Automated tablet defect detection and the prediction of disintegration time and crushing strength with deep learning based on tablet surface images

This paper presents novel measurement methods, where deep learning was used to detect tableting defects and determine the crushing strength and disintegration time of tablets on images captured by machine vision. Five different classes of defects were used and the accuracy of the real-time defect recognition performed with the deep learning algorithm YOLOv5 was 99.2%. The system can already match the production capability of tablet presses, with still further room left for improvement. The YOLOv5 algorithm was also used to determine the disintegration time and crushing strength of tablets produced at different compression force settings based on their surface texture. With these accurate, low-cost methods, the 100% screening of the produced tablets could be carried out, resulting in the improvement of quality control and effectiveness of pharmaceutical production.