Method for operating a mixing apparatus of a manufacturing plant

A method for operating a mixing apparatus of a manufacturing plant that is configured to manufacture at least one of tablets and capsules, the method comprising:

• supplying multiple powdered products to the mixing apparatus, wherein the mixing apparatus extends along a horizontal axis;
• measuring an inlet mass flow rate of the multiple powdered products into the mixing apparatus;
• measuring a weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus;
• mixing the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus to form a mixed product, wherein the multiple powdered products are mixed in the mixing apparatus as the multiple powdered products travel along the horizontal axis;
• predicting, using a mathematical model, the weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus and an outlet mass flow rate of the mixed product from the mixing apparatus in a transient state based on the measured inlet mass flow of the multiple powdered products during a continuous processing of the multiple powder products;
• determining a correction of the predicted outlet mass flow rate of the mixed product from the mixing apparatus based on the measured weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus;
• imputing the corrected outlet mass flow rate into a next prediction;
• and
• processing the mixed product into the final products comprising at least one of:
• pressing the mixed product into the tablets in a tablet press;
• and
• filling the capsules with the mixed product in a capsule-filling machine,
• wherein with each correction, the predicted outlet mass flow rate of the mixed product based on the measured weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus results in the weight of the multiple powdered products in the mixing apparatus and an outlet mass flow rate of the mixed product from the mixing apparatus converging to actual values for the transient state.