Can Fused Deposition Modelling Enable the Manufacture of Uniform and Precise Dose Tablets?

The consistency of a printer to manufacture tablets in a uniform and precise fashion is an important element when considering fused deposition modelling. Blends of polymer [poly(vinyl alcohol)] and drug (paracetamol) in different ratios were considered to evaluate the mass, drug content, dissolution performance, and thermal properties of tablets. Relative standard deviations below 5%, for most of the properties considered in the study, demonstrated the high uniformity between tablets within a batch and between batches. Overall, the study confirmed the ability of the technology to manufacture tablets in a reproducible way based on the selected properties.