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Many professionals struggle to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, leading to inefficiencies and setbacks in production. Our comprehensive course, designed by industry leaders, takes you from the basics of tablet press machine operations to the more technical worlds of formulation and design. By blending theory and hands-on training, we equip you with the tools to overcome common challenges in tablet production.
2025 Course Dates
Courses available in February, March, April, May, June, August, September, and October.
Skills You'll Develop
Entire program – 4 courses (11 days) in Pittsburgh, PA
Learn about the intricate dance of art and science that goes into tablet manufacturing with SDU’s comprehensive course, specially designed to transform beginners into masters of tablet pressing. This hands-on course guides students through the process of transforming powder formulations into high-quality tablets using advanced tablet press machines while giving them practical, hands-on experience of working with the equipment.
3 days in Pittsburgh, PA
Starting with the basics, our entry-level course offers a strong foundation in the principles of tablet making while blending the knowledge with extensive hands-on practice. Participants will actively engage in setting up and operating tablet press machines, ensuring the production of tablets that meet stringent industry standards in terms of weight, hardness, and dissolution.
You will come away from this 3-day training session feeling comfortable with tablet press operation. You will be able to identify common issues with tablet manufacturing and diagnose basic mechanical issues.
102
3 days in Pittsburgh, PA
Going deeper into the optimization of the tablet pressing process, our advanced level course explores making adjustments for improving tablet quality and troubleshooting common issues that may arise during production, all through practical, hands-on experience. This thorough understanding of machine settings and their impact on the final compressed product is achieved through direct engagement with the equipment and materials.
You will feel comfortable with identifying the root course of the majority of tablet defects. You will understand how to build out a preventative maintenance program for tablet presses. You will have a strong understanding of tablet press set up and calibration.
Completion of SDU’s tableting 101 course or 3 years press operator experience.
103
3 days in Pittsburgh, PA
Our advanced master classes offer a rigorous, hands-on exploration of sophisticated topics such as granulation, compression, and coating techniques. Students will actively participate in experiments and projects designed to expose them to the nuances of high-speed production and the unique challenges of maintaining consistency and quality at every step.
You will be able to lead a team of engineers and operators in the maintenance, set-up and repair of tablet presses. You will be able to identify and do a root-cause analysis on all tablet press issues. You will have a strong understanding of how to set up a tablet press production line to achieve maximum efficiency.
Completion of SDU’s tableting 102 course or 5 years press maintenance experience.
2 days in Pittsburgh, PA
Our specialized, hands-on course on tooling and tablet design is a practical deep dive into the architectural aspects of tablet making. This module covers the design of dies and punches, material selection, and the engineering behind creating tablets of various shapes, sizes, and functionalities, ensuring your products not only perform but also stand out in the market.
You will understand the fundamentals of how tablet design affects the in-process operation of a tablet press. You will understand the limitations of tablet design and how as you approach those limitations you will need to make performance changes in the press to accommodate the challenges presented by the design. You will understand the relationship between formulation, tablet defects and the tablet design and when and how to mitigate them through correct tablet design.
Course Certificate upon Completion
On the last day of class, you will receive a personalized, embossed certification that declares you have completed one of SDU’s tableting courses. This credential not only validates your expertise and dedication to continuous learning but also positions you as a valuable asset in solid dose manufacturing.
Tablet Course Professors
Since joining Scheu & Kniss in 1987, Jeffrey Lucas has gathered over 30 years of experience in tablet press operations, starting in the Press Rebuild Department. Promoted to Rebuild Department Supervisor in 1999, he managed the reconditioning process, working with customers and teams to ensure top service. He also began offering onsite tablet press setup and maintenance training across North America. As Technical Service Manager since 2005, he provides technical support, works closely with the Elizabeth Tooling division on tablet design and troubleshooting, and recently started supporting the sales team to promote replacement parts and turret repair services.
Andrew Lapinsky, with a Mechanical Engineering Technology background from Pennsylvania State University, has been with Elizabeth Tooling since 1989. In his over three decades of tenure, primarily in engineering, he advanced to Manager of Engineering and CNC programming, focusing on compression tooling and tablet design. His work includes integrating CNC technology, expertise in CADD 3-D modeling, and conducting training seminars on tablet design and troubleshooting in various countries.
Solid Dose University (SDU) is an educational institution specializing in the art and science of solid dose manufacturing. With a curriculum designed by industry experts, SDU offers comprehensive training programs that cover the full spectrum of tableting, encapsulation, and more. Our mission is to empower professionals with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to excel in the rapidly evolving solid dose sector.
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