Procedure for Indent, Inspection, and Maintenance of Punches and Dies
1.0 Objective: To establish a procedure for the indent, inspection, and maintenance of punches and dies.
2.0 Scope: This procedure covers the indent, inspection, and maintenance of punches and dies used in the production department.
3.0 Responsibility: Operators, Officers, and Executives in the Production Department
Managers in the Production Department
4.0 Procedure:
4.1 Indent of Dies and Punches:
4.1.1 To order a new set, create a requisition in the purchase indent book in duplicate with the required specifications.
4.1.2 Obtain approval for the indent from the head of the unit and forward it to the purchasing department at the head office.
4.1.3 Once the proper drawing is received from the supplier, get it approved by the QA Manager and the Production Manager.
4.1.4 Forward the approved drawing to the supplier for manufacturing.
4.2 Inspection and Maintenance of Punches & Dies:
4.2.1 Upon notification from stores, retrieve the punch set from the packing material dedusting area.
4.2.2 Verify the received quantity against the Purchase Order.
4.2.3 Transfer punch sets from the original container to a suitable plastic container.
4.2.4 Label the container with punch dimensions and quantity. Assign a die punch set number using the following format:
For Example:-
i) ST-D-001
Where ST stands for a small tablet, D for tooling specification, and 001 for Box No.
ii) GB-BB-001
Where GB stands for general block, BB for tooling specification, and 001 for Box No.
iii) CB-B-001
Where CB stands for Cephalosporin Block, B for tooling specification, and 001 for Box No.
Related SOP: SOP on Operating Procedure for 35-Station Double Rotary Compression Machine
4.2.5 Clean each punch and die with a dry duster followed by a duster dipped in 70% IPA (70 ml IPA + 30 ml water).
4.2.6 Inspect each lower punch, upper punch, and die with a standard gauge.
4.2.7 After inspection, assign the set identification number and record it in the punch and die inventory record (Annexure-I).
4.2.8 Apply a thin layer of food-grade lubricant on punches and dies. Place each punch in a plastic cover.
4.2.9 Engrave the punch set number and identification on each punch set.
4.2.10 If dies or punches are rejected, inform the purchasing department and return the punches to stores for further action.
4.2.11 For product changeover (type-B cleaning), clean the punches with 70% IPA (70 ml IPA + 30 ml water).
4.2.12 Ensure the punches are thoroughly cleaned.
4.2.13 Apply a thin layer of food-grade lubricant on punches and dies.
Note: Verify the quantity of each punch set and record it in Annexure-I upon receipt.
Related SOP: SOP for Polishing of Punches and Dies
5.0 Abbreviations:
QA: Quality Assurance
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
ml: Milliliter
IPA: Iso Propyl Alcohol
6.0 References:
None
7.0 Annexures:
ANNEXURE – I: Punch and Dies Inventory Record