tip interval that is set by the molding apparatus and displayed on the tip interval indicator.

In the conventional control of the mass of the molded product, the actual tip defined by the tip of the upper and lower punches (the tip of each punch) of the molding machine is performed in a state where the tip interval setting value (display value) is not changed. It is not considered that the interval (hereinafter, simply referred to as “tip interval”) changes due to the influence of thermal expansion or the like due to temperature change (for example, increase) of each part of the molding machine.

¡When the tip interval decreases, the molding pressure increases. For this reason, even if the mass of the molded product itself does not increase, the mass control unit performs control to reduce the molding pressure that has increased due to the temperature increase. By this control, the height of the mass adjustment trajectory is adjusted by a control output for the mass control unit to reduce the mass. Therefore, as a result, the mass of the manufactured molded product may not be kept constant.

In addition, when compressing and molding powders whose physical properties change due to temperature rise, etc., for example, when molding powders whose binding strength increases with increasing temperature, the mass of the molded product to be manufactured is kept constant. May not be possible.

That is, with continuous operation, the temperature of each part of the molding machine (mainly the upper and lower punches and mortars, and the rotating disk) that comes into contact with the powder to be molded rises. The power may be increased. When the binding force increases, the degree of springback (re-expansion) after molding decreases, and the thickness of the molded product decreases. For this reason, even if it manufactures with the tip space | interval kept constant, a molding pressure may fall.

When such a phenomenon occurs, the mass control unit performs control to increase the reduced molding pressure. By this control, the height of the mass adjustment trajectory is adjusted by a control output for the mass control unit to increase the mass. As a result, the mass of the manufactured molded product may not be kept constant.

In addition, the conventional molding equipment can be manufactured so that the mass of the molded product is within the standard range, but the control is not a device to keep the thickness of the molded product within the standard range. May not be able to be held inside.

That is, in manufacturing a molded product, even if the molding pressure on the molded product is kept constant, the thickness of the molded product such as a tablet may change if the tip spacing or mass changes. Similarly, in the manufacture of a molded product, even if the tip spacing is kept constant, the thickness of the molded product may change if the mass or molding pressure changes. In the production of a molded product, even if the mass is kept constant, the thickness of the molded product may change if the tip spacing or the molding pressure changes.

Thus, the thickness of the molded product may change due to increase / decrease in mass, increase / decrease in tip spacing, and increase / decrease in molding pressure. For example, due to thermal expansion of each part of the molding machine accompanying a temperature increase during continuous operation of the molding machine, the tip interval is narrower than immediately after the start of continuous operation. Therefore, even if the mass (powder amount) of the molded product to be compression-molded is the same, the thickness of the molded product formed by the upper and lower punches and mortars passing between the pressure rolls is reduced.

Furthermore, the thickness of the molded product may change due to the influence of heat depending on the physical properties of the powder. For example, when a powder whose physical properties change due to an increase in temperature, such as a powder whose binding force increases as the temperature rises, is compressed, the degree of spring back (re-expansion) after molding is reduced due to the increase in binding force. Therefore, the thickness of the molded product may be reduced.

Therefore, when manufacturing a molded product that needs to maintain the thickness within the standard range, the molding apparatus may be configured to adjust the tip spacing by changing the tip spacing setting value according to the temperature change. By itself, the change in the thickness of the molded product due to the influence of mass and molding pressure cannot be dealt with, and the thickness of the molded product to be manufactured may be out of the standard thickness range.

The object of the present invention is to make at least the mass and thickness of the mass, thickness and hardness of the molded product produced by compressing the powder within the standard range regardless of the temperature change of the powder compression molding machine and the physical property change of the powder. It is intended to provide a rotary powder compression molding apparatus capable of producing a molded product by holding it and a method for operating the same.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a rotary powder compression molding apparatus includes a rotating disk and a control device that controls the operation of the powder compression molding machine. The control device controls the height position of the lower punch that defines the powder filling depth to the mortar attached to the rotating disk so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value. Including a pressure controller. And the operating method of the said powder compression molding apparatus has the following each process.
A step of obtaining a calculated thickness of a molded product from a thickness variation value when mass control is performed and a thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation.
A step of calculating a tip interval calculation value from a tip interval variation value and a tip interval setting value when thickness control is performed based on the calculated thickness.
The pressure after obtaining the molding pressure average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value when the mass control is performed, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness control is performed. The process of obtaining the control standard calculation value.
Updating the tip spacing setting value with the tip spacing calculated value to control the tip spacing;
Updating the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculated value and updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;

In the operation method, according to the thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the control is not performed to directly change the tip interval setting value set in the control device. When the mass average value of a plurality of molded products obtained in the above is used as the mass control reference value of the molded product (this is referred to as “mass control” in the present invention), what thickness the thickness average value is. (This is referred to as “calculated thickness” in the present invention). Then, together with the mass control, the calculated thickness is used as a thickness control reference value (this is referred to as “thickness control” in the present invention), and the tip spacing variation value and the tip spacing setting value The tip interval calculation value is obtained, the tip interval setting value is updated with the tip interval calculation value, and the tip interval is controlled with the updated value.

At the same time, in order to prevent the molding pressure from fluctuating and the mass of the molded product from changing with the update of the tip interval setting value, the pressure fluctuation value when the mass control is performed (this is referred to as the present invention) And a pressure fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled (this is referred to as a “second calculated pressure fluctuation value” in the present invention). Further, a pressure control reference calculation value is obtained from the first and second calculated pressure fluctuation values and a molding pressure average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation, and pressure control is performed based on the pressure control reference calculation value. The control pressure value (current value) of the unit is updated.

Thus, during the continuous operation of the powder compression molding machine, the powder compression molding apparatus updates the tip interval setting value based on the mass control and the thickness control to control the tip interval, and the pressure control unit The control pressure value (current value) of is updated. In the powder compression molding apparatus, the pressure control unit that adjusts the height position of the lower punch that defines the filling depth of the powder into the die controls the molding pressure in accordance with the updated control pressure value. Therefore, the powder compression molding device suppresses the mass and thickness fluctuation of the molded product accompanying changes in the physical properties of the powder and the temperature change of the powder compression molding machine, and keeps the mass and thickness of the molded product to be manufactured within the standard range. Can do.

According to the present invention, the mass / thickness of the molded product produced by compressing the powder, regardless of the temperature change of each part of the powder compression molding machine and the physical property change of the powder accompanying the continuous operation of the rotary powder compression molding machine. -It is possible to manufacture a molded product while maintaining at least the mass and thickness within the standard range of the hardness.

It is a figure which expands and shows roughly composition of a rotary tableting device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the acquisition procedure of the trial hit data performed before the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure which selects a control pattern with the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure which selects a control pattern with the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure which selects a control pattern with the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which selects a control pattern with the rotary tableting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of procedure of the continuous driving | operation of the rotary tableting apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the definitions of terms used in the following explanation will be explained.

In the first embodiment, “mass control” controls the mass average value Wx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation to a mass control reference value WM (or mass control reference calculation value WMa described later). Pointing to do.

However, for control aimed at setting the mass W of the molded product manufactured by the powder compression molding machine to the target mass, “control of the mass of the molded product ...” or “control the mass of the molded product ...” This is distinguished from the term “mass control”.

In addition, in a control pattern that does not control the mass of a molded product that will be described later, the calculation process is performed by replacing the value of the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the value of the calculated mass Wa that is obtained by pressure control that will be described later. The term “mass control” is used.

In the first embodiment, “pressure control” refers to controlling the molding pressure average value Px of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation to a pressure control reference value PM described later.

In addition, the powder to the die mounted on the rotating disk is set so that the molding pressure value of the molded product becomes the control pressure value set in the pressure control unit provided in the control device that controls the operation of the powder compression molding machine. The control for changing the height position of the lower eyelid that defines the filling depth is referred to as feedback control (FBC). Conventionally, such control is referred to as “weight (mass) control”, but in the first embodiment, such control is also referred to as “pressure control”.

From the above, the “mass control” and the “pressure control” are not equivalent controls, and in the first embodiment, the definitions of the terms “mass control” and “pressure control” are used separately.

In the calculation processing according to the flowchart described later, the pressure fluctuation value PWa based on the “mass control” when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference value WM (or mass control reference calculated value WMa described later), The thickness Ta and the calculated hardness Ha are obtained. For this reason, in the calculation process in the control pattern (control pattern 5 and control pattern 6) which does not control the mass of a molded product in the control patterns described later included in the first embodiment, the pressure based on “mass control” The description of obtaining the fluctuation value PWa, the calculated thickness Ta, and the calculated hardness Ha does not seem consistent. However, it is assumed that the mass control reference calculated value WMa used in this case is replaced with the value of the calculated mass Wa obtained by the equation (11) described later, and the equation (11) is expressed as [( WMa−Wx) = (PM−Px) / a0]. Therefore, when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa, that is, when “mass control” represented by (WMa−Wx) is performed, the value is [(PM−Px) / a0]. In other words.

Wa = Wx + (PM−Px) / a (Formula 11)
This equation (11) can be expanded as (Wa−Wx) = (PM−Px) / a0. Further, when the calculated mass control reference value WMa is replaced with the calculated mass Wa value, (WMa−Wx) = ( PM-Px) / a0.

From this, in the calculation processing with the control pattern on the assumption that the mass of the molded product is not controlled, the respective calculation values (PWa, Ta, Ha) to be called as “when mass control is performed” are actually Are obtained as calculated values when the pressure average value Px is set to the pressure control reference value PM. That is, it is obtained as a calculated value when “pressure control” is performed. For this reason, the pressure fluctuation value PWa based on “mass control”, the calculated thickness Ta, and the calculated hardness Ha are obtained by the calculation processing in the control pattern (control pattern 5 and control pattern 6) that does not control the mass of the molded product. This statement does not impair consistency.

In the first embodiment, “thickness control” refers to a later-described calculated thickness Ta obtained from a thickness variation value when mass control is performed and a thickness average value Tx of a molded product, and a later-described thickness control reference value TM. (Or a thickness control reference calculation value TMa described later) is controlled.

However, for the purpose of controlling the thickness T of the molded product manufactured by the powder compression molding machine to the target thickness, the expressions “control of the thickness of the molded product” and “control the thickness of the molded product” And the term “thickness control”.

The “tip tip spacing control” refers to a tip tip calculated value (lMa, LMa) to be described later based on the thickness control and is controlled by a control device that controls the operation of the powder compression molding machine. This refers to the control of updating the respective tip-tip interval values (current values... 1M, LM) at the two positions with the values of the tip-tip interval calculated values (lMa, LMa) and changing the respective tip-tip intervals. . In the first embodiment, the tip spacing control is performed based on the tip spacing calculated value (lMa, LMa) in a powder compression molding machine having a first roll and a second roll, which will be described later. It refers to controlling the tip interval. However, the present invention also includes performing the tip distance control only at the second position, including the case where the present invention is implemented as a rotary powder compression molding apparatus including a powder compression molding machine that does not have the first roll.

From the above, the “thickness control” and the “tip tip spacing control” are not equivalent controls. In the first embodiment, the terms “thickness control” and “tip tip spacing control” are defined. Use distinctively.

In the first embodiment, “hardness control” means updating (correcting) a hardness control reference calculated value HMa described later with a value of calculated hardness Ha described later (or a hardness control reference provisional value HMb described later). In order to set the calculated hardness Ha to the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, a thickness control reference provisional value TMb described later and a mass control reference provisional value WMb described later respectively correspond to the thickness and mass control reference calculated values described later. By updating (correcting) (TMa, WMa), the value of the calculated hardness Ha and the value of the hardness control reference calculated value HMa are controlled to be the same value.

However, regarding the control for the purpose of setting the hardness H of the molded product manufactured by the powder compression molding machine to the target hardness, “control of the hardness of the molded product ...” and “control of the hardness of the molded product ...” This is distinguished from the term “hardness control”.

Next, a rotary powder compression molding apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a rotary powder compression molding apparatus, for example, a rotary tableting apparatus 1 that manufactures a tablet as a molded product, includes a rotary powder compression molding machine, for example, a rotary tableting machine 2, A measuring device 3 and a control panel 4 are provided.

The tableting machine 2 is provided with a rotating disk 11 having a mortar mounting portion. A plurality of mortars 12 are attached to the peripheral portion of the mortar mounting portion at a constant interval in the circumferential direction of the turntable 11. The upper surfaces of the mortars 12 are the same height as the upper surface of the mortar mounting portion. The die is also referred to as a die, and the die may have a plurality of die holes, that is, a plurality of molding holes.

The tableting machine 2 is provided with a powder supplier 14 arranged at the powder supply position. The lower surface opening of the powder feeder 14 is provided so as to contact the upper surface of the mortar mounting portion of the rotating disk 11. As the rotator 11 rotates, the mortar 12 passes through the lower surface opening of the powder supplier 14, whereby the powder in the powder supplier 14 is supplied (filled) into the mortar hole of the mortar 12. As the powder feeder 14, a powder feeder configured to have a stirring member (not shown) that is rotated to make the density of the powder supplied to the mortar 12 uniform can also be used.

The tableting machine 2 is provided with an upper punch 15 and a lower punch 16 that are individually disposed corresponding to each die 12. The upper punch 15 is also called an upper punch, and the lower punch 16 is also called a lower punch. The upper rod 15 and the lower rod 16 are supported by the turntable 11 so as to be movable up and down. The distal end portion (lower end portion) of the upper punch 15 is inserted into and removed from the mortar hole of the mortar 12 from above. The distal end portion (upper end portion) of the lower punch 16 holds the state of being inserted upward from below into the mortar hole of the mortar 12 and forms the bottom of the mortar hole. The upper punch 15 and the lower punch 16 slide on various guide tracks (not shown) (excluding the mass adjustment track described below) provided in the tableting machine 2 as the rotating plate 11 rotates. Further, the upper rod 15 and the lower rod 16 are moved by a necessary amount in the axial direction during compression molding or the like.

A mass adjusting track (also referred to as a weight adjusting track) 17 on which the lower end of the lower punch 16 slides at the powder supply position is disposed below the mortar mounting portion of the rotating disk 11. The mass adjusting track 17 is supported by a track lifting mechanism 19 so as to be lifted and lowered. The track elevating mechanism 19 includes a track elevating motor 19a, an elevating shaft 19b, a gear 19c, and a drive gear 19d.

For example, a servo motor can be suitably used as the orbit raising / lowering motor 19a, but a general-purpose motor can also be used. A rotary encoder 19e is attached to the track elevating motor 19a. It is possible to know the height position of the mass adjusting track 17 based on the detection of the rotation amount by the encoder 19e. The elevating shaft 19b is moved up and down along a guide (not shown), and the mass adjusting track 17 is connected to the upper end portion thereof. The gear 19c has an inner peripheral gear portion and an outer peripheral gear portion, and the inner peripheral gear portion is meshed with a male screw portion formed at the lower portion of the elevating shaft 19b. The drive gear 19d is meshed with the outer peripheral gear portion of the gear 19c, and is rotated by the orbit raising / lowering motor 19a. Therefore, the mass adjusting track 17 is lifted and lowered together with the lifting shaft 19b according to the forward and reverse rotation of the track lifting motor 19a of the track lifting mechanism 19.

The various guide tracks (not shown) include a lowering track disposed below the powder feeder 14 and immediately before the mass adjusting track 17. When the lower punch 16 is lowered according to the lowering trajectory, the powder in the powder feeder 14 is sucked into the mortar hole and supplied (filled). Immediately after this, as the lower iron 16 slides up the inclined surface of the mass adjusting orbit 17 from the lowering orbit, excess powder is discharged into the powder feeder 14. Next, as the lower iron 16 slides on a horizontal plane continuous with the upper end of the inclined surface of the mass adjusting track 17, the upper surface of the die 12 is scraped off at the lower end of the downstream side wall 14a of the powder supplier 14. Thereby, the amount of powder supplied to the mortar 12, in other words, the mass (weight) of the tablet to be manufactured is weighed. Therefore, the mass of the tablet to be manufactured is changed (corrected) by changing the height position of the mass adjusting track 17.

The tableting machine 2 is provided with upper and lower preliminary compression molding rolls (hereinafter abbreviated as first rolls) 21 and 22 disposed at its preliminary compression molding position (hereinafter abbreviated as first position). The first position is set on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the turntable 11 with respect to the powder supply position. The upper first roll 21 is disposed above the mortar mounting portion of the turntable 11, and the lower first roll 22 is disposed below the mortar mounting portion of the turntable 11. When the upper punch 15 and the lower punch 16 pass between them, the first rolls 21 and 22 move the upper punch 15 and the lower punch 16 so as to approach each other, so that the powder in the die 12 is preliminarily moved. It is provided for compression molding.

The upper first roll 21 is held so as not to move in the vertical direction. The lower first roll 22 is rotatably supported by a pre-compression roll support 23 and adjusts the pre-compression interval in order to adjust a pre-forming pressure (hereinafter referred to as pre-pressure). The mechanism 24 can be moved up and down together with the roll support 23. Generally, the preliminary pressure is set lower than the main compression force described later.

The interval adjusting mechanism 24 for pre-compression is provided to change the tip interval between the upper rod 15 and the lower rod 16 that is about to pass between the first rolls 21 and 22. The preliminary pressure interval adjusting mechanism 24 has the same configuration as the track elevating mechanism 19, and includes a roll elevating motor 24a, an elevating shaft 24b, a gear 24c, and a drive gear 24d.

For example, a servo motor can be suitably used as the roll lifting motor 24a, but a general-purpose motor can also be used. A rotary encoder 24e is attached to the roll lifting / lowering motor 24a. Based on the detection of the rotation amount of the roll raising / lowering motor 24a by the encoder 24e, the height position of the lower first roll 22, and hence the height position of the lower punch 16 at the first position, and consequently the lower punch 16 It is possible to know the tip interval l between the heel and the upper hook 15. A rotary encoder 24e included in the roll lifting / lowering motor 24a and a calculation unit (not shown) included in a control device 4a (described later) that processes output from the rotary encoder 24e An interval detection unit (interval detection means) that detects the tip interval 1 between the lower rod 16 and the lower rod 16 is provided.

The elevating shaft 24b is moved up and down along a guide (not shown), and the upper end portion supports the pre-compression roll support 23 from below. The gear 24c has an inner peripheral gear portion and an outer peripheral gear portion, and the inner peripheral gear portion is meshed with a male screw portion formed at the lower portion of the elevating shaft 24b. The drive gear 24d is meshed with the outer peripheral gear portion of the gear 24c, and is rotated by the roll lifting / lowering motor 24a. Accordingly, the lower first roll 22 is lifted and lowered together with the lifting shaft 24b in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the roll lifting / lowering motor 24a of the pre-compression interval adjusting mechanism 24. Accordingly, the height position of the lower collar 16 is increased accordingly. As a result, the tip l at the first position is changed (controlled).

The tableting machine 2 has upper and lower main compression molding rolls (hereinafter abbreviated as second rolls) disposed at the main compression molding position (which may also be referred to as a final compression molding position but hereinafter referred to as a second position). .) 25 and 26 are provided. The second position is set on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the turntable 11 with respect to the first position. The upper second roll 25 is disposed above the mortar mounting portion of the turntable 11, and the lower second roll 26 is disposed below the mortar mounting portion of the turntable 11. The second rolls 25 and 26 move the upper punch 15 and the lower punch 16 so as to approach each other when the upper punch 15 and the lower punch 16 are about to pass between them. Is provided for final compression molding.

The upper second roll 25 is held so as not to move in the vertical direction. The lower second roll 26 is rotatably supported by a main compression roll support 27, and the main compression interval adjusting mechanism 28 together with the roll support 27 in order to adjust the final molding pressure. It can be moved up and down.

The interval adjustment mechanism 28 for main compression is provided to change the tip interval between the upper rod 15 and the lower rod 16 that is about to pass between the second rolls 25 and 26. The interval adjustment mechanism 28 for main compression has the same configuration as that of the track elevating mechanism 19, and includes a roll elevating motor 28a, an elevating shaft 28b, a gear 28c, and a drive gear 28d.

As the roll lifting / lowering motor 28a, for example, a servo motor can be preferably used, but a general-purpose motor can also be used. A rotary encoder 28e is attached to the roll lifting / lowering motor 28a. Based on the detection of the amount of rotation of the roll raising / lowering motor 28a by the encoder 28e, the height position of the lower second roll 26, and hence the height position of the lower collar 16 at the second position, and thus the lower collar 16 and It is possible to know the tip distance L between the upper side 15 and the upper side 15. The rotary encoder 28e of the roll lifting / lowering motor 28a and a calculation unit (not shown) are provided between the upper rod 15 and the lower rod 16 that are about to pass between the second rolls 25 and 26 at the second position. An interval detecting unit (interval detecting means) for detecting the tip interval L is provided.

The elevating shaft 28b supports the main-compression roll support 27 from below via a pressure sensor 29 disposed at the upper end thereof, and is moved up and down along a guide (not shown). The gear 28c has an inner peripheral gear portion and an outer peripheral gear portion, and the inner peripheral gear portion is meshed with a male screw portion formed at a lower portion of the elevating shaft 28b. The drive gear 28d is meshed with the outer peripheral gear portion of the gear 28c, and is rotated by the roll lifting / lowering motor 28a. Accordingly, the lower second roll 26 is moved up and down together with the lifting shaft 28b in accordance with the forward / reverse rotation of the roll lifting / lowering motor 28a of the interval adjusting mechanism 28 for main compression. As a result, the tip distance L at the second position is changed (controlled).

As described above, the tip spacing at the first position and the second position is changed (controlled), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the tip spacing control mechanism holds the lower compression molding roll at one or both of the first position and the second position so as not to move in the vertical direction. It is possible to change the height position of the upper compression molding roll to control the tip spacing, and further, to change the height position of both the upper and lower compression molding rolls, It can be set as the structure which controls a tip space | interval.

The pressure sensor 29 is provided to detect a molding pressure (hereinafter referred to as a main compression force) at the time of main compression (final compression) molding. For example, the pressure sensor 29 is moved up and down by a main compression roll support 27 and a lifting shaft 28b. It is arranged between. The pressure sensor 29 can be suitably provided with a load cell that converts a molding pressure to be detected into an electric quantity. The pressure sensor 29 is fixed to the upper end of the elevating shaft 28b as described above, and the pressure receiving end 29a receives the lower surface of the roll support 27 for main compression.

The tableting machine 2 includes a defective product discharge unit 31 and a non-defective product discharge unit 37 at the discharge position. The discharge position is set on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the turntable 11 with respect to the second position. Further, the powder supply position is set on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the turntable 11 with reference to the discharge position.

The defective product discharge unit 31 is arranged on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the turntable 11 with respect to the non-defective product discharge unit 37. Although this defective product discharge part 31 is not limited to the following structures, it has the chamber 32, the chute | shoot 33, the blast nozzle 34, and the vent pipe 35, for example.

The chamber 32 is provided close to the lower end of the chamber 32 so as not to contact the upper surface of the mortar mounting portion of the rotating disk 11. The chamber 32 intersects the rotational trajectory of the mortar 12. A chute 33 is connected to the chamber 32. The chute 33 extends outside the rotating disk 11 and obliquely downward. The blast nozzle 34 is supported by the chamber 32 so as to eject compressed air from the area toward the chute 33 disposed outside the area surrounded by the rotation locus of the mortar 12.

One end of the vent pipe 35 is connected to the jet nozzle 34, and the other end of the vent pipe 35 is connected to a compressed air source (not shown). An electromagnetic valve 36 for opening and closing is provided in the middle portion of the vent pipe 35. The electromagnetic valve 36 is normally kept closed and is opened for a predetermined short period of time in accordance with a valve opening signal input based on detection of a pressure abnormality in a pressure control unit 51 described later.

The chamber 32 has an inlet-side passage port (not shown) and an outlet-side passage port 32a that are positioned on the rotation trajectory of the mortar 12. These passage openings are provided so as to cut out the side wall of the chamber 32 from the lower end, and the tablets extruded by the lower punch 16 can pass through the upper surface of the mortar mounting portion of the turntable 11. Therefore, a tablet (usually a good product) determined to be within the standard range based on the molding pressure can pass through the chamber 32 through an inlet side passage port and an outlet side passage port 32a (not shown). During this passage, the compressed air is not ejected from the jet nozzle 34.

However, when a tablet (usually a defective product) determined to be out of the standard range based on the molding pressure has been carried into the chamber 32, the electromagnetic valve 36 is opened and compressed from the squirt nozzle 34 at the same timing. Air is ejected and this compressed air is sprayed onto the defective product on the lower rod 16. Therefore, the tablet determined to be out of the standard range is peeled off from the lower punch 16 and simultaneously blown off toward the chute 33 and discharged out of the turntable 11.

The non-defective product discharge unit 37 includes, for example, a scraper 38 that is connected to the chamber 32 of the defective product discharge unit 31 so as to be immovable, intersects with the rotational trajectory of the mortar 12, and a discharge chute 39 connected thereto. The tablet (good product) that has passed through the chamber 32 and is determined to be within the standard range is removed from the lower punch 16 by the scraper 38 of the good product discharge unit 37, passes through the discharge chute 39, It is taken out of the rotating disk 11 from above the mortar mounting portion.

The non-defective product discharge section 37 is provided with a sampling section 41 for sampling a plurality of tablets from the tablets that are discharged and molded with an appropriate molding pressure. The sampling unit 41 includes a sampling chute 42, a sampling shutter 43, a sampling driver 44, and the like.

The sampling chute 42 is branched downward from the oblique discharge chute 39. The sampling shutter 43 opens and closes the entrance of the sampling chute 42, and is normally disposed at a closed position for closing the entrance as shown by a solid line in FIG. Thereby, tablets within the standard range can be discharged toward the outlet formed by the opened lower end of the discharge chute 39.

Further, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the sampling shutter 43 is arranged at an open position where the inlet of the sampling chute 42 is opened, so that the tablet passing through the discharge chute 39 is taken out through the sampling chute 42. The sampling driver 44 is composed of, for example, an actuator such as a rotary solenoid, and normally holds the sampling shutter 43 in the closed position, and moves the sampling shutter 43 to the open position for a predetermined time by the input of the sampling signal.

In addition, the method for sampling a plurality of tablets (molded products) during operation is not limited to the above-described method. That is, instead of sampling only non-defective tablets, sampling may be performed on non-defective and defective tablets. In this case, for example, a sampling unit (not shown) is also provided on the defective chute 33 side, and the tablets merged with the tablets discharged from the discharge chute 39 for non-defective tablets (mixed with non-defective products and defective products). May be supplied to the measuring device 3.

The measuring device 3 is arranged below the sampling unit 41 so as to receive a plurality of tablets discharged from the sampling chute 42 every time an appropriate number of tablets are sampled. The measuring device 3 is preferably an automatic type. The automatic measuring device 3 measures the mass (weight) of a predetermined number (plurality) of tablets (sampling tablets) received, and calculates the mass average value of the tablets measured based on the measurement result. It has a function of calculating and outputting the calculation result to the outside together with the measured value of the mass of each sampling tablet.

In addition, the automatic measuring device 3 measures the thickness of the predetermined number of tablets received from each sampling, and calculates the average thickness value of the tablets measured based on the measurement result, And it has the function to output the calculation result to the outside with the thickness measurement value of each sampling tablet.

Further, the automatic measuring device 3 measures the hardness of the predetermined number of tablets out of the tablets received every sampling, and calculates the average hardness value of the tablets measured based on the measurement result, And it has the function to output the calculation result to the outside with the hardness measurement value of each sampling tablet.

The control panel 4 that controls the overall operation of the tableting machine 2 includes a touch panel type input device (not shown) provided on the surface of a control panel casing (not shown), a microcomputer, and the like. And a control device 4a built in the control panel housing. The control device 4a has a function of outputting various input data (trial hit data, sampling data, etc.) to an external recording device.

The control device 4a is used to control the tablet due to the expansion and contraction of the upper punch 15 and the lower punch 16 due to the temperature change of each part of the tableting machine 2 during the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2 and the change in physical properties of the powder to be compressed. It is configured to perform control to keep the mass, thickness, and hardness of the manufactured tablet at the control reference value while suppressing mass fluctuation, thickness fluctuation, and hardness fluctuation.

This control device 4a is used not only to maintain the mass of the tablet to be manufactured within the standard range, but also to maintain the molding pressure at the pressure control reference value in order to maintain the thickness and hardness of the tablet within the standard range. A control unit 51 is provided. This pressure control unit 51 is used for the purpose of “controlling the molding pressure to the pressure control reference value”, so that even in the case of a control pattern that does not require the mass to be kept within the standard range, the molding is performed. It functions to control the pressure to the pressure control reference value. Therefore, when the thickness and hardness control (TH control) and the thickness only control (T single control), which will be described later, are performed, control for setting the tablet mass W to the target mass is not performed, but the calculated mass Wa Feedback control is performed to obtain a pressure control reference value that is updated by obtaining each pressure fluctuation value when performing mass control based on the thickness control and thickness control.

The pressure control unit 51 updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM set thereto as described later, thereby generating a signal output corresponding to the level of the updated pressure control reference value PM. It is configured to be supplied to the motor 19a for raising and lowering the track of the mechanism 19 so as to change the height position of the lower rod 16 and perform mass correction. In this way, the molding pressure is controlled by changing the height position of the lower eyelid 16 by the mass adjustment track 17 based on the pressure control reference value PM and correcting the mass of the tablet (molded product). This is referred to as feedback control (FBC).

Furthermore, the control device 4a has a basic data acquisition unit for calculating the following correlation coefficients a0 to a5 based on various test hit data acquired by the trial hit operation of the tableting machine 2. The correlation coefficients a0 to a5 are as follows.

The correlation coefficient a0 is a correlation coefficient established between the molding pressure fluctuation value ΔP (unit KN) and the mass fluctuation value ΔW (unit mg) at the time of final compression molding (also referred to as main compression molding) of the tablet. is there. This correlation coefficient a0 is referred to as a PW correlation coefficient (unit: KN / mg).

The correlation coefficient a1 is a correlation coefficient established between the tablet thickness variation value ΔT (unit mm) and the mass variation value ΔW (unit mg). This correlation coefficient a1 is referred to as a TW correlation coefficient (unit: mm / mg).

The correlation coefficient a2 is a correlation coefficient established between the tablet molding pressure fluctuation value ΔP (unit KN) and the thickness fluctuation value ΔT (unit mm). This correlation coefficient a2 is referred to as PT correlation coefficient (unit: KN / mm).

The correlation coefficient a3 is a correlation coefficient established between the tip interval variation value ΔL (unit mm) and the thickness variation value ΔT (unit mm) during the main compression molding of the tablet. This correlation coefficient a3 is referred to as an LT correlation coefficient (unit: mm / mm).

The correlation coefficient a4 is a correlation coefficient established between the tablet thickness fluctuation value ΔT (unit mm) and the hardness fluctuation value ΔH (unit N). This correlation coefficient a4 is referred to as a TH correlation coefficient (unit: mm / N).

The correlation coefficient a5 is a correlation coefficient established between the tablet mass fluctuation value ΔW (unit: mg) and the hardness fluctuation value ΔH (unit N). This correlation coefficient a5 is referred to as a WH correlation coefficient (unit: mg / N).

Note that there is a correlation among the molding pressure P, the mass W, the thickness T, the hardness H, and the tip interval L (or l) of the molded product, and a correlation coefficient is established for each. For this reason, the correlation coefficients (a0 to a5) used in the arithmetic processing described later are a0 as a PW correlation coefficient, a1 as a TW correlation coefficient, a2 as a PT correlation coefficient, and a3. Is an LT correlation coefficient, a4 is a TH correlation coefficient, and a5 is a WH correlation coefficient.

For example, regarding the correlation coefficient related to the thickness T of the molded product, by using the LT correlation coefficient established between the thickness T and the tip distance L (or l), the correlation coefficient T -Replace the W correlation coefficient with the LW correlation coefficient, replace the PT correlation coefficient with the PL correlation coefficient, and replace the TH correlation coefficient with the LH correlation coefficient. Is also possible.

Based on this premise, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described later, a0 is a PW correlation coefficient, a1 is a TW correlation coefficient, a2 is a PT correlation coefficient, and a3 is L The following description will be made assuming that the −T correlation coefficient, a4 is the TH correlation coefficient, and a5 is the WH correlation coefficient.

The control device 4a controls the operation of the tableting machine 2 according to any of the six control patterns described later.

The desired molded product is manufactured by controlling the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H of the molded product so as to become target control reference values within the standard range of the product by the control pattern 1. According to the control pattern 2, each of the mass W and the thickness T of the molded product is controlled so as to become a target control reference value within the standard range of the product, and a desired molded product is manufactured. According to the control pattern 3, each of the mass W and the hardness H of the molded product is controlled to become a target control reference value within the product specification range, and a desired molded product is manufactured. According to the control pattern 4, the mass W of the molded product is controlled so as to become a target control reference value within the standard range of the product, and a desired molded product is manufactured. By the control pattern 5, the thickness T and the hardness H of the molded product are controlled so as to become the target control reference value within the standard range of the product, and a desired molded product is manufactured. By the control pattern 6, the thickness T of the molded product is controlled so as to become a target control reference value within the standard range of the product, and a desired molded product is manufactured.

The relationship between the control patterns 1 to 6 and the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 will be described below.

In the calculation performed when the control device 4a controls the tableting machine 2 with the control pattern 1 (this is referred to as “WTH control”), all the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 (where a5 is a5β Used)), and there is no correlation coefficient not used.

In the calculation performed when the control device 4a controls the tableting machine 2 with the control pattern 2 (this is referred to as “WT control”), the correlation coefficients a0 to a3 are used, and the correlation coefficients a4 and a5 are used. Is not used.

In the calculation performed when the control device 4a controls the tableting machine 2 with the control pattern 3 (this is referred to as “WH control”), the correlation coefficients a0 and a5 (however, a5α is used as a5). ) Are used, and the correlation coefficients a1 to a4 are not used.

In the calculation performed when the control device 4a controls the tableting machine 2 with the control pattern 4 (this is referred to as “W single control”), the correlation coefficient a0 is used, and the correlation coefficients a1 to a5 are Not used.

In calculations performed when the control device 4a controls the tableting machine 2 with the control pattern 5 (this is referred to as “TH control”), correlation coefficients a0 to a5 (where a5β is used as a5). ) Is used, and there is no correlation coefficient that is not used.

In the calculation performed when the control device 4a controls the tableting machine 2 with the control pattern 6 (this is referred to as “T single control”), the correlation coefficients a0 to a3 are used, and the correlation coefficients a4 and a4 are used. a5 is not used.

A list of symbols and the like used for explaining the control by the control device 4a includes a control-related symbol of mass W, a control-related symbol of thickness T, a control-related symbol of hardness H, a control-related symbol of pressure P, and a main compression The following is divided into a related symbol of the tip interval L and a related symbol of the tip interval l for pre-compression.

(Control symbol for mass W)
WO (unit: mg): tablet mass standard value (molded product standard standard value)
WOL (unit: mg): Lower limit value of tablet mass control reference value correction range
WOH (unit: mg): Upper limit of tablet mass control reference value correction range
WM (unit: mg): tablet mass control reference value (current value)
WMa (unit: mg): tablet mass control standard calculation value used for calculation processing
WMb (unit: mg): provisional value for mass control reference used for calculation processing to obtain an updated value for the mass control reference calculation value of the tablet
Wx (unit: mg): mass average value of sampled tablets
Wa (unit: mg): It is obtained from the mass fluctuation value corresponding to the molding pressure average value Px of the sampled tablet set to the pressure control reference value PM and the mass average value Wx of the sampled tablet, and is used for the calculation process. Calculated mass of tablets used
kw: Mass correction coefficient for correcting the mass control standard calculation value.

(Thickness T control-related symbols)
TO (unit: mm): tablet thickness standard value (molded product standard standard value)
TOL (unit: mm): lower limit value of tablet thickness control reference value correction range
TOH (unit: mm): upper limit of tablet thickness control reference value correction range
TM (unit: mm): Tablet thickness control reference value (current value)
TMa (unit: mm): tablet thickness control standard calculation value used for calculation processing
TMb (unit: mm): provisional value for thickness control reference used for calculation processing for obtaining updated value of tablet thickness control reference calculated value
Tx (unit: mm): Average thickness of sampled tablets
Ta (unit: mm): Calculated thickness of tablet used for calculation processing, obtained from thickness variation value when thickness average value Wx of sampled tablet is mass control standard calculated value WMa, and thickness average value Tx
kt: Thickness correction coefficient for correcting the thickness control standard calculation value.

(Control symbol for hardness H)
HO (unit N): Tablet hardness standard value (molded product standard standard value)
HOL (unit N): Lower limit value of tablet hardness control reference value correction range
HOH (unit N): upper limit value of tablet hardness control reference value correction range
HM (unit N): tablet hardness control reference value (current value)
HMa (unit N): tablet hardness control standard calculation value used for calculation processing
HMb (unit N): provisional value of hardness control reference used for calculation processing for obtaining updated value of tablet hardness control reference calculated value
Hx (unit N): hardness average value of sampled tablets
Ha (unit N): hardness variation value when the sampled tablet mass average value Wx is the mass control reference calculated value WMa, and hardness variation value when the tablet calculated thickness Ta is the thickness control reference calculated value TMa Calculated from the hardness average value Hx, and the calculated hardness of the tablet used in the calculation process
kh: Hardness correction coefficient when correcting the hardness control standard calculation value.

(Control related symbols for pressure P)
PM (unit KN): Pressure control reference value (current value) of the pressure control unit
PMa (unit: KN): pressure control reference calculation value of the pressure control unit used for arithmetic processing
PTa (unit KN): Calculated pressure fluctuation value by thickness control used for calculation processing
PWa (unit: KN): Calculated pressure fluctuation value by mass control used for arithmetic processing
Px (unit KN): molding pressure average value of sampled tablets.

(Related symbol of tip spacing L for main compression)
LM (unit: mm): Tip distance setting value at the second position (current value)
LMa (unit: mm): a calculated point interval value at the second position used for the calculation process.

(Related symbol of tip spacing l for pre-compression)
1M (unit: mm): Tip distance setting value at the first position (current value)
lMa (unit: mm): a calculated value of the tip distance at the first position used for the calculation process.
The pressure controller 51 is set with values indicated by the following symbols.

(Symbols related to each control pressure value of the pressure controller)
LLP (unit: KN): Abnormal pressure lower limit of the pressure controller
LEP (unit: KN): Defective discharge pressure lower limit value of the pressure control unit
LCL (unit: KN): Mass control pressure lower limit value of pressure controller
MEAN (unit KN): Pressure reference value of pressure control unit (equivalent to pressure control reference value PM)
HCL (unit: KN): Mass control pressure upper limit value of pressure control unit
HEP (Unit: KN): Upper limit value of defective discharge pressure in the pressure controller
HLP (unit KN): Upper limit value of abnormal pressure of the pressure control unit.

Next, basic data acquisition, control pattern discrimination, and control procedures for control of tablet mass, thickness, and hardness by the control device 4a will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the basic data acquisition procedure performed before the rotary tableting device 1 is continuously operated will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the operator performs operations for adjusting the mass, thickness, and hardness using the input device (not shown) in order to acquire basic data of the tablet to be manufactured.

Based on the operation of this operator, the control device 4a performs the first trial driving operation (trial driving operation) of the tableting machine 2, operates the sampling unit 41 during this operation, samples a predetermined number of tablets, and presses the tablet. The operation of the lock machine 2 is stopped.

In the first trial operation of the tableting machine 2, the pressure data P1, the mass data W1, the thickness data T1, the hardness data H1, the tip distance data 11 at the time of preliminary compression, and the tip distance data L1 at the time of main compression are: Obtained as trial hit data 1 (step S01).

That is, the pressure sensor 29 detects the molding pressure for each of the manufactured tablets. The control device 4a acquires the molding pressures of the individual tablets detected by the pressure sensor 29, and performs a process of averaging the individual molding pressures. The molding pressure average value calculated by this processing is the pressure data P1.

Further, in the first trial driving operation, the control device 4a determines the tip interval setting value at the first position based on the output of the rotary encoder 24e of the preliminary compression interval adjusting mechanism 24 at the time of preliminary compression. As the interval data l1, based on the output of the rotary encoder 28e of the interval adjustment mechanism 28 for main compression, the setting value of the tip interval at the second position is detected as the tip interval data L1 at the time of main compression.

Furthermore, the measuring device 3 measures the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H of each of the plurality of tablets sampled during the first trial driving operation. The measuring device 3 performs an operation for obtaining a mass average value, a thickness average value, and a hardness average value (trial hit data 1) of the plurality of tablets based on the measured values. The mass average value obtained by this calculation is mass data W1, the thickness average value is thickness data T1, and the hardness average value is hardness data H1.

Next, the control device 4a performs the second trial driving operation of the tableting machine 2 by changing only the tablet mass without changing the setting value of the tip interval at the first position and the second position. In this case, the control device 4a assumes that the molding pressure rises due to the influence of the tip interval narrowed by the temperature rise in the continuous operation described later, and that the pressure control works to reduce the mass, thereby reducing the mass adjustment track 17. The tablet is preferably moved in the direction of decreasing the mass of the tablet so that the molding pressure is lowered, and the second trial driving operation of the tableting machine 2 is performed. The control device 4a stops the operation of the tableting machine 2 after sampling a predetermined number of tablets during the second operation.

In the trial operation of the tableting machine 2 for the second time, pressure data P2, mass data W2, thickness data T2, hardness data H2, tip distance data l2 at the time of preliminary compression, and tip distance data L2 at the time of main compression are: Obtained as trial hit data 2 (step S02).

That is, the pressure sensor 29 detects the molding pressure for each of the manufactured tablets. The control device 4a acquires the molding pressures of the individual tablets detected by the pressure sensor 29, and performs a process of averaging the individual molding pressures. The molding pressure average value calculated by this processing is the pressure data P2.

Further, in the second trial driving operation, the control device 4a determines the tip interval setting value at the first position based on the output of the rotary encoder 24e of the preliminary compression interval adjusting mechanism 24 at the time of preliminary compression. As the interval data l2, based on the output of the rotary encoder 28e of the interval adjustment mechanism 28 for main compression, the setting value of the tip interval at the second position is detected as the tip interval data L2 at the time of main compression.

Furthermore, the measuring device 3 measures the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H of each of the plurality of tablets sampled during the second trial driving operation. The measuring device 3 performs an operation for obtaining a mass average value, a thickness average value, and a hardness average value (trial hit data 2) of the plurality of tablets based on the measured values. The mass average value obtained by this calculation is mass data W2, the thickness average value is thickness data T2, and the hardness average value is hardness data H2.

Thereafter, the control device 4a returns the mass adjusting orbit 17 so as to be substantially the same as the height position when the test hit data 1 is obtained, and assumes a tip interval narrowed by a temperature increase in the continuous operation described later. Then, the third trial punching operation of the tableting machine 2 is performed after narrowing the gap between the tips at the first position and the second position by the same amount, preferably narrowing. The control device 4a stops the operation of the tableting machine 2 after sampling a predetermined number of tablets during the third operation.

In the trial operation of the tableting machine 2 for the third time, the pressure data P3, the mass data W3, the thickness data T3, the hardness data H3, the tip distance data l3 at the time of preliminary compression, and the tip distance data L3 at the time of main compression are: Obtained as trial hit data 3 (step S03).

That is, the pressure sensor 29 detects the molding pressure for each of the manufactured tablets. The control device 4a acquires the molding pressures of the individual tablets detected by the pressure sensor 29, and performs a process of averaging the individual molding pressures. The molding pressure average value calculated by this processing is the pressure data P3.

Further, in the third trial driving operation, the control device 4a sets the tip interval setting value at the first position on the basis of the output of the rotary encoder 24e of the preliminary compression interval adjusting mechanism 24. As the interval data l3, based on the output of the rotary encoder 28e of the interval adjusting mechanism 28 for main compression, the setting value of the tip interval at the second position is detected as the tip interval data L3 at the time of main compression.

Furthermore, the measuring device 3 measures the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H of each of the plurality of tablets sampled during the third trial driving operation. The measuring device 3 performs an operation for obtaining a mass average value, a thickness average value, and a hardness average value (test hit data 3) of the plurality of tablets based on the measured values. The mass average value obtained by this calculation is mass data W3, the thickness average value is thickness data T3, and the hardness average value is hardness data H3.

Next, the control device 4a executes step S04. In step S04, the controller 4a uses the trial hit data 1 to 3 to determine the PW correlation coefficient a0, the TW correlation coefficient a1, the PT correlation coefficient a2, and the LT correlation coefficient. Each of a3, TH correlation coefficient a4, and WH correlation coefficient a5 (a5α and a5β described later) is obtained by calculation, and the control device 4a determines the values of these correlation coefficients a0 to a5. It is registered (stored) in a storage unit (not shown).

The control device 4a obtains the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 by the following calculation.

The PW correlation coefficient a0 obtained in step S04 is a coefficient that is established between the tablet mass W and the molding pressure P. The PW correlation coefficient a0 is the trial hit data 1 obtained by the first trial run operation and the trial hit data obtained by the second trial run with the mass reduced under the same conditions as the first and the tip spacing. 2 and the trial hit data (P1, P2, W1, W2) regarding the molding pressure P and the mass W. In the first embodiment, the PW correlation coefficient a0 is a coefficient used on the assumption that the tablet thickness T changes according to the tablet mass change. More specifically, the PW correlation coefficient a0 is a coefficient used when determining how many KN the molding pressure P changes when the mass W changes. Is obtained by the following equation divided by the fluctuation value ΔW.
a0 = ΔP / ΔW = (P1-P2) / (W1-W2) (1)

The TW correlation coefficient a1 obtained in step S04 is a coefficient that is established between the thickness T and the mass W of the tablet. Further, the TW correlation coefficient a1 was obtained by the trial run data 1 obtained by the first trial run and the second trial run by reducing the mass W under the same conditions as the first and the tip spacing. The trial hit data 2 is calculated using trial hit data (T1, T2, W1, W2) regarding the thickness T and the mass W. More specifically, the TW correlation coefficient a1 is a coefficient used to determine how many millimeters the tablet thickness T changes when the mass W changes. Is obtained by the following equation divided by the fluctuation value ΔW.
a1 = ΔT / ΔW = (T1-T2) / (W1-W2) Equation (2).

The PT correlation coefficient a2 obtained in step S04 is a coefficient that is established between the tablet thickness T and the tablet molding pressure P. It is a coefficient used when determining whether it changes.

The LT correlation coefficient a3 obtained in step S04 is a coefficient established between the tablet thickness T and the tip interval L (or l), and when the tip interval L (or l) changes. It is a coefficient used when calculating | requiring how many mm the tablet thickness T changes.

More specifically, these correlation coefficients a2 and a3 are obtained by returning the trial weight data 1 obtained by the first trial driving operation and the tablet mass to the vicinity of the tablet mass at the first trial driving operation after the second trial driving operation. Of the trial hitting data 3 obtained by the third trial hitting operation performed under the condition that the tip interval is different from that of the first round, trial hit data (W1, W3, P1) regarding the molding pressure P, the thickness T, the mass W, etc. , P3, T1, T3).

However, even if the operator adjusts the mass data W3 of the tablet in the third trial driving operation so that the mass data W1 returns to the same mass as the mass data W1 in the first trial driving operation, the mass data W3 is obtained in the first trial driving operation. It cannot be expected to completely match the same mass as the mass data W1. For this reason, there is a possibility that the molding pressure also varies according to the variation in the mass of the tablet. Therefore, it is not accurate to obtain the PT correlation coefficient a2 using the pressure data P3 as it is.

As a countermeasure, the pressure (referred to as the calculated pressure P3a) of the molding pressure P is obtained when the mass data W3 is controlled to be the mass data W1.

That is, in step S04, the calculated pressure P3a for obtaining the PT correlation coefficient a2 is obtained by the following equation.
P3a = P3 + a (W1−W3) Equation (3).

With this calculated pressure P3a, the mass data reference for obtaining the PT correlation coefficient a2 can be made uniform, and the molding pressure error caused by the difference between the mass data W1 and the mass data W3 can be eliminated. It becomes possible.

As described above, even if the operator adjusts the mass of the tablet in the third trial driving operation so as to return to the same mass as the mass data W1 in the first trial driving operation, the mass data W3 remains in the first trial driving operation. It cannot be expected to completely match the same mass as the mass data W1. For this reason, there is a possibility that the thickness of the tablet also varies depending on the variation of the mass of the tablet. Therefore, it is not accurate to obtain the PT correlation coefficient a2 using the thickness data T3 as it is. Therefore, the thickness of the tablet (referred to as a calculated thickness T3a) is determined when the mass data W3 is controlled to be the mass data W1.

That is, in step S04, the calculated thickness T3a for obtaining the PT correlation coefficient a2 is obtained by the following equation.
T3a = T3 + a1 (W1−W3) (4)

Based on this calculated thickness T3a, the standard of mass data for obtaining the PT correlation coefficient a2 can be aligned, and an error in tablet thickness caused by the difference between the mass data W1 and the mass data W3 can be eliminated. Is possible.

The PT correlation coefficient a2 is obtained by calculating the calculated pressure P3a and the calculated thickness T3a as described above, and dividing the fluctuation value ΔP of the tablet molding pressure corrected by these calculated values by the fluctuation value ΔT of the thickness. Obtained by the formula.
a2 = ΔP / ΔT = (P1-P3a) / (T1-T3a) (5)

The LT correlation coefficient a3 obtained in step S04 is obtained by the following equation that divides the variation value ΔL (or Δl) of the tip distance by the variation value ΔT of the thickness corrected by the calculated thickness T3a.
a3 = ΔL / ΔT = (L1−L3) / (T1−T3a) (6)

The TH correlation coefficient a4 obtained in step S04 is a coefficient established between the tablet thickness T and the tablet hardness H. When the tablet hardness H changes, how many mm the tablet thickness T is. It is a coefficient used when determining whether it changes.

More specifically, the correlation coefficient a4 is calculated by comparing the trial hit data 1 obtained by the first trial run operation, the tablet mass after the second trial run operation to the vicinity of the tablet mass at the first trial run operation, Among the test hit data 3 obtained by the third test hit operation performed under different conditions of the tip distance, the test hit data (T1, T3, H1, H3, W1, the hardness H, the thickness T, and the mass W) W3).

However, as described above, even if the operator adjusts the mass of the tablet in the third trial driving operation to return to the same mass as the mass data W1 in the first trial driving operation, the mass data W3 is changed to the first trial driving operation. It cannot be expected to completely match the same mass as the mass data W1 in operation. For this reason, the hardness of a tablet may also change according to the fluctuation | variation of the mass of a tablet. Therefore, it is not accurate to obtain the TH correlation coefficient a4 using the hardness data H3 as it is. Therefore, the hardness of the tablet (this is referred to as calculated hardness H3a) when the mass data W3 is controlled to be the mass data W1 is obtained using the WH correlation coefficient a5α described later. .

That is, the calculated hardness H3a for obtaining the TH correlation coefficient a4 is obtained by the following equation.
H3a = H3 + (W1-W3) / a5α Equation (8).

With this calculated hardness H3a, the standard of mass data for obtaining the TH correlation coefficient a4 can be aligned, and errors in tablet hardness caused by the difference between the mass data W1 and the mass data W3 can be eliminated. Is possible.

The TH correlation coefficient a4 obtained in step S04 is obtained by calculating the calculated hardness H3a and the calculated thickness T3a as described above, and calculating the tablet thickness variation value ΔT corrected by these calculated values as the tablet hardness. It is obtained by the following equation divided by the fluctuation value ΔH.
a4 = ΔT / ΔH = (T1-T3a) / (H1-H3a) (9)

The WH correlation coefficients a5α and a5β obtained in step S04 are coefficients established between the tablet mass W and the tablet hardness H. When the tablet hardness H changes, the mass W changes by several mg. It is a coefficient used when determining whether to do.

The correlation coefficient a5α used in the control pattern 3 (WH control) that does not include the control of the tablet thickness is based on the assumption that the tablet thickness T changes according to the tablet mass change, and the tablet hardness H changes. It is a coefficient used when calculating how many mg the tablet weight W changes.

More specifically, the WH correlation coefficient a5α is calculated based on the test hit data 1 obtained by the first test hit operation and the second test hit operation performed by reducing the mass under the same conditions of the tip interval and the tip interval. Of the obtained trial hit data 2, calculation is performed using trial hit data (W1, W2, H1, H2) relating to the mass W and the hardness H. That is, the WH correlation coefficient a5α is obtained by the following equation that divides the mass fluctuation value ΔW by the hardness fluctuation value ΔH.
a5α = ΔW / ΔH = (W1-W2) / (H1-H2) (7)

Further, the WH correlation coefficient a5β obtained in step S04 is a correlation coefficient used in control pattern 1 (WTH control) and control pattern 5 (TH control) including control of tablet thickness, and the WH phase. Similar to the relation number a5α, this is a coefficient established between the tablet mass W and the tablet hardness H.

The correlation coefficient a5β is used under different preconditions from the correlation coefficient a5α used in the control pattern 3 (WH control) not including the above-described thickness control. That is, the correlation coefficient a5α is used to determine how many mg of the tablet mass W changes when the tablet hardness H changes, on the premise that the tablet thickness T also changes according to the tablet mass change. Used. On the other hand, the correlation coefficient a5β is based on the assumption that the tablet thickness T changes according to the tablet mass change, and the tablet mass W changes by how many mg when the tablet hardness H changes. This is used to determine whether

More specifically, the correlation coefficient a5β was obtained by the trial hit data 1 obtained by the first trial strike operation and by the second trial strike operation performed by reducing the mass under the same conditions as the first and tip tips. The trial hit data 2 is calculated using trial hit data (W1, W2, H1, H2) regarding the mass W and the hardness H.

However, the hardness data H2 of the tablet in the second trial driving operation performed by reducing the mass under the same conditions as the first time and the tip distance are the thickness data T1 and the thickness according to the difference between the mass data W1 and the mass data W2. Since a difference also occurs in the data T2, it is not accurate to obtain the WH correlation coefficient a5β using the hardness data H2 as it is.

Therefore, the hardness of the tablet (referred to as calculated hardness H2a) is obtained when the thickness data T2 is controlled to be the thickness data T1.

That is, the calculated hardness H2a for obtaining the WH correlation coefficient a5β is obtained by the following equation.
H2a = H2 + (T1-T2) / a4 (8a).

With this calculated hardness H2a, the standard of thickness data for obtaining the WH correlation coefficient a5β can be made uniform, and an error in tablet hardness caused by the difference between the thickness data T1 and the thickness data T2 can be eliminated. Is possible.

In step S04, using the calculated hardness H2a obtained as described above, the WH correlation coefficient a5β on the assumption that the tablet thickness T changed according to the tablet mass change is corrected is calculated as the tablet mass. Is obtained by the following equation, which is obtained by dividing the fluctuation value ΔW by the hardness fluctuation value ΔH.
a5β = ΔW / ΔH = (W1-W2) / (H1-H2a) (7a).

As described above, the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 calculated by the control device 4a based on the trial hit data 1 to 3 are automatically stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control device 4a as basic data for automatic control during continuous operation. Registered (stored).

Steps S01 to S04 described above constitute a basic data acquisition unit that executes a basic data acquisition process. Among them, steps S01 to S03 are a trial hit data acquisition unit for executing the trial hit data acquisition process. Step S04 is a data registration unit that executes a data registration step of obtaining various correlation coefficients and registering (storing) them as trial data together with trial hit data.

After the various basic data are acquired as described above, the operator operates the input device of the control panel 4 to designate one of the control patterns 1 to 6 and in the designated control pattern. If a correction order of mass, thickness, and hardness (specifically, the correction order of each control reference calculated value, hereinafter referred to as “correction order of each control reference calculated value”) is specified, it is designated. Based on this designation, the control device 4a discriminates and designates the designated control pattern from the control patterns 1 to 6. Hereinafter, the control pattern determination procedure executed by the control device 4a will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3A to 3C.

First, in step S1, the control device 4a determines whether or not to control the mass of the tablet based on an operation (designation of a control pattern) of the operator on the input device of the control panel 4. If the determination in step S1 is YES (controls the mass), in step S2, the control device 4a determines whether or not to control the tablet thickness based on the operation. When the determination in step S2 is YES (controls the thickness), in step S3, the control device 4a determines whether or not to control the hardness of the tablet based on the operation.

If the determination in step S3 is YES (controls the hardness), the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the control device 4a registers (specifies the correction ranks of the control reference calculation values for the mass, thickness, and hardness for controlling the tablet hardness based on the operator's operation on the input device of the control panel 4. ), Each reference value (also referred to as a standard reference value) and the correction range of each control reference value are registered in a storage unit (not shown) in the control device 4a. Each reference value (standard reference value) registered in step S4 is a mass reference value WO, a thickness reference value TO, and a hardness reference value HO. The correction order of each control reference calculation value is the order in which the control reference calculation values for mass, thickness, and hardness are corrected (updated), and may be automatically registered according to a predetermined order. Alternatively, registration may be performed in an arbitrary order by an artificially performed registration operation. In addition, since control of the tablet hardness is not performed for the control patterns 2, 4, and 6, registration work for the correction ranks of the control reference calculated values is not required. On the other hand, for the

control patterns

1, 3, and 5, since there are a plurality of patterns of the correction order of each control reference calculation value as will be described later, the operator selects one of them and the control device 4a is selected. The correction order of each control reference calculated value is registered in the storage unit.

The mass reference value WO is a standard reference value for the mass of the tablet to be produced. The mass control reference value correction range is a range in which the mass control reference value WM of the manufactured tablet may be changed, and is defined by the upper limit value WOH and the lower limit value WOL. The thickness reference value TO is a standard reference value for the thickness of the tablet to be produced. The thickness control reference value correction range is a range in which the thickness control reference value TM of the manufactured tablet may be changed, and is defined by the upper limit value TOH and the lower limit value TOL. The hardness reference value HO is a standard reference value for the hardness of the tablets to be produced. The hardness control reference value correction range is a range in which the hardness control reference value HM of the manufactured tablet may be changed, and is defined by an upper limit value HOH and a lower limit value HOL.

When the process of step S4 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 1 (WTH control described later) via the process of step S17. In step S17, a process of replacing a5 with the value of the WH correlation coefficient a5β for the WH correlation coefficient a5 used in the WTH control calculation process described later is performed. In the control pattern 1, all of the already acquired correlation coefficients a0 to a4 and a5 (a5β) are used.

If the determination in step S3 is NO (does not control the hardness), in step S5, the control device 4a registers each control reference value for controlling the mass and thickness of the tablet in a storage unit (not shown). The control reference values registered in the process of step S5 are the mass control reference value WM and the thickness control reference value TM.

When the process of step S5 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 2 (WT control described later) via the process of step S6. In step S 6, the control device 4 a determines how to handle correlation coefficients that are not used in the control pattern 2. Specifically, among correlation coefficients a0 to a5 that have already been acquired, when correlation coefficients a4 and a5 that are not used in the WT control described later are included in the calculation expression, they are not used in the subsequent calculation expressions. The unary expression including the correlation coefficients a4 and a5 is automatically set as “0”.

If the determination in step S2 is NO (the thickness is not controlled), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S 7, the control device 4 a determines whether or not to control the hardness of the tablet based on the operation (designation of the control pattern) of the operator on the input device of the control panel 4.

If the determination in step S7 is YES (controls the hardness), the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control device 4a registers the correction rank of each control reference calculation value of mass and hardness for controlling the hardness of the tablet, each reference value (standard reference value) of each mass and hardness, and each control reference value. Is registered in a storage unit (not shown). Here, the correction order of each control reference calculated value is the order in which the control reference calculated values for mass and hardness are corrected (updated), and may be automatically registered according to a predetermined order. Alternatively, registration may be performed by a manual registration operation. The correction range of each control reference value registered in step S8 is as described in the process of step S4.

When the process of step S8 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 3 (WH control described later) via the process of step S9. In step S9, the control device 4a determines how to handle correlation coefficients that are not used in the control pattern 3. Specifically, among correlation coefficients a0 to a5 that have already been acquired, when correlation coefficients a1 to a4 that are not used in WH control, which will be described later, are included in the calculation expression, they are not used in subsequent calculation expressions. The unary expression including the correlation coefficients a1 to a4 is automatically set as “0”. In step S9, the control device 4a performs a process of replacing a5 with the value of the WH correlation coefficient a5α for the WH correlation coefficient a5 used in the calculation process of the WH control described later.

If the determination in step S7 is NO (does not control the hardness), in step S10, the control device 4a registers a mass control reference value WM for controlling only the mass of the tablet in a storage unit (not shown). The registration of the mass control reference value WM may be automatically registered or may be artificially registered.

When the process of step S10 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 4 via the process of step S11. In the process of step S11, the control device 4a determines how to handle correlation coefficients that are not used in the control pattern 4. Specifically, among the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 that have already been acquired, when the correlation coefficients a1 to a5 that are not used in the later single control over the mass W are included in the calculation formula, A handling item is automatically set such that a monomial including correlation coefficients a1 to a5 that are not used is calculated as “0”.

If the determination in step S1 is NO (the mass is not controlled), the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the control device 4a determines whether or not to control the thickness of the tablet. If this determination is NO (thickness is not controlled), the process returns to step S1. Note that instead of the process of returning to the process of step S1, the program may be terminated. If the determination in step S12 is YES (controls the thickness), in step S13, the control device 4a determines whether to control the hardness of the tablet.

If the determination in step S13 is YES (controls the hardness), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control device 4a controls the correction ranks of the thickness and hardness control reference calculation values, the thickness and hardness reference values (standard reference values), and the correction of the control reference values for controlling the tablet hardness. The range is registered in a storage unit (not shown). Here, the correction order of each control reference calculated value is the order in which the control reference calculated values for thickness and hardness are corrected (changed). The correction order of each control reference calculation value may be automatically registered according to a predetermined order, or may be registered by a manual registration operation. The correction range of each control reference value for the thickness and hardness registered in step S14 is as described in the process of step S4.

When the process of step S14 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 5 (TH control described later) via the process of step S18. In step S18, the control device 4a performs a process of replacing a5 with the value of the WH correlation coefficient a5β for the WH correlation coefficient a5 used in the calculation process of the control pattern 5.

If the determination in step S13 is NO (does not control the hardness), in step S15, the control device 4a registers a thickness control reference value TM for controlling only the tablet thickness in a storage unit (not shown). The registration of the thickness control reference value TM may be automatically registered or may be registered artificially.

When the process of step S15 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 6 (T single control described later) via the process of step S16. In step S 16, the control device 4 a determines how to handle correlation coefficients that are not used in the control pattern 6. Specifically, out of the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 that have already been acquired, if the correlation coefficients a4 and a5 that are not used in the T independent control to be described later with respect to the thickness T are included in the calculation formula, The handling item that a monomial including correlation coefficients a4 and a5 that are not used in the equation is calculated as “0” is automatically set.

The processing in steps S1 to S18 described with reference to FIG. 3 constitutes a pattern discrimination unit. In this pattern discriminating unit, the processing of steps S1 to S3, S7, S12, and S13 is a control pattern selecting unit that selects which one of the control patterns 1 to 6 is the designated control pattern. The processing in steps S4, S8, and S14 is a correction content registration unit that registers each reference value (standard reference value), the correction range of each control reference value, and the correction rank of the control reference calculated value, and steps S5 and S10. , S15 is a reference value registration unit for registering each control reference value. Further, the processing of steps S6, S9, S11, and S16 to S18 includes handling of unused correlation coefficients and whether the value of the used WH correlation coefficient a5 is set to a5α or a5β. It is a correlation coefficient setting unit for setting handling. Note that the process of step S17 may be executed before the process of step S4, and the process of step S6 may be executed before the process of step S5. The process of step S9 may be executed before the process of step S8, the process of step S11 may be executed before the process of step S10, and the process of step S16 is executed before the process of step S15. Alternatively, the process of step S18 may be executed before the process of step S14.

(Control pattern 4)
The control pattern 4 (W single control) of the first embodiment will be described below.

The control procedure in the case where, for example, the control pattern 4 (W single control) for controlling only the mass of the tablet is selected by the pattern discriminating unit described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6. To do.

When the pattern discriminating unit selects not to control the thickness of the tablet in step S2 and not to control the hardness in step S7, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 4 and selects the tablet press. Only the mass for tablets produced in 2 continuous runs is controlled.

That is, when the continuous operation of the rotary tableting device 1 is started, the control device 4a executes the processes shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B according to a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). First, in the process of step S 101, the control device 4 a outputs a “sampling command” to the sampling unit 41. Instead of the process of step ST101, it is determined whether or not there is a “forced sampling command” for manually outputting a sampling command, and based on the determination result, the control device 4a sends the “forced sampling command” to the sampling unit 41. It is also possible to output to.

After this command, in step S102, the control device 4a drives the sampling driver 44 of the sampling unit 41 to start tablet sampling. As a result, the sampling shutter 43 is moved to an open position where the inlet of the sampling chute 42 is opened, and the outlet side of the discharge chute 39 is closed by the sampling shutter 43.

Therefore, a plurality of tablets to be manufactured are sampled and supplied to the measuring device 3 through the sampling chute 42. Such tablet sampling is executed at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 30 minutes, during the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2 under the control of the sampling unit 41 by the control device 4a.

Next, based on the start of the sampling, the control device 4a acquires sampling data in step S103. The sampling data acquired here is measured and calculated by the tip distance setting value (current value) 1M at the first position, the tip distance setting value (current value) LM at the second position, and the measuring device 3. Mass average value Wx, thickness average value Tx, and hardness average value Hx. In addition, description of each tip interval setting value (current value) is hereinafter abbreviated as “tip tip interval setting value”, omitting description of (current value). Any data other than the molding pressure average value Px is read into the control device 4a by communication processing. In step S103, the control device 4a calculates the molding pressure average value Px for the plurality of sampled tablets based on the pressure data detected by the pressure sensor 29. The acquisition of sampling data and its input (supply) to the control device 4a can be performed manually instead of automatically.

Thereafter, the control device 4a executes the process of step S104 which constitutes a calculated mass calculating means (calculated mass calculating step). That is, in step S104, the control device 4a executes processing for obtaining the calculated mass Wa of the tablet. Specifically, the control device 4a obtains a mass fluctuation value when the pressure is controlled (that is, a mass fluctuation value when the molding pressure average value Px is set to the pressure control reference value PM), and the mass fluctuation value Wx. From this, the calculated mass Wa of the tablet is obtained. The arithmetic expression is as follows, where a0 is the PW correlation coefficient.
Wa = Wx + (PM−Px) / a0 (Formula 11)

The reason why the process of step S104 is necessary is as follows.

The tableting device 1 performs pressure control (feedback control) so that the molding pressure becomes the pressure control reference value PM set in the pressure control unit 51 by changing the filling depth of the powder into the mortar hole. , To produce tablets (molded products). In other words, the tableting device 1 produces tablets having a mass (referred to as a calculated mass Wa) corresponding to the set pressure control reference value PM by feedback control. By this feedback control, even if the calculated mass Wa controlled to the pressure control reference value PM and the mass control reference value WM are the same immediately after the start of production, the pressure control reference The balance between the value PM and the calculated mass Wa may be lost, and the calculated mass Wa and the mass control reference value WM may be different from each other, which affects the thickness and hardness of the tablet.

Therefore, in the case of the control patterns 1 to 4 for controlling the mass of the tablet, the calculated mass Wa is changed to the mass control reference value by updating the pressure control reference value PM to a control pressure value corresponding to the mass control reference value WM. WM can be controlled.

On the contrary, in the case of the control pattern 5 or control pattern 6 in which the mass of the tablet is not controlled, a change in the physical properties of the powder occurs over time, and the pressure control reference value PM and the calculated mass Wa for the pressure control are Even if the calculated mass Wa required for each sampling fluctuates due to the balance being lost, the calculated mass Wa is treated (calculated) as the mass control reference calculated value WMa each time, thereby controlling the mass. Instead, only the pressure control according to the control of the tablet thickness is performed and the production is continued.

Next, the control device 4a executes the determination in step S105, which constitutes a control pattern first selection unit (control pattern first selection means or control pattern first selection step). In step S105, the control device 4a determines whether or not the control pattern selected by the pattern determination unit includes control of tablet hardness. Specifically, the control device 4a determines whether any one of the

control patterns

1, 3, and 5 is selected. In this case, since the control pattern 4 that controls only the mass of the tablet is selected in the pattern determination unit, the determination in step S105 is NO. Thereby, the operation control system by the control patterns 2, 4, and 6 not including the control of the tablet hardness is selected.

Next, the control device 4a executes the process of step S106 which constitutes a first control reference calculation value update unit (first control reference calculation value update means or first control reference calculation value update step). This step S106 is provided to ensure the consistency of the subsequent arithmetic processing. In step S106, the control device 4a performs a process of replacing the corresponding control reference calculated value with each value of each control reference value. That is, the control device 4a replaces the tablet mass control reference calculation value WMa with the tablet mass control reference value WM, and replaces the tablet thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the tablet thickness control reference value TM.

Thereafter, the control device 4a controls the operation of the tableting machine 2 by the following operation control system.
That is, first, the control device 4a determines whether or not the selected control pattern includes control of the tablet mass. Specifically, whether or not one of the control patterns 2 and 4 is selected is determined by step S107 which constitutes a control pattern second selection unit (control pattern second selection means or control pattern second selection step). The In this case, since the control pattern 4 is selected in the pattern determination unit, the determination in step S107 is YES. Next, the control device 4a executes the process of step S109, which constitutes a first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit (first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation means or first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation step).

If the control pattern 6 that does not include control of the tablet mass is selected, the determination in step S107 is NO. Along with this, the control device 4a executes the process of the next step S108, and thereafter executes the process of step S109. In step S108, which constitutes the second control reference calculated value update unit (second control reference calculated value update means or second control reference calculated value update step), the control device 4a ensures the consistency of the subsequent arithmetic processing. The tablet mass control reference calculated value WMa is replaced with the calculated tablet weight value Wa.

A calculated pressure fluctuation value (pressure fluctuation value due to mass fluctuation) PWa when mass control is performed by the process of step S109 is obtained. That is, in step S109, the control device 4a obtains a calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass average value Wx is controlled to be the mass control reference calculated value WMa by the following equation. In this case, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is the same value as the mass control reference value WM as described above.
PWa = a0 (WMa−Wx) (Equation 12)

In this equation (12), a0 is the PW correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a0 (WMa-Wx) is the calculated pressure fluctuation value when the control device 4a performs mass control (this is expressed as This is referred to as the first calculated pressure fluctuation value.) PWa.

When the process of step S109 is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S110 that forms a calculated thickness calculation unit (calculated thickness calculation means or calculated thickness calculation step). Note that the process of step S109 may be executed before the process of step S115 is performed, and the process of step S109 may be executed simultaneously with the process of step S110.

In step S110, the control device 4a calculates the tablet calculated thickness Ta from the thickness variation value and the thickness average value Tx when mass control is performed (when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa). Obtained by the formula. The mass control reference value WMa in this case is also the same value as the mass control reference value WM as described above.
Ta = Tx + a1 (WMa−Wx) (Equation 13)

In this equation (13), a1 is a TW correlation coefficient, and a calculated value obtained by calculation of a1 (WMa-Wx) is a thickness fluctuation value when mass control is performed. Thereby, the calculated thickness Ta when the mass average value Wx is controlled to be the mass control reference calculated value WMa is obtained from the thickness fluctuation value and the thickness average value Tx of the sampling tablet. Here, according to the selection of the control pattern 4 in the pattern discriminating unit, the value of the monomial including the correlation coefficient a1 in the control pattern 4 is handled as “0”, and thus the equation (13) for determining the thickness variation due to the mass variation The calculated thickness Ta calculated by the above calculation is equal to the thickness average value Tx.

Next, the control device 4a executes the process of step S111 that forms a tip interval calculation value calculation unit (tip tip calculation value calculation means or tip interval calculation value calculation step). In step S111, the control device 4a performs the thickness control (when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa), the tip distance calculated value lMa at the first position, and the second position. The tip distance calculation value LMa is obtained by the following equation. In this case, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is the same value as the thickness control reference value TM as described above.
LMa = LM + a3 (TMa-Ta) (15)
lMa = 1M + a3 (TMa−Ta) (16)

Similarly, in equation (15), LM is the setting value of the tip distance at the second position, a3 is the LT correlation coefficient, and Ta is the calculated thickness obtained in step S110. Here, according to the selection of the control pattern 4 in the pattern discriminating unit, the value of the monomial including the correlation coefficient a3 in the control pattern 4 is handled as “0”, so the value of a3 (TMa−Ta) is “0”. is there. Accordingly, the tip interval calculation value LMa at the second position calculated by the equation (15) is equal to the tip interval setting value LM at the second position.

In Equation (16), 1M is the setting value of the tip interval at the first position, a3 is the LT correlation coefficient, and Ta is the calculated thickness obtained in step S110. Here, the value of the monomial including the correlation coefficient a3 in the control pattern 4 is handled as “0” according to the selection by the pattern discriminating unit, so the value of a3 (TMa−Ta) is “0”. Accordingly, the tip distance calculated value lMa at the first position calculated by the equation (16) is equal to the tip distance setting value 1M for the precompression.

After execution of the process of step S111, the control device 4a executes the process of step S112 that constitutes a second calculated pressure change value calculation unit (second calculated pressure change value calculation means or a second calculated pressure change value calculation step). Note that the order in which the process of step S111 and the process of step S112 are executed may be reversed from the above description, and the process of step S111 and the process of step S112 may be executed simultaneously. .

In step S112, the control device 4a calculates the calculated pressure fluctuation value (this is referred to as a second calculated pressure fluctuation value) PTa when the thickness is controlled (when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa). Obtained by the following equation. The thickness control reference calculation value TMa in this case is the same value as the thickness control reference value TM.
PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta) (Expression (14))

In this equation (14), a2 is a PT correlation coefficient, and a calculated value obtained by calculation of a2 (TMa-Ta) is a calculated pressure fluctuation value (second calculated pressure fluctuation value). Here, according to the selection by the pattern discriminating unit, the value of the monomial including the correlation coefficient a2 in the control pattern 4 is handled as “0”, and thus is calculated by the calculation of the equation (14) for obtaining the pressure variation due to the thickness variation. The calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa is “0”.

When the process of step S112 is completed, step S115, which is a pressure control reference calculation value calculation unit (pressure control reference calculation value calculation means or pressure control reference calculation value calculation step), is executed by the control device 4a. In step S115, the control device 4a obtains the pressure control reference calculation value PMa by the following equation.
PMa = Px + PWa + PTa Equation (17).

In this equation (17), Px is the molding tablet average pressure value, PWa is the calculated pressure fluctuation value (first calculated pressure fluctuation value) obtained in step S109, and PTa is the calculated pressure fluctuation value (first value) obtained in step S112. 2 calculated pressure fluctuation value). For this reason, the pressure control reference calculated value PMa calculated by the equation (17) in step S115 is the sum of the molding pressure average value Px, the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa by mass control, and the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa by thickness control. Equal to the value. Here, as described above, the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa is “0”.

When the processing of step S115 is completed, the control device 4a executes the tip interval control unit (tip tip interval control means) KK having steps S116a to S124 (see FIG. 5). The tip interval control unit KK that performs the tip interval control step performs control to change the tip interval in small steps.

That is, in step S116a forming a flag ON section (means), the control device 4a turns on the tip interval control flag to start control of the tip interval. In the next step S117, the control device 4a determines whether or not to perform the tip distance control. That is, in step S117, which forms the tip interval control determination unit (tip tip interval control determining means or tip tip interval control determining step), the control device 4a determines the tip interval setting value LM at the second position, It is determined whether or not the tip distance calculated value LMa at the position is equal. Alternatively, instead of such processing, the control device 4a determines whether or not the tip interval setting value 1M at the first position is equal to the tip interval calculated value 1Ma at the first position. May be.

If the determination in step S117 is YES (that is, if it is determined that changing the tip interval is unnecessary), the control device 4a executes the processing in step S116b that forms a flag OFF unit (means). In the process of step S116b, the determination in step S126, which will be described later, becomes YES, and the control device 4a turns off the tip interval control flag so that the tip interval is not changed.

When the determination in step S117 is NO (that is, when it is determined that the tip interval needs to be changed), the control device 4a includes the first tip interval determining unit (the first tip interval determining means or the first tip interval determining means). The determination in step S119 is performed. In step S119, the control device 4a determines whether or not the tip distance calculation value LMa at the second position is smaller than the tip distance setting value LM at the second position. Alternatively, instead of this process, the control device 4a may determine whether or not the tip distance calculation value lMa at the first position is smaller than the tip distance setting value 1M at the first position.

When the determination in step S119 is YES (when LM> LMa or lM> lMa), the control device 4a determines the second tip distance determination unit (second tip distance determination means or second tip distance determination step). The determination in step S120a is performed. In this step S120a, the control device 4a obtains a value obtained by subtracting the tip interval calculation value LMa at the second position from the tip interval setting value LM at the second position (or alternatively, at the first position. It may be a value obtained by subtracting the tip distance calculated value 1Ma at the first position from the tip distance setting value 1M of the first tip, and it is determined whether or not the absolute value is smaller than the specified dimension value. In this case, the prescribed dimension value is set to be 1.00 mm or less, for example, 0.01 mm, in the pattern discrimination unit. The specified dimension value is preferably 0.01 mm to 0.50 mm, and more preferably 0.01 mm to 0.25 mm.

When the determination in step S120a is YES (when the difference between the tip distance setting value and the tip distance calculation value is smaller than the specified dimension value), the control device 4a uses the second tip distance control unit (second tip distance control). Step S121b, which is a means or second tip interval control step), is executed. In step S121b, for the tip position L of the second position, the control device 4a updates the tip position setting value LM with the value of the tip position calculation value LMa, thereby changing the tip position setting value LM. The tip distance L is changed so that Similarly, in step S121b, the control device 4a updates the tip interval setting value 1M with the value of the tip interval calculated value lMa for the tip interval l at the first position, thereby setting the tip interval setting. The tip interval l is changed so as to be the value lM. By such an update process, the tip position interval setting values of the second position and the first position can be accurately matched with the respective tip distance calculation values obtained by calculation, and the calculation processing program falls into an infinite loop. It can be avoided.

When the determination in step S120a is NO (when the difference between the tip interval setting value and the tip interval calculation value is larger than the specified dimension value), the control device 4a includes the first tip interval control unit (first tip interval). The process of step S121a which makes a control means or a 1st tip distance control process) is performed. In step S121a, the control device 4a performs control so that the tip-toe-tip interval is further narrowed. That is, for the tip position L of the second position, the control device 4a updates the tip position setting value LM with a value of (tip point setting value LM−specified dimension value), thereby setting the tip position setting. The tip distance L is narrowed so that the value LM is obtained. Similarly, for the tip position l at the first position, the control device 4a updates the tip position setting value 1M by updating the tip position setting value 1M with a value of (tip point setting value 1M−specified dimension value). The tip interval l is narrowed so that the tip interval setting value 1M is obtained.

In this case, the specified dimension value is as described above, and when the specified dimension value is set to 0.01 as described above, for the tip distance L at the second position, The tip distance setting value LM is updated to a value obtained by subtracting 0.01 mm from the LM, and the tip distance L is narrowed to be the updated tip distance setting value LM. Similarly, with respect to the tip distance l at the first position, the tip distance setting value 1M is updated to a value obtained by subtracting 0.01 mm from the tip distance setting value 1M, and becomes the updated tip distance setting value 1M. Thus, the tip interval l is narrowed.

When the determination in step S119 is NO (when LM <LMa or 1M <lMa), the control device 4a determines that the third tip distance determination unit (the third tip distance determination means or the third tip distance determination step). The determination in step S120b is performed. In this step S120b, the control device 4a obtains a value obtained by subtracting the tip interval calculation value LMa at the second position from the tip interval setting value LM at the second position (or the tip interval setting value at the first position). It may be a value obtained by subtracting the tip distance calculation value lMa at the first position from 1M, where it is determined whether or not the absolute value is smaller than the specified dimension value. The specified dimension value in this case is the same as in step S120a.
When the determination in step S120b is YES (when the difference between the tip distance setting value and the tip distance calculated value is smaller than the specified dimension value), the control device 4a executes the process in step S121b as described above.

When the determination in step S120b is NO (when the difference between the tip distance setting value and the tip distance calculation value is greater than the specified dimension value), the control device 4a includes a third tip distance control unit (third tip distance). The process of step S121c which makes a control means or a 3rd tip distance control process) is performed. In step S121c, the control device 4a performs control so as to widen the tip interval, contrary to the processing in step S121a.

That is, the control device 4 a updates the tip position setting value LM with the value of the tip position setting value LM + the specified dimension value for the tip position L at the second position. The tip interval L is increased so as to be the interval set value LM. Similarly, the control device 4a, for the tip position l at the first position, updates the tip distance setting value 1M with the value of (tip point setting value 1M + specified dimension value). The tip interval l is increased so that the tip interval setting value 1M is obtained.

In this case, the specified dimension value is as described above, and when the specified dimension value is set to 0.01 mm, for example, as described above, the tip distance L is set for the tip distance L at the second position. The tip distance setting value LM is updated to a value obtained by adding 0.1 mm to 01 mm to the value LM, and the tip distance L is changed (controlled) to be the updated tip distance setting value LM. Similarly, with respect to the tip distance l at the first position, the tip distance setting value 1M is updated to a value obtained by adding 0.01 mm to the tip distance setting value 1M, and this updated tip distance setting value 1M is obtained. In this way, the tip interval l is changed (controlled).

When the process of step S121a, step S121b, or step S121c is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S122 that forms a first measurement start unit (first measurement start means or first measurement start process). In step S122, the control device 4a starts an operation of measuring the rotation of the turntable 11. Thereafter, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S123, which constitutes a first rotation speed determination unit (a first rotation speed determination means or a first rotation speed determination step). In step S123, the control device 4a determines whether or not the measured rotation (n rotation) of the turntable 11 has reached a set rotation speed (referred to as PV). This determination is repeated until YES is obtained.

If the determination in step S123 is YES, the control device 4a executes the process of step S124 that forms a first measurement end unit (first measurement end means or first measurement end step). By the processing in step S124, the operation for measuring the rotation of the turntable 11 is completed.

After the process of step S116b or step S124 is completed, in step S125 shown in FIG. 6, the control device 4a determines whether or not to update the pressure control reference value PM. That is, in step S125, which is a pressure control reference value update determination unit (pressure control reference value update determination unit or pressure control reference value update determination step), the control device 4a determines the pressure control reference value (current value) of the pressure control unit 51. ) It is determined whether PM is equal to the pressure control reference calculation value PMa.

When the determination in step S125 is YES (when PM = PMa, that is, when it is determined that it is not necessary to update the pressure control reference value PM), the flag ON determination unit (flag ON determination means or flag ON determination step) In step S126, the control device 4a determines whether or not the tip interval control flag is ON. If the control device 4a determines that the tip interval control flag indicates a signal (flag OFF signal) that has passed through step S116b, the determination in step S126 is NO. On the other hand, if the control device 4a determines that the tip distance control flag indicates a signal (flag ON signal) that has passed through step S124 without passing through step S116b, the determination in step S126 is YES.

If the determination in step S126 is YES, the process returns to step S117 described above. And when judgment of this step S117 becomes NO, the control apparatus 4a restarts the control which changes the tip distance (L and l) by the tip distance control part KK. Therefore, as long as the determination in step S117 is NO, the control of the tip interval (L and l) is repeated without turning the tip interval control flag OFF.

By repeating such control in the tip interval control unit KK, the tip interval (L and l) is increased in small increments according to the specified dimension value when updating the tip interval setting values (LM and 1M). It is changed (controlled) in stages (1.00 mm or less, for example, 0.01 mm). Thereby, a rapid fluctuation of the molding pressure P is suppressed. Therefore, the tableting device 1 does not detect any abnormality in the pressure control unit 51, and can avoid the possibility that the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped due to the abnormality detection in the pressure control unit 51.

If the determination in step S126 is NO, the control device 4a returns to the start and continues control.

On the other hand, when the determination of step S125 is NO (when PM = PMa is not satisfied, that is, when it is determined that the pressure control reference value needs to be updated), the control device 4a performs steps S127 to S127 shown in FIG. A control pressure value update unit (control pressure value update process) PK having the process of step S135 is executed. The pressure control reference value PM is changed step by step by the control pressure value update unit PK that executes the control pressure value update step, and the molding pressure is stepped by execution of feedback control of the tablet mass in the pressure control unit 51 associated therewith. And it is changed in stages.

That is, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S127, which is a first pressure control reference value determination unit (a first pressure control reference value determination unit or a first pressure control reference value determination step). In step S127, the control device 4a determines whether or not the pressure control reference value (current value) PM of the pressure control unit 51 is greater than the pressure control reference calculation value PMa.

When the determination in step S127 is YES (when PM> PMa), the control device 4a forms a second pressure control reference value determination unit (a second pressure control reference value determination unit or a second pressure control reference value determination step). The process of step S128 is performed. In step S128, the control device 4a determines whether or not the monomial value (absolute value) of (PM-PMa) is smaller than the specified pressure value. That is, in step S128, the control device 4a determines whether the value (absolute value) obtained by subtracting the pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the pressure control reference value (current value) PM of the pressure control unit 51 is smaller than the specified pressure value. Determine whether.

In this case, the specified pressure value is preferably set to 10.00 kN or less, for example, 0.30 kN in the pattern discriminating unit, but is not limited thereto. The specified pressure value is more preferably a pressure fluctuation value [value determined by (specified dimension value × a2 / a3)] based on the step-by-step change in the specified dimension value of the tip interval. . The pressure fluctuation value obtained by this (specified dimension value × a2 / a3) is, for example, the pressure fluctuation generated by changing the tip interval by 0.01 mm when the specified dimension value set in the pattern discrimination unit is 0.01 mm. Value.

When the determination in step S128 is YES (that is, when the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculation value PMa is smaller than the specified pressure value), the control device 4a includes the second control pressure value update unit (first control unit). The process of step S131 which performs (2 control pressure value update means or a 2nd control pressure value update process) is performed. In step S131, the control device 4a updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM with the pressure control reference calculated value PMa, and each control pressure of the pressure control unit 51 based on the updated pressure control reference value PM. Update the value.

By such update processing, the control device 4a can accurately match the pressure control reference value PM with the pressure control reference calculated value PMa obtained by calculation, and avoid the calculation processing program falling into an infinite loop. Can do.

When the determination in step S128 is NO (that is, when the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculation value PMa is greater than the specified pressure value), the control device 4a includes the first control pressure value update unit (the first control pressure value update unit). Step S129 is executed to perform (1 control pressure value update means or first control pressure value update process). In step S129, the control device 4a updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM with the calculated value of (pressure control reference value PM−specified pressure value), and the pressure control unit based on the pressure control reference value PM. The control pressure values of 51 are updated so as to decrease.

When the determination in step S127 is NO (when PM <PMa), the control device 4a forms a third pressure control reference value determination unit (a third pressure control reference value determination unit or a third pressure control reference value determination step). The process of step S130 is executed, and the same determination as in step S128 is performed. In step S130, the control device 4a determines whether or not the monomial value (absolute value) of PM-PMa is smaller than the specified pressure value. That is, the control device 4a determines whether or not the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculation value PMa is smaller than the specified pressure value.

If the determination in step S130 is YES, the control device 4a executes the process in step S131 described above. When the determination in step S130 is NO (that is, when the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculation value PMa is larger than the specified pressure value), the control device 4a includes the third control pressure value update unit (the first control value). Step S132 that constitutes (3 control pressure value update means or third control pressure value update step) is executed.

In the process of step S132, the pressure control reference value PM is increased in contrast to the process of step S129. That is, in step S132, the control device 4a updates the pressure control reference value PM with the calculated value of (pressure control reference value PM + specified pressure value), and each of the pressure control units 51 based on the pressure control reference value PM. Update to increase the control pressure value.

When the process of step S129, step S131, or step S132 ends, the control device 4a executes the process of step S133 that forms a second measurement start determination unit (second measurement start determination unit or second measurement start determination step). To do. In step S133, the control device 4a starts an operation of measuring the rotation of the turntable 11. Thereafter, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S134, which is a second rotation speed determination unit (a second rotation speed determination means or a second rotation speed determination step). In step S134, the control device 4a determines whether or not the measured rotation (n rotation) of the turntable 11 has reached the set rotation speed (PV). This determination is repeated until YES is obtained.

When the determination in step S134 is YES, the control device 4a executes the process of step S135 that forms a second measurement end unit (second measurement end means or second measurement end step). In step S135, the control device 4a ends the operation of measuring the rotation of the turntable 11. When the process of step S135 ends, the process returns to step S117 of the tip interval control unit KK. For this reason, when the determination in step S117 is NO, the control device 4a resumes the control for changing the tip interval by the tip interval control unit KK. Thus, if the determination in step S126 is YES, the process returns to step S117. As long as the determination in step S117 is NO, the control of the tip interval is repeated, and as long as the determination in step S125 is NO, the pressure control unit 51 Since the update of the pressure control reference value PM is repeated, every change in the tip interval and the molding pressure is performed step by step.

In this case, as described above, the tip distance control unit KK changes the tip distances L and l in small steps (1.00 mm or less, for example, 0.01 mm) in a stepwise manner according to the updated values of the tip distance setting values 1M and LM. (Control. Thereby, a rapid fluctuation of the molding pressure P is suppressed. Therefore, the tableting device 1 does not detect any abnormality in the pressure control unit 51, and can avoid the possibility that the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped due to the abnormality detection in the pressure control unit 51.

Also, the pressure control reference value PM is changed in small steps. That is, when the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculated value PMa is smaller than the specified pressure value in steps S127 to S132, the control device 4a uses the value of the pressure control reference calculated value PMa that has already been calculated. When the control for updating the pressure control reference value PM is performed and the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculated value PMa is larger than the specified pressure value, the pressure control reference calculated value PMa calculated according to the specified pressure value The control for updating the pressure control reference value PM is performed with the value of.

Thereby, a rapid fluctuation of the molding pressure P is suppressed by small and stepwise control accompanying the update of the pressure control reference value PM. Therefore, the tableting device 1 does not detect any abnormality in the pressure control unit 51, and can avoid the possibility that the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped due to the abnormality detection in the pressure control unit 51.

The control pattern 4 (W single control) described above does not include control of tablet hardness, which will be described later, and also does not include control of tablet thickness. Therefore, each of the tip interval calculation values lMa and LMa is the tip. This is the same as the interval set values 1M and LM, and therefore the tip interval is not changed.

Therefore, in the control pattern 4, the pressure control standard calculated value PMa calculated from the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass average value Wx is controlled to be the mass control standard calculated value WMa and the molding pressure average value Px is the tablet. Feedback control based on the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51 updated with the value of the pressure control reference calculation value PMa. FBC). Here, the FBC means that the signal output corresponding to the pressure control reference value (current value) PM set in the pressure control unit 51 is supplied to the track lifting / lowering motor 19a of the track lifting / lowering mechanism 19 and the lower arm 16 Is a control for correcting the mass of a tablet (molded product) by changing the height position of the tablet.

(Control pattern 6)
The control pattern 6 (T single control) of the first embodiment will be described below.

When the pattern discriminating unit selects not to control the mass of the tablet in step S1 and not to control the hardness of the tablet in step S13, the control device 4a controls the control pattern 6 (T single control). Is selected, and only the thickness control for the tablets manufactured by continuous operation of the tablet press 2 is executed.

The control procedure by the control pattern 6 is the same as the control by the control pattern 4, but as described above, in the control pattern 6, the correlation coefficients a4 and a5 are not used according to the selection of the control pattern by the pattern discrimination unit. Only the correlation coefficients a0 to a3 are used in the arithmetic processing.

For this reason, the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa calculated in the process of step S109 is the mass replaced with the value of the calculated mass Wa obtained by the calculated mass calculator in step S104 in the second control reference value update unit in step S108. It is a pressure fluctuation value when mass control is performed using the control reference calculation value WMa.

In other words, in step S108, the mass control reference calculated value WMa is replaced with the calculated mass Wa value obtained by the equation (11) Wa = Wx + (PM−Px) / a0 used in the calculation in step S104. (11) can be replaced with WMa = Wx + (PM−Px) / a. Substituting this mass control reference calculated value WMa into equation (12) PWa = a0 (WMa−Wx) used in the calculation of step S109, PWa = a0 [Wx + (PM−Px) / a0−Wx] and PWa = PM -Can be organized as Px. Similarly, when this first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa is substituted into the equation (17) PMa = Px + PWa + PTa used in the calculation of step S115, PMa = Px + PM−Px + PTa, and PMa = PM + PTa.

For this reason, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa obtained through the processing of step S104, step S108 and step S109 can be obtained simply as the difference between the pressure control reference value PM and the molding pressure average value Px. Therefore, the control device 4a can obtain the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa regardless of the mass average value Wx obtained every sampling and the calculated mass Wa obtained in step S104.

That is, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa in the control pattern 6 is a pressure fluctuation value when the mass is not controlled. As described above, the first control pressure fluctuation value PWa obtained in step S109 via the process in step S108, the pressure control reference value PMa obtained in the process in step S115 is the pressure control reference value PM (current value) and the thickness. It becomes equal to the value obtained from the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa at the time of control, and only the tablet thickness is controlled.

In the first embodiment, since “pressure control by FBC in the pressure control unit 51” is assumed, the FBC control in the pressure control unit 51 is also performed in the control pattern 6 in which the mass of the tablet is not controlled. Function. However, in this case, the pressure control reference value that is obtained and updated to control the thickness of the tablet, not the FBC control for maintaining the tablet mass at the mass control reference value WM (or the standard reference value WO). This is executed as FBC control (pressure control) based on PM. The same applies to the case where the thickness and hardness are controlled (in the case of TH control of control pattern 5 described later, which does not include mass control).

On the other hand, since the correlation coefficient a3 is used in the control pattern 6, the sum of the value obtained in a3 (TMa-Ta) and the tip interval setting value LM at the second position in the process of step S111 is calculated. It is obtained as the tip distance calculated value LMa at the second position when the thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa (when the thickness is controlled). Similarly, in the process of step S111, when the total value of the value obtained in a3 (TMa−Ta) and the tip distance setting value 1M at the first position sets the calculated thickness Ta to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa. It is obtained as the tip distance calculation value lMa at the first position (when the thickness is controlled).

The tip interval setting values 1M and LM are updated little by little by the tip interval control unit KK. The tip compression interval at the first position is changed by controlling the preliminary compression interval adjusting mechanism 24 so that the updated tip separation setting value 1M is obtained, and the updated tip separation setting value LM. By controlling the interval adjustment mechanism 28 for main compression so as to become, the tip interval at the second position is changed.

Therefore, in the control pattern 6, as described above, a molded product having a mass (calculated mass Wa) corresponding to the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51 is produced. In this case, the control device 4a performs sampling by obtaining the pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa, the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa, and the molding pressure average value Px of the molded product. The calculated mass Wa obtained each time is held, and only the thickness of the tablet is controlled according to the update of the pressure control reference value PM commensurate with the update of the tip interval setting value.

In this control, as described above, a tablet (molded product) having a mass (calculated mass Wa) corresponding to the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51 is produced. In this case, the control device 4a first obtains the calculated mass Wa corresponding to the pressure control reference value PM in step S104, replaces the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the value of the calculated mass Wa in step S108, and further in step S109. The first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit obtains the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa (first calculated pressure fluctuation value) when the mass average value Wx is controlled to the mass control reference calculated value WMa (the same value as the calculated mass Wa). . Next, the control device 4a is a pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit in step S115, and forms the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa, the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa described in step S112, and the sampling tablet. A pressure control reference calculation value PMa is obtained from the pressure average value Px. Thereby, the control device 4a can control only the tablet thickness according to the update of the pressure control reference value PM commensurate with the update of the tip interval setting value while holding the calculated mass Wa obtained every sampling. it can.

As described above, the control pattern 6 is executed under the condition where it is selected not to control the mass of the tablet in step S1 of the pattern discriminating unit, and under the condition where the hardness of the tablet is not controlled in step S13. The For this reason, the change of the tip interval based on the tip interval calculated values lMa and LMa calculated in step S111 (more precisely, the change of the tip interval in consideration of the correction in the tip interval control unit KK), and the step Control of the tablet thickness is performed by changing the control pressure value based on the pressure control reference calculation value PMa calculated in S115 (more precisely, by changing the control pressure value taking into account the update at the control pressure value update unit PK). . Thereby, only thickness control with respect to the tablet manufactured is performed.

(Control pattern 2)
The control pattern 2 (WT control) of the first embodiment will be described below. When control pattern 2 (WT control) is selected under the condition that the pattern discriminating unit has selected not to control tablet hardness in step S3, control device 4a is manufactured by continuous operation of tablet press 2. Control the mass and thickness of the tablets to be produced.

In this control pattern 2, the correlation coefficients a4 and a5 are not used, and the correlation coefficients a0 to a3 are used in the arithmetic processing.

Therefore, the control device 4a controls the tip spacing at the first position and the tip spacing at the second position by steps S121a to 121c in the tip spacing control unit KK. Further, the control device 4a updates the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51 and updates each control pressure value by the processing of step S129, step S131, or step S132 in the control pressure value update unit PK. As a result, the height position of the lower punch 16 is changed via the trajectory elevating mechanism 19, feedback control (FBC) for correcting the mass of the tablet (molded product) is performed, and the thickness and mass of the tablet are controlled. Is called.

Briefly, because the operation control system executed in steps S109 to S126 does not include tablet hardness control, the tip interval setting values 1M and LM can be changed as described above. The control device 4a can control the molding pressure so as not to change and change the mass of the tablet.

For this purpose, first, the control device 4a uses the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass control is performed (when the mass average value Wx of the sampled tablets is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa) as the molding pressure P. The TW correlation coefficient established between the thickness T and the mass W is obtained by using the PW correlation coefficient a0 established between the thickness W and the thickness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed. The calculated thickness Ta of the tablet is obtained from the thickness variation value and the average thickness value Tx. Next, the control device 4a establishes the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa between the molding pressure P and the thickness T when the thickness is controlled (when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa). And using the PT correlation coefficient a2 to determine the variation value of the tip interval when the thickness is controlled using the LT correlation coefficient a3 established between the tip interval and the thickness, The tip interval calculation values LMa and lMa are obtained from the tip interval variation value and the tip interval setting values LM and 1M, respectively. Thereafter, the control device 4a obtains the pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the molding pressure average value Px, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa by mass control, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa by thickness control. Further, the control device 4a updates the tip interval setting values LM and 1M with the tip interval calculation values LMa and lMa, respectively, to control the tip interval, and the pressure control reference with the pressure control reference calculation value PMa. The value PM is updated to update each control pressure value, and the molding pressure P is controlled with each updated control pressure value.

According to such control, during the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2, the tips L and l are controlled in accordance with the thickness control that corrects fluctuations such as a decrease in tablet thickness, and the updated pressure control reference value PM Is used as a reference, and the height position of the lower punch 16 that defines the filling depth of the powder into the die 12 is adjusted.

When the control pattern 2 selected not to control the tablet hardness in step S3 of the pattern discriminating unit is used, the tableting device 1 calculates the pressure control standard suitable for the mass control and thickness control calculated in step S115. Tablets are manufactured according to feedback control based on the value PMa and control of the tablet mass and thickness by controlling the tip distance calculated values LMa and lMa calculated in step S111.

(Control pattern 1)
The control pattern 1 (WTH control) in the first embodiment will be described below.

When the determination in step S105 shown in FIG. 4A is YES, that is, when it is determined that the control pattern selected by the pattern determination unit includes control of tablet hardness, A case where the control pattern 1 (WTH control) is selected by the determination unit will be described with reference to FIGS. In the control pattern 1, all of the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 are used in the calculation process as described below.

When the determination in step S105 is YES, the control device 4a executes the process of step S137 that constitutes a third control reference calculation value update unit (third control reference calculation value update means or a third control reference calculation value update step). . Step S137 shown in FIG. 7 is provided in order to ensure the consistency of the subsequent arithmetic processing, similarly to step S106.

In step S137, the control device 4a performs a process of replacing the corresponding control reference calculated value with each value of each reference value (each standard reference value). That is, the control device 4a uses the tablet mass reference value WO as the tablet mass control standard calculation value WMa, the tablet thickness standard value TO as the tablet thickness control standard calculation value TMa, and the tablet hardness standard value. The hardness control standard calculation value HMa of the tablet is replaced with the value of HO, respectively. At this time, the mass reference value WO and the mass control reference calculation value WMa are the same value, the thickness reference value TO and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa are the same value, and the hardness reference value HO and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa are the same value. .

Next, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S138, which constitutes a control pattern third selection unit (control pattern third selection means or control pattern third selection step). In step S138, the control device 4a determines whether any one of the

control patterns

1 and 3 is selected.

If any one of the

control patterns

1 and 3 is selected by the pattern determination unit, the determination in step S138 is YES. In response to this, the control device 4a includes steps S140 and S141, and a first calculated hardness determination unit (first calculated hardness determination means or first calculated hardness determination step) that calculates the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet. Execute WK1.

That is, first, the control device 4a executes the process of step S140 that forms the first calculated hardness calculation unit (the first calculated hardness calculation means or the first calculated hardness calculation step). In step S140, the control device 4a controls the thickness when the mass control is performed (when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa) (this is referred to as a first hardness variation value). From the hardness fluctuation value (this is called the second hardness fluctuation value) when the thickness average value Tx is set to the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet Obtained by the formula.
Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)

In this formula (18), Hx is the hardness average value of the sampling tablets, a5 is the WH correlation coefficient, and the value calculated by [(WMa-Wx) / a5] is the first hardness fluctuation value. Further, Tx of the sampling tablet is an average thickness value, a4 is a TH correlation coefficient, and a value calculated by [(TMa-Tx) / a4] is a second hardness variation value. Therefore, using the equation (18), the control device 4a can obtain the calculated hardness Ha by adding the hardness average value Hx, the first hardness variation value, and the second hardness variation value.

Next, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S141 which constitutes a calculated hardness first determining unit (calculated hardness first determining means or calculated hardness first determining step). The determination in step S141 is based on the following two phenomena. The first is that the thickness T of the tablets to be produced is the same, in other words, the hardness of the tablets to be produced if the control is performed to reduce the mass W of the tablets under the condition that the tip spacing of the tablet press 2 is kept constant. This is a phenomenon that H decreases. Second, if the tablet thickness T is increased under the condition that the mass W of the manufactured tablet is kept constant, in other words, the hardness of the manufactured tablet is controlled by increasing the gap between the tips of the tablet press 2. This is a phenomenon that H decreases.

Based on these assumptions, in step S141, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is appropriate (can be produced while maintaining the tablet hardness within the standard range). That is, in step S141, the control device 4a has the calculated hardness Ha within the range of hardness controllable by each control reference value correction to the upper limit value or lower limit value of each control reference value correction range of mass, thickness, and hardness. It is determined whether or not.

Whether or not the above-described calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range can be determined based on the following two equations.
HOL <Ha + [(WOH−WMa) / a5] + [(TOL−TMa) / a4]
HOH> Ha-[(WMa-WOL) / a5]-[(TMa-TOH) / a4]
Further, each of the two expressions can be converted as follows.

HOL-[(WOH-WMa) / a5]-[(TOL-TMa) / a4 <Ha]
Ha <HOH + [(WMa−WOL) / a5] + [(TMa−TOH) / a4]
From this, HOL-[(WOH-WMa) / a5]-[(TOL-TMa) / a4] <Ha <HOH + [(WMa-WOL) / a5] + [(TMa-TOH) / It can be determined by substituting the equation of a4].

Here, HOL − [(WOH−WMa) / a5] − [(TOL−TMa) / a4] is defined as the lower limit value HL of the hardness controllable range, and HOH + [(WMa−WOL) / a5] + [(TMa− TOH) / a4] is the upper limit value HH of the possible hardness range, the lower limit value HL of the hardness controllable range in step S141 is calculated by the following equation.

HL = HOL-[(WOH-WMa) / a5]-[(TOL-TMa) / a4]
The upper limit value HH of the hardness controllable range in step S141 is calculated by the following equation.

HH = HOH + [(WMa-WOL) / a5] + [(TMa-TOH) / a4]
In these equations, HOL is the lower limit value of the tablet hardness control reference value correction range, HOH is the upper limit value of the tablet hardness control reference value correction range, WOL is the lower limit value of the tablet mass control reference value correction range, and WOH is the tablet. The upper limit value of the mass control reference value correction range, TOL is the lower limit value of the tablet thickness control reference value correction range, TOH is the upper limit value of the tablet thickness control reference value correction range, a5 is the WH correlation coefficient, a4 is a TH correlation coefficient.

Therefore, in step S141, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is appropriate (can be produced while maintaining the tablet hardness within the standard range) by an expression of HL <Ha <HH. To do.

If the determination in step S141 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the control reference calculation values for mass, thickness, and hardness), all control reference calculation values for mass, thickness, and hardness are corrected. Even so, the hardness of the tablets to be produced cannot be controlled within the standard range. In this case, the control device 4a executes the process of step S146 that forms a notification / stop unit (notification / stop unit or notification / stop unit step). As a result, a signal for reporting an abnormality (abnormal signal) is output, and for example, the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped.

When the determination in step S141 is YES, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S151 which is a correction destination first determination unit (correction destination first determination means or correction destination first determination step) shown in FIG. In step S151, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “hardness”.

If the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is not “hardness”, the determination in step S151 is NO, so that the control device 4a determines the correction destination second determination unit (correction destination second determination means or correction destination second). The determination in step S161 is performed. In step S161, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “thickness”.

When the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is not “thickness”, the determination in step S161 is NO, and thus the control device 4a determines that the correction destination third determination unit (correction destination third determination means or correction destination third The determination in step S171 is performed. In step S171, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “mass”. In addition, these steps S151, S161, and S171 are not determination units (determination means) for determining whether or not all fall within the hardness controllable range, but what is the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value to the last? It is a judgment part (judgment means) which judges.

If the determination in step S171 is NO, that is, no control standard calculation values for hardness, thickness, and mass are set (registered) as the first correction destination according to the rank set by the input device described above. , The tableting device 1 cannot be controlled by the control device 4a. For this reason, the control device 4a executes the process of step S146, outputs a signal notifying abnormality (abnormal signal), and stops the operation of the tableting machine 2, for example. Note that such an option is not actually possible because the correction order of the control reference calculation value is registered in advance in step S4.

When the determination in step S151 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is hardness), the control device 4a determines the calculated hardness third determination unit (calculated hardness third determination means, calculated hardness third determination). The determination in step S152 is performed. In step S152, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculated value HMa.

Here, the hardness controllable range is defined by the following equation.
HMa−kh (HMa−HOL) ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + kh (HOH−HMa)
In this equation, kh is a hardness correction coefficient when correcting the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and is set to an arbitrary value between 0.01 and 1.00. The hardness correction coefficient kh is preferably less than 1.00.

When the hardness correction coefficient kh is 1.00, the hardness controllable range is as follows.
HOL ≦ Ha ≦ HOH
When the determination in step S152 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a includes the first hardness control reference calculation value update unit (first hardness). Step S153, which is a control reference value update means or a first hardness control reference calculation value update step), is executed. In step S153, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculated value HMa with the value of the calculated hardness Ha in order to ensure consistency in the subsequent arithmetic processing.

Thereafter, the control device 4a supplies the hardness control reference calculation value HMa updated in step S153 to the processing in step S109. Therefore, when step S152 is determined to be YES, the processing of step S109 to step S126 is executed through the processing of step S153. Thereby, the tableting apparatus 1 can manufacture a tablet, keeping the hardness of the tablet manufactured within the range of a specification.

If the determination in step S152 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the hardness control reference calculated value HMa), the control device 4a uses the calculated hardness sixth determining unit (calculated hardness sixth determining means). Alternatively, step S154 which is a calculated hardness sixth determination step) is executed. In step S154 shown in FIG. 9, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the tablet hardness control reference calculated value HMa by the following equation.

HMa-kh (HMa-HOL)> Ha
When the determination in step S154 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second hardness control reference calculation value update unit (second hardness control reference calculation value update means or Step S155 which performs (2 hardness control reference calculation value update step) is executed. In step S155 shown in FIG. 9, the control device 4a obtains the tablet hardness control reference provisional value HMb by the following equation using the hardness control reference calculated value HMa and the like.
HMb = HMa−kh (HMa−HOL) (Equation 19)

In step S155, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculated value HMa with the calculated hardness control reference provisional value HMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S155, when the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines that the difference between the lower limit value HOL of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference calculated value HMa is step S152. The hardness control reference provisional value HMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the hardness correction coefficient kh used in the above and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is updated with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb. . Thereby, the process which reduces the hardness control reference | standard calculated value HMa is made.

In this process, in the case where the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to be less than 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is not reduced at a stretch to the full range within the allowable range, but is processed by the hardness correction coefficient kh. In accordance with the correction, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is reduced below the limit. In the correction in the case where the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is reduced at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

If the determination in step S154 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is greater than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a is configured to update the second hardness control reference calculation value update unit (second hardness control reference calculation value update means or Step S156, which is a 2 hardness control reference calculated value update step), is executed. In step S156 shown in FIG. 9, the control device 4a calculates the tablet hardness control reference provisional value HMb using the hardness control reference calculated value HMa and the like by the following equation.
HMb = HMa + kh (HOH−HMa) (Equation 20)

In step S156, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculated value HMa with the calculated hardness control reference provisional value HMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S156, when the calculated hardness Ha is larger than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the upper limit value HOH of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference calculated value HMa is step S152. The hardness control reference provisional value HMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the hardness correction coefficient kh used in the above and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is updated with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb. . Thereby, the process which increases the hardness control reference | standard calculation value HMa is made.

In this process, in the case where the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to less than 1.00, the process is not performed by increasing the hardness control reference calculation value HMa all at once, but by the hardness correction coefficient kh. According to the correction, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is increased below the limit. In the correction when the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is increased at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

As described above, in the correction of the calculated hardness control standard calculation value HMa by the calculated hardness correction unit (calculated hardness correction means) HKA that executes the calculated hardness correction process, which is formed by the processing of steps S154 to S156, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculation value HMa so that the tablet hardness control reference calculation value HMa does not fall outside the hardness control reference value correction range. However, the correction of the hardness control reference calculation value HMa cannot optimize the tablet hardness according to the determination in step S152. For this reason, after the process of step S155 or step S156 is completed, the control device 4a determines the next correction destination in step S157 which constitutes a correction destination fourth determination unit (correction destination fourth determination means or correction destination fourth determination step). Judgment is made, and the hardness control reference calculated value HMa updated with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb in step S155 or step S156 is supplied to the correction destination. The provisional hardness control reference value HMb is an arithmetic value for correcting (updating) the hardness control reference calculation value HMa.

Specifically, in step S157, the control device 4a determines whether or not the next correction destination is “mass”. Thereby, when the next correction destination is “mass” (when the determination in step S157 is YES), the process proceeds to step S172 for determining the correction processing procedure of the mass control reference calculated value WMa. When the next correction destination is not “mass” (when the determination in step S157 is NO), the process proceeds to step S162 for determining the correction processing procedure for the thickness control reference calculation value TMa. The determination in step S157 (that is, whether the next correction is “mass” or “thickness”) is in accordance with the correction order of the control reference calculation values specified by the input device described above.

If the determination in step S151 is NO and the determination in step S161 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is thickness), the control device 4a calculates the calculated hardness fourth determination unit (calculation The determination in step S162, which is the fourth hardness determination means or the calculated hardness fourth determination step), is performed. In step S162, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value TMa.

Here, the hardness controllable range is defined by the following equation.
HMa−kt (TOL−TMa) / a4 ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + kt (TMa−TOH) / a4 In this equation, kt is a thickness correction coefficient for correcting the thickness control standard calculation value TMa, and is 0.01 to 1.00. Set to any value. The thickness correction coefficient kt is preferably less than 1.00.

When the thickness correction coefficient kt is 1.00, the hardness controllable range is as follows.
HMa− (TOL−TMa) / a4 ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + (TMa−TOH) / a4
When the determination in step S162 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculation value TMa), the control device 4a includes the first thickness control reference calculation value update unit (first thickness). Step S163, which is a control reference calculated value update means or a first thickness control reference calculated value update step), is executed.

In step S163, the control device 4a obtains the tablet thickness control reference provisional value TMb using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the like by the following equation.
TMb = TMa + a4 (HMa−Ha) (Formula (21))

In step S163, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculated value TMa with the calculated thickness control reference provisional value TMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent calculation processing. In addition, the thickness control reference provisional value TMb is a calculation value for correcting (updating) the thickness control reference calculation value TMa.

Thereafter, the control device 4a supplies the thickness control reference calculation value TMa updated in step S163 to the arithmetic processing after step S109. Therefore, if it is determined in step S162 that YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value TMa), the processes of steps S109 to S126 are executed via step S163. Thereby, the tableting apparatus 1 can manufacture a tablet, hold | maintaining the hardness of the tablet manufactured within the range of a specification.

When the determination in step S162 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the thickness control reference calculation value TMa), the control device 4a uses the calculated hardness seventh determination unit (calculated hardness seventh determination means). Alternatively, the process of step S164 which is a calculated hardness seventh determination step) is executed. In step S164 shown in FIG. 10, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the tablet hardness control reference calculated value HMa by the following equation.

HMa-kt (TOL-TMa) / a4> Ha
When the determination in step S164 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second thickness control reference calculation value update unit (second thickness control reference calculation value update means or The process of step S165 which performs (2 thickness control reference | standard calculation value update process) is performed. In step S165 shown in FIG. 10, the control device 4a obtains the tablet thickness control reference provisional value TMb using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the like by the following equation.
TMb = TMa-kt (TMa-TOL) (Equation 22)

In step S165, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the calculated thickness control reference provisional value TMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S165, when the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the lower limit value TOL of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculated value TMa is in step S162. The thickness control reference provisional value TMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the thickness correction coefficient kt used in step 1 and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is updated with the value of the thickness control reference provisional value TMb. . Thereby, the process which reduces thickness control reference | standard calculation value TMa is made.

In this process, in the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to less than 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is not reduced at a stroke to the full range within the allowable range, but is processed by the thickness correction coefficient kt. According to the correction, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is reduced to be smaller than the above limit. In the correction in the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is reduced at a stroke to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the determination in step S164 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is greater than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second thickness control reference calculation value update unit (second thickness control reference calculation value update means or The process of step S166, which is 2 thickness control reference calculated value update step), is executed. In step S166 shown in FIG. 10, the control device 4a obtains the tablet thickness control reference provisional value TMb by the following formula using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the like.
TMb = TMa + kt (TOH−TMa) (Expression (23))

In step S166, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the calculated thickness control reference provisional value TMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S166, when the calculated hardness Ha is larger than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the upper limit value TOH of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculated value TMa is set. The thickness control reference provisional value TMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the thickness correction coefficient kt used in S162 and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is updated with the value of the thickness control reference provisional value TMb. To do. Thereby, the process which increases thickness control reference | standard calculation value TMa is made.

In this process, when the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to be less than 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is not increased at a stretch to the full range within the allowable range, but by the thickness correction coefficient kt. According to the correction, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is increased below the limit. In the correction in the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is increased at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the process of step S165 or step S166 ends, the control device 4a executes the process of step S167, which is a third calculated hardness calculation unit (third calculated hardness calculation means or third calculated hardness calculation process), and performs a new calculation. The hardness Ha is obtained by the following formula. This expression is the same as Expression (18) described above.

Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)
As described above, in the correction of the calculated thickness control reference calculation value TMa by the calculated thickness correction unit (calculated thickness correction means) HKB that executes the calculated thickness correction process, which is formed by the processing in steps S164 to S167, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculation value TMa so that the tablet thickness control reference calculation value TMa does not deviate from the correction range of the thickness control reference value, and uses the updated thickness control reference calculation value TMa and the like. The calculated hardness Ha is calculated. However, the hardness control based on the thickness change cannot optimize the hardness of the tablet according to the determination in step S162. For this reason, after the end of step S167, the control device 4a determines the next correction destination in step S168, which is a correction destination fifth determination unit (correction destination fifth determination means or correction destination fifth determination step), and The thickness control reference calculated value TMa updated in step S165 or step S166 and the calculated hardness Ha newly calculated in step S167 are supplied to the correction destination.

Specifically, in step S168, the control device 4a determines whether or not the next correction destination is “mass”. Thereby, when the next correction destination is “mass” (when the determination in step S168 is YES), the process proceeds to step S172 for determining a correction processing procedure of the mass control reference calculated value WMa described later. . When the next correction destination is not “mass” (when the determination in step S168 is NO), the process proceeds to step S152 for determining the correction processing procedure of the hardness control reference calculated value HMa. The determination in step S168 (that is, whether the next correction is “mass” or “hardness”) is in accordance with the correction order of the control reference calculation values specified by the input device described above.

If the determination in step S161 is NO, in step S171, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass”. When the determination in step S171 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is mass), the control device 4a calculates the calculated hardness fifth determination unit (calculated hardness fifth determination means or calculated hardness fifth determination). The determination in step S172 is performed. In step S172, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the mass control reference calculated value WMa.

Here, the hardness controllable range is defined by the following equation.
HMa−kw (WOH−WMa) / a5 ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + kw (WMa−WOL) / a5 In this equation, kw is a mass correction coefficient for correcting the mass control reference calculation value WMa, and is an arbitrary value between 0.01 and 1.00 Set to The mass correction coefficient kw is preferably less than 1.00.

When the mass correction coefficient kw is 1.00, the hardness controllable range is as follows.

HMa− (WOH−WMa) / a5 ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + (WMa−WOL) / a5
When the determination in step S172 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the range of hardness controllable by correcting the mass control reference calculation value WMa), the control device 4a includes the first mass control reference calculation value update unit (first mass). The process of step S173 which performs a control reference calculation value update means or a first mass control reference calculation value update step) is executed.

In step S173, the control device 4a obtains the tablet mass control reference provisional value WMb using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and the like by the following equation.
WMb = WMa + a5 (HMa−Ha) (Expression (24))

In step S173, the control device 4a updates the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass control reference provisional value WMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. The mass control reference provisional value WMb is a calculated value for correcting (updating) the mass control reference calculated value WMa.

Thereafter, the control device 4a supplies the mass control reference calculated value WMa updated in step S173 to the process of step S109. Therefore, when it is determined that step S172 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the mass control reference calculated value), the control device 4a performs the process of step S109 to step S126 through the process of step S173. Execute the process. Thereby, the tableting apparatus 1 can manufacture a tablet, hold | maintaining the hardness of the tablet manufactured within the range of a specification.

When step S172 determines NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the mass control reference calculated value), the control device 4a uses the calculated hardness eighth determining unit (calculated hardness eighth determining means). The process of a certain step S174 is executed. In step S174 shown in FIG. 11, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa of the tablet by the following equation.

HMa-kw (WOH-WMa) / a5> Ha
When the determination in step S174 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second mass control reference calculated value update unit (the second mass control reference calculated value update unit or the second The process of step S175 which performs the 2 mass control reference calculation value update step) is executed. In step S175 shown in FIG. 11, the control device 4a obtains the tablet mass control reference provisional value WMb using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and the like by the following equation.
WMb = WMa + kw (WOH−WMa) (Formula 25)

In step S175, the control device 4a updates the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass control reference provisional value WMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent calculation processing. That is, in step S175, when the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the upper limit value WOH of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculation value WMa is equal to step S172. The mass control reference provisional value WMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the mass correction coefficient kw used in the above and the mass control reference calculation value WMa, and the mass control reference calculation value WMa is updated with the value of the mass control reference provisional value WMb. . Thereby, the process which increases mass control standard calculation value WMa is made.

In this processing, in the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to less than 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is not increased at a stretch within the allowable range, but the mass correction coefficient kw is used. According to the correction, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is increased below the limit. In the correction in the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is increased at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the determination in step S174 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is greater than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second mass control reference calculated value update unit (the second mass control reference calculated value update unit or the second The process of step S176 which performs the 2 mass control reference calculated value update step) is executed. In step S176 shown in FIG. 11, the control device 4a obtains the tablet mass control reference provisional value WMb using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and the like by the following formula.
WMb = WMa−kw (WMa−WOL) (26)

In step S176, the control device 4a updates the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass control reference provisional value WMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S176, when the calculated hardness Ha is larger than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the lower limit value WOL of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculated value WMa is equal to step S172. The mass control reference provisional value WMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the mass correction coefficient kw used in the above and the mass control reference calculation value WMa, and the mass control reference calculation value WMa is updated with the value of the mass control reference provisional value WMb. . Thereby, the process which reduces the mass control reference | standard calculated value WMa is made.

In this process, in the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to less than 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is not reduced at a stretch to the full range within the allowable range, but the mass correction coefficient kw is used. According to the correction, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is reduced to be smaller than the above limit. In the correction in the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is reduced all at once to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the process of step S175 or step S176 is finished, the control device 4a executes the process of step S177 forming the fourth calculated hardness calculation unit (fourth calculated hardness calculation means), and obtains a new calculated hardness Ha by the following equation. . This formula is the same as the formula (18).
Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)

As described above, in the correction of the calculated mass control reference calculated value WMa by the calculated mass correction unit (calculated mass correction means) HKC, which is formed by the processing of step S174 to step S177 and executes the calculated mass correction process, the control device 4a Updates the mass control reference calculation value WMa so that the mass control reference calculation value WMa does not fall outside the correction range of the mass control reference value, and uses the updated mass control reference calculation value WMa to obtain a new calculated hardness. Ha is calculated. However, the hardness control based on such a mass change cannot optimize the hardness of the tablet according to the determination in step S172. For this reason, after the process of step S177 is completed, the control device 4a determines the next correction destination in step S178, which is a correction destination sixth determination unit (correction destination sixth determination means), and sets the correction destination to step S178. The mass control reference calculated value WMa updated in the process of S175 or step S176 and the new calculated hardness Ha calculated in step S177 are supplied.

Specifically, in step S178, the control device 4a determines whether or not the next correction destination is “thickness”. Thereby, when the next correction destination is “thickness” (when the determination in step S178 is YES), the process proceeds to step S162 for determining the correction processing procedure of the thickness control reference calculation value TMa. When the next correction destination is not “thickness” (when the determination in step S178 is NO), the process proceeds to step S152 for determining the correction processing procedure of the hardness control reference calculated value HMa. The determination in step S178 (that is, whether the next correction is “thickness” or “hardness”) is in accordance with the correction order of the control reference calculation values specified by the input device described above.

As described above, in control pattern 1 (WTH control), as the determination in step S152 becomes NO, the processing in steps S154 to S157 is executed to obtain the hardness control reference calculated value HMa for obtaining the hardness within the standard range. Correction is made. When it is determined in step S157 that the correction destination of the next control reference calculation value is “thickness” based on the correction of the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and the determination in step S162 is NO, step S164 is performed. Step S168 is executed to correct the thickness control reference calculation value TMa to obtain a hardness within the standard range. If it is determined in step S168 that the correction target of the next control reference calculation value is “mass” and the determination in step S172 is NO, the processing in steps S174 to S178 is executed and within the standard range. The mass control standard calculation value WMa for obtaining the hardness of is corrected. Further, until each of the processes of step S152, step S162, or step S172 becomes YES, each control reference calculated value is corrected according to the correction order of the control reference calculated value registered by the input device described above. The process is repeated. Thereby, the hardness H of the manufactured tablet is kept within the standard range.

In this way, the tableting machine 2 controls the hardness of the tablets to be manufactured within the standard range (the hardness is within the standard range of the product) by the control by the steps S137 to S178 of executing the hardness control system of the program stored in the control device 4a. It is possible to produce tablets. The tableting machine 2 is subsequently operated according to steps S109 to S126. Thereby, the tip interval is controlled, and the pressure control reference value (current value) set in the pressure controller 51 is updated. Therefore, the tableting device 1 can manufacture a tablet in which the hardness and the hardness are maintained within the standard range.

As described above, according to the tableting device 1 of the first embodiment, at least one of the mass, thickness and hardness of the tablet produced by compressing the powder, such as the mass and thickness, is determined by the tableting machine 2. It is possible to provide a tableting device 1 that can be manufactured while being held within the standard range regardless of the temperature change of each part of the tableting machine 2 during the continuous operation.

In the case where each correction coefficient kh, kt, kw is 1.00, and the correction order of the control reference calculation values in the WTH control described above is 1st hardness, 2nd thickness, 3rd mass, As a result of the correction of the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, if the determination in step S168 is NO and the process proceeds to step S172, the determination in step S172 is always YES. The reason is whether or not the calculated hardness Ha falls within the standard range when the control device 4a corrects all the control reference calculated values of mass, thickness, and hardness to the upper limit value or the lower limit value in the process of step S141. This is because, when the determination is YES, the correction order of the control standard calculation values of hardness H−thickness T−mass W is corrected.

In the control described above, each of the correction factors (kh, kt, kw) for hardness, thickness, and mass is less than 1.00 so that excessively large control is not performed at one time when the tablet hardness is within the standard range. As described above, according to each of these correction factors, the control standard calculation values of hardness, thickness, and mass are corrected in small increments. As a result, it is not always necessary to make corrections up to the limit of the correction range of each control reference calculation value while suppressing fluctuations in the respective control reference values of hardness, thickness, and mass in hardness control to be small. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture tablets that are approximately similar to the respective standard reference values before the correction to the limit of the correction range, and it is possible to improve the quality of the tablets to be manufactured. In addition, although the value of each correction coefficient (kh, kt, kw) was made the same in 1st Embodiment, these may differ.

In the above description, the correction order of each control reference calculated value in the selected control pattern 1 is the hardness H, the second is the thickness T, and the third is the mass W (that is, the order of description of HTW). For control pattern 1, in addition to this, the correction ranking of each control reference calculation value is designated as one of HWT description order, THW description order, TWH description order, WHT description order, or WTH description order. It is also possible. And by designating one of these, the hardness control based on the correction of the control reference calculation values of the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H according to the correction order of each control reference calculation value was performed. In the above, by updating the tip interval setting values 1M and LM to obtain the corrected control reference calculated values and the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51, the tableting device 1 has the mass W It is possible to produce a tablet in which the thickness T and the hardness H are maintained within the standard range of the product.

(Control pattern 5)
The control pattern 5 (TH control) in the first embodiment will be described below. When the control pattern 5 (TH control) for controlling the tablet thickness T and the hardness H is selected, the correction order of the control reference calculation value in the hardness control unit HK is the thickness T, the second is the hardness H The pattern discriminating unit can designate (select) either the case where the first is hardness H or the case where the second is thickness T.

When the control pattern 5 (TH control) is selected by the pattern determination unit, the determination in step S138 is NO. In response to this, the control device 4a executes the process of step S142 shown in FIG. In step S142, the control device 4a replaces the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass Wa value obtained in step S104 in order to ensure the consistency of the subsequent arithmetic processing. The process of step S142 constitutes a fourth control reference calculation value update unit (fourth control reference calculation value update means or a fourth control reference calculation value update step).

Next, the control device 4a executes the second calculated hardness judgment unit (second calculated hardness judgment means) WK2 that includes the steps S144 and S145 to obtain the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet.

That is, first, the process of step S144 that constitutes the second calculated hardness calculation unit (second calculated hardness calculation means or second calculated hardness calculation step) is executed. In step S144, the control device 4a, similarly to the processing in step S140, performs the hardness control value (when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa) (this is the first hardness). A variation value), a hardness variation value when the thickness is controlled (when the thickness average value Tx is set to the thickness control reference calculation value TMa), this is referred to as a second hardness variation value, and a hardness average value Hx. From this, the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet is obtained by the following equation.
Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)
This equation (18) is the same as the equation used in step S140.

Next, the control device 4a executes the process of step S145 which forms the calculated hardness second determining unit (calculated hardness second determining means or calculated hardness second determining step) similar to the process of step S141. In step S145, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is appropriate (can be produced while maintaining the tablet hardness within the standard range). That is, in step S145, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting each control reference calculation value for thickness and hardness.

However, since the mass control reference value is not corrected in the control pattern 5, hardness control by correcting the mass control reference calculated value WMa to the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the mass control reference value correction range is not included.

Whether or not the above-described calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range can be determined based on the following two formulas.

HOL <Ha + (TOL-TMa) / a4
HOH> Ha- (TMa-TOH) / a4
Further, each of the two expressions can be converted as follows.

HOL- (TOL-TMa) / a4 <Ha
Ha <HOH + (TMa-TOH) / a0
From this, it can be judged by replacing with the equation of HOL− (TOL−TMa) / a4 <Ha <HOH + (TMa−TOH) / a4 shown in step S145.

Here, when HOL− (TOL−TMa) / a4 is the lower limit value HL of the hardness controllable range and HOH + (TMa−TOH) / a4 is the upper limit value HH of the hardness controllable range,
The lower limit value HL of the hardness controllable range in step S145 is calculated by the following equation.
HL = HOL- (TOL-TMa) / a4
The upper limit value HH of the hardness controllable range in step S145 is calculated by the following equation.
HH = HOH + (TMa-TOH) / a4
In these equations, HOL is the lower limit value of the tablet hardness control reference value correction range, HOH is the upper limit value of the tablet hardness control reference value correction range, TOL is the lower limit value of the tablet thickness control reference value correction range, and TOH is the tablet Is the upper limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range, and a4 is a TH correlation coefficient.

Therefore, in step S145, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is appropriate (it is possible to produce the tablet while keeping the hardness of the tablet within the standard range) by an expression of HL <Ha <HH. To do.

The fact that the judgment in step S145 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the control values calculated for thickness and hardness) is manufactured even if the control reference values for thickness and hardness are corrected. This means that it is impossible to control the hardness of the tablet to be within the standard range. In this case, the control device 4a executes the process of step S146 described above. As a result, a signal (abnormal signal) for notifying abnormality is output and, for example, the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped.

The fact that the judgment in step S145 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness and hardness control reference calculation values) is manufactured by correcting the thickness and hardness control reference values. This means that it is possible to control the hardness of the tablet to be within the standard range. In this case, the control device 4a executes the hardness control unit (hardness control means) HK shown in FIG. 8 according to the order of correction destinations of the various control reference calculated values that have already been input.

In the control by the hardness control system under the condition that the control pattern 5 (TH control) is selected in the first embodiment, the calculated hardness correction unit HKA that executes the steps S152 to S157, and the steps S162 to S162 The calculated thickness correction unit HKB that executes each step of S168 is executed. These controls are the same as those already described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 in the control pattern 1, and thus description thereof is omitted here to avoid duplication. However, in the control pattern 5, Steps S172 to S178 related to the calculated mass correction unit HKC are not executed.

For this reason, on the basis of the designation of the correction rank of one of the control reference calculated values, the hardness control based on the correction of the control reference calculated values of the thickness T and the hardness H according to the correction rank is performed. Thus, the tablet thickness and hardness are controlled by updating the tip interval setting values 1M and LM and the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51.

Thereby, according to the control pattern 5, the tableting device 1 can manufacture a tablet in which the thickness T and the hardness H are held within the standard range of the product.

(Control pattern 3)
The control pattern 3 (WH control) in the first embodiment will be described below.

In the control pattern 3 (WH control) for controlling the mass W and hardness H of the tablet, the correction ranking of the control reference calculation value in the hardness control unit HK is the mass W, the second is the hardness H, The case where the first is the hardness H and the second is the mass W can be specified in the pattern discrimination unit.

In the control by the hardness control system under the condition that the control pattern 3 is selected, the calculated hardness correction unit HKA that executes the processes of steps S152 to S157 and the calculated mass correction that executes the processes of steps S172 to S178. The unit HKC is executed. These controls are the same as those already described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 11 in the control pattern 1, and thus are not described here in order to avoid redundant description. However, in the control pattern 3, steps S162 to S168 relating to the calculated thickness correction unit HKB are not executed.

For this reason, on the basis of the designation of the correction rank of any control reference calculation value, the hardness control based on the correction of the control reference calculation values of the mass W and the hardness H according to the rank is performed. Thus, pressure control is performed to change the mass by updating the pressure control reference value PM of the pressure control unit 51.

Thereby, according to the control pattern 3, it is possible to manufacture a tablet in which the mass W and the hardness H are maintained within the standard range of the product.

In the manufacture of the tablets described above, the control pattern including the control of the tablet mass, for example, the control pattern 3 (WH control), the tablet mass W and the thickness T to be manufactured are held at the respective control reference values. Can be manufactured.

The following is a brief and repeated explanation. First, the cause of mass fluctuation will be described. Due to the thermal expansion caused by the temperature rise of each part of the tableting machine 2 accompanying the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2, the tip spacing changes so as to narrow, and the molding pressure increases with the change. Thereby, the feedback control by the pressure control unit 51 performs control to reduce the molding pressure (that is, control to reduce the mass) even if the mass of the tablet does not increase. As a result, the mass of the tablet may not be maintained within the standard range. In addition, when the temperature of the tableting machine 2 is increased, the binding property of the powder may be increased depending on the physical properties of the powder to be compressed. In this case, even if molding is performed while keeping the tip interval constant, the molding pressure decreases. Along with this, the pressure control unit 51 performs control to increase the molding pressure, so that the mass may increase and the mass may not be maintained within the standard range.

On the other hand, according to the tableting device 1 of the first embodiment, at least one of the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H of the tablet produced by compressing the powder, for example, the mass W and the thickness T. Is provided with a rotary tableting device 1 capable of producing tablets while maintaining the temperature within the standard range regardless of the temperature change of each part of the tableting machine 2 accompanying the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2 and its operating method. Is possible. In other words, by automatic control of the tip interval in the operation control system based on the program stored in the control device 4a described above, regardless of the temperature change of each part of the tableting machine 2 accompanying the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2, The tablet thickness T can be maintained within the standard range. Along with this, the tablet W is manufactured by maintaining the mass W of the tablet within the standard range by controlling the operation control system that automatically updates the pressure control reference value (current value) set in the pressure control unit 51. Is possible.

Moreover, according to the tableting device 1 of the first embodiment, in addition to being able to control the tablet mass W, thickness T, and hardness H by the operation control system, respectively, It is possible to control the thickness T, the tablet mass W and the hardness H, or the combination of the tablet thickness T and the hardness H, respectively, and further to control the tablet mass W independently. It is also possible to control the tablet thickness T independently.

Furthermore, since the tableting device 1 of the first embodiment can use a common flowchart for controlling a plurality of control patterns, specifically, the control patterns 1 to 6 described above, There is an advantage that it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated flowchart every time.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a rotary powder compression molding apparatus and a method for operating the same according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the following description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment or the configuration of the second embodiment having the same function as the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. . In this second embodiment, the basic data acquisition procedure and the basic data acquisition unit for executing this procedure are the same as in the first embodiment. For this reason, the procedure for obtaining each correlation coefficient by the calculation in the basic data acquisition unit is also the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is also omitted. Furthermore, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 used in the description of the first embodiment and the respective flowcharts as necessary.

The tableting device 1 according to the second embodiment corrects each control standard calculation value of the mass W, thickness T, and hardness H of the tablet in a specified order so that each of the mass W, thickness T, and hardness H is within the standard range. The tablet is selected by selecting one of the control pattern 1 (WTH control) for performing control to be held in the control and the control pattern 2 (WT control) for controlling the tablet mass W and thickness T to the respective control reference values. This is different from the first embodiment in that it is possible and a pattern determination unit corresponding to this is provided. Therefore, the tableting device 1 according to the second embodiment can select either one of the two

control patterns

1 and 2, and an individual flowchart corresponding to each of the two control patterns 1 and 2 (in other words, paraphrase). For example, a program) is different from the first embodiment.

The pattern discriminating unit in the control device 4a in the second embodiment is shown in FIG.

The pattern discrimination unit includes a control pattern selection unit (control pattern selection unit) that selects whether the control pattern designated using an input device (not shown) is the control pattern 1 or the control pattern 2, and each reference value ( Standard reference value), correction range of each control reference value, and correction content registration unit (correction content registration means) for registering the correction order of control reference calculated values, and a reference value registration unit (reference value) for registering each control reference value Registration means) and a correlation coefficient setting unit (correlation coefficient setting means) for setting the handling of whether the value of the WH correlation coefficient a5 to be used is a5α or a5β. The control pattern selection unit of the second embodiment is configured by omitting the process of step S6 used in the first embodiment, that is, the process of determining the handling of unused correlation coefficients. The

The control pattern selection unit has step SA and step SB. In the process of step SA, the control device 4a determines whether or not the designated control pattern is “control pattern 1”. When the determination in step SA is YES, the control device 4a executes step S4 that forms a correction content registration unit. If the determination in step SA is NO, the process proceeds to step SB. In step SB, the control device 4a determines whether or not the designated control pattern is “control pattern 2”. When the determination in step SB is YES, the control device 4a executes step S5 that forms a reference value registration unit. If the determination in step SB is NO, the process returns to step SA.

Step S4 and step S5 are as described in the first embodiment. Step S17 executed after step S4 forms a correlation coefficient setting unit, and the processing of step S17 is as described in the first embodiment.

If the pattern discriminating section having such a configuration is used, the tableting device 1 can, for example, “control the density of a molded product” or “molding” in addition to the first to sixth control patterns described in the first embodiment. "Control pattern 1" or "Control pattern 2" is selected from various control patterns that are considered in consideration of "control of product disintegration" or a combination of these patterns. It becomes possible to manufacture a tablet (molded product) by control according to the above.

In addition, the control pattern selection part of a pattern discrimination | determination part is not restrict | limited to the illustration of FIG. 12, Step S1 which judges whether the mass of a tablet is controlled, The step which judges whether it controls the thickness of a tablet An alternative example of the configuration having S2 and step S3 for determining whether or not to control the hardness of the tablet is also possible. Steps S1 to S3 are as described in the first embodiment.

When the control pattern 1 is selected in FIG. 12 (in the alternative example, when the determination in step S3 is YES (controls the hardness)), the next step S4 processing is executed. In step S4, the control device 4a registers (specifies) the correction ranks of the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness for controlling the hardness of the tablet, and sets each reference value (standard reference value) and each Register the correction range of the control reference value.

Each reference value registered in step S4 is a mass reference value WO, a thickness reference value TO, and a hardness reference value HO. The correction range of each control reference value registered in step S4 includes the upper limit value WOH of the mass control reference value correction range and the lower limit value WOL of the correction range, the upper limit value TOH of the thickness control reference value correction range, and the same correction. The lower limit value TOL of the range, the upper limit value HOH of the hardness control reference value correction range, and the lower limit value HOL of the correction range.

When step S4 is executed, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 1 (WTH control) for controlling the mass, the thickness, and the hardness through the processing of the next step S17. In step S17, the control device 4a performs processing for replacing the WH correlation coefficient a5 used in the control pattern 1 with the value of the WH correlation coefficient a5β described above.
In this control pattern 1, all the already acquired correlation coefficients a0 to a5 are used.

If the determination in step S3 is NO (does not control the hardness), the control device 4a executes the process of step S5. In step S5, the control device 4a registers a mass control reference value WM for controlling the mass of the tablet and a thickness control reference value TM for controlling the thickness.

When the control pattern 2 is selected in FIG. 12 (in the alternative example, when the determination in step S3 is NO (the hardness is not controlled)), the control device 4a executes the process of step S5.

In step S5, the control device 4a selects the control pattern 2 (WT control) for controlling the mass and thickness of the tablet. As described above, step S4 is a correction content registration unit, step S5 is a reference value registration unit, and step S17 is a correlation coefficient setting unit.

Next, the flow of control according to control pattern 1 (WTH control) in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, the step S104 that forms the calculated mass calculation unit described in the first embodiment and the step S105 that forms the control pattern first selection unit are omitted. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, after step S103 for acquiring sampling data, the process of step S137, which is a control reference calculation value update unit (control reference calculation value update means or control reference calculation value update process), is performed by the control device 4a. It is executed by. This step S137 is the same as the third control reference calculated value update unit described in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the tableting device 1 does not have the control patterns 3 to 6 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, step S138 (control pattern third selection unit) described in the first embodiment is omitted. Moreover, in the control pattern 1 of 2nd Embodiment, step S142 which makes the 4th control standard calculation value update part demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, step S144 which makes a 2nd calculation hardness calculating part, and calculated hardness 2nd judgment part Step S145 (see FIG. 7) is also omitted.

Therefore, in the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, the control device 4a executes each process of the first calculated hardness determination unit WK1 after the process of step S137 as shown in FIG. Thereby, first, the control apparatus 4a performs the process of step S140 which makes a 1st calculated hardness calculating part.

In the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, after step S140, the control device 4a performs the determination of step S141 which is a calculated hardness first determination unit. If the determination in step S141 is YES, the control device 4a performs steps S151 to S178 (FIGS. 14 to 17) forming the hardness control unit (hardness control means) HK that performs the hardness control process described in the first embodiment. (See) are sequentially performed.

In the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, the control device 4a executes any one of steps S153, S163, and S173 of the hardness control unit HK shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18, the control device 4a executes the process of step S109, which is the first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit described in the first embodiment, and then calculates the calculated thickness described in the first embodiment. The process of step S110 which makes a calculating part is performed.

In this case, in step S109, the control device 4a obtains the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value WMa given via the hardness correction unit HK. Similarly, in step S110, the control device 4a calculates from the thickness variation value and the thickness average value Tx when mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculation value WMa given via the hardness correction unit HK. The thickness Ta is obtained.

Next to step S110, in the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, the control device 4a executes step S111 that constitutes the tip distance calculated value calculation unit described in the first embodiment. In this case, in step S111, the control device 4a uses the thickness control reference calculation value TMa given via the hardness correction unit HK to control the tip interval variation value and the tip interval setting value. From these, the calculated tip spacing value (LMa, lMa) is obtained.

Thereafter, the control device 4a executes the process of step S112 which constitutes the second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit described in the first embodiment, and then the pressure control reference calculation value calculation unit described in the first embodiment. The process of step S115 is performed.

In this case, in step S112, the control device 4a obtains the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa given via the hardness correction unit HK. In step S115, the control device 4a uses the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa obtained in step S109, the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa obtained in step S112, and the molding pressure average value Px obtained during operation. The pressure control reference calculation value PMa is obtained.

Furthermore, in the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, after step S115, the control device 4a uses the preliminary compression and main compression tip interval calculated values (lMa, LMa) obtained in step S111 to perform preliminary compression. And the process of step S118 which makes the tip interval control part which updates the tip interval setting value (1M, LM) of this compression and controls the tip interval is executed. Thereafter, the control device 4a updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM with the value of the pressure control reference calculated value PMa obtained in step S115, and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit 51. The process of step S149 that forms an update unit is executed. After executing step S149, the process returns to the start.

Except for the points described above, the control flow for control pattern 1 (WTH control) is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, when the tableting device 1 is operated by designating this control pattern 1, the tableting device 1 does not depend on the temperature change during operation of the tableting machine 2 for the reason already described in the first embodiment. It is possible to produce a tablet while maintaining all of the tablet mass W, thickness T, and hardness H within the specified range.

That is, when the continuous operation of the rotary tableting device 1 is started, first, the control device 4a executes the process of step S101 shown in FIG. 13 based on the program stored in the storage unit (not shown), and the sampling unit 41 outputs a “sampling command”. Instead of this processing, the control device 4a can also determine whether or not there is a “forced sampling command” that artificially outputs a sampling command.

After this instruction, the process of step S102 is executed, and the control device 4a drives the sampling driver 44 of the sampling unit 41. As a result, the sampling shutter 43 is moved to an open position where the inlet of the sampling chute 42 is opened, and the outlet side of the discharge chute 39 is closed by the sampling shutter 43. Therefore, a plurality of tablets to be manufactured are sampled and supplied to the measuring device 3 through the sampling chute 42. Such tablet sampling is executed every predetermined time, for example, every 30 minutes, during continuous operation of the tableting machine 2 by controlling the sampling unit 41 by the control device 4a.

When the sampling is started, the control device 4a executes the process of step S103. In step S103, the control device 4a acquires sampling data. The sampling data acquired here includes the tip interval setting value 1M at the first position, the tip interval setting value LM at the second position, the mass average value Wx measured and calculated by the measuring instrument 3, and the thickness. The average value Tx and the hardness average value Hx. Any data other than the molding pressure average value Px is read into the control device 4a by communication processing. At the same time, in step S103, the control device 4a calculates the molding pressure average value Px for the plurality of sampled tablets based on the pressure data detected by the pressure sensor 29. The acquisition of sampling data and its input (supply) to the control device 4a can be performed manually instead of automatically.

Thereafter, the control device 4a executes the process of step S137 which forms a control reference calculation value update unit. In step S137, the control device 4a performs a process of substituting the corresponding control reference calculated value with each value of each reference value of the tablet in order to ensure the consistency of the subsequent calculation process. That is, the control device 4a uses the tablet mass reference value WO as the tablet mass control standard calculation value WMa, the tablet thickness standard value TO as the tablet thickness control standard calculation value TMa, and the tablet hardness standard value. The hardness control standard calculation value HMa of the tablet is replaced with the value of HO, respectively. At this time, the mass reference value WO and the mass control reference calculated value WMa are the same value, the thickness reference value TO and the thickness control reference calculated value TMa are the same value, and the hardness reference value HO and the hardness control reference calculated value HMa are the same value.

Next, the control apparatus 4a performs the process of step S140 which makes a 1st calculated hardness calculating part. In step S140, the control device 4a controls the thickness when the mass control is performed (when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa) (this is referred to as a first hardness variation value). The calculated hardness Ha of the tablet is obtained from the hardness fluctuation value (this is called the second hardness fluctuation value) when the thickness average value Tx is changed to the thickness control reference calculation value TMa and the hardness average value Hx. . This formula is shown below.
Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)

In this equation (18), Hx is the hardness average value of the sampling tablets, a5 is the WH correlation coefficient, and the value calculated by (WMa-Wx) / a5 is the first hardness variation value. Tx is the thickness average value of the sampling tablets, a4 is the TH correlation coefficient, and the value calculated by (TMa-Tx) / a4 is the second hardness variation value. Therefore, the control device 4a can obtain the calculated hardness Ha by adding the hardness average value Hx, the first hardness variation value, and the second hardness variation value according to the equation (18).

Next, the control device 4a performs the determination in step S141 which constitutes a calculated hardness first determination unit. In step S141, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is appropriate (the hardness can be maintained within the standard range and production can be continued). That is, in step S141, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting each control reference calculated value of mass, thickness, and hardness. Furthermore, in other words, in step S141, the control device 4a determines that the calculated hardness Ha is equal to the tablet when all the control reference calculated values of mass and thickness are corrected to the upper limit value or the lower limit value. It is determined whether the hardness control reference value is within a range defined by the upper limit value and the lower limit value, that is, the hardness controllable range. In this case, in the calculation, the control device 4a can maximize the hardness when the mass is increased to the maximum and the thickness is reduced to the minimum, and conversely, the mass is reduced to the minimum while calculating the thickness. The hardness can be minimized when the value is increased to the maximum.

That is, whether or not the above-described calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range can be determined based on the following two expressions.
HOL <Ha + [(WOH−WMa) / a5] + [(TOL−TMa) / a4]
HOH> Ha-[(WMa-WOL) / a5]-[(TMa-TOH) / a4]
Furthermore, the above two equations can be converted as follows.
HOL-[(WOH-WMa) / a5]-[(TOL-TMa) / a4] <Ha
Ha <HOH + [(WMa−WOL) / a5] + [(TMa−TOH) / a4]
From this, HOL-[(WOH-WMa) / a5]-[(TOL-TMa) / a4] <Ha <HOH + [(WMa-WOL) / a5] + [(TMa-TOH) / It can be determined by substituting the equation of a4].

Here, HOL − [(WOH−WMa) / a5] − [(TOL−TMa) / a4] is defined as the lower limit value HL of the hardness controllable range, and HOH + [(WMa−WOL) / a5] + [(TMa− TOH) / a4] is the upper limit value HH of the possible hardness range, the lower limit value HL of the hardness controllable range in step S141 is calculated by the following equation.
HL = HOL-[(WOH-WMa) / a5]-[(TOL-TMa) / a4]
The upper limit value HH of the hardness controllable range in step S141 is calculated by the following equation.
HH = HOH + [(WMa-WOL) / a5] + [(TMa-TOH) / a4]
In these equations, HOL is the lower limit value of the tablet hardness control reference value correction range, HOH is the upper limit value of the tablet hardness control reference value correction range, WOL is the lower limit value of the tablet mass control reference value correction range, and WOH is the tablet. The upper limit value of the mass control reference value correction range, TOL is the lower limit value of the tablet thickness control reference value correction range, TOH is the upper limit value of the tablet thickness control reference value correction range, and a5 is the WH phase relationship. The number, a4, is a TH correlation coefficient.

Therefore, in step S141, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is appropriate (the hardness can be maintained within the standard range and the production can be continued) according to the formula HL <Ha <HH. to decide.

If the determination in step S141 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness), all control reference values of mass, thickness, and hardness are set to the upper limit value or This means that even if the lower limit value is corrected, it is impossible to control the hardness of the manufactured tablet within the standard range. In this case, the control device 4a executes step S146 that forms a notification / stop unit (means). Thereby, while outputting the signal (abnormal signal) which notifies abnormality, the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped, for example.

When the determination in step S141 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness), the control device 4a determines the correction order of the already input control reference calculation values. Accordingly, a hardness control unit (hardness control means) HK for correcting each control reference calculation value for hardness control is executed.

That is, first, the control device 4a executes the process of step S151 which is a correction destination first determination unit shown in FIG. In step S151, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “hardness”.

When the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is not “hardness”, the determination in step S151 is NO, and thus the control device 4a performs the determination in step S161 which constitutes a correction destination second determination unit. In step S161, it is determined whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “thickness”.

When the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is not “thickness”, the determination in step S161 is NO, and thus the control device 4a performs the determination in step S171 that constitutes the correction destination third determination unit. In step S171, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “mass”.

When all of the determinations in step S151, step S161, and step S171 are NO, that is, any control reference calculation value of hardness, thickness, and mass is set as the first correction destination according to the order set by an input device (not shown). When it is determined that (registration) is not performed, the control device 4a cannot control the hardness of the tablet. For this reason, the control apparatus 4a performs the process of step S146 mentioned above. As a result, a signal (abnormal signal) for notifying abnormality is output and, for example, the operation of the tableting machine 2 is stopped. Note that such an option is not actually possible because the correction order of the control reference calculation value is set (registered) in advance in step S4.

If the determination in step S151 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “hardness”), the control device 4a performs the determination in the next step S152 constituting the calculated hardness third determining unit. In step S152, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculated value HMa. Here, the hardness controllable range is defined by the following equation.
HMa−kh (HMa−HOL) ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + kh (HOH−HMa)
In this equation, kh is a hardness correction coefficient when correcting the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and is set to an arbitrary value between 0.01 and 1.00. The hardness correction coefficient kh is preferably less than 1.00.

If the determination in step S152 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a constitutes a first hardness control reference calculation value update unit step S153. Execute the process. In step S153, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculated value HMa with the value of the calculated hardness Ha in order to ensure consistency in the subsequent arithmetic processing.

Thereafter, the control device 4a executes a program stored in a storage unit (not shown), supplies the hardness control reference calculation value HMa updated in step S153 to an operation control system described later, and sequentially performs each step of this system. Execute. That is, the determination in step S151 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “hardness”), and step S152 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculated value HMa). If it is determined that there is a), the control device 4a executes each step of the operation control system, which will be described later, through the process of step S153. Thereby, the tableting apparatus 1 can manufacture a tablet, keeping the hardness of the tablet manufactured within a specification range.

If the determination in step S152 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the hardness control reference calculated value HMa), the control device 4a determines the determination in step S154, which is a calculated hardness sixth determination unit. Do. In step S154 shown in FIG. 15, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa of the tablet by the following equation.
HMa-kh (HMa-HOL)> Ha
If the determination in step S154 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a is configured to update the second hardness control reference calculation value update unit (second hardness control reference calculation value update means or The process of step S155 which performs the 2 hardness control reference calculated value update step) is executed. In step S155 shown in FIG. 15, the control device 4a obtains the tablet hardness control reference provisional value HMb by using the following formula using the hardness control reference calculated value HMa and the like.
HMb = HMa−kh (HMa−HOL) (Equation 19)

In step S155, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculated value HMa with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb calculated to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S155, when the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines that the difference between the lower limit value HOL of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference calculated value HMa is step S152. The hardness control reference provisional value HMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the hardness correction coefficient kh used in the above and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is updated with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb. . Thereby, the process which reduces the hardness control reference | standard calculated value HMa is performed.

In this process, in the correction according to the case where the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to be less than 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is not reduced at a stretch to the full range within the allowable range, but is processed by the hardness correction coefficient kh. In accordance with the correction, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is reduced below the limit. When the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is reduced at a stroke to the full limit of the allowable range.

If the determination in step S154 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is greater than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a uses the second hardness control reference calculation value update means (second hardness control reference calculation value update means or The process of step S156 is executed. In step S156 shown in FIG. 15, the control device 4a calculates the tablet hardness control reference provisional value HMb using the hardness control reference calculated value HMa and the like by the following equation.
HMb = HMa + kh (HOH−HMa) (Equation 20)

In step S156, the control device 4a updates the hardness control reference calculated value HMa with the calculated hardness control reference provisional value HMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S156, when the calculated hardness Ha is larger than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the upper limit value HOH of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference calculated value HMa is step S152. The hardness control reference provisional value HMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the hardness correction coefficient kh used in the above and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is updated with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb. . Thereby, the process which increases the hardness control reference | standard calculated value HMa is performed.

In this process, in the correction according to the case where the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to be less than 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is not increased at a stretch to the full limit within the allowable range, but by the hardness correction coefficient kh. According to the correction, the hardness control standard calculation value HMa is increased below the limit. In the correction according to the case where the hardness correction coefficient kh is set to 1.00, the hardness control reference calculation value HMa is increased at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

As described above, in the correction of the calculated hardness control reference value HMa by the calculated hardness correction unit HKA formed in each step of steps S154 to S156, the tablet hardness control reference calculation value HMa is corrected to the hardness control reference value correction. The hardness control reference calculation value HMa is updated so as not to fall outside the range. However, the correction of the hardness control reference calculation value HMa cannot optimize the tablet hardness according to the determination in step S152. For this reason, after the process of step S155 or step S156 is completed, the control device 4a determines the next correction destination in step S157 that forms the correction destination fourth determination unit, and sets the correction destination in step S155 or step S156. The hardness control reference calculation value HMa updated with the value of the hardness control reference provisional value HMb is supplied.

Specifically, in step S157, the control device 4a determines whether or not the next correction destination is “mass”. Thereby, when the next correction destination is “mass” (when the determination in step S157 is YES), the control device 4a determines in step S172 to determine the correction processing procedure for the mass control reference calculated value WMa. To do. When the next correction destination is not “mass” (when the determination in step S157 is NO), the control device 4a performs the determination in step S162 for determining the correction processing procedure for the thickness control reference calculation value TMa. . The determination in step S157 (that is, whether the next correction is “mass” or “thickness”) is in accordance with the correction rank of each control reference calculation value designated by an input device (not shown).

When the determination in step S151 is NO and the determination in step S161 to be executed next is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “thickness”), the control device In step 4a, the determination in step S162, which is a calculated hardness fourth determination unit, is performed. In step S162, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value TMa.

Here, the hardness controllable range is defined by the following equation.
HMa−kt (TOL−TMa) / a4 ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + kt (TMa−TOH) / a4 In this equation, kt is a thickness correction coefficient for correcting the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and is an arbitrary value between 0.01 and 1.00 The thickness correction coefficient kt is preferably less than 1.00.

When the determination in step S162 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculation value TMa), the control device 4a forms a first thickness control reference calculation value update unit. Execute the process.

In step S163, the control device 4a obtains the tablet thickness control reference provisional value TMb by using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the like according to the following equation.
TMb = TMa + a4 (HMa−Ha) (Formula (21))

In step S163, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the calculated thickness control reference provisional value TMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent calculation processing.

Thereafter, the control device 4a supplies the thickness control reference calculation value TMa updated in step S163 to the operation control system shown in FIG. 18, and sequentially executes the processes of steps S109 to S149 of this system. That is, the determination in step S161 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “thickness”), and step S162 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value TMa). In step S163, the control device 4a sequentially executes steps S109 to S149 of the operation control system. Thereby, the tableting apparatus 1 can manufacture a tablet, keeping the hardness of the tablet manufactured within a specification range.

When the determination in step S162 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value TMa), the control device 4a determines the determination in step S164 that forms the calculated hardness seventh determination unit. Do. In step S164 shown in FIG. 16, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet is smaller than the calculated hardness control reference value HMa of the tablet by the following equation.
HMa-kt (TOL-TMa) / a4> Ha
If the determination in step S164 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is smaller than hardness control reference calculated value HMa), control device 4a uses second thickness control reference calculated value update means (second thickness control reference calculated value update means or The process of step S165 which performs (2 thickness control reference | standard calculation value update process) is performed. In step S165 shown in FIG. 16, the control device 4a obtains the tablet thickness control reference provisional value TMb using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the like according to the following equation.
TMb = TMa−kh (TMa−TOL) (Expression (22))

In step S165, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the calculated thickness control reference provisional value TMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S165, when the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the lower limit value TOL of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculated value TMa is in step S162. The thickness control reference provisional value TMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the thickness correction coefficient kt used in step 1 and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is updated with the value of the thickness control reference provisional value TMb. . Thereby, the process which reduces thickness control reference | standard calculation value TMa is performed.

In this processing, in the correction according to the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to be less than 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is not reduced at a stroke to the full range within the allowable range, but is processed by the thickness correction coefficient kt. According to the correction, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is reduced to be smaller than the above limit. In the correction according to the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is reduced at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the determination in step S164 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is greater than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second thickness control reference calculation value update unit (second thickness control reference calculation value update means or The process of step S166 is performed. In step S166 shown in FIG. 16, the control device 4a obtains the tablet thickness control reference provisional value TMb using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the like by the following formula.
TMb = TMa + kt (TOH−TMa) (Expression (23))

In step S166, the control device 4a updates the thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the calculated thickness control reference provisional value TMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S166, when the calculated hardness Ha is larger than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the upper limit value TOH of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculated value TMa is set. The thickness control reference provisional value TMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the thickness correction coefficient kt used in S162 and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is updated with the value of the thickness control reference provisional value TMb. To do. Thereby, the process which increases thickness control reference | standard calculation value TMa is performed.

In this processing, in the correction according to the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to be less than 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is not increased at a stroke to the full range within the allowable range, but is processed by the thickness correction coefficient kt. According to the correction, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is increased below the limit. In the correction according to the case where the thickness correction coefficient kt is set to 1.00, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa is increased at a stroke up to the limit of the allowable range.

When the process of step S165 or step S166 is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S167 forming the third calculated hardness calculation unit, and obtains a new calculated hardness Ha by the following equation.
Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)

As described above, in the correction of the calculated thickness control reference calculation value TMa by the calculation thickness correction unit HKB formed in each step of steps S164 to S167, the tablet thickness control reference calculation value TMa is corrected to the thickness control reference value correction. The thickness control reference calculation value TMa is updated so as not to fall outside the range. However, the hardness control based on the thickness change cannot optimize the hardness of the tablet according to the determination in step S162. For this reason, after the end of step S167, the control device 4a determines the next correction destination in step S168, which is the fifth correction destination determination unit, and the thickness control updated in step S165 or step S166 to the correction destination. The reference calculated value TMa and the calculated hardness Ha newly calculated in step S167 are supplied.

Specifically, in step S168, the control device 4a determines whether or not the next correction destination is “mass”. Thereby, when the next correction destination is “mass” (when the determination in step S168 is YES), the control device 4a determines in step S172 to determine the correction processing procedure for the mass control reference calculated value WMa. To do. When the next correction destination is not “mass” (when the determination in step S168 is NO), the control device 4a performs the determination in step S152 for determining the correction processing procedure of the hardness control reference calculated value HMa. . The determination in step S168 (that is, whether the next correction is “mass” or “hardness”) is in accordance with the correction rank of each control reference calculation value designated by an input device (not shown).

In accordance with the determination in step S161 being NO, in step S171 to be executed next, the control device 4a determines whether or not the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass”. to decide. When the determination in step S171 is YES (the first correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass”), the control device 4a performs the determination in step S172 that constitutes the calculated hardness fifth determination unit. In step S172, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the mass control reference calculated value WMa.

Here, the hardness controllable range is defined by the following equation.
HMa−kw (WOH−WMa) / a5 ≦ Ha ≦ HMa + kw (WMa−WOL) / a5
In this equation, kw is a mass correction coefficient when correcting the mass control reference calculation value WMa, and is set to an arbitrary value between 0.01 and 1.00, and this mass correction coefficient kw is preferably less than 1.00.

When the determination in step S172 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha is within the range of hardness controllable by correcting the mass control reference calculation value WMa), the control device 4a forms a first mass control reference calculation value update unit. Execute the process.

In step S173, the control device 4a obtains the tablet mass control reference provisional value WMb using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and the like according to the following equation.
WMb = WMa + a5 (HMa−Ha) (Expression (24))

In step S173, the control device 4a updates the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass control reference provisional value WMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing.

Thereafter, the control device 4a supplies the mass control reference calculated value WMa updated in step S173 to the operation control system, and sequentially executes the processes of steps S109 to S149 of this system.

That is, the determination in step S171 is YES (when the first correction destination of the control reference calculated value is “mass”), and step S172 is YES (the calculated hardness Ha can be controlled by correcting the mass control reference calculated value WMa). If it is determined that it is within the range, the control device 4a sequentially executes the processing of steps S109 to S149 of the operation control system via step S173. Thereby, the tableting apparatus 1 can manufacture a tablet, keeping the hardness of the tablet manufactured within a specification range).

If the determination in step S172 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is outside the range of hardness controllable by correcting the mass control reference calculated value WMa), the control device 4a performs the process of step S174 forming the calculated hardness eighth determining unit. Execute. In step S174 shown in FIG. 17, the control device 4a determines whether or not the calculated hardness Ha of the tablet is smaller than the calculated hardness control reference value HMa of the tablet by the following equation.
HMa-kw (WOH-WMa) / a5> Ha
When the determination in step S174 is YES (calculated hardness Ha is smaller than hardness control reference calculated value HMa), control device 4a uses second mass control reference calculated value update means (second mass control reference calculated value update means or second mass control reference calculated value update means). The process of step S175 which performs the 2 mass control reference calculation value update step) is executed. In step S175 shown in FIG. 17, the control device 4a obtains the tablet mass control reference provisional value WMb using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and the like by the following equation.
WMb = WMa + kw (WOH−WMa) (Formula 25)

In step S175, the control device 4a updates the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass control reference provisional value WMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent calculation processing. That is, in step S175, when the calculated hardness Ha is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the upper limit value WOH of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculation value WMa is equal to step S172. The mass control reference provisional value WMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the mass correction coefficient kw used in the above and the mass control reference calculation value WMa, and the mass control reference calculation value WMa is updated with the value of the mass control reference provisional value WMb. . Thereby, the process which increases mass control reference | standard calculation value WMa is performed.

In this processing, in the correction according to the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to be less than 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is not increased at a stretch to the full range within the allowable range, but by the mass correction coefficient kw. According to the correction, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is increased below the limit. In the correction according to the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is increased at a stretch to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the determination in step S174 is NO (the calculated hardness Ha is greater than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa), the control device 4a includes the second mass control reference value update unit (the second mass control reference value update unit or the second mass). The process of step S176 that performs the control reference value update step) is executed. In step S176 shown in FIG. 17, the control device 4a obtains the tablet mass control reference provisional value WMb by the following formula using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and the like.
WMb = WMa−kw (WMa−WOL) (26)

In step S176, the control device 4a updates the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the calculated mass control reference provisional value WMb in order to ensure consistency with the subsequent arithmetic processing. That is, in step S176, when the calculated hardness Ha is larger than the hardness control reference calculated value HMa, the control device 4a determines whether the difference between the lower limit value WOL of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculated value WMa is equal to step S172. The mass control reference provisional value WMb is obtained from the value obtained by multiplying the mass correction coefficient kw used in the above and the mass control reference calculation value WMa, and the mass control reference calculation value WMa is updated with the value of the mass control reference provisional value WMb. . Thereby, the process which reduces the mass control reference | standard calculated value WMa is performed.

In this process, in the correction according to the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to be less than 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is not reduced at a stretch to the full range within the allowable range, but the mass correction coefficient kw is used. According to the correction, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is reduced to be smaller than the above limit. In the correction according to the case where the mass correction coefficient kw is set to 1.00, the mass control reference calculation value WMa is reduced at a stroke to the full limit of the allowable range.

When the process of step S175 or step S176 ends, the control device 4a executes the process of step S177 forming the fourth calculated hardness calculation unit, and obtains a new calculated hardness Ha by the following equation. This formula is the same as the formula (18).
Ha = Hx + [(WMa−Wx) / a5] + [(TMa−Tx) / a4] (18)

As described above, in the correction of the calculated mass control reference calculation value WMa by the calculation mass correction unit HKC formed in each step of step S174 to step S177, the tablet mass control reference calculation value WMa is corrected by the mass control reference value correction. The mass control reference calculation value WMa is updated so as not to deviate from the range, and a new calculated hardness is calculated using the updated mass control reference calculation value WMa and the like. However, the hardness control based on such a mass change cannot optimize the hardness of the tablet according to the determination in step S172. For this reason, after the end of step S177, the control device 4a determines the next correction destination in step S178 which constitutes a correction destination sixth determination unit, and the mass control updated in step S175 or step S176 to the correction destination. The reference calculated value WMa and the new calculated hardness Ha calculated in step S177 are supplied.

Specifically, in step S178, the control device 4a determines whether or not the next correction destination is “thickness”. Thereby, when the next correction destination is “thickness” (when the determination in step S178 is YES), the control device 4a determines in step S162 to determine the correction processing procedure for the thickness control reference calculation value TMa. To do. When the next correction destination is not “thickness” (when the determination in step S178 is NO), the control device 4a performs the determination in step S152 for determining the correction processing procedure of the hardness control reference calculated value HMa. . The determination in step S178 (that is, whether or not the next correction is “thickness”) is in accordance with the correction rank of each control reference calculation value designated by an input device (not shown).

Next, control by the operation control system shown in FIG. 18 will be described. This operation control system is controlled as follows by the control device 4a after any one of steps S153, S163, and S173 of the hardness control unit HK shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

First, the control device 4a executes the process of step S109, which is a first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit, and obtains a pressure fluctuation value due to a mass fluctuation. That is, in step S109, the control device 4a updates (corrects) when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa replaced in step S137, or in any of steps S173, S175, and S176. The calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass control reference calculated value WMa is set (that is, when mass control is performed) is obtained by the following equation. In this case, the mass control reference calculated value WMa may not be the same value as the mass reference value WO replaced in step S137.

PWa = a0 (WMa−Wx) (Formula 12)

In this equation (12), a0 is the PW correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a0 (WMa-Wx) is the mass average value Wx when the control device 4a performs mass control. This is a calculated pressure fluctuation value (this is referred to as a first calculated pressure fluctuation value) PWa obtained when the mass control reference calculated value WMa is used.

When the process of step S109 is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S110 that forms a calculated thickness calculation unit. Note that the process of step S109 may be executed by the process of step S115 described later, and can be executed simultaneously with step S110 in parallel processing.

In step S110, the control device 4a obtains the thickness variation value when the mass control is performed (when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculation value WMa given via the hardness control unit HK). From this and the average thickness Tx, the calculated thickness Ta of the tablet is obtained by the following equation. In this case, the mass control reference calculated value WMa may not be the same value as the mass reference value WO replaced in step S137.
Ta = Tx + a1 (WMa−Wx) (Equation 13)

In this equation (13), a1 is a TW correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a1 (WMa-Wx) is the value when the control device 4a performs mass control (the mass average value Wx is controlled by mass control). This is the thickness fluctuation value obtained when the reference calculation value WMa is used. Thereby, the calculated thickness Ta when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference calculated value WMa is obtained from the thickness variation value and the thickness average value Tx of the sampling tablet.

Next, the control apparatus 4a performs the process of step S111 which makes a tip distance calculated value calculation part. In step S111, the control device 4a sets the calculated thickness Ta to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa replaced in step S137, or the thickness control updated in any of steps S163, S165, and S166. When the reference calculated value TMa is used (that is, when the thickness is controlled), the tip distance calculated value lMa at the first position and the tip distance calculated value LMa at the second position are obtained by the following equations, respectively. In this case, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa may not be the same value as the thickness reference value TO replaced in step S137.
LMa = LM + a3 (TMa-Ta) (15)
lMa = 1M + a3 (TMa−Ta) (16)

In Equation (15), LM is the setting value of the tip interval at the second position, a3 is the LT correlation coefficient, and Ta is the calculated thickness obtained in step S110. Similarly, in equation (16), lM is the setting value of the tip interval at the first position, a3 is the LT correlation coefficient, and Ta is the calculated thickness obtained in step S110.

When the process of step S111 is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S112 that forms the second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit. In step S112, the control device 4a performs the thickness control (calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa (this is the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa given via the hardness control unit HK)) Is referred to as a second calculated pressure fluctuation value). In this case, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa may not be the same value as the thickness reference value TO replaced in step 137.
PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta) (Expression (14))

In this equation (14), a2 is a PT correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a2 (TMa-Ta) is the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa (second calculated pressure fluctuation value).

After execution of step S112, the control device 4a executes step S115, which is a pressure control reference calculation value calculation unit. In step S115, the control device 4a displays the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value WMa given via the hardness control unit HK, and the hardness control unit HK. From the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness control is performed using the thickness reference calculated value TMa given via, and the molding pressure average value Px, the pressure control reference calculated value PMa is obtained by the following equation.
PMa = Px + PWa + PTa Equation (17).

In this equation (17), Px is the molding tablet average pressure value, PWa is the calculated pressure fluctuation value (first calculated pressure fluctuation value) obtained in step S109, and PTa is the calculated pressure fluctuation value (first value) obtained in step S112. 2 calculated pressure fluctuation value). Thereby, the pressure control reference calculated value PMa calculated by the equation (17) in step S115 is equal to the total value of the molding pressure average value Px and the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa.

Next, the control device 4a executes the process of step S118, which is a tip interval control unit. In step S118, the control device 4a updates the tip position setting value 1M of the first position with the value of the tip position calculated value lMa of the first position obtained in step S111, and this updated tip distance is obtained. The tip position l at the first position is controlled by the set value 1M, and the tip position set value LM at the second position is updated with the value of the tip position calculated value LMa at the second position obtained in the same step S111. The updated tip position setting value LM controls the tip position L of the second position.

Thereafter, the control device 4a executes the process of step S149, which constitutes the control pressure value update unit described in the first embodiment. Thereby, in step S149, the control device 4a updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM with the value of the pressure control reference calculated value PMa obtained in step S115, and sets each control pressure value of the pressure control unit 51. Update. After executing the process of step S149, the process returns to the start.

According to the tableting device 1 of the second embodiment described above, the mass W, the thickness T, and the hardness H of the tablet can be controlled by the control according to the control pattern 1 shown in FIGS. . When the tableting device 1 is operated by designating this control pattern 1, the tablet weight W and the tablet W are controlled regardless of the temperature change during the operation of the tableting machine 2 for the same reason as described in the first embodiment. It is possible to manufacture a tablet while maintaining the thickness T and hardness H within the specified range.

Next, with reference to FIG. 19, the flow of control when the control pattern 2 (WT control) in the second embodiment is selected will be described.

The control pattern 2 of the second embodiment is executed using an individual flowchart (in other words, a program) corresponding to the control pattern 2. In this case, the processing in step S106 (first control reference calculation value update unit) for ensuring consistency with the other control patterns described in the first embodiment, that is, each control reference value (WM, The process of replacing TM) with the corresponding control reference calculation values (WMa, TMa) is not necessary and is omitted. For this reason, in the control pattern 2 of the second embodiment, the control reference values corresponding to the respective computation processes of mass control and thickness control in the processes of steps S109 to S112 described later are used.

However, in the control pattern 2 of the second embodiment, the replacement process in step S106 (first control reference calculated value update unit) may be performed as in the first embodiment. Even in this case, since the control reference calculated values (WMa, TMa) corresponding to the control reference values (WM, TM) are the same value, they are obtained by the processing of steps S109 to S112 and step S115. Each calculated value is the same value as each calculated value obtained when the replacement process in step S106 is not performed (omitted).

This is because even when the control device 4a executes a program corresponding to each of the control patterns other than the control pattern 2, the program according to the control pattern selected from several control patterns. The same applies to the case where the control pattern 2 is selected when executing.

Furthermore, the control pattern 2 does not have a hardness control system process. Thus, in the process of executing the control pattern 2 of the second embodiment, the process of step S137, step S140, step S141, and step S146 described with reference to FIG. 13 in the control pattern 1 of the second embodiment, and FIG. Processing of all steps (steps S151 to S178) constituting the hardness control unit described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17 is omitted.

The control apparatus 4a performs the process of step S109 which makes a 1st calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating part after the process of step S103 which acquires sampling data in the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing of steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 19 and the processing of steps S109 to S112, step S115, step S118, and step S149 included in the operation control system are the same functions as the corresponding steps described in FIG. It is comprised so that it may have.

Next, the control executed by the control device 4a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the operation control system shown in FIG. 19, the control device 4 a executes the process of step S 109 forming the first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit. In step S109, the control device 4a obtains a calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa (first calculated pressure fluctuation value) when mass control is performed (when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference value WM) by the following equation. .
PWa = a0 (WM−Wx) (Equation 12a)

The process of step S109 corresponds to the process of step S109 shown in FIG. In the above-described equation (12a) for executing the processing of step S109, a0 is a PW correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a0 (WM-Wx) is controlled by the control device 4a. Is the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa (this is referred to as the first calculated pressure fluctuation value) when the mass average value Wx is set to the mass control reference value WM.

When the process of step S109 is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S110 that forms a calculated thickness calculation unit. Note that the process of step S109 may be executed by the process of step S115 for obtaining the pressure control reference calculation value PMa, and can be executed simultaneously with the process of step S110.

In step S110, the control device 4a obtains the calculated thickness Ta from the following formula using the thickness variation value and the thickness average value Tx when the mass control is performed.
Ta = Tx + a1 (WM−Wx) (Expression (13a))

The process of step S110 corresponds to the process of step S110 shown in FIG. In the above-described equation (13a) in step S110, a1 is a TW correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a1 (WM-Wx) is obtained when the control device 4a performs mass control (mass This is the thickness fluctuation value when the average value Wx is set to the mass control reference value WM. Thus, the calculated thickness Ta when mass control is performed is obtained from the thickness variation value and the thickness average value Tx of the sampling tablet.

Next, the control apparatus 4a performs the process of step S111 which makes a tip distance calculated value calculation part. In step S111, the control device 4a performs the thickness control (when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference value TM), and the tip distance calculated value lMa at the first position and the punch at the second position. The tip interval calculation value LMa is obtained by the following equation.
LMa = LM + a3 (TM-Ta) ...... Formula (15a)
lMa = 1M + a3 (TM−Ta) (16a)

The process of step S111 corresponds to the process of step S111 shown in FIG. In the above-described formula (15a) in step S111, LM is the setting value of the tip interval at the second position, a3 is the LT correlation coefficient, and Ta is the calculated thickness obtained in the process of step S110. Similarly, in the above-described equation (16a) in step S111, 1M is the setting value of the tip distance at the first position, a3 is the LT correlation coefficient, and Ta is the calculated thickness obtained in the process of step S110. .

When the process of step S111 is completed, the control device 4a executes the process of step S112 that forms the second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit. In step S112, the control device 4a calculates the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa (this is referred to as a second calculated pressure fluctuation value) when the thickness is controlled (when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference value TM). Obtained by the formula.
PTa = a2 (TM−Ta) (Formula (14a))

The process of step S112 corresponds to the process of step S112 shown in FIG. In the above described expression (14a) in step S112, a2 is a PT correlation coefficient, and the calculated value obtained by the calculation of a2 (TM-Ta) is the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa (second calculated pressure fluctuation). Value).

After execution of the process of step S112, the control device 4a executes the process of step S115 that forms a pressure control reference calculation value calculation unit. In step S115, the control device 4a obtains the pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa by the mass control and the thickness control, and the molding pressure average value Px by the following equation.
PMa = Px + PWa + PTa Equation (17).

The process of step S115 corresponds to the process of step S115 shown in FIG. In the above-described equation (17) in step S115, Px is the average molding pressure value of the sampling tablet, PWa is the calculated pressure fluctuation value (first calculated pressure fluctuation value) obtained in step S109, and PTa is obtained in step S112. This is the calculated pressure fluctuation value (second calculated pressure fluctuation value). Thereby, the pressure control reference calculated value PMa calculated by the equation (17) in step S115 is equal to the total value of the molding pressure average value Px and the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa.

Next, the control device 4a executes the process of step S118, which is a tip interval control unit. In step S118, the control device 4a updates the tip position setting value 1M of the first position with the value of the tip position calculated value lMa of the first position obtained in the process of step S111, and the updated tip position. The tip distance l at the first position is controlled by the distance setting value lM. At the same time, the control device 4a updates the tip position setting value LM of the second position with the value of the tip position calculated value LMa of the second position obtained by the Sh operation in step S111, and this updated tip position is obtained. The tip interval L of the second position is controlled by the interval setting value LM. The process of step S118 corresponds to the process of step S118 shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the control device 4a executes the process of step S149 that forms a control pressure value update unit, and updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM with the value of the pressure control reference calculation value PMa obtained in the process of step S115. To do. Thus, after each control pressure value of the pressure control unit 51 is updated, the process returns to the start. The process of step S149 corresponds to the process of step S149 shown in FIG.

Therefore, the control device 4a can control the mass W and the thickness T of the tablet by the control according to the control pattern 2 shown in FIG. When this control pattern 2 is designated and the tableting device 1 is operated, for the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the tableting device 1 may change the temperature or the powder during the operation of the tableting machine 2. Regardless of changes in physical properties, it is possible to manufacture tablets by holding the tablet mass W and thickness T at the control reference values registered in step S5.

The operation control system that executes the control pattern 2 (WT control) in the second embodiment described above has the following steps.
1. A step of obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when mass control is performed.
2. A step of obtaining a calculated thickness Ta when the mass control is performed.
3. A step of obtaining the tip distance calculation values lMa and LMa when the thickness is controlled.
4. A step of obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness is controlled.
5. A step of obtaining the pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the molding pressure average value Px, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation.
6. A step of controlling the tip interval by updating the tip interval setting values 1M and LM with the values of the tip tip calculated values lMa and LMa.
7. A step of updating the pressure control reference value PM with the value of the pressure control reference calculation value PMa and updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit 51.

Thereby, when the control pattern 2 of the second embodiment is executed, as already described in the first embodiment, it is directly according to the tablet thickness average value Tx calculated from the sampling data of a plurality of sampled tablets. Instead of controlling to change the tip interval setting values 1M and LM, the tableting apparatus 1 first calculates the tablet mass average value Wx obtained from the sampling data every time sampling is performed. The first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa and the calculated thickness Ta when the WM is set (when mass control is performed) are obtained.

Then, the tableting device 1 obtains the tip distance calculated values lMa and LMa and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference value TM (when the thickness is controlled). Here, the calculated tip spacing values lMa and LMa are obtained from the tip spacing variation value and the tip spacing setting value when the thickness is controlled. Thereby, the tableting device 1 evaluates the influence on the tip distance when changing the tip distance based on the mass average value Wx, and calculates the tip distance calculation value in consideration of this influence (change in the tip distance). lMa and LMa can be obtained. Then, the tableting device 1 updates the tip interval setting values 1M and LM with the values of the tip tip calculated values lMa and LMa, and controls the tip intervals l and L with the updated values. Thereby, since the tablet thickness fluctuation | variation accompanying the temperature change of each part of the tableting machine 2 is correct | amended, the tableting apparatus 1 can hold | maintain the tablet thickness T to the thickness control reference value TM.

Along with this, according to the control pattern 2 of the second embodiment, adjustment is made so that the molding pressure fluctuates and the tablet mass W does not change by updating the tip interval setting values 1M and LM. For this adjustment, the tableting device 1 calculates the pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the previously calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa, the previously calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa, and the molding pressure average value Px. In addition, the tableting device 1 updates the pressure control reference value (current value) PM with the value of the pressure control reference calculation value PMa.

Thus, the pressure control obtained in consideration of the influence on the molding pressure by the mass control and the thickness control (that is, the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when the mass control is performed and the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness control is performed). By updating the pressure control reference value PM with the reference calculated value PMa, the pressure control reference value (current value) PM of the pressure control unit 51 is updated.

Then, by controlling the molding pressure based on the updated pressure control reference value PM, feedback control based on the updated pressure control reference value PM is performed during continuous operation of the tableting machine 2. Thereby, the height position of the lower punch 16 that defines the filling depth of the powder into the die 12 is adjusted so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured becomes the pressure control reference value PM.

As described above, in the operation according to the control pattern 2, as in the first embodiment, the tableting device 1 has the tablet thickness irrespective of the temperature change of each part of the tableting machine 2 accompanying the continuous operation of the tableting machine 2. It is possible to manufacture a tablet by holding T at a pre-registered thickness control reference value. Further, in the operation control system, each control pressure value including the pressure control reference value (current value) set in the pressure control unit 51 is updated by updating the pressure control reference value in step S149 based on the calculation. Since the weight control is automatically updated to meet the mass control and the thickness control, the tableting device 1 can hold the tablet mass W at a pre-registered mass control reference value to produce a tablet. Is possible.

As described above, the tableting device 1 can control the mass and thickness of the tablet based on the control pattern 2 to manufacture the tablet while maintaining the mass and thickness at the corresponding control reference values. Is possible. Moreover, in this control method, the tableting device 1 can also control the density of the tablet (molded product).

That is, the density of the tablet is determined by the mass and volume of the tablet. In this case, since the diameters of the tablets to be molded are substantially the same based on the fact that the hole diameters of the respective dies 12 are processed to be substantially the same, the diameters of the tablets can be handled as fixed values. At the same time, since the change in the volume of the tablet corresponds to the change in the thickness, the density of the tablet can be determined based on the respective values of the mass and the thickness of the tablet. Thereby, in order to control the density of a tablet, what is necessary is just to control mass and thickness. Therefore, as described above, the control according to the control pattern 2 which controls the mass and thickness of the tablet is equivalent to “controlling the density of the tablet”.

In addition, for pharmaceutical tablets, it may be required to maintain certain characteristics such as disintegration and dissolution properties of tablets administered into the body. In this case, the tableting device 1 controls the density of the tablet according to the WT control of the control pattern 2 based on the correlation established between the density of the tablet and the disintegration property or the dissolution property. It is possible to produce a tablet whose dissolution property is maintained within the standard range.

Furthermore, in the control pattern 1 and the control pattern 2 of the second embodiment, each tip interval of the pre-compression and the main compression and each change (update) of the control pressure value in the pressure control unit 51 are the same as those in the first embodiment. By gradually performing the steps S116a to S124 and the steps S125 to S135, the tip interval setting value and the control pressure value are gradually changed via the tip interval control unit KK and the control pressure value updating unit PK. It is desirable to be able to suppress the occurrence of abnormal pressure associated with a sudden change in molding pressure.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a rotary powder compression molding apparatus that does not include the first roll, that is, a molding apparatus that includes only one set of upper and lower compression molding rolls disposed at the second position. When controlling the control target of the control device (for example, the mass, thickness, and hardness of the molded product), update of each control reference value and the tip set in the pressure control unit for at least the mass and thickness of the control The interval setting value may be updated with a time difference or may be performed simultaneously.

In each of the above embodiments, when the calculated values (calculated mass, calculated thickness, calculated hardness) corresponding to the mass / thickness / hardness are out of the control reference values of the mass / thickness / hardness, respectively. The tableting device 1 uses the tip distance setting value (current value), the pressure control reference value (current value) of the pressure control unit, and the control reference value (current value) for mass, thickness, and hardness in hardness control. The update is performed (the values for updating the current values are referred to as “update control target values”). However, instead of this, the tableting device 1 has a mass control unnecessary range for the mass control reference value, a thickness control unnecessary range for the thickness control reference value, and a hardness control unnecessary range for the hardness control reference value. May be set, and control based on these update control target values may be performed only when the update control target values obtained by calculation are values outside the respective control unnecessary ranges. In this case, if the update control target value obtained by the calculation is a value within a control unnecessary range determined for each control reference value, it is not necessary to perform control based on the update control target value.

And, when the control-unnecessary range is set for each control reference value, the tableting device 1 is controlled by controlling the sampling unit so that re-sampling is performed by the control device every time the control is performed. It can also be set as the structure which can acquire the sampling data after the said control. Thereby, it is possible to verify whether or not the control is properly performed. In addition, the tableting device 1 continues the resampling and repeats the re-sampling even when the update control target value obtained by the calculation is negligibly small, resulting in product loss, and tableting. It is possible to eliminate the fact that the production of the product by the machine 2 cannot be efficiently operated.

In each embodiment, the control device 4a registers the acquired trial hit data in a storage unit (not shown) in the control device 4a, and then receives the operation switch manually operated by the operator to operate the tablet press 2 in a continuous production operation. I am letting. However, in the present invention, a control unit is provided with a data judgment unit for judging whether the trial hit data for mass, thickness, and hardness is within the standard range, and this data judgment unit is used for trial hit data for mass, thickness, and hardness. Can be configured so that the operation switch is automatically turned on to shift to the continuous production operation of the tableting machine 2. When the values of the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 are obtained in advance corresponding to the item of the tablet to be produced and the specified raw material, the control device sets the correlation coefficients a0 to a5 in the control device. It can be registered in a storage unit (not shown). Accordingly, the tableting device 1 can automatically shift to the continuous production operation of the tableting machine 2 without newly acquiring the correlation coefficient based on the test data at the start of production. is there.

In each embodiment, it is desirable to perform control in which the tip interval control unit KK and the control pressure value update unit PK are alternately and gradually changed to target control reference values. However, instead of this, control is performed so that either the tip interval control unit KK or the control pressure value update unit PK is gradually changed to the target control reference value first, and the control unit or update executed first After the control of the unit is completed, the control may be performed so as to gradually change to the control reference value targeted for the control of the remaining other control unit or update unit.

Also, in each of the above embodiments, various correlation coefficients that can be used in the calculation process of the selected control pattern, how to obtain the correlation coefficient based on trial hit data, and the like are not limited to the above description. As described above, there is a correlation among the molding pressure P, the mass W, the thickness T, the hardness H, and the tip distance L (or l), and each corresponds to this. Since the correlation coefficient is established, the tablet thickness, hardness, and molding pressure change according to the tablet mass change (control), the tablet thickness change (control), or the tip setting value change (control) This is based on the fact that there is a correlation that the hardness of the tablet and the molding pressure change according to the above.

For example, as an example of the relationship between the three factors of the tablet mass, thickness, and molding pressure, the method for obtaining the PW correlation coefficient a0 in the above-described embodiment is mass control (W2 is changed to W1). The amount of change in the thickness T of the tablet that occurs when the tablet is taken, that is, the value obtained by the equation [a1 (W1-W2)] using the TW correlation coefficient a1 (this is referred to as the “thickness variation value”). No correction processing is performed. In other words, in the calculation process, the correlation coefficient between the molding pressure P and the mass W when the tablet thickness T2 that changes according to the tablet mass control is not corrected to the thickness T1 (thickness control) is expressed as P -W correlation coefficient a0. Here, the PW correlation coefficient according to this method is “aα”.

Unlike this method of calculation, assuming that the PW correlation coefficient is “aβ” on the premise that correction processing of the tablet thickness variation value described above that changes according to tablet mass control is performed, for example, When calculating the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa (previously described first calculated pressure fluctuation value) associated with mass control by calculation processing, the value of the aforementioned PW correlation coefficient a0 is set to the value of “aα”. Similarly, the value of the PW correlation coefficient a0 may be calculated as the value of “aβ”.

Even if the value of either “aα” or “aβ” is calculated as the PW correlation coefficient a0, the calculated first and second calculated pressure fluctuation values (PTa, PWa) and the molding are formed. The pressure control reference calculation value PMa calculated from the pressure average value Px is the same value.

In the above-described embodiment, the PW correlation coefficient a0 from the trial hit data is obtained by using the trial hit data (P1, W1 and P2, W2) of the molding pressure P and the mass W in the trial hit 1 and the trial hit 2 described above. The PW correlation coefficient a0 (hereinafter referred to as PW correlation coefficient aα) is obtained by the following equation.
a0 = ΔP / ΔW = (P1-P2) / (W1-W2) (1)
Here, a0 = aα.

The PW correlation coefficient aα obtained in this way is a coefficient based on the premise that a change in the tablet thickness T (thickness fluctuation value = T1-T2) accompanying the mass change when the mass W2 is changed to the mass W1. It is. However, on the assumption that the thickness variation value is not corrected in the calculation process, the PW correlation coefficient aα is obtained from the variation value of the molding pressure when the mass W2 is changed to the mass W1.

Specifically, when the PW correlation coefficient aα is calculated as the PW correlation coefficient a0 on the premise that correction processing of the tablet thickness variation value that changes according to mass control is not performed, For the value of the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa obtained by the above-described arithmetic expression [PWa = a0 (WMa−Wx) (Equation 12)], the thickness fluctuation value that changes according to the mass control is corrected. The pressure fluctuation value (fluctuation factor) based on this is not included.

Along with this, from the above-described arithmetic expression [Ta = Tx + a1 (WMa−Wx) (Expression (13)]), from the thickness variation value that changes according to the mass control and the tablet thickness average value Tx, the mass The tablet thickness (calculated thickness Ta described above) corresponding to the control is obtained, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the calculated thickness Ta is set to the thickness control reference calculated value TMa (when the thickness is controlled). Can be obtained from the above-described arithmetic expression [PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta) (Expression (14)]). Thus, the pressure fluctuation element (pressure) by correcting the thickness fluctuation value [a1 (WMa−Wx) = Ta−Tx], which changes according to the mass control, also in the value of the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa. Calculation processing that does not include (variable value) can be performed.

As described above, the control device performs the arithmetic processing using the PW correlation coefficient aα that does not include the pressure fluctuation value (fluctuation factor) when the thickness fluctuation value that changes according to the mass control is corrected. Thus, it is possible to calculate an accurate calculated pressure fluctuation value (PTa, PWa) corresponding to both the mass control and the thickness control. And if the said pressure control reference | standard calculated value PMa is calculated | required from said 1st, 2nd calculated pressure fluctuation value (PTa, PWa) and molding pressure average value Px, the thickness fluctuation value of the tablet which changes according to mass control will be obtained. The pressure control reference calculation value PMa can be obtained according to the following arithmetic expression using the PW correlation coefficient aα on the assumption that no correction is made.

PWa = aα (WMa−Wx) Expression (12b)
PTa = a2 (TMa-Ta) (14)
PMa = Px + PWa + PTa Equation (17).

In this case, since the value of the pressure control reference calculated value PWa obtained by the equation (12b) is a0 = aα, it is obtained by the above-described arithmetic expression [PWa = a0 (WMa−Wx). It is the same value as the value.

In the calculation process of the pressure control reference calculation value PMa obtained using the PW correlation coefficient aα on the premise that the tablet thickness fluctuation value (Ta−Tx) that changes according to the mass control is not corrected, When the tablet thickness variation value that changes according to the mass control is corrected (Tx is corrected to Ta), the following equation may be used.

PWa = aα (WMa−Wx) −a2 (Ta−Tx) (Equation 12c)
PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta) + a2 (Ta−Tx) Formula (14b)
PMa = Px + PWa + PTa Equation (17)
Here, the value obtained by a2 (Ta−Tx) is a pressure fluctuation value based on the correction of the thickness fluctuation value.

As described above, even if the pressure control reference calculated value PMa is obtained from the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa obtained by the above formula (12b) and the above formula (14) without correcting the thickness fluctuation value, the thickness fluctuation value is obtained. Is corrected from the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa obtained from the equations (12c) and (14b), the equations [12c] and (14b) [a2 (Ta− Tx)]] is canceled out, and all values become the same value.

Unlike the processing of the PW correlation coefficient aα, when obtaining the PW correlation coefficient aβ on the assumption that the tablet thickness fluctuation value (Ta−Tx) that changes according to mass control is corrected. The processing is performed according to the following calculation method.

Based on the fact that the molding pressure may fluctuate due to the tablet thickness variation accompanying mass control as described above, the control device first controlled the thickness data T2 to the thickness data T1 from the test hit data described above. Sometimes, the molding pressure data P2 is determined by the following equation using the PW correlation coefficient a2 to determine what molding pressure (this is referred to as the calculated pressure P2a).
P2a = P2 + a2 (T1-T2) (Formula (3a)).

Using this calculated pressure P2a, the control device obtains the PW correlation coefficient aβ by the following equation that divides the fluctuation value ΔP of the molding pressure corrected by the thickness fluctuation value by the fluctuation value ΔW of the tablet mass.
aβ = ΔP / ΔW = (P1−P2a) / (W1−W2) (1a)
The control device can align the standard of the thickness data in obtaining the PW correlation coefficient aβ with the calculated pressure P2a, and an error in the molding pressure (pressure) caused by the difference between the thickness data T1 and the thickness data T2 can be obtained. (Variable factors) can be eliminated.

Therefore, when the pressure control reference calculation value PMa is obtained using the PW correlation coefficient aβ obtained on the assumption that the tablet thickness fluctuation value that changes according to mass control is corrected, the control device An arithmetic process according to the equation may be performed.

PWa = aβ (WMa−Wx) (12d)
PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta) + a2 (Ta−Tx) = a2 (TMa−Tx) (14c)
PMa = Px + PWa + PTa (17)

Here, the calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa obtained by aβ (WMa−Wx) is obtained by using the PW correlation coefficient aβ obtained on the assumption that the tablet thickness fluctuation value that changes according to mass control is corrected. Therefore, the pressure fluctuation value by the thickness fluctuation value correction is included.

From these, even if the pressure control reference calculation value PMa obtained under the respective premises is obtained by the following calculation methods, an accurate calculated pressure fluctuation value corresponding to the control of both the mass control and the thickness control ( PTa, PWa) can be calculated, and the pressure control reference calculation value PMa obtained by any method is the same value.

In the first method, the control device uses the pressures from the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa obtained by the equations (12b) and (14) without correcting the thickness fluctuation values that change according to mass control. A control reference calculation value PMa is obtained. In the second method, the control device can correct the thickness fluctuation value by using the PW correlation coefficient aα obtained on the assumption that the tablet thickness fluctuation value that changes according to the mass control is not corrected. The pressure control reference calculated value PMa is determined from the calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa determined by the formula (12c) and the formula (14b) included. In the third method, the control device uses the PW correlation coefficient aβ obtained on the assumption that the tablet thickness variation value that changes according to the mass control is corrected, and the equation (12d) and the thickness variation value. The pressure control reference calculation value PMa is obtained from the respective calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa obtained by the equation (14c) including the correction of.

Further, when the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa is obtained using “aα” as the PW correlation coefficient described above, the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa is calculated using the above-described calculation formula [PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta ) ... It is calculated | required by Formula (14)]. However, in place of this calculation formula, the control device uses a PL correlation coefficient (or Pl correlation coefficient) established between the molding pressure P and the tip interval L (or l), and the tip. It is also possible to obtain the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa using the interval variation value (the difference between the tip interval calculation value LMa and the tip interval setting value LM).

Specifically, the above-described calculation formula [LMa = LM + a3 (TMa−Ta) (formula (15)]) can be expressed as (TMa−Ta) = (LMa−LM) / a3. 2 Substituting the calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa into the above-described calculation formula [PTa = a2 (TMa−Ta)... (14)], PTa = a2 (LMa−LM) / a3, and further PTa = (a2 / a3) × (LMa−LM) Equation (14d) can be obtained.

As described above, the PT correlation coefficient a2 is ΔP / ΔT, and the LT correlation coefficient a3 is a coefficient obtained by ΔL / ΔT. Therefore, (a2 / a3) in the above formula (14d) for obtaining PTa is obtained by dividing the pressure fluctuation value (ΔP) by the tip interval fluctuation value (ΔL) by the following calculation formula, It can be paraphrased as -L correlation coefficient (for example, a6).

a2 / a3 = (ΔP / ΔT) / (ΔL / ΔT) = ΔP / ΔL
From this, the second calculated pressure fluctuation obtained by multiplying the difference (LMa−LM) between the calculated tip distance LMa and the tip distance setting value LM by the PL correlation coefficient (a6 = a2 / a3). The value PTa is the value of the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa described above obtained by multiplying the difference (TMa−Ta) between the thickness control reference calculated value TMa and the calculated thickness Ta by the PT correlation coefficient (a2). It becomes the same value.

Further, for the WH correlation coefficient a5 used in the control pattern with control of the tablet hardness, the value of a5α is used in the control pattern 3 (WH control), and the control pattern 1 (WTH control) and the control pattern 5 ( In the (TH control), the embodiment using the value of a5β has been described, but it is also possible to perform arithmetic processing by replacing a5β with a5α. This is because, as described above, similar to the method for obtaining the pressure fluctuation values when the mass control and the thickness control are performed, from the correlation established between the tablet mass, the thickness and the molding pressure, as described above. This is based on the fact that the correlation between the mass, the thickness, and the hardness is established, so that it is possible to obtain the respective hardness fluctuation values when the mass control and the thickness control are performed.

Moreover, in order to manufacture a desired molded product with the above-described control pattern 1 (WTH control), it is possible to carry out by the following methods.

(Single control method for hardness of molded product)
In the control pattern 1 (WTH control), the control device performs setting to greatly expand the mass control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference value correction range. For example, the lower limit value of each control reference value correction range of mass and thickness is set to 0, and the upper limit value of each control reference value correction range is set to the maximum value of the settable range. Next, the control device minimizes only the hardness control reference value correction range (for example, by setting the lower limit value and upper limit value of the hardness control reference value correction range to the same value, etc.), so that the pressure control reference is changed according to the hardness change. The value PM and the tip interval setting values LM and lM are updated.

Thereby, it is possible to manufacture a desired molded product by controlling the hardness H of the molded product independently within the standard range (H single control).

(Single control method for the mass of molded products)
In the control pattern 1 (WTH control), the control device performs setting to greatly widen the thickness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference value correction range. For example, the lower limit value of each control reference value correction range for thickness and hardness is set to zero. Next, the control device sets the upper limit value of each control reference value correction range to the maximum value of the settable range and minimizes only the mass control reference value correction range (for example, the lower limit value of the mass control reference value correction range and By changing the upper limit value to the same value, etc.), the pressure control reference value PM and the tip interval setting values LM, 1M are updated according to the mass change.

Thus, it is possible to manufacture a desired molded product by controlling the mass W of the molded product to be within the standard range (W single control).

(Single control method for thickness of molded product)
In the control pattern 1 (WTH control), the control device performs setting to greatly expand the mass control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference value correction range. For example, the lower limit value of each control reference value correction range of mass and hardness is set to 0, and the upper limit value of each control reference value correction range of mass and hardness is set to the maximum value of the settable range. Next, the control device minimizes only the thickness control reference value correction range (for example, by setting the lower limit value and upper limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range to the same value, etc.), so that the pressure control reference is changed according to the thickness change. The value PM and the tip interval setting values LM and lM are updated.

From this, it is possible to manufacture a desired molded product by controlling the thickness T of the molded product independently within the standard range (T single control).

(Method for controlling thickness and hardness of molded product)
In the control pattern 1 (WTH control), the control device performs setting to greatly widen the mass control reference value correction range. For example, the lower limit value of the mass control reference value correction range is set to 0, and the upper limit value of the mass control reference value correction range is set to the maximum value of the settable range. Next, the control device minimizes each of the thickness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference value correction range (for example, the lower limit value and the upper limit value of each control reference value correction range for thickness and hardness are the same value, etc.) Thus, the pressure control reference value PM and the tip interval setting values LM, 1M are updated in accordance with each change in thickness and hardness.

Thus, it is possible to manufacture a desired molded product by controlling (TH control) the thickness T and hardness H of the molded product to be within the standard range.

(Method for controlling the mass and hardness of molded products)
In the control pattern 1 (WTH control), the control device performs setting to greatly widen the thickness control reference value correction range. For example, the lower limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range is set to 0, and the upper limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range is set to the maximum value of the settable range. Next, the control device minimizes each of the mass control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference value correction range (for example, the lower limit value and the upper limit value of each control reference value correction range for mass and hardness are the same value, etc.) Thus, the pressure control reference value PM and the tip interval setting values LM and lM are updated in accordance with each change in mass and hardness.

Thus, it is possible to manufacture a desired molded product by controlling (WH control) the mass W and the hardness H of the molded product to be within the standard range.

(Method for controlling the mass and thickness of molded products)
In the control pattern 1 (WTH control), the control device performs setting to greatly widen the hardness control reference value correction range. For example, the lower limit value of the hardness control reference value correction range is set to 0, and the upper limit value of the hardness control reference value correction range is set to the maximum value of the settable range. Next, the control device minimizes each of the mass control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference value correction range (for example, the lower limit value and the upper limit value of each control reference value correction range for mass and thickness are set to the same value, etc.) Thus, the pressure control reference value PM and the tip interval setting values LM and lM are updated in accordance with each change in mass and thickness.

Thereby, it is possible to manufacture a desired molded product by controlling (WT control) so that each of the mass W and thickness T of the molded product is within the standard range.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The scope of the invention includes, of course, an embodiment in which only the control pattern 1 (WTH control) or the control pattern 2 (WT control) can be performed alone. It also includes selecting and implementing each of the control patterns from the combination by combining the control pattern or the control unit (control means).

In addition, the following inventions are included in the embodiments described in this specification.

[1]
The control device 4a for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine 2 including the rotating disk 11 is attached to the rotating disk 11 so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value PM. A rotary powder compression molding apparatus 1 (or an operation method of this apparatus) having a pressure control unit 51 for controlling the height position of the lower punch 16 that defines the filling depth of the powder into the die 12, The following portions (each means or each step) for controlling only the thickness of the film are provided.
Calculated mass calculation unit (calculated mass calculation means or calculated mass calculation process) for calculating the calculated mass Wa of the molded product from the mass fluctuation value when the pressure is controlled and the mass average value Wx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation. .
A first control reference calculation value update unit (first control reference calculation value update means or first control reference calculation value update step) that replaces the thickness control reference calculation value TMa with the value of the thickness control reference value TM.
A second control reference value update unit (second control reference value update means or second control reference value update step) that replaces the mass control reference calculation value WMa with the value of the calculated mass Wa.
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit (first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating means or first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step) for obtaining a calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when mass control is performed.
Calculated thickness calculation unit (calculated thickness calculating means or calculated thickness calculating step) for calculating the calculated thickness Ta of the molded product from the thickness variation value when the mass control is performed and the average thickness Tx of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation .
A tip interval calculation value calculation unit (tip interval calculation value calculation means or a tip interval calculation value calculation step) for calculating a tip interval calculation value (lMa and LMa) when the thickness is controlled.
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit (second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating means or a second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step) for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness is controlled.
Pressure control reference calculation value calculation for calculating pressure control reference calculation value PMa from the molding pressure average value Px of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation and the first and second calculated pressure fluctuation values (PWa, PTa). Part (pressure control reference calculation value calculation means or pressure control reference calculation value calculation step).
A tip spacing control unit (tip tip spacing control means or tip tip spacing control step) that determines the necessity of controlling the tip spacing and changes the tip spacing when it is determined that it is necessary.
When the necessity for updating the pressure control reference value PM is determined and it is determined that there is a necessity, a control pressure value updating unit (control pressure value updating means or Control pressure value update process).

[2]
The control device 4a for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine 2 including the rotating disk 11 is attached to the rotating disk 11 so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value PM. A rotary powder compression molding apparatus 1 (or an operation method of this apparatus) having a pressure control unit 51 for controlling the height position of the lower punch 16 that defines the filling depth of the powder into the mortar 12, and having a thickness and It comprises the following parts (means or processes) for controlling the hardness.
Calculated mass calculation unit (calculated mass calculation means or calculated mass calculation process) for calculating the calculated mass Wa of the molded product from the mass fluctuation value when the pressure is controlled and the mass average value Wx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation. .
A third control reference calculation value update unit (third control reference calculation value update means or a third control reference calculation value update means or Third control standard calculation value update process).
A fourth control reference calculation value update unit (a fourth control reference calculation value update unit or a fourth control reference calculation value update step) that replaces the mass control reference calculation value WMa with the value of the calculated mass Wa.
A hardness fluctuation value when mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value WMa and a hardness fluctuation value when thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value TMa are obtained, respectively, A second calculated hardness calculating unit (second calculated hardness calculating means or second calculated hardness calculating step) that calculates the calculated hardness Ha of the molded product from the hardness average value Hx of the plurality of molded products determined during operation.
Calculated hardness second determination unit (calculated hardness second determination means or calculation) for determining whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range when the thickness and hardness control standard calculation values are corrected. Hardness second judgment step).
When the determination of the calculated hardness second determining unit (calculated hardness second determining means or calculated hardness second determining step) is within a hardness controllable range, at least one of the control standard calculated values of thickness and hardness is set to at least A hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control step) that is updated within a control reference value correction range corresponding to one.
First calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when mass control is performed using a mass control reference calculation value given via the hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control process) (First calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating means or first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step).
A calculated thickness calculation unit (calculated thickness calculation means or calculated thickness calculation step) for calculating a calculated thickness Ta of a molded product from the thickness variation value when the mass control is performed and the thickness average value Tx.
Tip distance calculation value calculation unit for calculating the tip distance calculation values lMa and LMa when the thickness is controlled using the thickness control reference calculation value given via the hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control step) (Tip interval calculation value calculation means or tip interval calculation value calculation step).
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating section (second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating section means or a second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step) for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness is controlled.
Pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit (pressure control) for determining a pressure control reference calculated value PMa from the molding pressure average value Px of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation and the first and second calculated pressure fluctuation values PWa and PTa. Reference calculation value calculation means or pressure control reference calculation value calculation step).
A tip spacing control unit (tip tip spacing control means or tip tip spacing control step) that determines the necessity of controlling the tip spacing and changes the tip spacing when it is determined that it is necessary.
When the necessity for updating the pressure control reference value PM is determined and it is determined that there is a necessity, a control pressure value updating unit (control pressure value updating means or Control pressure value update process).

[3]
The control device 4a for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine 2 including the rotating disk 11 is attached to the rotating disk 11 so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value PM. A rotary powder compression molding apparatus 1 (or an operation method of this apparatus) having a pressure control unit 51 for controlling the height position of the lower punch 16 that defines the filling depth of the powder into the mortar 12, and It comprises the following parts (or each process) for controlling the hardness.
A third control reference calculation value update unit (third control reference calculation value update means or third control reference value update unit or replacement means for replacing the mass control reference calculation value WMa with the value of the mass reference value WO and the hardness control reference calculation value HMa with the value of the hardness reference value HO, respectively. Third control standard calculation value update process).
A first calculated hardness calculating unit (first calculated hardness calculating means or first calculated hardness calculation unit or a first calculated hardness calculating unit) calculates a calculated hardness Ha of a molded product from a hardness variation value when mass control is performed and a hardness average value Hx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation. 1 calculation hardness calculation process).
A calculated hardness first determining unit (calculated hardness first determining means or calculation) for determining whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range when each control standard calculated value of mass and hardness is corrected. Hardness first determination step).
When the determination of the calculated hardness first determining unit (calculated hardness first determining means or calculated hardness first determining step) is within the hardness controllable range, at least one of the control reference calculated values of mass and hardness is calculated by A hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control step) that is updated within a control reference value correction range corresponding to at least one.
First calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa when mass control is performed using a mass control reference calculation value given via the hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control process) (First calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating means or first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step).
A pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit (a pressure control reference calculated value calculation means or a pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit) that calculates a pressure control reference calculated value PMa from a molding pressure average value Px of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation and the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa. Pressure control standard calculation value calculation process).
When the necessity for updating the pressure control reference value PM is determined and it is determined that there is a necessity, a control pressure value updating unit (control pressure value updating means or Control pressure value update process).

[4]
The control device 4a for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine 2 including the rotating disk 11 is attached to the rotating disk 11 so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value PM. A rotary powder compression molding apparatus 1 (or an operation method of this apparatus) having a pressure control unit 51 for controlling the height position of the lower punch 16 that defines the filling depth of the powder into the mortar 12, and It comprises the following parts (means or steps) for controlling the thickness and hardness.
Calculated mass calculation unit (calculated mass calculation means or calculated mass calculation process) for calculating the calculated mass Wa of the molded product from the mass fluctuation value when the pressure is controlled and the mass average value Wx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation. .
A control pattern first selection unit (control pattern first selection means or control pattern first selection step) for determining whether or not the designated control pattern includes control of the hardness of the molded product.
When the control pattern first selection unit (control pattern first selection means or control pattern first selection step) determines that the designated control pattern does not include control of the hardness of the molded product, the value of the mass control reference value WM The first control reference calculated value update unit (first control reference calculated value update means or first control reference calculated) replaces the mass control reference calculated value WMa with the thickness control reference value TM and the thickness control reference calculated value TMa. Value update process).
A control pattern second selection unit (control pattern second selection means or control pattern second selection step) for determining whether or not the designated control pattern includes control of the mass of the molded product.
When the control pattern second selection unit (or control pattern second selection step) determines that the designated control pattern does not include control of the mass of the molded product, the mass control reference calculated value is calculated based on the calculated mass Wa. A second control reference calculation value update unit (second control reference calculation value update means or a second control reference calculation value update step) that replaces WMa.
If the control pattern first selection unit (control pattern first selection means or control pattern first selection step) determines that the designated control pattern includes control of the hardness of the molded product, the mass is represented by the mass reference value WO. The third control reference calculation value update unit (first control unit) replaces the control reference calculation value WMa with the thickness reference value TO, the thickness control reference calculation value TMa, and the hardness reference value HO with the hardness control reference calculation value HMa. 3 control standard calculation value update means or third control standard calculation value update process).
A control pattern third selection unit (control pattern third selection means or control pattern third selection step) for determining whether or not the designated control pattern includes control of the mass of the molded product.
If the control pattern third selection unit (control pattern third selection means or control pattern third selection step) determines that the designated control pattern includes the control of the mass of the molded product, the hardness variation when the mass control is performed A first calculation for obtaining the calculated hardness Ha of the molded product from the hardness variation value and the hardness average value Hx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation. Hardness calculation section (first calculated hardness calculation means or first calculated hardness calculation step).
A calculated hardness first determining unit (calculated hardness first determining means) for determining whether or not the calculated hardness Ha is within a hardness controllable range when each control reference calculated value of mass, thickness, and hardness is corrected. Or calculated hardness first judgment step).
When the control pattern third selection unit (control pattern third selection means or control pattern third selection step) determines that the designated control pattern does not include control of the mass of the molded product, the value of the calculated mass Wa A fourth control reference calculation value update unit (a fourth control reference calculation value update unit or a fourth control reference calculation value update step) that replaces the mass control reference calculation value WMa.
The hardness fluctuation value when the mass is controlled and the hardness fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled are obtained, and the calculated hardness of the molded product from these hardness fluctuation values and the average hardness value Hx of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation. A second calculated hardness calculation unit for obtaining Ha (second calculated hardness calculation means or a second calculated hardness calculation step).
A calculated hardness second determining unit (calculated hardness second determining means or calculated hardness) for determining whether or not the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range when the thickness and hardness control standard calculated values are corrected. Second determination step).
When the determination of the calculated hardness first determining unit (calculated hardness first determining means or calculated hardness first determining step) is within a hardness controllable range, at least one of the control reference calculated values of mass, thickness, and hardness is calculated. A hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control step) updated within a control reference value correction range corresponding to at least one of these, or the calculated hardness second judgment unit (calculated hardness second judgment means or calculation) When the determination in the second hardness determination step) is within the hardness controllable range, at least one of the thickness and hardness control reference calculation values is updated within the control reference value correction range corresponding to the at least one. Hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control process).
When the designated control pattern includes control of the mass of the molded product, the control pattern second selection unit (control pattern second selection means or control pattern second selection step) determines, or the designated control pattern is When the control pattern second selection unit (control pattern second selection means or control pattern second selection step) determines that the control of the mass of the molded product is not included, and the second control reference value update unit (first 2 control reference value update means or the second control reference value update process), or when the designated control pattern passes through the hardness control unit (hardness control means or hardness control process) A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating section for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when the first calculation pressure fluctuation is performed (first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating means or first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step);
Calculated thickness calculation unit (calculated thickness calculating means or calculated thickness calculating step) for determining the calculated thickness Ta of the molded product from the thickness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed and the average thickness Tx of the plurality of molded products determined during operation .
Tip distance calculation value calculation unit (tip distance calculation value calculation means or tip distance calculation value) for calculating the tip distance calculation values LMa and lMa from the tip distance variation value and the tip distance setting value when the thickness is controlled. Calculation process).
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit (second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating means or a second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step) for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa when the thickness is controlled.
Pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value PMa from a molding pressure average value Px of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value PWa, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value PTa. (Pressure control reference calculation value calculation means or pressure control reference calculation value calculation step).
A tip spacing control unit (tip tip spacing control means or tip tip spacing control step) that determines the necessity of controlling the tip spacing and changes the tip spacing when it is determined that it is necessary.
When it is determined that the pressure control reference value PM needs to be updated and the pressure control reference value PM is determined to be necessary, a control pressure value updating unit (control pressure value updating means or control) that updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit 51 Pressure value update process).

[5]
The rotary powder compression molding apparatus according to any one of [1], [2], [4] and claims 2, 4 and 7 (or [1], [2] In the above [4], the operation method of the rotary powder compression molding apparatus according to any one of

claims

1, 3 and 5)
The tip interval control section (tip tip control means or tip tip control step)
A tip interval control determining unit (tip tip interval control determining means or a tip interval control determining step) for determining whether or not the tip interval calculation value and the tip interval setting value are the same;
Each of the following parts (means or each process) that is repeatedly executed until the judgment of the tip distance control determining unit (tip distance control determining means or the tip distance control determining step) becomes YES,
Is further provided.
When the determination of the tip interval control determining unit (tip tip interval control determining means or the tip tip interval control determining step) is NO, it is determined whether or not the tip interval setting value is larger than the tip interval calculated value. A first tip interval determining unit for determining (first tip interval determining means or a first tip interval determining step).
If the determination of the first tip interval determining unit (the first tip interval determining means or the first tip interval determining step) is YES, the difference (absolutely) between the tip interval setting value and the tip interval calculation value Value) is smaller than the prescribed dimension value, and determines whether or not the second tip interval determination unit (second tip interval determination means or second tip interval determination step).
If the determination of the first tip interval determining unit (the first tip interval determining means or the first tip interval determining step) is NO, the difference (absolutely) between the tip interval setting value and the tip interval calculated value Value) is smaller than the specified dimension value, and determines whether or not a third tip distance determination unit (third tip distance determination means or third tip distance determination step).
When the determination of the second tip interval determination unit (the second tip interval determination means or the second tip interval determination step) is NO, the flange is set to a value obtained by subtracting the specified dimension value from the tip interval setting value. A first tip interval control unit that updates the tip interval setting value and narrows the tip interval (first tip interval control means or first tip interval control step).
When the determination of the second tip interval determination unit (second tip interval determination unit or second tip interval determination step) is YES and the third tip interval determination unit (third tip interval determination unit or second If the determination in step 3) is YES, the second tip interval control unit updates the tip interval setting value with the tip tip calculated value and changes the tip interval to the updated value. (Second tip distance control means or second tip distance control step).
When the determination of the third tip interval determination unit (the third tip interval determination means or the third tip interval determination step) is NO, the hook is set to a value obtained by adding the specified dimension value to the tip interval setting value. A third tip distance control unit that updates the tip distance setting value and widens the tip distance (a third tip distance control means or a third tip distance control step).

[6]
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5] The rotary powder compression molding apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 7 in claims. (Or [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], and the rotary type according to any one of claims 1 and 3.5 in the claims) In the operation method of the powder compression molding device)
The control pressure value update unit (control pressure value update means or control pressure value update step)
A pressure control reference value update determination unit (pressure control reference value update determination means or pressure control reference value update determination step) for determining whether or not the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculated value PMa are the same; ,
The pressure control reference value update determination unit (pressure control reference value update determination unit or pressure control reference value update determination step) further includes the following unit (or step) that is repeatedly executed until the determination is YES. And
A first pressure control reference value determining unit (first pressure control reference value determining means or first pressure control reference value determining step) for determining whether or not the pressure control reference value PM is greater than the pressure control reference calculated value PMa;
When the determination of the first pressure control reference value determination unit (the first pressure control reference value determination means or the first pressure control reference value determination step) is YES, the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculated value PMa A second pressure control reference value determination unit (second pressure control reference value determination means or a second pressure control reference value determination step) for determining whether or not the difference (absolute value) is smaller than the specified pressure value.
When the determination of the first pressure control reference value determination unit (first pressure control reference value determination means or first pressure control reference value determination step) is NO, the pressure control reference value PM and the pressure control reference calculation value PMa A third pressure control reference value determination unit (a third pressure control reference value determination means or a third pressure control reference value determination step) for determining whether or not the difference (absolute value) is smaller than the specified pressure value.
A value obtained by subtracting the specified pressure value from the pressure control reference value PM when the determination of the second pressure control reference value determination unit (second pressure control reference value determination means or second pressure control reference value determination step) is NO. The first control pressure value updating unit (first control pressure value updating unit) updates the pressure control reference value PM and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit based on the updated pressure control reference value PM. Or a 1st control pressure value update process).
When the determination of the second pressure control reference value determination unit (second pressure control reference value determination means or the second pressure control reference value determination step) is YES and the third pressure control reference value determination unit (third pressure control reference If the determination in the value determining means or the third pressure control reference value determining step) is YES, the pressure control reference value PM is updated with the value of the pressure control reference calculated value PMa, and the updated pressure control reference value PM is A second control pressure value updating unit (second control pressure value updating means or a second control pressure value updating step) for updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit with reference.
A value obtained by adding the specified pressure value to the pressure control reference value PM when the determination of the third pressure control reference value determination unit (the third pressure control reference value determination means or the third pressure control reference value determination step) is NO. The third control pressure value updating unit (third control pressure value updating unit) updates the pressure control reference value PM and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit based on the updated pressure control reference value PM. Or a 3rd control pressure value update process).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotary type tableting device (rotary type powder compression molding apparatus), 2 ... Tableting machine (powder compression molding machine), 3 ... Measuring instrument, 4 ... Control board, 4a ... Control apparatus, 11 ... Rotary board, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Mill, 15 ... Upper arm, 16 ... Lower arm, 17 ... Mass adjustment track, 19 ... Track raising / lowering mechanism, 28 ... Space adjustment mechanism for main compression, 28e ... A part of space | interval detection part, 29 ... Pressure sensor, 41 ... sampling unit, step S104 ... calculated mass calculation unit, step S105 ... control pattern first selection unit, step S106 ... first control reference calculated value update unit, step S107 ... control pattern second selection unit, step S108 ... second Control reference calculated value update unit, step S109 ... first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation part, step S110 ... calculated thickness calculation part, step S111 ... tip distance calculated value calculation part, step S112 ... second calculated pressure fluctuation value Calculation unit, step S115 ... pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit, step S117 ... tip distance control determination unit, step S118 ... tip distance control unit, step S119 ... first tip distance determination unit, step S120a ... second key Point interval determination unit, step S120b ... third rod tip interval determination unit, step S121a ... first rod tip interval control unit, step S121b ... second rod tip interval control unit, step S121c ... third rod tip interval control unit, step S125: pressure control reference value update determination unit, step S127: first pressure control reference value determination unit, step S128: second pressure control reference value determination unit, step S129: first control pressure value update unit, step S130: third Pressure control reference value determination unit, step S131 ... second control pressure value update unit, step S132 ... third control pressure value update unit, step 137 ... Control reference calculated value update unit or third control reference calculated value update unit, step S138 ... Control pattern third selection unit, step S140 ... First calculated hardness calculation unit, step S141 ... Calculated hardness first determination unit, step S142 ... 4th control standard calculation value update part, step S144 ... 2nd calculation hardness calculation part, step S145 ... calculation hardness 2nd judgment part, step S149 ... control pressure value update part, step S151 ... correction destination 1st judgment part, step S152: Calculated hardness third determining unit, step S153: First hardness control reference calculated value updating unit, step S154 ... Calculated hardness sixth determining unit, steps S155, 156 ... Second hardness control reference calculated value updating unit, step S157 ... Correction destination fourth determination unit, step S161 ... Correction destination second determination unit, step S162 ... Calculated hardness fourth determination unit, step S163: first thickness control reference calculated value update unit, step S164 ... calculated hardness seventh determination unit, steps S165, 166 ... second thickness control reference calculated value update unit, step S167 ... third calculated hardness calculation unit, step S168 ... Correction destination fifth determination unit, step S171 ... Correction destination third determination unit, step S172 ... Calculated hardness fifth determination unit, step S173 ... First mass control reference calculated value update unit, step S174 ... Calculated hardness eighth determination unit, Steps S175, 176 ... second mass control reference calculated value update unit, step S177 ... fourth calculated hardness calculation unit, step S178 ... correction destination sixth determination unit, PK ... control pressure value update unit (control pressure value update means), KK ... Tip distance control section (tip distance control means), HK ... Hardness control section (hardness control means)

Claims

A method for operating a rotary powder compression molding apparatus,
The powder compression molding apparatus is
A turntable,
A control device for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine,
The control device is a height position of a lower punch that defines a filling depth of powder into a mortar attached to the rotating disk so that a molding pressure of a molded product to be manufactured is maintained at a predetermined pressure control reference value. Including the pressure control unit for controlling the operation method,
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when performing mass control;
A calculated thickness calculation step for obtaining a calculated thickness of the molded product from a thickness variation value when the mass control is performed and a thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation,
A tip interval calculation value calculation step for obtaining a tip interval calculation value from the tip interval variation value and the tip interval setting value when the thickness is controlled;
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculating step for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
A tip interval control step of controlling the tip interval by updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculated value;
A control pressure value update step of updating the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;
It is characterized by having.
Rotary powder compression molding equipment
A turntable,
A control device for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine,
The controller is
Pressure control for controlling the height position of the lower punch that defines the filling depth of powder into the mortar attached to the rotating disk so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at a predetermined pressure control reference value And
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when performing mass control;
A calculated thickness calculation unit for calculating a calculated thickness of a molded product from a thickness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed and a thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation;
A tip interval calculation value calculation unit for calculating a tip interval calculation value from the tip interval variation value and the tip interval setting value when the thickness is controlled;
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
Updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculation value, and controlling the tip interval control unit;
A control pressure value update unit that updates the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;
It is characterized by having.
A method for operating a rotary powder compression molding apparatus,
The powder compression molding apparatus is
A turntable,
A control device for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine,
The control device controls the height position of the lower punch that defines the powder filling depth to the mortar attached to the rotating disk so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value. The operation method includes a pressure control unit that
Control standard calculation value update process that replaces the mass control standard calculation value with the mass standard value of the molded product, the thickness control standard calculation value with the thickness standard value of the molded product, and the hardness control standard calculation value with the hardness standard value of the molded product. When,
The hardness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value and the hardness fluctuation value when the thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value are obtained, respectively. A first calculated hardness calculating step for calculating a calculated hardness of the molded product from the average hardness values of the plurality of molded products determined in
A calculated hardness first determining step of determining whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range when each control reference calculated value of mass, thickness, and hardness is corrected;
When the determination in the calculated hardness first determination step is within the hardness controllable range, at least one of the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness is set to a control reference value correction range corresponding to the at least one. Hardness control process to be updated within the range;
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when mass control is performed using a mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control step;
Calculated thickness of the molded product from the thickness variation value when mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control step and the thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation Calculated thickness calculation process to be obtained,
Tip distance calculation value calculation for calculating a tip distance calculation value from a tip distance variation value and a tip distance setting value when thickness control is performed using a thickness control reference calculation value given via the hardness control step Process,
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled using the thickness control reference calculated value given via the hardness control step;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculating step for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
A tip interval control step of controlling the tip interval by updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculated value;
A control pressure value update step of updating the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;
It is characterized by having.
Rotary powder compression molding equipment
A turntable,
A control device for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine,
The controller is
A pressure control unit for controlling a height position of a lower punch that defines a filling depth of powder into a die attached to the rotating disk so that a molding pressure of a molded product to be manufactured is maintained at a pressure control reference value; ,
A control reference calculation value update unit that replaces the mass control reference calculated value with the molded product mass reference value, the thickness control reference calculated value with the molded product thickness reference value, and the hardness control reference calculated value with the molded product hardness reference value. When,
The hardness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value and the hardness fluctuation value when the thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value are obtained, respectively. A first calculated hardness calculator that calculates the calculated hardness of the molded product from the average hardness values of the plurality of molded products determined in
A calculated hardness first determining unit that determines whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range when each control reference calculated value of mass, thickness, and hardness is corrected;
When the determination of the calculated hardness first determination unit is within the hardness controllable range, at least one of the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness is set to a control reference value correction range corresponding to the at least one. A hardness control unit to be updated within the range;
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when mass control is performed using a mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control unit;
Calculate the calculated thickness of the molded product from the thickness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control unit and the average thickness of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation. The calculated thickness calculator to be obtained;
Tip distance calculation value calculation for calculating a tip distance calculation value from a tip distance variation value and a tip distance setting value when thickness control is performed using a thickness control reference calculation value given via the hardness control unit And
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value given via the hardness control unit;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
Updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculation value, and controlling the tip interval control unit;
A control pressure value updating unit that updates the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;
It is characterized by having.
A method for operating a rotary powder compression molding apparatus,
The powder compression molding apparatus is
A turntable,
A control device for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine,
The control device controls the height position of the lower punch that defines the powder filling depth to the mortar attached to the rotating disk so that the molding pressure of the molded product to be manufactured is maintained at the pressure control reference value. The operation method includes a pressure control unit that
Whether the control pattern selected by the control pattern discrimination unit of the control device from among a plurality of control patterns for controlling the molded product is “control pattern 1” for controlling the mass, thickness, and hardness of the molded product. A control pattern discriminating step for discriminating and selecting “control pattern 2” for controlling each of the mass and thickness of the molded product,
The “control pattern 1” selected in the control pattern discrimination step is
Control standard calculation value update process that replaces the mass control standard calculation value with the mass standard value of the molded product, the thickness control standard calculation value with the thickness standard value of the molded product, and the hardness control standard calculation value with the hardness standard value of the molded product. When,
The hardness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value and the hardness fluctuation value when the thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value are obtained, respectively. A first calculated hardness calculating step for calculating a calculated hardness of the molded product from the average hardness values of the plurality of molded products determined in
A calculated hardness first determining step of determining whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range when each control reference calculated value of mass, thickness, and hardness is corrected;
When the determination in the calculated hardness first determination step is within the hardness controllable range, at least one of the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness is set to a control reference value correction range corresponding to the at least one. Hardness control process to be updated within the range;
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when mass control is performed using a mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control step;
Calculate the calculated thickness of the molded product from the thickness variation value when mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control step and the average thickness value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation. Calculated thickness calculation process,
Tip distance calculation value calculation for calculating a tip distance calculation value from a tip distance variation value and a tip distance setting value when thickness control is performed using a thickness control reference calculation value given via the hardness control step Process,
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when thickness control is performed using a thickness control reference calculated value given via the hardness control step;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculating step for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
A tip interval control step of controlling the tip interval by updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculated value;
A control pressure value update step of updating the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit, and
The “control pattern 2” selected in the control pattern discrimination step is
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when performing mass control;
A calculated thickness calculation step for obtaining a calculated thickness of the molded product from a thickness variation value when the mass control is performed and a thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation,
A tip interval calculation value calculation step for obtaining a tip interval calculation value from the tip interval variation value and the tip interval setting value when the thickness is controlled;
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating step for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculating step for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
A tip interval control step of controlling the tip interval by updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculated value;
A control pressure value update step of updating the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updating each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;
It is characterized by having.
The hardness control step includes
A correction destination first determination step of determining whether or not the correction destination for correcting the control reference calculation value is “hardness”;
A calculated hardness third determining step for determining whether or not the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculated value using a hardness correction coefficient;
When the determination in the calculated hardness third determination step is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculation value using the hardness correction coefficient, the hardness control reference calculation value is updated with the calculated hardness value. 1 hardness control standard calculation value update process,
A correction second determination step for determining whether or not the correction destination for correcting the control reference calculation value is “thickness”;
A calculated hardness fourth determining step for determining whether or not the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value using a thickness correction coefficient;
Variation in thickness when the calculated hardness is set to the hardness control reference calculation value when the determination in the calculated hardness fourth determination step is within a hardness controllable range by correction of the thickness control reference calculation value using the thickness correction coefficient A first thickness control reference calculation value update step for updating the thickness control reference calculation value from a value and the thickness control reference calculation value;
A correction third determination step for determining whether or not the correction destination for correcting the control reference calculation value is “mass”;
A calculated hardness fifth determining step for determining whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the mass control reference calculated value using a mass correction coefficient;
When the calculated hardness is determined within the hardness controllable range by correcting the mass control reference calculation value using the mass correction coefficient, the mass fluctuation when the calculated hardness is the hardness control reference calculation value A first mass control reference calculated value update step for updating the mass control reference calculated value from a value and the mass control reference calculated value;
Whether or not the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value when the determination in the calculated hardness third determination step is outside the range of hardness controllable by correction of the hardness control reference calculated value using the hardness correction coefficient A calculated hardness sixth judging step for judging
When the calculated hardness is determined to be smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value in the calculated hardness sixth determination step, the calculated hardness is calculated based on the difference between the lower limit value of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference calculation value. 3 update the hardness control reference calculation value from the value multiplied by the hardness correction coefficient used in the determination step and the hardness control reference calculation value, and conversely, the calculated hardness in the calculated hardness sixth determination step When it is determined that the hardness control reference value is larger than the calculated value, the difference between the upper limit value of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference value is the hardness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness third determination step. A second hardness control reference calculated value update step for updating the hardness control reference calculated value from the multiplied value and the hardness control reference calculated value;
A correction destination fourth determination step of determining whether the next correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass” or “thickness”;
Whether or not the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value when the determination in the calculated hardness fourth determination step is outside the range of hardness controllable by correction of the thickness control reference calculation value using the thickness correction coefficient A calculated hardness seventh judging step for judging
If the calculated hardness is determined to be smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value in the calculated hardness seventh determination step, the calculated hardness is calculated based on the difference between the lower limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculation value. 4 The thickness control reference calculation value is updated from the value obtained by multiplying the thickness correction coefficient used in the determination step and the thickness control reference calculation value, and conversely, the calculated hardness is calculated in the calculated hardness seventh determination step. When it is determined that the calculated value is larger than the hardness control reference calculation value, the thickness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness fourth determination step is added to the difference between the upper limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculation value. A second thickness control reference calculated value update step for updating the thickness control reference calculated value from the multiplied value and the thickness control reference calculated value;
A third calculated hardness calculation step for calculating a new calculated hardness based on the thickness control reference calculated value updated in the second thickness control reference calculated value update step;
A correction destination fifth determination step of determining whether the next correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass” or “hardness”;
Whether the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value when the determination in the calculated hardness fifth determination step is outside the range of hardness controllable by correction of the mass control reference calculation value using the mass correction coefficient A calculated hardness eighth judging step for judging
If it is determined that the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value in the calculated hardness eighth determining step, the calculated hardness is calculated based on the difference between the upper limit value of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculated value. 5 The mass control reference calculation value is updated from the value obtained by multiplying the mass correction coefficient used in the determination step and the mass control reference calculation value, and conversely, the calculated hardness is calculated in the calculated hardness eighth determination step. If it is determined that the calculated value is larger than the hardness control reference calculation value, the mass correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness fifth determination step is added to the difference between the lower limit value of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculation value. A second mass control reference calculated value update step for updating the mass control reference calculated value from the multiplied value and the mass control reference calculated value;
A fourth calculated hardness calculating step of calculating a new calculated hardness based on the mass control reference calculated value updated in the second mass control reference calculated value updating step;
A correction destination sixth determination step of determining whether the next correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “thickness” or “hardness”;
The operation method of the powder compression molding apparatus according to claim 3 or 5, characterized by comprising:
Rotary powder compression molding equipment
A turntable,
A control device for controlling the operation of the powder compression molding machine,
The controller is
A pressure control unit for controlling a height position of a lower punch that defines a filling depth of powder into a die attached to the rotating disk so that a molding pressure of a molded product to be manufactured is maintained at a pressure control reference value; ,
Whether the control pattern selected by the control pattern discrimination unit of the control device from among a plurality of control patterns for controlling the molded product is “control pattern 1” for controlling the mass, thickness, and hardness of the molded product. A control pattern discriminating unit that discriminates and selects whether or not it is “control pattern 2” for controlling each of the mass and thickness of the molded product,
The “control pattern 1” selected by the control pattern discrimination unit is
A control reference calculation value update unit that replaces the mass control reference calculated value with the molded product mass reference value, the thickness control reference calculated value with the molded product thickness reference value, and the hardness control reference calculated value with the molded product hardness reference value. When,
The hardness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed using the mass control reference calculated value and the hardness fluctuation value when the thickness control is performed using the thickness control reference calculated value are obtained, respectively. A first calculated hardness calculator that calculates the calculated hardness of the molded product from the average hardness values of the plurality of molded products determined in
A calculated hardness first determining unit that determines whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range when each control reference calculated value of mass, thickness, and hardness is corrected;
When the determination of the calculated hardness first determination means is within the hardness controllable range, at least one of the control reference calculation values of mass, thickness, and hardness is set to a control reference value correction range corresponding to the at least one. A hardness control unit to be updated within the range;
A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when mass control is performed using a mass control reference calculated value given via the hardness control means;
Calculate the calculated thickness of the molded product from the thickness variation value when mass control is performed using the mass control standard calculated value given via the hardness control means and the average thickness value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation. The calculated thickness calculator to be obtained;
Tip distance calculation value calculation for calculating a tip distance calculation value from a tip distance variation value and a tip distance setting value when thickness control is performed using a thickness control reference calculation value given via the hardness control means And
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when thickness control is performed using a thickness control reference calculated value given via the hardness control means;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
Updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculation value, and controlling the tip interval control unit;
A control pressure value update unit that updates the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit, and
The “control pattern 2” selected by the control pattern discrimination means is

A first calculated pressure fluctuation value calculating unit for obtaining a first calculated pressure fluctuation value when performing mass control;
A calculated thickness calculation unit for calculating a calculated thickness of a molded product from a thickness fluctuation value when the mass control is performed and a thickness average value of a plurality of molded products obtained during operation;
A tip interval calculation value calculation unit for calculating a tip interval calculation value from the tip interval variation value and the tip interval setting value when the thickness is controlled;
A second calculated pressure fluctuation value calculation unit for obtaining a second calculated pressure fluctuation value when the thickness is controlled;
A pressure control reference calculated value calculation unit for obtaining a pressure control reference calculated value from the molding pressure average value of the plurality of molded products obtained during operation, the first calculated pressure fluctuation value, and the second calculated pressure fluctuation value;
Updating the tip interval setting value with the tip interval calculation value, and controlling the tip interval control unit;
A control pressure value update unit that updates the pressure control reference value of the pressure control unit with the pressure control reference calculation value and updates each control pressure value of the pressure control unit;
It is characterized by having.
The hardness controller
A correction destination first determination unit that determines whether or not a correction destination for correcting the control reference calculation value is “hardness”;
A calculated hardness third determination unit for determining whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculation value using a hardness correction coefficient;
When the determination of the calculated hardness third determining unit is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculation value using the hardness correction coefficient, the hardness control reference calculation value is updated with the calculated hardness value. 1 hardness control standard calculation value update unit,
A correction destination second determination unit for determining whether or not the correction destination for correcting the control reference calculation value is “thickness”;
A calculated hardness fourth determining unit for determining whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the thickness control reference calculated value using a thickness correction coefficient;
Variation in thickness when the calculated hardness is set to the calculated value of the hardness control reference when the determination of the calculated hardness fourth determining unit is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the calculated thickness control reference value using the thickness correction coefficient A first thickness control reference calculation value update unit that updates the thickness control reference calculation value from a value and the thickness control reference calculation value;
A correction destination third determination unit for determining whether or not the correction destination for correcting the control reference calculation value is “mass”;
A calculated hardness fifth determining unit for determining whether the calculated hardness is within a hardness controllable range by correcting the mass control reference calculated value using a mass correction coefficient;
If the calculated hardness is determined within the hardness controllable range by correcting the mass control reference calculation value using the mass correction coefficient, the mass fluctuation when the calculated hardness is the hardness control reference calculation value A first mass control reference calculated value update unit that updates the mass control reference calculated value from a value and the mass control reference calculated value;
Whether the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value when the determination of the calculated hardness third determination unit is out of a hardness controllable range by correcting the hardness control reference calculation value using the hardness correction coefficient A calculated hardness sixth judging section for judging
When the calculated hardness sixth determining means determines that the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculated value, the calculated hardness is calculated based on the difference between the lower limit value of the hardness control reference value correction range and the hardness control reference calculated value. 3 update the hardness control standard calculation value from the value multiplied by the hardness correction coefficient used in the determination unit and the hardness control standard calculation value, and conversely, the calculated hardness in the calculated hardness sixth determination unit When it is determined that the calculated value is larger than the hardness control reference calculation value, the difference between the hardness control reference value correction range upper limit value and the hardness control reference calculation value is set to the hardness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness third determination unit. A second hardness control reference calculation value update unit that updates the hardness control reference calculation value from the multiplied value and the hardness control reference calculation value;
A correction destination fourth determination unit that determines whether the next correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass” or “thickness”;
Whether or not the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value when the determination of the calculated hardness fourth determination unit is outside the range of hardness controllable by correction of the thickness control reference calculation value using the thickness correction coefficient A calculated hardness seventh judging section for judging
When the calculated hardness seventh determining unit determines that the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value, the calculated hardness is calculated based on the difference between the lower limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculation value. 4 The thickness control reference calculation value is updated from the value obtained by multiplying the thickness correction coefficient used in the determination unit and the thickness control reference calculation value, and conversely, the calculated hardness is determined by the calculated hardness seventh determination unit. When it is determined that the calculated value is larger than the hardness control reference calculation value, the difference between the upper limit value of the thickness control reference value correction range and the thickness control reference calculation value is the thickness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness fourth determination unit. A second thickness control reference calculation value update unit that updates the thickness control reference calculation value from the multiplied value and the thickness control reference calculation value;
A third calculated hardness calculation unit that calculates a new calculated hardness based on the thickness control reference calculated value updated by the second thickness control reference calculated value update unit;
A correction destination fifth determination unit for determining whether the next correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “mass” or “hardness”;
Whether the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value when the determination of the calculated hardness fifth determination unit is outside the range of hardness controllable by correction of the mass control reference calculation value using the mass correction coefficient A calculated hardness eighth judging section for judging
When the calculated hardness eighth determining unit determines that the calculated hardness is smaller than the hardness control reference calculation value, the difference between the upper limit value of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculation value is 5 The mass control reference calculation value is updated from the value obtained by multiplying the mass correction coefficient used in the determination unit and the mass control reference calculation value, and conversely, the calculated hardness is determined by the calculated hardness eighth determination unit. When it is determined that the calculated value is larger than the hardness control reference calculation value, the difference between the lower limit value of the mass control reference value correction range and the mass control reference calculation value is the mass correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness fifth determination unit. A second mass control reference calculated value update unit that updates the mass control reference calculated value from the multiplied value and the mass control reference calculated value;
A fourth calculated hardness calculating hand for calculating a new calculated hardness based on the mass control reference calculated value updated by the second mass control reference calculated value updating unit;
A correction destination sixth determination unit that determines whether the next correction destination of the control reference calculation value is “thickness” or “hardness”;
The powder compression molding apparatus according to claim 4 or 7, characterized by comprising:
The hardness correction coefficient used in the calculated third hardness determination step and the second hardness control reference calculated value update step, and the thickness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness fourth determination step and the second thickness control reference calculated value update step. And correction with at least one correction coefficient among the mass correction coefficients used in the calculated hardness fifth determination step and the second mass control reference calculation value update step is performed with a correction coefficient value of less than 1.00. The operating method of the powder compression molding apparatus according to claim 6.
The hardness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness third determination section and the second hardness control reference calculation value update section, and the thickness correction coefficient used in the calculated hardness fourth determination section and the second thickness control reference calculation value update section. And at least one correction coefficient among the mass correction coefficients used in the calculated hardness fifth determination unit and the second mass control reference calculation value update unit is set to a value less than 1.00. The powder compression molding apparatus described in 1.