the telescoping vertical sections 158 can vary the position of the spray assembly 102 within a range of about 90 100 millimeters in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the assembly 102 so as to vary the distance between the spray guns 106 and the tablet bed so as to vary the spray pattern striking the tablet bed the spray bar includes an intake end to receive fluid a fluid spray is dispensed via a bank of spray guns 106 divided spatially into six zones along the length of the drum 22 directed generally downwardly towards the position of the tablet bed within the drum fluid is dispensed under pressure preferably via a system for atomizing the spray liquid the spray guns 106 comprise three arrays or spray zones of three guns each within each of the assemblies 102 a and b for a total of 18 guns arranged in six independently controlled spray zones each array of three guns within a given zone is independently controlled on or off the independently controlled spray zones permit a controlled build up of the sprayed coating to permit accurate coating weight gain particularly in the transition time between the initial batch processing and the subsequent continuous mode operation in particular the system reduces losses incurred through undercoating or off spec coating while in the batch production mode a wash in place system activated for cleaning of the interior of the housing 14 and the drum 22 the system comprises a pair of conduits 120 a and 120 b for wash liquid for example water supported by the assemblies 102 a and 102 b respectively the conduits 120 each receive a pressurized supply of liquid from a flexible hose not shown cleaning liquid is dispensed under pressure.