The gelatin ribbon is a key material in the rotary die softgel encapsulation process. Its basic formulation generally consists of gelatin, a plasticizer, and water, with suitable colorants or opacifiers added when required. Colorants can improve capsule identification and appearance, while opacifiers can provide additional protection for light-sensitive contents.
1. Gelatin Ribbon Composition
Gelatin provides the primary film-forming properties of the ribbon. Plasticizers improve flexibility and reduce brittleness, while water helps control the viscosity and forming characteristics of the gelatin mass.
Depending on the application, manufacturers may adjust the formulation to achieve the required elasticity, thickness, transparency, and mechanical strength. Different formulations also require corresponding control of heating, cooling, and drying conditions.
2. Gelatin Ribbon Forming Principle
During operation, the prepared gelatin mass is heated to an appropriate temperature and delivered to the ribbon-forming section. A controlled temperature keeps the gelatin in a suitable flow state so that it can be formed into a continuous ribbon with uniform thickness.
The ribbon then enters the rotary die forming area. Two gelatin ribbons are guided toward the die rollers, where the filling material is introduced between them. The pressure and heat generated during die engagement cause the two ribbons to bond around the capsule cavity, forming and sealing the softgel capsule.
Ribbon thickness, temperature, material viscosity, die clearance, and forming pressure all influence the final capsule quality. Hansheng Automation can provide custom machining for precision mechanical components used in gelatin ribbon and rotary die systems according to customer drawings, including rollers, shafts, bushings, guides, and related structural parts.
3. Temperature and Thickness Control
Stable temperature control is essential throughout gelatin ribbon formation. Excessive temperature may reduce material stability or cause dimensional variation, while insufficient temperature can make the ribbon too stiff and affect sealing.
The ribbon must also maintain relatively consistent thickness across its width. Variations in thickness can lead to uneven capsule walls, inconsistent sealing, and dimensional differences between finished capsules.
For this reason, rotary die softgel machines generally combine temperature-control systems with precision mechanical structures to maintain stable forming conditions.
4. Importance in Softgel Production
A well-formed gelatin ribbon provides the foundation for reliable filling, sealing, and capsule appearance. In pharmaceutical and dietary supplement production, consistent ribbon properties help support stable capsule dimensions and reduce defects during continuous production.
Rotary die softgel machines are therefore widely used for high-volume production because they integrate gelatin ribbon forming, material filling, die forming, and sealing into a continuous process.
Hansheng Automation focuses on precision machining of non-standard mechanical components and can manufacture custom parts for softgel capsule and pharmaceutical equipment based on customer drawings, 3D models, or samples.
