Which component is primarily involved in confinement and shaping of the tablet during compression?

• A. Cam Tracks
• B. Die Cavity
• C. Hopper
• D. Punch

Answer: (B)

During compression, the powder must stay in a defined space and take on a precise shape. That space is the die cavity—the hollow area inside the die that confines the material and sets the tablet’s outline and thickness. As the punches descend, the powder is pressed against the walls and bottom of this cavity, so its geometry is defined by the cavity’s shape. The punches contribute to forming the top and bottom faces, but the confinement and overall geometry come from the die cavity itself. The hopper merely feeds material into the die, and cam tracks control punch movement, not the tablet’s shape. This is why the die cavity is the component primarily responsible for confinement and shaping.