Glossary

Band: The area between the opposing tablet cup profiles.The die wall forms the tablet band.

Bisect or Score: A groove or debossed line formed into the tablet surface used to control stress fracturing, so the tablet can be separated into partial dosage.

Capping: A portion of the tablets cup, normally near the apex, does not completely bond and separates from the balance of the tablet.

Compound Cup: A design in which multiple radii (arcs) are generated from the tablets center line across the diameter, minor, or major axis. If compared to a single radius design with the same tablet cup height requirement, the compound cup will hold more volume.

Cup Radius: A single arc generated from the tablets centerline (midpoint) across the tablets diameter, minor axis, and major axis. The cup radius forms the cup profile. Round convex tablets usually have a single cup radius.

Debossing: The tablet identification is formed as a groove or indentation into the tablets face. Debossing creates a two-dimensional appearance.

Edge Chipping: The tablets periphery chips during the coating process or during friability testing.

Elizatab: A prototype produced to tablet detail drawing specifications, so the actual aesthetic appearance of the tablet can be evaluated.

Embossing: The tablet identification protrudes above the tablet face or punch cup. Embossing creates a three-dimensional appearance.

Fatigue Analysis: A computerized method used to determine tool life based on a variety of compacting force conditions.

Flashing: Small peaks appear around the tableting periphery, where the land meets the band. These usually flake off during the de-dusting process.

Finite Element Analysis: (F.E.A.) is a computer based method of determining stresses and deflections for complex shapes. This technology can determine weak areas on a punch cup before any actual pressing occurs. It also allows the designer to make modifications to strengthen the design.

Hob: A fixture used to transfer the tablet image into the punch tip.

Laminating: Similar to capping, where part of the tablet is not bonding together, but the tablet separates where the cup or land meets the band edge, or separates in the band area.

Land: A narrow plane perpendicular to the tablet band. It creates a junction between the band and cup profile.

Picking: Particles of powder separate or chip from the surface around the tablet identification or debossing. Common examples are a lack of an island in such figures as O, P, A, 6, or 8.

Punch Tip Edge: The weakest area of a punch tip, that must sustain the applied compacting force.

Punch To Die Clearance: A measurable distance between the punch and die. To determine clearance subtract the size of the punch tip from the size of the die cavity.

Punch Cup: The depression, or concavity, of the punch tip. When filled with powder forms the tablet face.

Shingle: Upon ejection, tablets may rock and stack, then back up on the die table instead of pushing each other off the press.

Sticking: Particles of powder are adhering to the punch surface.

Surface Abrasion: Random particles of powder separated from the tablet cup surface.

Tablet Face: The surface area formed by the punch tip.

Tablet Identification: Any logo, product or company name, identification code, or three-dimensional character contours applied to a tablets face by means of debossing or embossing.

Tablet Design: A list of criteria used by the tool designer to create a new tablet.

Tablet Thickness: The combined height of the two cups and the band.

Tablets Cup: The distance from the tablet band to the highest point, or apex, of the cups radius.

Twinning: The bonding of capsule shape tablets across the large flat band area during the coating process

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