Abstract: A method for tracking product in an installation in which powdered product is processed into manufactured items is provided. The method comprises introducing the powdered product into the installation through at least one inlet, obtaining measurement data for the powdered product from at least one mass sensor positioned in the at least one inlet, and dividing the measurement data into mass units of equal size. The progression of the mass units is then tracked through the installation using measurement data from at least one other mass sensor in the installation.

Abstract: A tablet press comprises a gate and a control apparatus configured to generate a switching signal. A drive apparatus is configured to move the gate in response to the switching signal received from the control apparatus between a first switching position and at least a second switching position. At least one sensor is configured to generate a detection signal when the gate reaches one of the switching positions. The control apparatus receives the detection signal and is configured to output a switching signal to the drive apparatus to at least partially move the gate back into a home position when there is a switching signal to move the gate out of the home position and there is no detection signal received from the at least one sensor. The control apparatus subsequently outputs a switching signal to again move the gate out of the home position to a target position.

Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling cavities of a rotary press includes a filling chamber defining an inlet opening through which filling material enters the filling chamber and an outlet opening through which filling material exits into the cavities of the rotary press. A conveyor wheel is positioned in the filling chamber and defines a plurality of conveyor pockets structured to receive the filing material. The conveyor wheel is rotatable relative to the filling chamber about an axis of rotation arranged at an angle (?) to a vertical axis. The plurality of conveyor pockets are arranged along a circular path and are rotated along the inlet opening and along the outlet opening when the conveyor wheel is rotated about the axis of rotation. The filling material received in each of the plurality of the plurality of conveyor pockets is conveyed from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Abstract: A rotary tablet press comprises a rotor comprising a rotary drive configured to rotate the rotor and a die plate that rotates with the rotor and comprises a plurality of cavities and a plurality of upper and lower punches. A rotational speed governor is configured to drive the rotary drive of the rotor by comparing a measured rotor rotational speed with a target rotational speed value. A pilot control apparatus is configured to provide an additional target torque for driving the rotary drive. The additional target torque is based on values of a pressing force of at least one of the upper and lower punches input into the pilot control apparatus.

Abstract: A method for transferring a sensor of a production apparatus with a sensor assembly positioned in a housing includes connecting at least one of (1) supply lines, and (2) sensor signal lines to a sensor section of the sensor. A first end of a sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing section of the sensor. A second end of the sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing container. The sensor with the sealing sleeve are inserted into the sealing container. A first end of the sealing container is sealingly connected to an access opening defined by the housing of the production apparatus. The access opening is opened and the sensor is transferred from the sealing container to an interior of the housing.

Abstract: A system for continuously processing pulverulent products includes at least two system inlets for pulverulent products. A mixer is provided that continuously mixes the pulverulent products received at a mixer inlet into a product mixture that is dispensed at a mixer outlet. A production machine having a filling apparatus continuously processes the product mixture from the mixer outlet into end products dispensed at the machine outlet. A conveyor apparatus conveys the product mixture from the mixer outlet to the machine inlet. The conveyor apparatus includes a first fill level sensor that measures a product mixture fill level in the filling apparatus of the production machine and a second fill level measures a product mixture fill level in a conveyor reservoir. A control apparatus receives measurement data from the first fill level sensor and the second fill level sensor and controls at least one production parameter based on the measurement data.

Abstract: A rotor for a rotary press comprises a die plate, upper punch seats, and lower punch seats configured to be rotationally driven by a rotary drive. An annular discharge channel is configured to be in a fixed position with respect to the die plate and further configured to collect product residue from at least one of the die plate and the lower punch seat. The discharge channel additionally comprises a removal region where the product residue is configured to be removed from the annular discharge channel A catch element is configured to rotate in sync with the die plate and is guided within the annular discharge channel to convey the product residue collected in the annular discharge channel to the removal region.

Abstract: A tablet press comprises a gate that defines a first switching position that feeds tablets into a first tablet outlet and at least a second switching position that feeds tablets into at least one second tablet outlet. The table press further comprises a control apparatus and a drive apparatus. The drive apparatus is configured to be actuated by the control apparatus to move the gate from a home position defined as one of the first switching position and the at least a second switching position into a target position defined as a switching position that is not the home position. The gate is moved from the home switching position at a speed of movement toward the target position such that the speed of movement of the gate is reduced before the target position is reached.

Abstract: A system for continuous processing of powder products includes a first inlet configured to input a first dry powder product, a second inlet configured to input a second dry powder product, and a dry powder mixing device that mixes the first dry powder product together with the second dry powder product to form a product mixture. An outlet dispenses the product mixture from the dry powder mixing device. A production machine is included and has a powder feed frame comprising a feed frame inlet connected to the outlet of the dry powder mixing device. The outlet of the dry powder mixing device is positioned at a lower level than the feed frame inlet. A product conveying device is connected between the outlet of the dry powder mixing device and the feed frame inlet to continuously convey the product mixture from the dry powder mixing device to the feed frame inlet.

Abstract: A feeding and blending apparatus for a system for continuous processing of powder products comprises at least two system inlets for powder products; and at least two feeding and dosing devices arranged in a row. Each of the at least two feeding and dosing devices comprises, an inlet being connected with a system inlet, at least one feeder, at least one actuator configured to operate the at least one feeder, and an outlet being connected with an inlet of the powder blending device. A separation wall is configured to separate a process area from a technical. Process components of the at least two feeding and dosing devices are positioned in the process area and technical components of the feeding and dosing devices are positioned in the technical area. Connections between the at least one actuator and the at least one feeder pass through the separation wall.

Abstract: A powder blender for a system for continuous processing of powder products comprises a horizontal blending tube extending along an axis from a first end to a second end. The horizontal blending tube comprises at least one inlet configured to receive the powder products to be blended, and at least one outlet configured to discharge the powder products after blending. At least two blending devices are positioned in the blending tube and arranged successively along the axis of the blending tube. At least two actuators, wherein each of the at least two actuators is configured to operate one of the at least two blending devices such that the at least two blending devices are actuated differently from each other.

Abstract: A method for transferring a sensor of a production apparatus with a sensor assembly positioned in a housing includes connecting at least one of (1) supply lines, and (2) sensor signal lines to a sensor section of the sensor. A first end of a sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing section of the sensor. A second end of the sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing container. The sensor with the sealing sleeve are inserted into the sealing container. A first end of the sealing container is sealingly connected to an access opening defined by the housing of the production apparatus. The access opening is opened and the sensor is transferred from the sealing container to an interior of the housing.

Abstract: A tablet discharge gate for a tablet press comprises a tablet channel having an inlet and an outlet and comprising one of a tube shape and a trough shape, a first outlet channel, and a second outlet channel. A gate chamber is positioned between the outlet of the tablet channel and the first and second outlet channels. A drive apparatus is configured to move the tablet discharge gate between a first position in which tablets are supplied from the tablet channel to the gate chamber and into the first outlet channel of the gate, and a second position in which tablets are supplied to the tablet discharge gate chamber and into the second outlet channel.

Abstract: A method for operating a mixing apparatus of a manufacturing plant comprises supplying multiple powdered products to the mixing apparatus. An inlet mass flow rate of the multiple powdered products into the mixing apparatus and a weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus are measured. The multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus are mixed to form a mixed product. The weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus and an outlet mass flow rate of the mixed product from the mixing apparatus are predicted based on the measured inlet mass flow of the multiple powdered products. The predicted outlet mass flow rate of the mixed product from the mixing apparatus is corrected based on the measured weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for tracking product in an installation in which powdered product is processed into manufactured items is provided. The method comprises introducing the powdered product into the installation through at least one inlet, obtaining measurement data for the powdered product from at least one mass sensor positioned in the at least one inlet, and dividing the measurement data into mass units of equal size. The progression of the mass units is then tracked through the installation using measurement data from at least one other mass sensor in the installation.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus for discharging pellets from a rotary press comprises an inlet channel configured to receive pellets from an ejection apparatus of the rotary press, a first discharge channel connected to the inlet channel, and a second discharge channel connected to the inlet channel. A gate is positioned between the inlet channel and the first and second discharge channels. The gate is configured to be shifted between a first position, in which pellets are directed from the inlet channel into the first discharge channel, and a second position, in which pellets are directed from the inlet channel into the second discharge channel. A pressure equalization channel configured to open into one of the first and second discharge channels and is configured to equalize a pressure between the inlet channel and at least one of the first and second discharge channels.

Abstract: A removal apparatus for removing pellets from a die plate of a rotary press comprises a housing and a first channel positioned on the housing and configured to receive pellets removed from the die plate. A guide element is arranged on the housing and positioned over the die plate. The guide element is configured to guide pellets produced in the rotary press from the die plate into the first channel. The guide element and the first channel are moveably mounted on the housing. A plurality of mechanical positioning elements are configured to be alternatively inserted into the housing and cooperate with the guide element and the first channel to movably position the guide element and the first channel relative to the housing. Each of the mechanical positioning elements defines a different position of one of the guide element and the first channel relative to the housing.

Abstract: A device for capacitively measuring a powder fill level in a filling apparatus for a rotary press where the fill apparatus comprises a filling pipe. The device comprises a first measuring electrode positioned on the filling pipe and a reference electrode. A first electrical capacitor is configured to be formed by the reference electrode and the first measuring electrode, wherein an electrical field is configured to be formed between the first measuring electrode and the reference electrode. The first measuring electrode is covered by an electrically conductive protective shielding on a side facing away from the filling pipe and the electrically conductive protective shielding is at a ground potential.

Abstract: A method and system for feeding a lubricating or releasing agent from a dosing station to one or more pressing tools arranged in a pressing chamber of a tablet press. The tablet press is configured with a feed pipe for feeding the lubricating or release agent from the dosing station to the one or more pressing tools of a pressing chamber of the tablet press and the feed pipe is configured with a shut-off valve disposed in-line with the feed pip for controlling the flow of the lubricating or release agent to the pressing chamber. The method comprises the steps of: producing a negative pressure with respect to the surroundings of the pressing chamber of the tablet press, measuring a pressure in one of the feed pipe and the pressing chamber, and issuing a signal indicative of the measured pressure and issuing an enable signal to open a valve in response to the pressure signal.