SciMed
Tablet Coating Pan 24" — SS 316L Pharma, Variable Speed, Sugar + Film Coating + Confectionery
Tablet Coating Pan 24" — SS 316L Pharma, Variable Speed, Sugar + Film Coating + Confectionery
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Rotating stainless-steel tablet coating pan for sugar-coating, film-coating, enteric coating, nutraceutical, and confectionery panning. SS 316L food-grade pan, variable-speed AC drive, integrated hot-air blower with adjustable temperature, cGMP-compatible construction with electropolished contact surfaces. Standard 24" pan (~4-6 kg tablet load capacity per batch); 18", 30", 36" and pilot-scale sizes available on request. Ideal for pharmaceutical R&D formulation, nutraceutical supplement production, small-batch generic pharma, Ayurvedic + Unani producers, and confectionery panning (chocolate, gum, candy). $3,499 direct — versus $12,000-$20,000 for O'Hara / Vector / Freund USA new coating pans of equivalent size.
What a tablet coating pan does
Tablet coating serves multiple purposes: masking bitter taste (making tablets swallowable), protecting active ingredients from moisture / light / oxygen degradation, controlling drug release (enteric coating dissolves only in the intestine, not stomach), improving mechanical strength during shipping, and providing brand identification through color + logo. The rotating pan tumbles tablets while coating solution is sprayed onto them and integrated hot air dries each layer — successive spray + dry cycles build up smooth, uniform coating over 30-90 minutes depending on batch and coating type.
Specifications — Standard 24" Pan
| Pan diameter (mouth) | 24" (610mm) standard — 18", 30", 36" available |
|---|---|
| Pan material | SS 316L food-grade, electropolished contact surfaces |
| Pan shape | Traditional conventional round-bottom (spherical) — proven design for sugar + film coating |
| Batch capacity | ~4-6 kg tablets typical (varies with tablet size + coating type) |
| Rotation | Variable speed 8-40 RPM (AC drive with VFD control) |
| Angle of inclination | Fixed at ~35° (standard for tablet tumbling) |
| Hot-air blower | Integrated, adjustable temperature 40-80°C, blower fan output 200-400 CFM |
| Spray system | Compatible — accepts standard peristaltic pump + spray gun (Schlick, Spraying Systems Co., generic) |
| Structure | Powder-coated mild-steel frame, epoxy finish, floor-standing (not mobile) |
| Motor | 0.5 HP AC, single-phase, 220V/50Hz (110V/60Hz on request) |
| Blower motor | 0.25 HP, integrated with heater bank |
| Heater | 1.5 kW electric heater bank (for hot-air drying) |
| Power supply | 220V, single-phase, 50Hz (110V/220V dual on request) |
| Overall dimensions | ~1,000 × 800 × 1,200mm (approx.) |
| Weight | ~80 kg |
| Compliance | cGMP compatible construction · food-grade SS 316L · CE marked |
| Warranty | 1-year parts + labor · pan and structure 5-year structural |
Available pan sizes
| Size | Typical batch | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18" (450mm) | 2-3 kg tablets | R&D formulation, tiny batches, university teaching | $2,999 |
| 24" (610mm) — Standard | 4-6 kg tablets | Small-batch nutraceutical, Ayurvedic, R&D scale-up | $3,499 |
| 30" (760mm) | 8-12 kg tablets | Nutraceutical production, generic pharma pilot batches | $4,499 |
| 36" (915mm) | 15-20 kg tablets | Small-scale commercial pharma production, contract manufacturers | $5,499 |
| 48" (1220mm) | 30-40 kg tablets | Mid-scale commercial pharma production | $8,999 — contact us |
Comparison to alternatives
| Feature | SciMed Coating Pan (24") | O'Hara Fastcoater | Vector VCP-24 | Freund SFC-30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,499 | $18,000-$25,000 | $12,000-$18,000 | $22,000-$32,000 |
| Pan diameter | 24" | 18" | 24" | 30" |
| Pan material | SS 316L | SS 316L | SS 316L | SS 316L |
| Pan design | Conventional round-bottom | Perforated side-vented | Conventional | Perforated |
| Speed control | VFD variable 8-40 RPM | VFD 4-25 RPM | VFD 8-40 RPM | VFD 4-35 RPM |
| Airflow | Integrated hot-air blower | Side-vented + PLC | Integrated blower | PLC-controlled |
| Spray system | Standard spray-gun compatible | Integrated Schlick nozzles | Integrated 2-gun system | Integrated 3-gun |
| Automation | Manual + spray timing | Full PLC recipe control | Basic PLC | Full PLC + trending |
| Lead time | Same-day US ship | 8-12 weeks | 6-10 weeks | 10-14 weeks |
| Warranty | 1-year parts | 1-year | 1-year | 1-year |
Applications by industry
| Industry | Application | Typical coating |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical R&D | Formulation development, coating recipe optimization | Film (HPMC, Eudragit), enteric (methacrylate) |
| Generic pharma small-batch | Sugar + film coating of small commercial batches | Sugar (sucrose subcoat + smoothing), film (HPMC + colorants) |
| Nutraceutical + supplement | Enteric coating vitamins, probiotic protection | Film (HPMC), enteric (Eudragit L100, Acryl-EZE) |
| Ayurvedic + Unani producers | Sugar coating Vati (tablet), modernizing traditional preparations | Sugar syrup + food-grade colorants |
| Herbal medicine | Bitter-taste masking of herbal extracts | Sugar or HPMC film + flavoring |
| Confectionery — chocolate | Panning chocolate on nuts, raisins, coffee beans | Molten dark/milk/white chocolate (30-45°C) |
| Confectionery — hard candy | Panning sugar shells (M&Ms style) | Sugar syrup + colorants + polish |
| Confectionery — gum | Panning chewing gum + gum shells | Sugar or sugar-free (xylitol) syrup |
| Nuts + seeds | Glazing, salting, honey-roasting | Honey, syrup, oil + spice mixtures |
| Food coating | Sunflower seeds, beans (specialty foods) | Salt, flavor, colorant |
| Veterinary pharma | Sugar-coating palatable tablets for pets + livestock | Sugar + flavor (beef, chicken, salmon) |
| Academic teaching | Pharmacy school formulation labs | Sugar + film demonstrations |
Best for
- Pharmaceutical R&D laboratories — coating recipe development, formulation optimization, small pilot batches
- Small-batch generic pharma — Indian + Chinese + LATAM formulators, contract manufacturers, specialty pharma
- Nutraceutical + supplement producers — enteric-coated probiotics, vitamin supplements, sports nutrition
- Ayurvedic + Unani + Siddha medicine producers — modernizing Vati (tablet) production with palatable sugar coating
- Herbal medicine + traditional Chinese medicine — bitter-taste masking of concentrated extracts
- Confectionery producers — chocolate panning (chocolate-covered nuts / raisins / beans), sugar panning (M&M-style shells), gum panning
- Coffee + specialty nut roasters — glazed / honey-roasted / sugar-coated nuts + coffee beans
- Veterinary pharma — palatable coated tablets for pets + livestock
- University pharmacy schools — teaching lane coating equipment
- Academic + industrial R&D — polymer coating research, controlled-release formulation development
- International pharma + nutraceutical markets (India, LATAM, MENA, SE Asia, GCC) via DDP procurement
How it works
- Load tablets: pour 4-6 kg of core tablets into the rotating 24" pan (batch depth ~1/3 of pan mouth for optimal tumbling)
- Start rotation: set variable-speed drive to 15-25 RPM (higher for smaller tablets, lower for larger)
- Preheat pan: turn on hot-air blower at 45-55°C for sugar coating, 55-65°C for film coating (aqueous), 40-50°C for chocolate panning
- Attach spray system: connect peristaltic pump + spray gun (Schlick or Spraying Systems Co. compatible); position spray gun 15-25 cm above tumbling load
- Prime coating solution: load coating suspension into pump (typical: 10-20% solids for aqueous film coating, 60-70% for sugar syrup)
- Spray in intervals: spray 2-3 minutes at 8-15 mL/min, then pause 5-10 minutes for drying; repeat for 15-40 cycles depending on target coating weight
- Monitor endpoint: stop when target weight gain achieved (typical: 2-5% for film, 30-80% for sugar coating with subcoat + smoothing + polish steps)
- Cool + polish: continue rotation with cool air 5-10 minutes; add polish coat (sugar coating) or fine spray drying pass (film coating) as needed
- Unload: tilt or scoop tablets from pan into collection tote — inspect for coating uniformity, defects, and mechanical integrity
Buying for a pharma, nutraceutical, or confectionery operation?
SciMed supplies coating pans direct to pharmaceutical R&D labs, nutraceutical manufacturers, Ayurvedic + Unani producers, confectionery + chocolate panners, and academic pharmacy programs globally.
- Volume + multi-size pricing on 2+ unit orders — pharma R&D labs + nutraceutical scale-up commonly buy 18" (R&D) + 30" (pilot) + 36" (small production) as a set
- Net-30 invoicing for verified pharma companies, nutraceutical manufacturers, academic institutions
- cGMP + IQ/OQ documentation available on request for pharma installations
- Spray system + peristaltic pump packages — we can quote a complete coating package (pan + spray gun + pump + coating recipe consultation) for turnkey installation
- USP/EP/JP compendial coating recipe support — HPMC, Eudragit, sugar coating protocols provided on request
- Perforated pan upgrade — side-vented perforated pan (for higher airflow, lower dwell time, better for enteric coatings) available (+$1,500)
- Custom sizes — 42", 48", 60" pilot-scale + production-scale pans built to order (4-8 week lead time)
- International DDP shipping — India, LATAM, MENA, SE Asia, GCC, UK, EU, AU/NZ (huge Ayurvedic + nutraceutical markets)
- SAM.gov + academic procurement — for university pharmacy programs + government pharma R&D
Frequently asked questions
What batch size can I run in the 24" pan?
Typical batch: 4-6 kg tablets. Rule of thumb: pan is loaded to ~1/3 of its mouth diameter with tablets to allow proper tumbling. Smaller loads (2-3 kg) work but pan surface exposure is uneven; larger loads (7-8 kg) don't tumble properly and coating becomes uneven. For batch sizes above 6 kg regularly, size up to the 30" pan (8-12 kg batches).
Can I use this for enteric coating?
Yes. Enteric coating with Eudragit L100 / L100-55 / S100 or Acryl-EZE is achievable in a conventional pan, though with longer processing time than perforated pans (which have better airflow). For high-volume enteric coating work, consider the perforated pan upgrade (+$1,500) — reduces process time 30-40% and improves coating uniformity. For R&D and small batches, this conventional pan is fine.
Is this cGMP compliant for FDA-regulated pharma?
The construction is cGMP-compatible — SS 316L food-grade contact surfaces, electropolished pan interior, easy-clean design. Full cGMP validation for a specific FDA-regulated commercial product requires site-specific IQ/OQ/PQ protocols + validated cleaning method + product-specific documentation. We provide IQ/OQ templates as a starting point; third-party validation by a certified pharma validation contractor is typically required for final compliance.
Does this come with the spray system?
No — the pan ships with the integrated hot-air blower and variable-speed drive, but the spray system (peristaltic pump + spray gun + nozzles) is sold separately. This is intentional — customers have strong preferences for specific spray gun brands (Schlick, Spraying Systems Co., generic) based on their coating type. Contact us for a complete spray system quote (+$800-2,500 depending on configuration).
What voltage?
Standard 220V/50Hz single-phase. 110V/60Hz on request (US installations). 400V 3-phase available for larger 36"+ pans. Specify voltage at order.
Can I use this for confectionery panning?
Yes — chocolate panning (chocolate-covered nuts, raisins, coffee beans), sugar panning (M&M-style shells), gum panning are all standard applications. The variable speed lets you slow the pan (8-12 RPM) for delicate chocolate work vs faster (25-40 RPM) for hard-candy shell buildup. Hot-air blower is helpful for chocolate crystallization control. Note: confectionery use requires food-grade cleaning between batches to avoid cross-contamination with pharma work — dedicate the pan to one application category.
Can I use this for Ayurvedic Vati production?
Absolutely — this is one of the primary use cases for Indian, Sri Lankan, and Nepalese Ayurvedic + Unani producers modernizing traditional tablet (Vati) coating. Sugar coating with food-grade natural colorants (turmeric yellow, beetroot red, spirulina green) works well. The 24" pan handles typical small-batch Ayurvedic production (~4-6 kg Vati per batch); scale up to 30-36" for commercial Ayurvedic production.
What's the warranty?
1-year parts + labor on drive motor, blower motor, heater bank, controls. 5-year structural warranty on pan + frame (SS 316L doesn't fatigue in normal use). Consumables (heater elements, drive belts) not covered. Replacement parts stocked in San Jose warehouse for 8+ years post-purchase.
How is this shipped internationally?
US: LTL freight (crated ~90 kg, lift-gate required). International: ocean freight DDP for 2+ unit orders, DHL Express DDP for single-unit urgent shipments. Ships to India, LATAM (Mexico/Brazil/Colombia), MENA (UAE/Saudi/Egypt), SE Asia (Vietnam/Indonesia/Philippines/Malaysia), Sub-Saharan Africa, GCC, UK, EU, AU/NZ. Substantial Ayurvedic + nutraceutical demand in India + SE Asia — ocean freight typical for volume orders.
Why buy direct from SciMed
- ~25% of O'Hara / Freund pricing — same essential coating mechanics (pan + rotation + drying + spray)
- Same-day US ship — no 8-14 week pharma equipment lead time
- Multiple sizes stocked — 18"/24"/30"/36" all available with 20-25 units per size on shelf
- Pharma-friendly procurement — Net-30, cGMP construction, IQ/OQ templates
- International DDP — Ayurvedic + nutraceutical + generic pharma markets globally
- Complete coating packages — pan + spray system + recipe consultation available
- Perforated pan upgrade — for high-volume enteric coating work
- Custom sizes — 42"/48"/60" pilot + production scale built to order
- Confectionery-ready — chocolate + sugar + gum panning applications supported
Shipping: Continental US LTL freight (~90 kg crated). International DDP ocean freight or DHL Express to major pharma + nutraceutical markets. Pharma + nutraceutical + confectionery procurement: clinic@scimedstore.com.
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