Pharmaceutical Sensors

Sensing Systems manufactures force and torque sensors specifically designed for pharmaceutical applications.  The sensors are used to monitor and control R&D, Scale-up and Production activities in Tablet Presses and Mixers.  Our sensors are direct replacements for existing tablet press and mixer components with the ability to measure load or torque during normal operation. 

We also manufacture NIST traceable calibration kits to verify and periodically calibrate all tablet press and mixer sensors for compliance with cGMP requirements.  The following are the most common sensors used with tablet presses and mixers by the pharmaceutical industry.

  • Main Compression
  • Pre-compression
  • Ejection
  • Take Off (Knock Off)
  • Torque sensors
  • Calibration kits
  • Electronics and Signal Conditioning for all sensors

Sensors for special requirements such as punch displacement and radial wall pressure are also available.

All of our sensors are identical in form and function to the part they replace with the added benefit of a load or torque measurement.  In addition, they can be interfaced to any data acquisition equipment available in the market. 

Tablet presses and mixers are manufactured by several companies.  Each model has its own geometry and set of parts requiring that the sensors be custom made for each press or mixer.  Sensing Systems maintains a large database of designs for the majority of press manufacturers. 

Main Compression and Pre-compression Sensors

Main compression and pre-compression measurements are usually performed by replacing the pins that hold the main and pre-compression wheels in place.  Sensing Systems replaces the existing pins with identical parts having measurement capabilities.

In some cases the same measurements can be effected by instrumenting a reaction rod or lever arm that fully experiences the compression or pre-compression forces.  We will instrument and calibrate the existing part or replace it with a slightly modified component that will fit the existing geometry.

In all cases we provide an NIST calibration certificate stating the output and accuracy of each sensor.

Ejection Sensors

Our ejection sensors are direct replacements of the ejection cams used on tablet presses.  Ejection sensors are some of the most complicated parts to design and manufacture.  They contain several curved and compound surfaces and must accurately measure a force over a prescribed distance.  Sensing Systems has developed and incorporated innovative sensing elements into ejection sensors to accurately measure loads over the active area of the cam.  We also use state of the art machining techniques to closely control the exacting geometries required by our designs.

Take Off Sensors

Take off or knock off sensors are used to measure the forces involved in transferring a tablet from the die table to the collection container.  Our sensors are attached or built into the take off bar that is part of the press.

Torque Sensors

Torque sensors are used in pharmaceutical mixers to determine End Point conditions or to measure the amount of work or energy required to properly mix a batch of product.  These measurements can be used during the R&D phase of a product or during production to accurately measure the desired mixing condition.

Mixers are available in all shapes and sizes.  The standard approach is to instrument the driving shaft and calibrate it with NIST traceable weights.  There are as many designs as there are mixers.  In many instances the original driving shaft is replaced with a higher strength material to insure an accurate high level measurement signal.

Calibration Kits

Sensing Systems manufactures NIST traceable calibration kits for pharmaceutical applications.  Our Model 200C is used to fulfill regulatory requirements for calibration of tablet press sensors.  Kits to calibrate Torque sensors are also available.  Please go to Calibration Kits for additional information.

Electronics and Signal Conditioning

Sensing Systems can supply all of the required electronics and/or signal conditioning equipment to interface our sensors to any data acquisition equipment available in the market.  In addition, we supply digital display and peak detection meters to be used with our sensors.  We also supply electronics to convert sensor signals into a digital signal using protocols such as RS-232 / RS-485 and others.  Standard protocols have the advantage that the sensor signal can be read directly by a computer using easily available and inexpensive software. 

Electronics and signal conditioning equipment are calibrated with the sensors when sold together.  This results in an NIST traceable calibration of the complete system.  A calibration certificate detailing the output and accuracy of the system is provided with each system.

Available Designs

We maintain a large design database of pharmaceutical sensors for most commercially available tablet presses.  If your sensor is not in our database contact us and we will manufacture it for you.  We will incorporate existing and proven sensing elements into the geometry required by your tablet press.  All that we require is to borrow the part or a current drawing of the component the sensor will replace (i.e. compression pin, ejection cam, etc.). 

Delivery

Standard delivery is two to three weeks after receipt of order for sensors in our database.  For new sensors delivery is three to four weeks after receipt of order.  Faster delivery times are accommodated when delivery is critical to our customer’s production activities.

Technical Assistance

Please contact our sales department to order sensors in our database or contact our engineers to discuss new designs. 

Contact Us now to discuss your application.