Tim Freeman

Tim Freeman is Director of Operations for Freeman Technology.

Selecting the best material of construction is a crucial part of the plant design process, the aim being to balance performance and cost to best advantage. For powder processors, choosing a material that eases flow can pay dividends throughout the lifetime of the plant, but there is limited data on which to base this decision. A recent study by Freeman Technology highlights the role of the FT4 universal powder tester for such studies and provides some valuable comparative data for a wide range of commercially available materials and finishes.

For those seeking to adopt a Quality by Design approach to pharmaceutical development and manufacture, effective definition of the 'design space' is a key activity. This paper considers the role of modern powder testers such as the FT4 from Freeman Technology, within this context.

Wet granulation is a common unit operation in the pharmaceutical industry, yet accurate endpoint detection remains a challenge. The author examines the contribution that dynamic powder rheometry can make, highlighting its ability to detect the transition from wet mass to granulate with the required sensitivity. Quantification of this transition point, with a measure that is independent of process scale, accelerates development and scale-up and improves manufacture.

The current trend within the pharmaceutical industry toward more efficient development, manufacturing, and specification is fueling demand for analytical tools that provide highly relevant information. Effective powder characterization has a valuable role to play.