Method and apparatus for test pressing multi-layer tablets or coated tablets

A method for test pressing tablets (coated tablets), which are composed of two layers and one core disposed between the layers, in a rotary tablet press, said rotary press exhibiting a rotationally driven rotor with die bores, punch guides, at least one press station and a control cam system, wherein the control cam system exhibits, among other things, a filling cam and an ejection cam for the lower punches, and wherein the pressure rollers of the press station and the cams are adjustable in height by suitable adjustment drives, comprising the following steps:

• the rotor provided with an upper punch and a lower punch (pair of punches) is moved with the pair of punches into a defined filling position, in which the die bore associated with the pair of punches is filled with the material for the first layer of the tablet, wherein the filling cam is moved into a first position, the ejection cam is moved into a lower position and pressure rollers are moved into a first pressing position by means of associated adjustment drives;
• then the rotor is rotated by a full revolution and the pair of punches is stopped in the filling position;
• in the filling position, a core is placed in the die bore on the first layer;
• a second layer is filled into the bore, either after placing of the core in the die bore, or when the filling position is reached again after a revolution of the rotor;
• the second layer is pressed at a full revolution of the rotor in a second pressing position of the pressure rollers and the pair of punches is stopped again in the filling position;
• at a last revolution of the rotor, the lower punch ejects the coated tablet.