Which Unit is Appropriate?

Fluid Bed Coating is the science of suspending a particle on a controlled air stream and encapsulating it with a resin chosen to give the desired results.

To get the optimum outcome it is important to choose the right piece of equipment and to be sure that it fits the specific needs.

This list shows the capacity of the different units at Coating Place, Inc.

The capacities listed above covers the ranges within which the different units work most satisfactorily per batch.

Though it is possible to coat both larger and smaller quantities than those listed above it is not recommended.

Technology Transfer

Coating Place, Inc. personnel are available to transfer information concerning formulation and processing to clients as necessary.

Research & Development

Coating Place, Inc. maintains versatile research and pilot scale equipment which can be assembled to process a wide variety of materials. Process areas are designed to permit processing with organic or aqueous solvents, latexes and dispersions, suspensions and hot melts.

Scale-up

Coating Place, Inc. has equipment and support facilities permitting scale-up of development and pilot samples into larger equipment.

Scale-up of prototype products into production equipment for large scale testing and process validation is accomplished in isolated process areas suitable for GMP production work. Process variables can be identified and controlled to make a reproducible product in all equipment

Contract Processing

Coating Place, Inc. maintains separate process areas for pharmaceutical, food and industrial products, permitting processing of each without contamination.  Contract Processing of commercial quantities is performed in segregated areas in four buildings, permitting isolation of incompatible materials and protecting the confidentiality of each client.  The Coating Process

Before entering the system the fluidizing air is filtered. In some cases it is cooled to take the moisture out of it, before it is re-heated to the required temperature. Temperature, humidity and air volume are monitored before the air enters the coating chamber.

The material to be coated is placed in the coating chamber. The fluidizing air passing through the plate causes the particles to circulate and part from each other. The coating solution and atomized air enter the coating chamber via the nozzle. The atomization of the solution in the nozzle results in sufficiently small droplets of coating solution to apply a uniform coating on the material to be coated.

The air stream carries the particles away from the nozzle and into the expansion chamber where they are dried. Then the particles descend and begin another cycle. It takes only a few seconds for the particles to do a cycle.

The air continues upwards and leaves through a process air blower, either to the atmosphere or into a solvent elimination device, depending on whether it contains pollutants or not. A filter ensures that the particles do not leave the coating and expansion chambers together with the air. The material is coated until a known weight is reached, which indicates that the coating level desired of the product is obtained.

After the process the coated material is removed and the unit is ready for another load.

Portable Unit

2", 4"/6" Unit
For small research and development work.
Coating Place, Inc. is the only company producing a 2" unit.

Research - Scale Up Unit
4"/6", 6", 9" Unit
For research and scale-up work.  Though primarily for research and experimental use, it can be used for small scale production.

Production Single Nozzle
12"/18", 18" Unit
This is the industrial work horse, which means it is the most commonly used unit for production. It is a highly efficient single nozzle coater.

Production Multi Nozzle
3-nozzle (32") , 7-nozzle (46") Unit
For large scale production where the 18" unit no longer is sufficient, multi nozzle units are available. The design is based on an 18" module for maximum efficiency and ease of scale up.

Features

Transparent Chamber
Emission Controls
Dehumidification
Hot Melt Systems
State of the Art Control; Computer and Manual (all units)

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