Currently, there are two officially published tooling standards:

• TSM standard. The American standard, these specifications were developed under the direction of (IPT), Industrial Pharmaceuticals Technology section of the (APhA’s) Academy of Pharmaceuticals Sciences. The “TSM standard” is most commonly used in the US.
• EU standard ISO standard. The (EU) standard is the most commonly used tooling configuration however, unlike like the American standard is not set or managed by a single organization.

Both standards are similar however, they are not interchangeable. Therefore, a reputable tooling manufacturer should be able to accommodate both standards to support both manufacturing markets. These standards define important dimensions, tolerances, and characteristics of punches and die. The standards do not define tool steels, hardness, and coatings to be used. This responsibility lies with the tool manufacturer. For a tablet press, tablet compression tools include one upper punch, one lower punch, and one die, per station. A “set” of tooling consists of a full complement of punches and dies required for the number of stations in the turret. The punch is made up of a head flat, shaft diameter, keyway, overall length, tip, and functional length. Punches guide through the cam track of the tablet press and need to be in excellent condition to avoid irregular alignment and poor dwell time. The die is a precision component i.e. a mold where the product is compressed into a desired design/shape. The punches and die you select will have a significant impact on the final product. These tools determine the shape of the tablet, and it is important to have a smooth, aesthetically appealing product that consumers enjoy. The tools should allow for fast and easy material compression. Using the wrong equipment can lead to inaccurate filling and compression, as well as out-of-spec tablets, tool damage, and more. When choosing equipment, select the press design based on the target market for the tablet size and shape and the production rate you need to maintain.