Under Pressure: Breaking The Misconceptions Of Maximum Compression Force

The quality and maximum compression force of a tablet punch are influenced by factors such as the type of tool steel used and the punch's material properties. Tool steels with higher attainable hardness offer good wear resistance but low impact toughness, while those with lower hardness have high impact toughness but low wear resistance. The tip forces listed on Natoli Engineering tablet drawings are determined by considering multiple factors; including material properties, cup area, cup configuration, and stress concentration factors. Larger tablets with greater cup area can withstand higher compression forces as the force is distributed over a larger area. However, design features like sharp transitions, bisects, and embossing can create areas of localized stress and reduce the maximum compression force. Advanced CAD and FEA software are used to model the tablet design and simulate the compression force. For small tablets, the maximum compression force is determined using the slender column bending formulas to prevent the punch tip from bending or buckling.