Customizing Individual Machines On an Automatic Packaging Line

We spend a good deal of time talking about customizing packaging equipment at Liquid Packaging Solutions. Whether unique projects require truly custom, from scratch engineering machinery, or whether we are customizing what might be called "standard" machines for a specific project, custom machinery is often the norm rather than the exception. However, when talking custom equipment for a complete turnkey packaging system, we do not always mean each and every machine will need to be custom manufactured.

Automatic turnkey packaging systems will almost always include a number of different machines, from container cleaning equipment to filling machines, capping machines, labeling equipment and more. For some projects, very little customization may be necessary to any of the machines. Others may require a completely new way of packaging a project, from beginning to end. The more likely scenario, however, is that some component of the project, be it the product itself, the bottle or container, the cap or the label, will require a certain phase, or machine, to be custom manufactured.

As an example, let's imagine a system with a rinsing machine, liquid filler, bottle capper and a labeling machine. If the containers are orb like in shape, an unusual shape for packaging, they may require some modification to the container cleaning equipment. Globe like containers would be difficult to grasp and invert for rinsing, which is typically how bottles are cleaned. The machine may instead use a vacuum to remove debris or a specially engineered or designed clamp might be an option. However, if the opening is at the top and the container is using a screw-on type closure, there may be nothing on the filling or capping machine that needs to be customized. Depending on the type of label used, the labeling machine may also require some modification to handle an orb like container.

Now imagine a standard beverage bottle, like the type used for bottled water or other beverages. With nothing unusual about the container, and assuming nothing unusual about the actual product, the rinsing machine, bottle filler and labeler should not need to be modified. But now assume the cap is a screw-on, triangle shaped cap, like a pyramid. In this case, the shape of the cap makes it difficult to grip or grasp the cap to tighten it on the threads. Either one of the two typical machines for screw-on type caps, a spindle capper or a chuck capper, would need to be customized for the project, or engineering would need to once again find a solution from scratch!

There are many different components in each and every packaging project that may require custom solutions from the packaging machinery manufacturer. An initial analysis of the project as a whole, as well as an analysis of the specific components being used in each project, will help to identify where special modifications or custom designs will be necessary. LPS Packaging Specialists are always available to assist with the analysis and help to identify the most efficient and cost-effective solutions.