SOP on Filling of Capsules on Semiautomatic Capsule Filling Machine

1.0 Purpose: This SOP describes the procedure for filling operations of capsules on semiautomatic capsule filling machine.

2.0 Scope: This SOP applies to operating staff of the production department.

3.0 Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the Production Supervisor to ensure that the procedure is followed.

4.0 Materials and Equipment: None

5.01 The bottom half of the ring assembly (body ring) should be placed on the turntable near the drug hopper and positioned.

5.02 The operator should run his hand lightly over the ring to ensure that all the capsules are below the ring surface.

5.03 The speed of the turntable should be adjusted to the pre-determined rate.

5.04 The drug hopper should be filled with the powder up to the stirring arm.

5.05 The machine should be switched on and the drug hopper pulled over the face of the moving ring till the stirrer starts moving and the powder fills the capsule bodies.

5.06 At the end of one revolution of the ring the hopper should be pushed back in order to avoid double feeding of powder.

5.07 Excess powder from the surface of the ring should be scraped off with a scrapper and the powder should be collected in the dust tray.

5.08 The body ring with the capsules filled with powder should be removed and the cap ring placed on it and positioned so that the two rings are joined.