The present work reports developing the first process analytical technology (PAT)-based real-time feedback control system for maintaining the Ginkgo biloba leaf dripping pills weight during manufacturing. The opening degree of the drop valve and the weight of dripping pills were chosen as the manipulated variable and as the controlled variable, respectively. A proportional-integral controller was programmed to automatically reach the desired dripping pills weight by adjusting the opening degree of the drop valve. The closed-loop feedback control system could automatically compensate for the disturbances and ensure a predefined weight of the dripping pills with excellent robustness, high accuracy, and high efficiency during manufacturing. Furthermore, the closed-loop feedback control system improved the process capability of the dripping process, and the process capability index was > 1.67. This study provides a new approach to real-time control of the weight of dripping pills and improves the process capability during Ginkgo biloba leaf dripping pills manufacturing.
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