Top Pharma interview questions for Production

What is the purpose of tablet compression?

It involves transforming powders or granules into solid tablets by applying controlled pressure.

How do compression machines work?

They function by applying force to compress powder or granules into tablets

What are the two main types of tablet compression machines?

Single Punch Machine, Rotary Compression Machine

What’s the difference between a Single Punch and a Rotary Machine?

A single Punch has one pair of punches, while a Rotary has multiple pairs and dies, allowing for higher output.

What are the feeding systems in compression machines?

Gravity Feeding: Uses gravity to fill die cavities. Force Feeding: Uses mechanical force, suitable for high-speed operations.

What’s the role of the hopper in a tablet compression machine?

The hopper stores the granules or powder that will be fed into the die cavity.

What are the four main stages of tablet compression?

Feeding, Filling, Compression, Ejection.

How do pre-compression and main compression rollers differ?

Pre-compression rollers remove air before the main pressure is applied, while main rollers ensure tablet hardness.

What is dwell time in tablet compression?

Dwell time refers to the period the punch stays under the compression roller, which helps avoid defects like capping or lamination.

What materials are typically used for machine parts like punches and dies?

Punches are made from Oil Hardened Non-Shrinkable Steel (OHNS), and dies are made from High Carbon High Chromium (HCHC) steel.

What are some common defects that can occur during tablet compression?

Sticking, picking, weight variation, capping, and lamination are common issues.

What is the difference between B-type and D-type tooling?

B-type is for smaller diameter tablets requiring less pressure, while D-type is for larger tablets needing more pressure.

How are load cells calibrated in a compression machine?

Using dummy punches and dies, ensuring pressure readings match between the machine’s internal system and an external device.

Why are tablet dedusters and metal detectors used?

Dedusters clean the surface of tablets, by removing the excess powder adhered to the tablets, while metal detectors check for contaminants like metal particles.

Expand AWC and why is it important?

Automatic weight adjusts tablet weight automatically to ensure consistency, based on the compression force.