Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing certain physical attributes of a medicinal tablet is provided in which the apparatus automatically positions the tablet in a proper orientation for a hardness test. In the test apparatus, the tablet to be tested is introduced to a linear guide track which moves the tablet from a thickness tester station to a weight tester station and finally to a hardness tester station. In the hardness tester station, the orientation of the tablet is visually inspected by means of a camera. A processing unit compares the orientation of the tablet with a predetermined orientation for a similarly-shaped tablet. The position of the tablet is then rotated so that the tablet is properly oriented. A ram and anvil are then brought into contact with the tablet and the ram and anvil are progressively forced together until the tablet is crushed. The maximum force needed to crush the tablet is measured and recorded.