Understanding The Importance Of Tablet Punch Length And Cup Depth

By Dale Natoli

Manufacturing tablets to a uniform hardness, weight, and thickness requires tablet press punches to be a consistent length. In this chapter, we describe what punch length is, how to measure it correctly, and how wear affects length and tablet consistency. We also address the importance of specifying cup-depth tolerances. If not correctly understo0od, tablet defects could be attributed to the wrong source. Thus, it is important to establish a punch inspection and maintenance program that verifies all punch lengths and cups are within dimensional tolerances.