Tablet Press Maintenance: A Pill Press Lubrication Guide

1.1 Maintenance & Lubrication

1.1.1 Maintenance of the Worm Gearbox

As the auto pill press machine (Grandpack's rotary tablet press)worm gearbox is a heat-generating component, it must be installed where there is an air circulation system for cooling. Cool air is drawn in by a fan assembly, and hot air is expelled under positive pressure. The air inlet and outlet ports are located on the back of the machine to ensure unobstructed airflow.

Open the left door to access the worm gearbox’s oil sight glass. Check the oil level regularly, and change the oil after every 400-500 operating hours. Recommended lubricant: 460 worm gear oil (winter) or 680 worm gear oil (summer).

1.1.2 Tension Adjustment of the Belt

Belt tension can be adjusted by moving the tensioning roller. The belt can deflect approximately 1-2 cm at the midpoint of its free span. After adjustment, tighten the locking screws.

1.1.3 Maintenance of the Feeder

1. Pre-filling& Emptying

Press the Forced Feeding button to start pre-filling.

Pull out the slide plate beneath the feeder to empty the powder.

1. Calibration of the Feeder Platform

The gap between the feeder and the die disk during operation must be calibrated to 0.05 mm. Normal wear, cracks, or granule accumulation over time will affect this clearance. To calibrate the clearance, follow the steps below:

• Remove the feeder.
• Check the parallelism between the feeder platform and both sides of the turret with a straight-edge ruler. Place the tool on the feeder platform and measure the height difference relative to the turret.
• Fix the feeder onto the platform.
• Measure the gap between the feeder base and the dies with a 0.05 mm feeler gauge. Adjust until the gauge moves with slight resistance between the

1. Adjustment of the Feeder Platform

1) Loosen the small screw on the leveling foot and lower the collar.

2) Loosen the large locknut on the leveling foot. Rotate the slotted bolt left or right to adjust the platform height.

3) After tightening the locknut, recheck the gap.

1.1.4 Maintenance of the Hydraulic System

Check the oil level regularly. At the maximum operating pressure, the level must not fall below 5 cm; otherwise, replenish the oil.  

Recommended hydraulic oil: 22 Turbine Oil.

1.1.5 Automatic Lubrication System

The machine is equipped with an automatic, non-recirculating lubrication system consisting of a lubrication pump and a distribution system (pipes and metering valves). This system is also referred to as the central lubrication system.

Waste oil flows through drain ports into a waste oil container, which must be emptied regularly.

The central lubrication system can be accessed and configured via the Status screen on the HMI.

With this automatic lubrication system, typically, lubricants do not need to be added to the machine for maintenance during operation. However, if the Insufficient Lubrication indicator illuminates, add lubricant to the pump reservoir.

Recommended lubricant:  30 Machine Oil.

1.1.6 Maintenance & Lubrication Procedures for the GZPK High-Speed Rotary Tablet Press

▲ Worm Gearbox

Open the left door to access the oil sight glass. Maintain the oil level at the midpoint, and change oil every 400-500 operating hours.

Lubricant: 460 (Winter) or 680 (Summer) worm gear oil.

▲ Manual Grease Lubrication System

This system requires manual adding of grease. Before work, operate the manual grease pump 1-2 times per shift.

Grease: Boron Nitride Grease 00 (or Great Wall Brand 00 Lithium Grease).

▲ Hydraulic System

Check the oil level regularly. Top it up if the level drops below 5 cm.

Hydraulic Oil:  22 Turbine Oil (or Great Wall Brand Anti-wear Hydraulic Oil).

▲Main Shaft’s Bearing

Open the left door, and lubricate the pressure-feed grease nipple on the housing every 200 operating hours.

Grease: Lithium Complex Grease.

▲ Automatic Thin Oil Lubrication System

This system is PLC-controlled and can be configured on the HMI. Typically, it is activated every 200-300 turret revolutions (adjustable), with the lubrication duration of 2-3 turret revolutions (adjustable).

Lubricant: 30 Machine Oil.