SciMed
Tablet Coating Pan 24 Inch, SS 316L, Variable Speed, Sugar and Film Coating
Tablet Coating Pan 24 Inch, SS 316L, Variable Speed, Sugar and Film Coating
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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 and 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 and logo. The rotating pan tumbles tablets while coating solution is sprayed onto them and integrated hot air dries each layer, successive spray and 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 and film coating |
| Batch Capacity | ~4-6 kg tablets typical (varies with tablet size and 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 and 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 and labor · pan and structure 5-year structural |
Pan Sizes
The 24" (610mm) pan is the in-stock model sold on this page. Other sizes are made to order: email sales@scimedstore.com for a quote and lead time.
| 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 and PLC | Integrated blower | PLC-controlled |
| Spray system | Standard spray-gun compatible | Integrated Schlick nozzles | Integrated 2-gun system | Integrated 3-gun |
| Automation | Manual and spray timing | Full PLC recipe control | Basic PLC | Full PLC and trending |
| Lead time | 7 business days | 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 and film coating of small commercial batches | Sugar (sucrose subcoat and smoothing), film (HPMC and colorants) |
| Nutraceutical and supplement | Enteric coating vitamins, probiotic protection | Film (HPMC), enteric (Eudragit L100, Acryl-EZE) |
| Ayurvedic and Unani producers | Sugar coating Vati (tablet), modernizing traditional preparations | Sugar syrup and food-grade colorants |
| Herbal medicine | Bitter-taste masking of herbal extracts | Sugar or HPMC film and 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 and polish |
| Confectionery, gum | Panning chewing gum and gum shells | Sugar or sugar-free (xylitol) syrup |
| Nuts and seeds | Glazing, salting, honey-roasting | Honey, syrup, oil and spice mixtures |
| Food coating | Sunflower seeds, beans (specialty foods) | Salt, flavor, colorant |
| Veterinary pharma | Sugar-coating palatable tablets for pets and livestock | Sugar and flavor (beef, chicken, salmon) |
| Academic teaching | Pharmacy school formulation labs | Sugar and film demonstrations |
Best For
- Pharmaceutical R&D laboratories: coating recipe development, formulation optimization, small pilot batches
- Small-batch generic pharma: Indian, Chinese and LATAM formulators, contract manufacturers, specialty pharma
- Nutraceutical and supplement producers: enteric-coated probiotics, vitamin supplements, sports nutrition
- Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha medicine producers: modernizing Vati (tablet) production with palatable sugar coating
- Herbal medicine and 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 and specialty nut roasters: glazed / honey-roasted / sugar-coated nuts and coffee beans
- Veterinary pharma: palatable coated tablets for pets and livestock
- University pharmacy schools: teaching lane coating equipment
- Academic and industrial R&D: polymer coating research, controlled-release formulation development
- International pharma and 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 and 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 and polish steps)
- Cool and 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 and chocolate panners, and academic pharmacy programs globally.
- Volume and multi-size pricing on 2+ unit orders, pharma R&D labs and nutraceutical scale-up commonly buy 18" (R&D) and 30" (pilot) and 36" (small production) as a set
- Net-30 invoicing for verified pharma companies, nutraceutical manufacturers, academic institutions
- cGMP and IQ/OQ documentation available on request for pharma installations
- Spray system and peristaltic pump packages: we can quote a complete coating package (pan, spray gun, pump and 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 and 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 and nutraceutical markets)
- SAM.gov and academic procurement: for university pharmacy programs and 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 and 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 and 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 and 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 and labor on drive motor, blower motor, heater bank, controls. 5-year structural warranty on pan and frame (SS 316L doesn't fatigue in normal use). Consumables (heater elements, drive belts) not covered. Replacement parts stocked in San Jose, California 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 and 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 and spray)
- Ships in 7 business days: faster than typical 8–14 week pharma equipment lead times
- Multiple sizes: 18"/24"/30"/36" all available, ships in 7 business days
- Pharma-friendly procurement: Net-30, cGMP construction, IQ/OQ templates
- International DDP: Ayurvedic, nutraceutical and generic pharma markets globally
- Complete coating packages: pan, spray system and recipe consultation available
- Perforated pan upgrade: for high-volume enteric coating work
- Custom sizes: 42"/48"/60" pilot and production scale built to order
- Confectionery-ready: chocolate, sugar and gum panning applications supported
Shipping: Continental US LTL freight (~90 kg crated). International DDP ocean freight or DHL Express to major pharma and nutraceutical markets. Pharma, nutraceutical and confectionery procurement: sales@scimedstore.com.
User Manual (PDF)
Download the Operating Manual (PDF)
Browse all manuals by category at scimedstore.com/pages/user-manuals. Need a digital or printed copy, or have a question? Email sales@scimedstore.com.
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