4 Types of Tablet Coating Machine

1. Introduction

Tablet coating is a critical step in pharmaceutical manufacturing that improves tablet appearance, masks unpleasant taste, enhances shelf-life, and enables controlled release. Choosing the right tablet coating machine ensures optimal efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance.

In this article, we’ll explore four main types of coating machines for tablets, comparing their structure, working principles, and key advantages:

Standard Coating Pan  

Perforated Coating Pan  

Fluidized Bed Coater   

Centrifugal Granulating Coating Machine  

Whether you’re looking for a simple pill coating machine  or an advanced high-capacity system, understanding each type is key to making the right choice.

2. Standard Coating Pan

2.1 Features

This is the most traditional tablet coating machine, consisting of a stainless-steel pan (8–60 inches in diameter) mounted at an angle. It rotates on a horizontal axis, driven by a motor, and is commonly used for sugar-coating and film coating.

2.2 Working Principle

Hot air is directed into the rotating pan and flows across the tablet bed, then exits through ducts at the front. The coating solution is applied either by ladling or spraying. Modern systems use atomizing spray guns for even distribution and faster drying, significantly reducing processing time.

3.Perforated Coating Pan

3.1 Features

This system uses a fully or partially perforated drum that rotates horizontally within a closed housing. It offers a significant upgrade in drying efficiency compared to traditional pans.

3.2 Working Principle

As the drum rotates, coating liquid is sprayed inside onto the tablets. Hot air flows through the perforations and across the tablet surface, ensuring fast and uniform drying.

3.3 Advantages

• Faster drying times
• Uniform coating coverage
• Suitable for large-scale production
• Widely used by modern tablet coating machine manufacturers

4. Fluidized Bed Coating Machine

4.1 Features

Also known as an air suspension coater, this machine is ideal for pellets and small particles. It features a vertical chamber where tablets are suspended in an upward flow of heated air.

4.2 Working Principle

Airflow is controlled to lift the tablets in the center and let them fall along the chamber walls. Coating liquid is sprayed continuously from the bottom, while hot air dries the product mid-air, ensuring a smooth, even coating.

4.3 Advantages

• High drying efficiency
• Ideal for controlled-release and film coatings
• Minimal product loss and high uniformity

5. Centrifugal Granulating Coating Machine

5.1 Working Principle

This advanced coating machine for tablets uses a high-speed rotating turntable. Powder or masterbatch is fed into the machine, forming a spiral motion under centrifugal force and friction. Atomized adhesive is sprayed onto the moving powder, which gradually forms pellets through layer-by-layer buildup.

Hot air is introduced into the gap between the turntable and the outer cylinder to dry the material. After granules are formed, the coating liquid is applied in the same spiral motion and dried with hot air, resulting in smooth, spherical, uniformly coated pellets.

5.2 Advantages

• Combines granulation and coating in a single process
• Produces highly spherical pellets with excellent uniformity
• Fast drying and smooth coating film
• Ideal for taste-masking and sustained-release applications

Tablet Coating Machine Comparison Table

6. Conclusion

Each type of tablet coating machine offers unique advantages depending on the product type, batch size, and coating requirements. While standard pans are cost-effective and simple, perforated and fluidized bed coaters deliver faster, more uniform results. For complex formulations needing both granulation and coating, centrifugal coating machines offer a highly efficient solution.

Leading tablet coating machine manufacturers like Jianpai now provide a range of options to meet GMP standards and modern production needs. Choosing the right Jianpai pill coating machine can significantly improve productivity and product quality in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.