TDP 1.5 Desktop Tablet Press
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If you have been looking for a tablet press to help you produce new products, or to test concepts before rolling them out for manufacturing, the TDP 1.5’s ability to produce a range of tablet sizes in small volumes means that this is certainly the appliance to suit your needs. Made to meet the demands of laboratory and developmental tasks rather than large scale production, the TDP 1.5 is capable of producing any quantity from only a few tablets right up to small manufacturing runs of up to 5,000 per hour.
The main benefit of this tablet press lies in its versatility, coupled with its wide set of features and the premium quality of its construction. The latter guarantees excellent reliability. For these reasons the TDP 1.5 is a popular option for use in research institutions, labs, foodstuff technology applications, pharmaceutical development, chemical plants and hospitals, or any facility where overall flexibility, simplicity of use and output are at a premium.
Main benefits of the TDP 1.5
- Lightweight for its class
- Compact footprint
- Fast and reliable
- Flexible output
- Electric or manually powered
- Wide raw material compatibility
- Low-maintenance
- Low consumption
- Works with 200g minimum quantity of raw materials
- Presses tablets of any shape
- Adaptable tablet diameter, depth and hardness
- Use a wide range of tooling
Features of the TDP 1.5 Tablet Press
The TDP 1.5 is a single punch pill press which has a maximum pressure of 15 kilonewtons. It is created to be installed on a bench, but can also easily be detached and relocated. The equipment provides an adjustable fill depth with a maximum depth of 12 mm (0.472 in), and can produce tablets up to 8 mm (0.315 in) across and 6 mm (0.236 in) thick. The TDP 1.5 doesn't restrict you to standard shaped products. By simply swapping the mould on the appliance you can easily create tablets of nearly any shape you choose. Additionally you can alter the density of the pill being manufactured, and the machine provides the option for stamping designs onto the top of the pill, either to provide an appealing finish or for identification purposes. Due to the TDP 1.5’s appeal with R&D applications, several users state that they find this a helpful aspect, as it allows small quantities of pills of different formulations to be manufactured for clinical studies.
This press is compatible with the majority of granulated or powdered materials; however it is not designed for use with excessively moist substances or super-fine powders.
Designed with convenience in mind, the TDP 1.5 is known as a highly functional machine which can either be electrically powered or run in manual mode. While in manual mode, the press is powered by just turning a cranking wheel. Combined with a small base and low weight for a press of this specification, this versatility makes the TDP 1.5 more flexible and portable than other machines offering equivalent overall performance.
Technical Specifications
The TDP 1.5 press has dimensions of 700 mm x 400 mm x 800 mm, or 27.5 in x 15.7 in x 31.5 in, and weighs about 53.5 kilograms (118 lbs). It has a turret speed of 1400 r/min while running on electric power, and its motor runs at a maximum power of 0.75 kW for single phase use, and 0.55 kW for three-phase use. The appliance can run on mains power that supplies either 110v or 220v.
Download the TDP 1.5 Manual and Specification Sheet for free
This information will help you figure out what the TDP 1.5 can do for you or your project.
TDP 1.5 Tablet Press in Use
This press is remarkably easy to use, and in spite of its compact size it delivers several benefits that separate it from comparable equipment.
To run the press by hand you simply place the raw products in the cone-shaped container, then grasp the wheel and rotate it gently. Tablets will then appear, ready to be bottled. It can be a straightforward process that anyone can learn quickly. If you're simply making a few pills this straightforwardness really comes into its own, and is also a main feature of the equipment. Alternatively, if you need to make a more substantial batch of tablets, just plug your tablet press in and it will operate quickly and efficiently on electric power.
Producing and testing products often necessitates the development of products formulated with similar, but slightly varied, formulations. The TDP 1.5 includes several characteristics which make it particularly suited to this purpose.
Thirdly, the TDP 1.5 permits you to safeguard the efficacy of the testing procedure, by ensuring that what you produce can be easily recognized. The TDP 1.5 satisfies this problem due to the ease in which you can modify the shape, size or design of the tablets you make. Providing you have got a mould for the design you would like to make, you can switch the style promptly by detaching the hopper and unscrewing the feeder mechanism.
You can also swiftly alter the density and weight of the pills you create on the TDP 1.5, by simply unscrewing a nut on the connecting rod and modifying the pressure.
Maintening the TDP 1.5 is straightforward, too, requiring nothing more than a twice-monthly assessment, and greasing and oiling key moving components. The equipment has been built to make this schedule as simple as possible.
LFA's View
The TDP 1.5 represents exceptional value and provides unmatched adaptability. Easy servicing as well as the choice of producing small runs by hand makes this a very suitable machine to use, whilst the capability to operate on electric power and produce larger batches of 5,000 tablets an hour effectively provides two devices in one. It isn't surprising the TDP 1.5 is among the most favored machines in its class.
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | TDP 1.5 |
| Number of dies | 1 |
| Max Pressure (kN) | 15 |
| Max Diameter of Tablet | 8 mm / 0.315 in |
| Max Fill Depth | 12 mm / 0.472 in |
| Max Thickness of Tablet | 6 mm / 0.236 in |
| Max Production Capacity Per Hour | 5400 |
| Number of Filling Stations | 1 |
| Double Layered Tablet | No |
| Power USA | 110v, 1 phase, 0.55 kW, 60 Hz |
| Power UK | 240v, 1 phase, 0.55 kW, 50 Hz |
| AMP's | 13 |
| Height | 800 mm / 31.5 in |
| Width | 400 mm / 15.7 in |
| Depth | 700 mm / 27.5 in |
| Weight | 53.5 kg / 118 lbs |
How Much Profit Will This Machine Generate?
Are you able to calculate the amount of profit your business generates per tablet? If so, this calculator will be able to tell you how many hours you will have to run this tablet press to cover its investment.
It will also be able to tell you the amount of profit it will generate every hour you run this tablet press, which makes this calculator a powerful tool when deciding on which tablet press is right for you or your business.
Profit Generated Per Hour
This machine returns it's investment in hours
The advantage of the gearbox is that it has fewer open moving parts. This makes the press safer to use and easier to clean and maintain.
No. Both the hopper and the boot are made from brass or plastic depending on when you bought your machine from LFA. We moved to plastic in mid 2019.
The standard tooling is made from S7 steel, but can be customized using different steel grades.
The base plate is machined from stainless steel.
Yes. Some of them. There are a number of parts that are able to be changed between the different TDP ranges. This includes the tooling, a lot of the upper and lower drift pin assemblies and the boot bolt and spring.
No, the TDPs are not CE certified. To acquire this certification, they would have to be installed in a protective cage, which we do not provide.
Yes, there is a stop button. We would, however, also recommend installing the TDP 1.5 in a cage or perspex box.
Yes, you can, but there are a number of requirements that we need to fulfill first.
You will need to contact our team and provide them with a copy of all of your MSDSs for all of the components of your mix.
We need to have a good understanding of your business and the challenges you are facing.
You will also need to book an appointment with the office that you would like to visit.
For more information please get in contact with the team: https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/contact
Yes. Very easily.
We have free lifetime technical support for all machines sold by LFA.
Just contact us with your machine serial number and we would be happy to help you with any problems.
Yes, the contact surfaces are all food and pharmaceutical safe.
They are made from a combination of, stainless steel, chrome coated brass and the steel used for your tooling (often S7).
As such they are all compliant with most rules for food or pharma manufacturing.
We strongly recommend that you check your local laws as these do vary from state to state and country to country. If in doubt reach out, and we will be happy to find out.
Yes, you can.
You are able to make any shaped tablet up to the maximum diameter of this tablet press which can be found under the "specifications" tab.
We are able to customise tooling to include lettering, numbering and logos. If you would like customised tooling please fill out our custom tooling form: www.lfamachines.com/custom-tooling
Yes. You can order custom tooling here
No.
LFA does not recommend leaving any of its machines unattended without an operator ever. Even if they only need to step away for a short amount of time, the operator should turn off the machine.
This will avoid damaging it in the event that there is a jam and the operator is not there to switch it off.
Yes, the TDP and RTP range all have a weight adjustment for it.
on the TDP it is the bottom of the two cogs on the lower drift pin assembly.
Here is a link to a video showing you how to tune up the TDP 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dTscUdRJzQ
Here is a link to a video showing you how to tune up the RTP 9 or the RTP 118: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFt5AFJ1hw
It is important to know that the exact weight of each tablet will vary from tablet to tablet.
A well-homogenized mix that has a consistent granule size should be able to achieve an accuracy of +/- 3% or less.
Yes, you could but they would be quite small. Most effervescent tablets are larger to accommodate the large amount of actives that they have to hold. The TDP 1.5 is only able to make a tablet up to 8mm in diameter, so we do not recommend it for anything larger than that, unless it has been tested first.
It is important to know two things:
Firstly, TDP Universal Tooling came into effect in 2018. Machines brought from LFA before this time may be slightly different sizes. We always recommend checking the size of your tooling before placing your order.
Secondly, a number of companies make unofficial TDP tablet presses.
They do not always conform to the same sizes, tolerance or quality as LFA TDPs or tooling. If you bought your press from someone else other than LFA, we are not able to guarantee that our tooling will fit.
Yes, you do get a die with the machine. Every machine comes fitted with a die.
If you would like you can get this customised with your logo or lettering but it takes 6-8 weeks.
Or, we have a standard 8mm round, bevelled edge with breaker installed in the machines in stock.
That depends on the country you are located in.
In the EU and UK no. You do not need anything to buy the press.
In the USA we have to file a piece of paperwork with the federal government when we sell the press.
We, however, do all of this paperwork for you and do not need to do anything.
The only countries that require a license, as far as we know, are Canada and Australia.
If you are located in Canada then we recommend that you contact Health Canada prior to placing your order. Details regarding the import process can be found at the following link: Importing and registering pill presses (designated devices)
The document you need to fill out and file for a purchase originating in Australia is called a B712. This can be found at: https://www.abf.gov.au/form-listing/forms/b712.pdf. If you would like to speak with one of our team about this, then please get in contact.
Yes, we do. Here is a link to a video that shows you how to set up your TDP 1.5 once you receive it: TDP 1.5 Unboxing & Setup
No, it does not need to be bolted into position but we do recommend it. If the machine is not secured in position by bolts or another method then it is more likely to shake a bolt loose, resulting in varying tablet weights. On top of this, the vibrations are likely to make the machine sound louder.
The machine does not come with bolts because we do not know the thickness of your surface.
The TDP 1.5 does not have a variable speed adjustment. It is possible to fit the press with a speed adjustment but it is not something that LFA offers as a service.
The TDP 1.5 is a little lighter than the TDP 5. It does not have a belt and exposed gears, but this does not affect its ability to make a tablet. The only thing it can not do is exert 50 kN of pressure.
Yes, we offer free training at your local LFA office. Training is normally completed in less than one day, but please get in touch for more information.
The TDP 1.5 does not come with pressure load cells. It is not possible to fit them to the press.
The tooling on the TDP 1.5 is extremely durable. The life of your tooling, however, will depend on a number of things. This includes the shape of your tooling, the formulation of your mix, and the steel that the tooling is made from.
There are a number of questions to ask when determining the life of your tooling:
Does it have any chips or damage to the edge of the upper and lower punch? This section is called the land. If this is damaged it will show up in each tablet as a defect.
Do the tip faces of the punches have any cracks in them?
Is there a pitted look on the top or bottom punch face?
If you measure the working length of the upper and lower punches are they still within tolerance?
Is the upper or lower punch loose within the die bore?
Does the wall of the die bore have obvious scratches or scrapes on it?
Are you still clearly able to see the image, lettering, number or logo in the face of every tablet?
If your tooling shows any of these signs, then it could indicate that it is time to replace it.
Yes, it is almost completely the same as how you change the tooling on the TDP 5. The only difference is how you use the hand wheel to change the position of the machine so that you are able to complete the process.
Here is a link to how to change the tooling:How To Change A Die | Chaning a TDP Tablet Press Punch Die
The upper drift pin assembly is used to adjust the pressure. You can watch a video on this here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc2gfDU3NiQ
Here is another video which tells you how to set up a TDP ready to press: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dTscUdRJzQ
There is a bolt eyelet on the top of the machine.
We recommend using an engine hoist to lift the machine off the shipping crate and into the position that you are going to use it in.
It takes about 1-2 hours to clean, disassemble, and grease a TDP 1.5. We recommend that this is done at the end of every run to ensure the maximum life of your machine.
We would recommend cleaning down the machine and leaving it re-greased after every use. This will ensure the longest life possible.
Here is a video on cleaning the TDP 5.
When greasing the machine, avoid getting any grease near the tooling or pressing surfaces, as this will get into your tablets and affect your powders.Grease the top cam well, then apply a small amount to the upper drift pin assembly and the lower timing rod.
More information on greasing your machine can be found here: Product Data
We've created a calculator on our website for most of our tablet presses. See the "profit calculator" tab on the product page and enter your profit per tablet to see how many running hours the press will pay for itself and how much profit per hour it will generate.
The easiest thing to do is send LFA some of your product for us to test.
This is not a free service, we do charge for this but it could save you buying the wrong machine.
More information can be found on this service here: https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/services
This is a common question, and we have tools to help you:
A video on the differences between the different TDP's - www.lfatabletpresses.com/videos/tdp-range
The Right Machine For You Questionnaire - https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/tablet-press-questionnaire
These will explain the different machines, and give you a much better idea. If you are still unsure, please do reach out, let us know what you are making and the quantity, and we will help to guide you through the process.
Yes, you can make very strong tablets with 15kN. It will, however, depend on more than just the pressure. The size, shape, and formula will also determine the quality and strength of a tablet regardless of the machine. Increasing the pressure does not guarantee that your tablet will be stronger.
It might be possible, but it is not recommended.
The motor that is on the press has been carefully selected to match all of the other parts on the press. Switching the motor for a bigger or faster one could cause excessive pressure in other areas of the press resulting in machine damage.
If you think that you require a machine with more speed or higher pressure then we would recommend that you look into a TDP 5 or RTP rotary tablet press.
Apart from the tooling, we do not offer customizations on any of the LFA Tablet Presses. The TDP 1.5 has been designed with exact tolerances and forces in mind. Changing these might prevent your press from performing as intended.
Yes, the machine comes ready to plug in and go.
It is important to remember that the TDP 1.5 weighs 60 kg, so we recommend securing it to a benchtop. This should be done before running the machine for the first time.
You will also need to tune your TDP 1.5 before using it. We do not recommend just pouring in your mix and turning on the machine. Doing this will likely cause a jam and/or damage to the machine.
Yes, it can be, but as with all products it has to be tested. It is impossible to say if every herbal product will bind because it will depend on the total tablet mix and the shape and size of the tablet.
No. It is not they are completely different presses.
No, we do not offer a larger hopper for any of our presses. This is because the TDP 1.5 should not be left unattended at any time. This also prevents particle separation, where the larger particles in a mix rise to the top of the powder. The vibrations of the TDP 1.5 cause this to happen, but the hopper that is included has been designed to reduce the likelihood. If we were to attach a larger hopper then the chance of particle separation would dramatically increase.
In order to determine whether or not your machine is still under warranty, you will need to call or email the office the machine was purchased from, and provide the serial number.
The TDP 1.5 has an electric motor as well as a small hand wheel located on the top of the gearbox.
We always recommend tuning your press by hand before running it under power.
We do not recommend using the TDP 1.5 for long periods of time by hand. The function of the small wheel is to tune and de-jam the machine.
Yes, this could be down to corrosion or due to oxidation of your product. We would highly recommend taking your tooling out of the press and cleaning it at the end of every production run.
We would also recommend polishing the tooling to keep the surfaces clean and less likely to cause picking or capping.
Yes, this can happen because the boot bolt and spring have been screwed too far into the press or have not been screwed in far enough. It is important to make sure that the bolt is in the correct position before over tightening the set screw.
It should be pointed out that it will not affect the operation of the press if it is damaged.
The TDP 1.5 has a cast steel base with an enamel coating. There are parts that have been milled from steel and brass.
The contact parts that the powders come into contact with are the steel hopper, the brass/plastic boot (depending on model), the steel of the tooling (this will change depending on tooling specification) and the steel tablet ejection tray.
This is a very common question as all of the machines are extremely similar but equally have different strengths.
The easiest way to split these up would be into automatic and manual machines.
The TDP 0 is the manual model and requires you to turn the handle on the side to produce the tablets. This has the least amount of pressure, and is the entry-level model into the TDP range.
The TDP 1.5, TDP 5 and TDP 6s are all automatic machines that are driven by an electric motor. The TDP 1.5 is the entry-level model of the automatic machines. It has the least pressure at 15 kN and it is also limited in the size of the tablets it can produce.
The TDP 5 is our most popular model and can produce approximately 5,000 tablets per hour. The TDP 5 has 50 kN of pressure, and can produce tablets up to 22 mm in diameter.
The TDP 6s is our top-of-the-range machine and is more suited to irregular shaped tablets. The TDP 6s also has slightly more pressure at 60 kN, and is better suited to certain products that do not form tablets as easily.
The length of the warranty on any of the TDP range machines is 1 year from the date of purchase.
This warranty covers spare parts and excludes tooling and maintenance labour from LFA for machine services.
When you receive your machine, you will be given a serial number that will also be stamped onto the press. You will be able to use this if you ever need to make a warranty claim.
Full details on the LFA warranty can be found here: Warranty | We Have You Covered
The TDP 5. Hands down, this has been our most popular model for a while now. We do get customers coming back and upgrading to the RTP 9 (normally after a couple of years), but most new customers initially choose the TDP 5.
The TDP 1.5 is recommended for any tablets that are smaller than 8 mm and bind fairly well, rather than for a specific type of tablet or product. If you are unsure, then it is best to have the product tested. More information can be found on this service here: Services | Why Choose LFA Tablet Presses
As with any tablet press, it is good to have a particle size of around 80-60 mesh.
This would be large enough to avoid large losses and small enough to flow well through the machine. If the powder is finer than this then you are going to experience a larger level of loss.
If the particles are larger than this then it might not flow through the machine well and get caught as it is trying to enter into the die bore.
This being said every powder is very different and you will need to do tries to work out what is best for them.
We send out all machines with the local plug on and set up to run on the local power supply.
We would recommend using goggles, a dust mask and gloves at a minimum, but you may require a lot more depending on the products that you are working with, and your local health and safety laws.
It depends on how close you are to forming a tablet with the TDP 1.5. If the tablet binds but gets chipped or damaged during ejection, or falls apart when inside a container, then moving to a TDP 5 or 6 might give you the extra force you need to make your tablet work.
If however, your tablet comes out of the TDP 1.5 as dust, then it is unlikely that the problem you are facing has to do with the amount of pressure that you are applying.
Get a capsule filler.
You will not be able to make tablets.
Click here for more information https://www.lfacapsulefillers.com/
There are a number of ways we are able to support you:
- Every machine comes with a full manual that is emailed to you after purchase.
- There is a large range of video tutorials to teach you how to use the press.
- The machine comes with lifetime technical support. You can call, Skype or email to get answers to your questions and problems.
- We also offer free training at any one of our regional offices.
If after all of this you are still struggling to use your press, we are able to come to you. This is a service we charge for.
More information on this can be found here: https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/services
All of our machines are made by us in Taiwan, and are shipped to you from our nearest office.
We have offices in the UK, USA, Germany and Taiwan.
Because they are made by us, we are able to control quality and give you the best support possible. And because they are shipped from your local office, wait times are reduced and customs clearance is avoided, ensuring you have support in your time zone in a language that is convenient to you.
The most common part to wear out on the machine is the boot. This comes in direct contact with the die cavity and can be hit or chipped by the upper and lower punches. This is made of brass so that the tooling is protected in the event of a collision. Because of this, the boot is soft and will wear over time. If anything, we recommend keeping a spare to avoid losing production time.
We also recommend that you keep at least 1 spare set of tooling as this can break or wear over time.
LFA aims to hold all major spare parts and tooling in stock so that they are ready to ship out in the event that you need them. The lead times on sold out parts, however, can take up to 6-8 weeks
There are a few interchangeable parts if both machines have been made by LFA Machines. From the TDP 0, this includes the tooling, the lower drift pin assembly, and its corresponding set of cogs.
The most important fit to check for is tooling that you may have previously purchased, because the base plates have been redesigned to fit the universal standard tooling die.
More information on the TDP Universal Tooling Standard can be found here: Tooling | Punch & Dies for TDP Pill Presses
All other parts are custom to this press.
Yes, some parts are interchangeable if both machines have been made by LFA Machines. The upper drift pin assembly and the lower drift pin assembly will fit.
The most important fit to check for is tooling that you may have previously purchased, because the base plates have been redesigned to fit the universal standard tooling die.
More information on the TDP Universal Tooling Standard can be found here: Tooling | Punch & Dies for TDP Pill Presses
There are three reasons to granulate your formula:
1. To improve the flowability of your formulation.
2. To make your formulation more compressible.
3. To ensure a consistent spread of API throughout the formulation.
If you would like to find out if your mix needs granulation then we do have a tablet formulation service available.
You can find out more about the tablet formulation service here: https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/services
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