LFA RTP 9 User manual

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We don’t just sell machines—
we provide service.
RTP 9® Tablet Press User Manual

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Copyright Notice
© LFA Machines Oxford Limited, published in 2019 by LFA Machines Oxford Limited 2019.
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.

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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.
• Not properly mounting the machine.
• Using powders that could explode under
pressure.
• Using wet or damp material.
Personal Protection
For personal protection while transporting the
RTP 9®, 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
RTP 9®, 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
In the case of an emergency during
operation, immediately push the Emergency
Stop button or turn the Emergency Shut-Off
Switch.
• 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 machine is secure with anti-
vibration feet on the workspace floor.
• 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.
• Do not modify the machine in any way.
• Turn off and unplug the machine before
conducting cleaning and maintenance.

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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
CAUTION
This signals potential risk for damage to the
machine or other parts.
In the case of an emergency during automatic operation, immediately unplug the RTP 9®and/or
push the Emergency Stop button or turn the Emergency Shut-Off switch:

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Table of Contents
Copyright Notice 2
Important Safety Information 3
Intended Use 3
Personal Protection 3
General Hazards 3
Important Safety Information 4
Symbols 4
Modes for Stopping 4
RTP 9® Components 6
RTP 9® Electrical Components 7
Preface 8
Training 9
On-Site/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
Assembly 14
Positioning the RTP 9® 15
Controls 16
Settings and Adjustment 20
Maintenance 25
General Maintenance Prescriptions 25
Lubrication 25
Dismantling for Repair and Replacement 31
Wear Parts and Causes of Damage 32
Tooling 33
Fill Tray 42
Upper Tracking 45
Upper Roller Cam 52
Lower Tracking 60
Lower Roller Cam 70
Troubleshooting 73
Common Machine/Part Issues 73
Common Tablet Issues 75
De-Jamming the RTP 9® 76
Cleaning 77
Storing the RTP 9® 79
Appendix 81
Glossary 81
Description of RTP 9® Parts 82
Food Grade Point of Contact Parts 88
Technical Specifications 88
Maintenance Checklist 89
Diagrams 90
Resources 93

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RTP 9® Components
1. Lower Punches
2. Fill Tray Thumb Bolts
3. Fill Cam Adjustment Worm Gear
4. Lower Roller Cam Shaft
5. Upper Roller Cam Shaft
6. Drive Belt Pulley
7. Pressure Adjustment Cog
8. Pressure and Fill Depth Knobs
9. Upper Roller Cam
10. Lower Roller Cam
11. Fill Cam Adjustment Assembly
12. Fill Tray
13. Fill Cam
14. Ejection Cam
15. Upper Support Columns
16. Upper Tracking
17. Upper Roller Cam Housing
18. Main Cam Shaft
19. Motor
20. Perspex Casing
21. Turret
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2
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4
5
6
7
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9
10
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15
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RTP 9® Electrical Components
1. The variable frequency drive (for motor speed)
2. Fuses
3. Breaker
4. Terminal block
5. Emergency stop
6. Power isolator switch
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2
3
4
WARNING
Only qualified electricians should work with these controls.
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Preface
The RTP 9®is a rotary tablet press that can efficiently produce a high volume of quality tablets.
With its nine Tooling heads and powerful motor, the RTP 9®has the ability to make up to 16,200
tablets an hour with a maximum of 40 kN of pressure. Rather than manually adjusting nuts and
cogs, the RTP 9®'s advanced features include a convienent control console to manage tablet
thickness, fill depth, and production speed. Particularly popular in the pharmaceutical, chemical,
food, and electronic industries, the RTP 9®has been designed for research and development and
medium-sized production with an emphasis on safety and ease of use.
The purpose of this document is to support your understanding of the RTP 9®’s components,
features, functions, and design. With this manual, you will be able to successfully operate and
maintain your RTP 9®machine.
The user manual’s content includes:
• Important safety information
• RTP 9®installation instructions
• Description of the RTP 9®’s operation
• RTP 9®maintenance information
• Appendix with supplemental information

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Training
RTP 9® training is essential for the machine’s successful operation and your personal safety.
There are several methods to prepare you for working with the RTP 9®.
On-Site/Off-Site Training
LFA technicians can travel and train you at your own facility with your own machines. LFA also
offers free training at our UK and USA 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
[email protected]
Taiwan
Phone
[phone]
Email
[e-mail]
USA
Phone
[phone]
Email
sales.us[email protected]
LFA Articles
LFA writes informative articles about 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 RTP 9® and other tablet presses.
To access the videos, go to https://www.lfatabletpresses.com/videos or https://www.youtube.com/
channel/UCwtbcwja77ai7vX2o34FUkQ

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Installation
Tools and Materials Needed
Before you install and operate the RTP 9®, it is best to have the following tools and materials on
hand for general operation and maintenance:
• Engine hoist or lift
• Lifting strap
• Hammer
• Crowbar
• Rubber mallet
• Metric wrench set
• Socket set
• Circlip pliers
• Pliers/grippers
• Flathead screwdriver
• Set of metric Allen keys with ball ends
• Long wire pipe cleaner
• Cleaner (e.g. Member's Mark Commercial Lemon Disinfectant)
• Sanitizer (e.g. Member's Mark Commercial Sanitizer)
• Lubricant (NSF approved type for food grade products)
• Grease gun
• Toothbrush
• Cleaning brush set
• Plastic sheet or something similar to cover machine
• Safety goggles
• Hairnet and/or beard net (food grade products only)
• Sterile shoe covers (food grade products only)
The Appropriate Workstation for the Machine
The floor on which the machine is to be placed must support the RTP 9®’s 260 kg (about 573 lbs)
weight. The static floor loading limit is 0.8 kN/m2.
Environmental Conditions
It is important that the environment in which you operate and store the RTP 9® 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
RTP 9® °C °F 20-80% RH
0-40 32-104

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The shipping crate will contain the following:
1. The assembled RTP 9®
2. The Tooling (already installed)
3. Power Transformer (for 110 V countries only)

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4. Toolkit including:
• Die Installation Bar
• Die Removal Bar
• Grease guns
• Panel door keys
• Socket set
• Crosshead screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrenches
• Allen key set

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Tools Needed
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hammer
• Wrench set
Instructions
1. Pry open each of the clips on the shipping container with a flathead screwdriver.
1.1 Note: Hammer the clips even further down to aid in removing the shipping container
from the base.
2. Lift the top of the shipping container from its base, which is bolted to the RTP 9®.
3. Remove the plastic wrapping and set the Power Transformer and Toolkit aside.
3.1 Note: Save the wrapping for future transport and/or storage.
4. Open the lefthand and righthand panel doors to remove the nuts and bolts from the shipping
container's base with a wrench.
4.1 Note: Keep the nuts, bolts, and the shipping container’s base in case you need to return
the RTP 9®.
Unpacking the RTP 9®

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Assembly
The RTP 9®comes fully assembled. If you have a 110 V outlet, simply connect the RTP 9®'s
electrical plug into the Power Transformer's outlet. After that, plug the Power Transformer into the
power supply.
The RTP 9® also comes with anti-vibration pads underneath its base's four corners. The anti-
vibration pads not only absorb noise and vibrations, but also reduce the machine's movement.

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Positioning the RTP 9®
WARNING: To prevent personal injury, wear steel toe boots and heavy duty grip
gloves while transporting the RTP 9®.
Because of its 260 kg (around 573 lbs) weight, 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.
Moving the RTP 9® with an Engine Hoist
Tools Needed
• Set of metric Allen keys with ball ends
• Engine hoist
• Lifting straps
• Heavy duty grip gloves
• Steel toe boots
Instructions
1. Loosen the Hopper's screws with an Allen key and remove it from the Perspex Casing.
2. Remove the screws on the Perspex Casing with an Allen key and remove it and the Hopper.
3. Remove all the panel doors.
4. Remove the Handle.
5. Feed the lifting straps through the four Upper Support Columns and around the Turret.
6. Bring together the lifting straps above the RTP 9® and into the engine hoist's lifting hook.
7. Carefully raise the RTP 9® with an engine hoist and guide it to your desired location.
7.1 Note: Remember to secure the Perspex Casing, Hopper, and panel doors back onto the
RTP 9®.

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Controls
Basic Components
A description of the principal components follows:
• The Hopper holds the dry materials that will be compressed.
• The Fill Tray distributes the dry materials into the Die Bores and pushes tablets into the
Ejection Tray.
• The Dies define the size and shape of the powder.
• The Upper Punches and Lower Punches compress the materials within the Dies.
• The Turret houses the Tooling.
• The Upper Tracking and Lower Tracking guide the Tooling.
• The Upper Roller Cam and Lower Roller Cam compress the Upper Punches and Lower
Punches to create the tablet.
Hopper
Fill Tray
Dies Upper and
Lower Punches
Upper Roller Cam
Upper Tracking

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Control Console
1. Starts machine.
2. Stops machine and resets variable frequency driver.
3. Controls production speed.
4. Cuts off machine in emergency.
5. Adjusts fill depth.
6. Adjusts punch pressure.
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2
4
5
6
3

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RTP 9® Process
The basic mechanism of the RTP 9® involves filling the Tooling (Dies, Upper Punches, and Lower
Punches) with powder, compressing the powder, and ejecting the tablets.
Filling the Tooling with Powder
The dry materials are poured into the Hopper, which funnels the powder into the Fill Tray. As the
machine operates, the Turret moves, which causes the Upper Punches to withdraw from the Dies.
During this process, powder is moved by the Turret and is guided into the Die Bores by the Fill
Tray.
Compressing the Powder
After the Die Bore is filled with powder, the Upper Punches are driven into the Dies. The Upper
and Lower Punches then compress the powder under high pressure.
Ejecting the Tablet
After both punches compress the powder into a tablet, the Upper Tooling is withdrawn and the
tablet is then pushed out of the Die Bore by the Lower Punch. Once the tablet has been ejected
out of the Die Bore, it is slid out of the way by the Fill Tray's Take-Off Blade to prepare for the next
tablet compression.

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How to Create Tablets with the RTP 9®
Tools and Materials Needed
• Raw material formulation
• Fully assembled RTP 9®with Hopper
• 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: To prevent any potential personal injury, unplug the RTP 9®from
the electrical outlet.
Instructions
Note: Wear latex/rubber gloves (and appropriate food grade attire if applicable) during this
process.
1. Open the rear side panel door.
2. Fix the Handle onto the Drive Belt Pulley's socket.
3. Turn the Handle manually for one full Turret rotation in the direction indicated by the arrow to
ensure proper machine operation.
4. Pour the dry materials into the Hopper.
4.1 Note: Manually press a tablet to avoid the chance of jamming the machine.
5. Remove the Handle and reinsert the panel door.
6. Plug in the RTP 9® to an electrical outlet.
6.1 Note: For 110 V outlet, plug in the Power Transformer and flip its switch.
7. Press the green RUN button to start the machine.
8. Press the red STOP button to stop the machine.

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Settings and Adjustment
The RTP 9®s settings can be adjusted. Tuning the machine can help with changing the tablets’
characteristics.
Fill Depth
At times, a tablet will be too small or too large, and its weight must change. This simple adjustment
determines the tablet’s weight.
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 test tablets to determine how the machine should be adjusted.
2. Rotate the righthand knob on the console to change the fill depth.
2.1 Note: To increase the weight rotate the knob counterclockwise (this lowers the Dosing
Cam). To decrease the weight rotate the knob clockwise (this raises the Dosing Cam).
WARNING: To prevent any potential personal injury, unplug the RTP 9® from
the electrical outlet.