In manufacturing process how a gelatin capsule removed from the pin bar?

Question

Do you know that the manufacturer "grease" the pin bar with some sort of "oil" material?

Answer 1

They are not injection molded since gelatin is a protein and it doesn't "flow" when super-heated like thermoplastics.

Gelatin capsules are made by dipping pin molds into a thick gelatin "formulation", which contains many things including color dye, release agents or lubricants, swelling agents (to make the capsule swell as it cools), disintegrants, etc. As the gelatin cools and dries, a mechanical sleeve pushes it off the pin, and a blade cuts it to the specified length.

I believe your concern is whether a "grease" or "oil" is used. The answer is yes but probably not what you think. It is not "machine oil". These could be microscopic sugar particles of lactose, or sucrose, or cellulose. (These powders are used the same way you dust your hands with flour so dough won't stick to them when you work the dough.) Or ascobyl palmitate, a type of vitamin C. Some use salts made from edible oils. Every manufacturer has its own formulation.

Answer 2

The injection molding process of gelatin capsules involves producing a highly precise tool that mechanically ejects the capsule off of the pin that forms the inner diameter of the capsule. In some cases, a food grade or medical grade lubricant can be used to improve the removal of the capsules.