In pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, one of the most widely used dosage forms is capsules. Muchos types of capsules exist to serve a number of purposes, and accordingly there are kinds of capsule filling machines which enable mass production of types of capsules to be possible.

You may have questions like: What are different types of capsules? What does a versatile capsule making machine capable of filling different types of capsules look like? How to choose an efficient capsule filling machine?

This article will firstly display significant features of the capsule fillings, with lists of various capsule types following, letting you better understand capsules and machinery that make them.

What Are Key Features of Leading Versatile Capsule Filling Machines?

En la industria farmacéutica, automatic capsule filling machines are critical for precise and efficient production. High-performance and versatile capsule fillers are designed to meet mass production demands while making sure of flexibility and precision. Key features include:

Versatilidad: These machines are capable of handling various types of capsules, including gelatin, vegetariano, and starch-based capsules. This adaptability ensures manufacturers can produce a wide range of products without multiple machines.

High Production Capacity: Advanced machines can achieve the maximum production output of up to 300,000 cápsulas por hora, making them ideal for large-scale manufacturing.

Diseño modular: Modularity simplifies operation and maintenance. Operators can easily switch between different dosificación cápsula sizes and types, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency.

High Precision in Powder Filling: Leading machines offer exceptional accuracy in powder filling with minimal deviation, to ensure consistent dosage and reduce waste.

Automation: Automation such as automatic capsule feeding, relleno, cierre, and rejection of defective capsules streamlines the production process, enhancing productivity and reducing labor costs.

Low Error Rates: High-end capsule filler filling machines of versatility boast error rates as low as 0.1%, guaranteeing a high yield of quality capsules.

CGMP Compliance: Being compliant with cGMP standards is essential for pharmaceutical processing. Leading machines can surely meet stringent standards, guaranteeing product quality.

Dust Control and Cleanliness: Advanced sealing mechanisms and dust extraction systems prevent contamination, maintaining a clean production environment.

How to Select the Right Capsule Filling Machine for Large-Scale Production

For manufacturers with large-scale production needs, selecting the right capsule filler filling machine is crucial. Several key considerations matter, such as the production capacity. Make sure the machine can meet your required output.

As a leading manufacturer of automatic capsule filler machine, Jinlu Packing has been upholding craftsmanship and manufacturing reliable pharmaceutical equipment. In the sphere of encapsulation, NJP-7800D, a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical capsule machine, exemplifies the pinnacle of capsule filling technology.

By introducing this automatic capsule filling machine, users can be acquainted with several key features of a cutting-edge versatile capsule maker machine, in order to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a seamless, efficient production experience.

In the aspect of equipment versatility, the machine accommodates different capsule types and all capsule sizes, providing manufacturers with unparalleled flexibility. Con una salida máxima de 468,000 capsules/hour, this automatic capsule filler is designed for large-scale manufacturing.

Equipped with a high level of automation, it automates the entire production process, including capsule feeding, separation, relleno, cierre, and waste rejection, reducing labor costs. Additionlly, the advanced pneumatic feeding system ensures superior filling accuracy. The machine achieves a capsule separation success rate of 99.99% and a product qualification rate of 99.8%.

Modularity and user-friendly design are standard features of this machine for making capsules. Fully compliant with cGMP standards, its built-in intelligent lubrication system provides continuous lubrication without leakage, maintaining a clean production environment.

One of the glittering points is the njp capsule filling machine incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including a German Zeiss optical indexing head for precise indexing and a CNC-machined internal cam for enhanced stability. The patented turntable design equipped with SIL imported silicone seals effectively prevents powder from entering the turntable, ensuring a dust-free operation.

Types of Capsules according to Materials

As mentioned above, a versatile auto capsule filling machine can fill types of capsules. Sin embargo, how are capsules classified into different types? Here is an insight into this issue.

You may ask: What are medicine capsules made of? What is a gel capsule? Categorized according to material, types of capsules can be content as shown below:

1. Cápsulas de gelatina

Produced from gelatin derived mainly from animals’ (such as cattle and fish) skins and bones, gelatin capsules are a traditional capsule form to enclose medications, supplements or other active ingredients. Por ejemplo, to encapsulate fish oil, fish gelatin capsules are ideal for their desirable resolvability with aliphatic acid.

Gelatin is biocompatible, biodegradable and non-toxic, and it has benefits including the ease of swallowing, staying tasteless and odorless, and rapid dissolution. What’s more, gelatin capsules have better performance in their long shelf life.

Además, by controlling the dissolution rate and release degree of active ingredients in the gastrointestinal tract, gelatin capsules enable the drug to be released at specific parts in a human body, playing a role of targeted therapy.

2. Vegetarian Capsules

For vegetarian consumers who prefer plant-based diets, vegetarian capsules, inclusive of HPMC capsules and pullulan ones, are a good option. Vegetarian capsules do not contain animal-derived allergens, and ingredients are natural and healthy. Por lo tanto, for those allergic to animal proteins, this type of capsules obviously reduces the risk of allergic reactions.

There is an issue of gelatin vs vegetarian capsules. In comparison with gelatin capsules, vegetarian capsules enjoy wider consumer acceptance, enhanced chemical stability and pH compatibility, and friendliness to environmental sustainability. Sin embargo, in the aspect of cost, vegetarian capsules are 3 times more expensive than gelatin ones.

2-1 HPMC Capsules

HPMC capsules are made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a water-soluble polymer gained from cellulose. Herbal products, such as Comvita immune propolis and PSeti quercetin, are packaged in HPMC capsules due to their effectiveness in ensuring product quality.

What Are HPMC Capsules’ Advantages over Pullulan Capsules?

· With raw materials derived from wood pulp or cotton, HPMC capsules are generally of lower costs compared to pullulan capsules, and the large-scale production is more economical.

· Due to the cost-effectiveness and the well-established supply chain, HPMC capsules are more commonly used than pullulan capsules in pharmaceutical industry.

· Owning the chemical stability across a wide pH range (acidic to alkaline), HPMC are compatible with a broader range of formulations.

2-2 Pullulan Capsules

In terms of pullulan capsules made from fermented starch, they are used to encapsulate drugs and nutritional ingredients, especially those sensitive to moisture and oxygen, protecting the ingredient stability.

What Are Advantages of Pullulan Capsules over HPMC Capsules?

· Outwardly, pullulan capsules are exceptionally clear and glossy, staying more visually appealing compared to HPMC capsules.

· Because of the relatively simple production process, pullulan capsules have higher purity and a higher degree of naturalness.

· This type of capsules, highly resistant to cross-linking, can ensure more reliable dissolution and dissolve faster than HPMC capsules

3 Starch and PVA Capsules

Starch and PVA capsules have much shorter histories than those of gelatin and vegetarian capsules. Starch capsules are mainly made from starch, including that from corn, potatoes, tapioca and wheat. These starches are processed and refined to get highly purified starch for encapsulation.

PVA capsules are made from polyvinyl alcohol— a synthetic polymer material, possessing unique benefits such as good water solubility and film-forming properties.

These two capsule forms are widely used in pharmaceutical and health product industries to encapsulate medicines, vitamins, minerals and other active ingredients. Their shells are strong enough to contain kinds of formulation, especially suitable for containing products that require slow release in human bodies.

Types of Capsules according to Textures

Categorized according to functions, types of cápsulas include hard capsules and soft capsules.

1. Hard Capsules

Usually known as hard gelatin capsules, hard capsules are traditionally made from gelatin but can also be made from plant-based materials. Suitable for enclosing both medicines and vitamins, hard gel capsules generally encapsulate solid oral dosage forms or sometimes even liquid formulations, protecting medications encased in a gelatin shell.

2. Soft Capsules

Known as soft gel capsules, soft capsules are soft in the capsule shell and ideal for enclosing liquid dosage forms including fish oil or other supplements. With soft texture facilitating the ease of swallowing, the capsules are usually made from gelatin but can also be made from vegetarian alternatives like cellulose.

Not similar to hard capsules that have two parts (a body and a cap), a soft capsule is made from a single piece of gelatin or other material. Soft capsules are typically filled with liquid or semi-solid ingredients.

Types of Capsules according to Functions

Categorized according to functions, types of cápsulas can be shown in this table:

1. Enteric Capsules

Coated with a kind of pH-sensitive polymer, enteric capsules have special layers as their coatings resist dissolution in stomach acid, in order to reach the purpose that active ingredients enter small intestines, breaking down in the more alkaline environment of small intestines.

2. Sustained-release Capsules

Designed to release active ingredients slowly and continuously, sustained-release capsules can let the drug releasing extend over a period for about 10 hours or longer, leading to stable drug releasing levels and the consistency of drugs’ therapeutic concentration in the bloodstream.

3. Controlled-release Capsules

Controlled-release capsules target specific locations of intestinal tracts, providing more precise control on drug release compared to sustained-release one. What’s more, controlled-release capsules can maintain therapeutic drug levels for 24 hours or above, thereby reducing medicine doses and simplifying medication regimens.

Types of Capsules according to Uses

Categorized according to the application, types of capsules are shown in this table:

1. Pharmaceutical Capsules

Drug cápsulas serve the purpose of encapsulating active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in shells, typically made of gelatin or plant-based materials. They are used to shield medicines from the surrounding and ensure the delivery of medications for therapeutic uses, improving dosage accuracy and the effectiveness of curing diseases.

2. Dietary Supplement Capsules

When it comes to shapes of capsules, dietary supplement capsules are more good-looking. They are generally more consumer-oriented and visually attractive. Different from pharmaceutical capsules that contain API, Dietary supplement capsules may contain vitamins, herbal ingredients, and fatty acids like Omega 3, which support human health but not treat diseases.

Comparing Capsules of Different Outward Features

1. Tamaños de cápsulas

Selecting medications with the capsule size suitable for your dosage demand would be better to manage personal health.

Ranging from size 000 al tamaño 5, capsule sizes differ with larger numbers indicating smaller volumes. Different formulations and specific dosage requirements influence the choice of capsule sizes. Bigger capsules (e.g. 000, 00) are suitable for medicines or supplements with high dosages, while smaller capsules (e.g. 4, 5) are ideal options for containing potent or pediatric formulations.

For more detailed information about capsule sizes, please view this chart:

2. Different Capsule Colors

Capsules are produced with many different colors.

Why do capsule colors differ?

Para los consumidores, they can distinguish among various medications, lowering the risk of wrong medication taking. Además, different capsule colors will deliver helpful psychological effects on patients. Por ejemplo, blue or green is usually related with calming effects, while orange or red will be associated with aggressive efficacy.

For pharmaceutical enterprises, unique colors of capsules help promote the branding recognition and the image of products standing out of competitive goods on pharmacy shelves. Además, nice colors make products more attractive to consumers.

Besides, some dark colors, such as brown or black, can protect light-sensitive capsule ingredients from impacts caused by UV exposure.

3. Capsule Transparency

Some capsules are visually transparent, allowing you to see the pharmaceutical ingredients inside. Transparent capsules are also typically made from gelatin or plant-based materials. The transparency is achieved by professionally processing highly purified substances into clear, see-through capsule shells.

Why are some capsules made transparent?

Being transparent can enhance the aesthetic exterior, helping capsules stay visually appealing, especially when the API is colorful or the transparent shell has an interesting texture. This appearance renders benefits to capsule marketing.

Meanwhile, transparent capsules also benefit improving consumer trust, as being able to see contents inside capsules allows consumers to visually be informed what they are consuming.

Conclusión

For workers and professionals in industries of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, it’s essential to understand different types of capsules to ensure the quality of work on tailored drug delivery, cumplimiento del paciente, product stability and shelf life, capsule compatibility with formulations, etc..