Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of gelatin pharmaceutical capsules is disclosed, in which microwave drying is used. The drying section of the machine has two upper tunnels and two corresponding return tunnels beneath them, through which pin bars carrying the hot moist gelatin capsule halves pass. Microwave transmitters are positioned above the upper tunnels to transmit microwave energy towards the capsule halves for drying. Inlet ducts along the outer sides of the upper tunnels supply cool, dry air which flows through apertures in the tunnel side walls and across the tunnels to an exhaust duct. The return tunnels also have a conditioned air system, supplied through ducts above the return tunnels having apertured bottom plates, for fine tuning the temperature and moisture content of the capsules prior to final processing operations.