Merlin can accurately measure the ejection forces using standard R&D punches and dies. We can also test with client-provided tooling so that the simulations are as close as possible to real-life production conditions. By assessing different lubricant and blend times it is possible to explore the effect of lubricant and processing conditions on tablet quality.
Merlin can make tablets at low to high speed and low to high force, mimicking the real conditions to measure production-relevant ejection force.
Sometimes, high ejection forces are not due to sticking but are due to radial expansion of the compact. The data produced from testing can determine the factors contributing to high ejection forces which can be mitigated in formulation development.