How to Control Content Uniformity in ODFs: From Coating to Inline Monitoring

Introduction
Content uniformity is often the most overlooked — yet most critical — parameter in oral dissolvable film (ODF) manufacturing. For pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications (including “Blue Hat” registration in China), non-uniform dosage can disqualify a product from even entering regulatory review. As ODF formulations become more complex, manual quality control methods are no longer sufficient to guarantee dose consistency.

1. Why Is Dose Uniformity So Difficult in ODFs?

With a typical film thickness of only 0.1–0.3 mm and active ingredients often in trace amounts, even small inconsistencies can lead to major dosage deviations. Key issues include:

• Minor coating irregularities (wrinkles, bumps, etc.) cause localized concentration errors.
• API migration or sedimentation during coating or drying phases.
• Manual sampling can miss edge zones or underrepresented sections.

2. Three Process Strategies for Better Content Uniformity

To ensure consistent content across the film surface, manufacturers should implement:

• Precision coating control with ±0.02 mm thickness tolerance and closed-loop liquid feeding systems.
• Inline thickness monitoring and AI-powered vision inspection to detect anomalies in real time.
• Full parameter logging including temperature, airflow, coating speed, and tension — enabling root-cause analysis.

3. HUANGHAI’s Integrated Equipment Solutions

At HUANGHAI, our ODF production systems are built for full-process control:

• Precision slot-die heads paired with automatic tension control.
• Optional inline thickness measurement with alarm/auto-stop functions.
• Exportable production data for audits and regulatory submission.
• Integration with content uniformity testers to enable real-time process feedback.

Explore our equipment here:
➤ MJ150-L ODF Film Coating Machine
➤ MJ150 ODF Production Line
➤ Pharmaceutical Testing Instruments

Conclusion

Content uniformity is a common — but solvable — challenge in the ODF industry. Choosing equipment with closed-loop control across coating and inspection processes is the key to achieving high-quality, compliant products that pass audits and reduce batch rejection rates.