LFA DTP 25 User manual

We don’t just sell machines—
we provide service.
DTP 25®Tablet Press User Manual

2
Copyright Notice
© LFA Machines Oxford Limited, published in 2022 by LFA Machines Oxford Limited 2021.
Registered in England and Wales, company number 08428898, registered office for service
Demar House 14 Church Road East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8PS.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or
by any means, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature, without prior permission, except
for fair dealing under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or in accordance with the
terms of license issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency in respect of photocopying and/or
reprographic reproduction. Application for permission for other use of the copyright material
including permission to reproduce extracts in other published works shall be made to the
publisher. Full acknowledgment or author, publisher and source must be given.
All trade marks are acknowledged and are owned by their respective owners.

3
Important Safety Information
READ THIS BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE
Intended Use
The intended use of this machine is to press dry
raw materials into tablet form.
Potential misuse of this machine includes:
• Applying too much force to the powder.
• Trying to fill the Die with powder by hand.
• Inserting Tooling that is too big for the
machine.
• Using powders that could explode under
pressure.
• Using wet or damp material.
Personal Protection
For personal protection while transporting the
DTP 25®, abide by these actions:
• Use an engine hoist to lift the machine.
• Wear steel toe boots to prevent foot injury.
• Wear heavy duty grip gloves to ensure firm
grasp on machine.
• Wear back support belt to prevent injury if
needed.
For personal protection while operating the
DTP 25®, abide by these actions:
• Avoid wearing loose jewelry to prevent
machine entanglement.
• Contain long hair to prevent machine
entanglement.
• Wear safety goggles.
• Wear disposable latex/rubber gloves.
• Wear a hairnet (food grade products only).
• Wear a beard net if needed (food grade
products only).
General Hazards
• Be aware of risk of entanglement and pinch
point due to moving parts.
• Do not operate in a wet environment or with
wet hands due to risk of electrical shock or
burn.
• Do not operate if any wires are damaged,
pinched, or frayed due to risk of electrical
shock or burn.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Keep fingers away from all moving parts.
• Ensure that it is secured to a workbench to
prevent from falling.
• Inspect machine before use.
• Check that nuts and bolts are suitably
tightened.
• Use this machine only for its intended use
as described in this manual.
• Turn off and unplug the machine before
conducting cleaning and maintenance.
• Do not modify the machine in any way.
Safety Assessment
It is critical to conduct a safety assessment to
ensure that it complies with all local laws and
industry accepted safety regulations.
If you require guidance on the installation of the
machine or conducting a safety assessment,
please contact LFA Machines.

4
WARNING
This signals potential risk for personal injury.
Modes for Stopping
WARNING
This signals potential risk for electrical shock.
Symbols
Important Safety Information
READ THIS BEFORE OPERATING MACHINE
In the case of an emergency during manual operation, immediately stop turning the Hand Wheel
and remove yourself from the DTP 25®.
In the case of an emergency during motor operation, immediately press the Emergency Stop
button/turn the isolator switch and unplug.
CAUTION
This signals potential risk for damage to the
machine or other parts.
Prop. 65 Statement for CA Residents
Based on LFA's current level of knowledge of our machines, the DTP 25®does not require a
Proposition 65 warning label.
Warning for Explosive Material
This machine is not explosion proof. LFA recommends that you test your materials' explosivity
before running them through this machine. If your materials are indeed explosive, do not use
them with this machine.

5
Table of Contents
Copyright Notice 2
Important Safety Information 3
Intended Use 3
Personal Protection 3
General Hazards 3
Safety Assessment 3
Symbols 4
Modes for Stopping 4
Prop. 65 Statement for CA Residents 4
Warning for Explosive Material 4
DTP 25®Parts List 7
Preface 8
Training 9
Off-Site Training 9
Training via Video Chat/Phone 9
LFA Articles 9
LFA Videos 9
Installation 10
Tools and Materials Needed 10
The Appropriate Workstation for the Machine 10
Positioning the DTP 25® 12
Manual and Electrical Controls 14
Settings and Adjustment 17
Maintenance 23
General Maintenance Prescriptions 23
Lubrication 23
Dismantling for Repair and Replacement 26
Wear Parts and Causes of Damage 26
Tooling 27
Boot 33
Boot Teflon Pad 37
Troubleshooting 42
Common Machine/Part Issues 42
Common Tablet Issues 44
De-Jamming the DTP 25® 45
Cleaning 47
Storing the DTP 25® 55
Appendix 57
Glossary 57
Description of DTP 25®Parts 58
List of Electrical Components 63
Material of Contact Parts 64
Technical Specifications 64
Maintenance Checklist 65
Diagrams 66
Resources 84

6
1
23
45
6
7
9
10
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
12
8

7
DTP 25®Parts List
1. Interlock Clip
2. Start/Stop Buttons
3. Operation Speed Adjustment
4. Hopper
5. Emergency Stop
6. Isolator Switch
7. Eccentric Sheave/Pressure Adjustment
8. Eccentric Sheave Inner Strap
9. Upper Drift Pin Assembly
10. Upper Punch
11. Boot
12. Lower Drift Pin Assembly
13. Lower Drift Pin Assembly Cogs/Adjustment Plate
14. Lower Drift Pin Assembly Lifting Bar
15. Ejection Tray
16. Boot Timing Bar
17. Lower Drift Pin Assembly Timing Rod
18. Lower Assembly Timing Cam
19. Motor
20. Gearbox

8
Preface
The DTP 25®is an advanced, single station press that makes tablet compression fast, easy, efficient,
and safe. This compact machine is able to exert 100 kN of pressure to produce tablets up to 25
mm in diameter. With its features of protective casing, electronic control panel, and advanced feeder
mechanism, the DTP 25®provides safety for operators, simple adjustments of parameters, and a
maximum production of 1,500 tablets per hour. With an emphasis on convenience and accessibility,
this tablet press is a cost-effective solution for users who seek moderate quantities of tablet
production.
The purpose of this document is to support your understanding of the DTP 25®’s components,
features, functions, and design. With this manual, you will be able to successfully operate and
maintain your DTP 25®machine.
The user manual’s content includes:
• Important safety information
• DTP 25®installation instructions
• Description of the DTP 25®’s operation
• DTP 25®maintenance information
• Appendix with supplemental information

9
Training
DTP 25®training is essential for the machine’s successful operation and your personal safety.
There are several methods to prepare you for working with the DTP 25®.
Off-Site Training
LFA offers free training at our UK, USA, and Taiwan facilities for all our customers and their teams.
For more information, go to https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/services
Training via Video Chat/Phone
Using an online video chat system, an LFA technician can interact face-to-face with you and assist
with your understanding of the machine. Or, if you prefer, LFA can provide training via phone for all
customers who call the office. To set up a training, call or email your local LFA office:
UK
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
Taiwan
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
USA
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
LFA Articles
LFA writes informative articles about desktop tablet presses, which includes instructions,
procedures, and guides. To access the articles, go to https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/articles
LFA Videos
LFA has created several videos involving the DTP 25®and other desktop tablet presses. To access
the videos, go to https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/videos or https://www.youtube.com/user/
TabletPilPress

10
Installation
Tools and Materials Needed
Before you install and operate the DTP 25®, it is best to have the following tools and materials on
hand for general operation and maintenance:
• Engine hoist or lift and lifting strap
• Hammer
• Metric wrench set and adjustable wrench
• Circlip pliers and small needle nose pliers
• Flathead screwdriver
• Crosshead screwdriver
• Set of metric Allen keys with ball ends
• Long wire pipe cleaner
• Lubricant (NSF approved for food grade products)
• Grease gun
• Toothbrush
• Bagless vacuum
• Cleaner (e.g. Member's Mark Commercial Lemon Disinfectant)
• Sanitizer (e.g. Member's Mark Commercial Sanitizer)
• Cleaning brush set
• Plastic sheet or something similar to cover machine
• Safety goggles
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
The Appropriate Workstation for the Machine
Find a stable workspace surface that supports the DTP 25®’s 332 kg (about 731.9 lbs) weight,
such as a wooden bench (use stainless steel if for food grade industry). An important thing to
consider is to find a bench that has a suitable working height for you. This machine has a single
phase 220 V (± 10%) electrical requirement, so ensure that it is near an appropriate power plug.
Environmental Conditions
It is important that the environment in which you operate and store the DTP 25®has the
appropriate temperature and relative humidity levels. These two environmental factors can
potentially cause the machine to rust and/or cause the tablets to have a lower quality. The table
below shows the acceptable temperature and relative humidity levels:
Machine Temperature Humidity
DTP 25®°C °F 45-65% RH
18-24 64-75

11
The shipping crate will contain the following:
1. The assembled DTP 25®
2. The Tooling (already installed)
3. The De-Jamming Bar

12
Positioning the DTP 25®
WARNING: To prevent personal injury, wear steel toe boots and heavy duty grip
gloves while transporting the DTP 25®.
LFA does NOT recommend carrying the machine manually but rather with
an engine hoist. At least two people should be involved (one operating the
engine hoist and one stabilizing the machine) in removing the machine from the
shipping container and placing it in the workspace.
Transporting the DTP 25®
Tools and Materials Needed
• Engine hoist
• Adjustable wrench
Instructions
1. Open the top panel of the machine and set aside.
2. Secure the engine hoist onto the eyelet bolt attached to the top of the machine.
Tools Needed
• Crowbar
• Hammer
Instructions
1. Pry open each of the shipping container's paneling at the bottom with a crowbar and hammer to
loosen it from the base.
2. Pry off the wooden panels from around the base with a crowbar and hammer.
Unpacking the DTP 25®

13
3. Carefully transport the machine to the desired workspace.
4. Raise the machine until there is sufficient room to adjust the anti-vibration feet from the pallet.
5. Loosen the bolts that secure the anti-vibration feet with an adjustable wrench.
6. Rotate the anti-vibration feet until they are at an adequate height and tighten their bolts with an
adjustable wrench.
7. Carefully lower the machine to the ground.
8. Reinsert the top panel of the machine.

14
Manual and Electrical Controls
Basic Components
A description of the principal components follows:
• The Top Cam guides the punches’ movement.
• The Hopper holds the dry materials that will be compressed.
• The Boot moves the materials from the Hopper to the Tooling and ejects the tablets.
• The Die defines or molds the size and shape of the powder.
• The Upper Punch and Lower Punch compress the materials within the Die.

15
DTP 25®Process
The basic mechanism of the DTP 25®involves filling the Tooling (Die, Upper Punch, and Lower
Punch) with powder, compressing the powder, and ejecting the tablet.
Filling the Tooling with Powder
The dry materials are poured into the Hopper, which funnels the powder into the Boot. As the
Hand Wheel is manually operated, the Top Cam withdraws the Upper Punch from the Die.
When the machine is operated by the motor, the Gearbox initiates the movement of the Top Cam,
which withdraws the Upper Punch from the Die.
Compressing the Powder
After the powder is filled in the Tooling, the Top Cam drives the Upper Punch into the Die and the
Lower Punch. Both punches then come together to compress the powder under high pressure.
Ejecting the Tablet
After both punches compress the powder into a tablet, the Top Cam withdraws the Upper Punch
while the Lower Punch is pushed upward to expel the tablet. The tablet is then pushed out of the
way by the Boot to prepare for the next tablet compression.

16
How to Create Tablets with the DTP 25®
Tools and Materials Needed
• Raw material formulation
• DTP 25®
• Safety goggles
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
WARNING: For personal protection while operating the DTP 25®, contain long
hair and do not wear loose jewelry.
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this
process.
1. Pour the dry materials into the Hopper.
1.1 Note: Ensure that the DTP 25®is unplugged from the electrical outlet.
2. Open the front Perspex door and rotate the Hand Wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow
located on the Motor.
2.1 Note: Always manually operate the DTP 25®for one rotation before running the
machine.
3. Plug in the DTP 25®to an electrical outlet.
4. Press the green button (ON) to start operation and the red button (OFF) to stop.

17
Tools and Materials Needed
• Set of metric Allen keys with ball ends
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
Settings and Adjustment
The DTP 25®’s settings can be adjusted. Tuning the Tooling and adjusting the motor speed can
help with changing the tablets’ characteristics and how they are ejected from the machine.
Ejection Height
When the Upper Punch is fully lifted, the Lower Punch in its highest position should be flush with
the Die:
If the Lower Punch is above or below the Die’s face, it will affect how smoothly the tablet is ejected.
Adjusting the ejection height will help with this and can vary with different forms of Tooling.
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this process.
1. Produce a test tablet to determine how the Tooling should be adjusted.
2. Open the front Perspex door.
WARNING: To prevent any potential personal injury, unplug the DTP 25®from
the electrical outlet

18
3. Manually rotate the handle until the Lower Drift Pin Assembly is at its highest position and the
Boot is at the position to push away the tablet.
4. Loosen the ejection height adjustment locking screw with an Allen key.
5. Insert an Allen key into one of the ejection height adjustment's holes and turn to adjust.
5.1 Note: Turn clockwise to raise the ejection height. Turn counterclockwise to lower
ejection height.
6. Tighten the ejection height adjustment locking screw with an Allen key.
7. Close the front Perspex door.
4
5

19
Fill Depth
At times, a tablet will be too light or too heavy, and its weight must change. Adjusting the fill depth
determines the tablet’s thickness and weight. This can be controlled by changing how high or low
the Lower Punch sits.
Tools and Materials Needed
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this process.
1. Produce a test tablet to determine how the Tooling should be adjusted.
2. Open the front Perspex door.
3. Loosen the fill depth adjustment locking screw with an Allen key.
4. Insert an Allen key into one of the fill depth adjustment's holes and turn to adjust.
4.1 Note: Turn clockwise to increase tablet weight. Turn counterclockwise to decrease
tablet weight.
WARNING: To prevent any potential personal injury, unplug the DTP 25®from
the electrical outlet.
4
5. Tighten the fill depth adjustment locking screw with an Allen key.
6. Close the front Perspex door.
3

20
Motor Speed
The DTP 25®'s control console has a variable frequency drive (VFD) that can adjust the DTP 25®'s
motor speed, which affects how quickly the machine operates and therefore tablet production
speed.
Tools and Materials Needed
• Disposable latex/rubber gloves (for food grade products and to protect hands from grease)
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this process.
1. Turn on the machine to produce tablets.
2. Turn the dial on the VFD to adjust the production speed.
2.1 Note: Rotate the dial clockwise to increase the production speed. Rotate the dial
counterclockwise to decrease the production speed.