Semi-Automatic and Automatic Capping Machinery

Both high speed packaging lines and those that are designed for lower production needs will often require some type of assistance in capping and sealing containers. The final goal of using capping machinery is not always limited to increased speed. Bottle cappers allow for consistent and reliable seals, fighting against crooked caps, loose caps, overly tightened lids and ultimately product waste through spills and leaks. For this reason, Liquid Packaging Solutions designs and manufactures capping machinery for all business sizes.

AUTOMATIC CAPPING MACHINES

Automatic cappers are manufactured to provide continuous capping and sealing of bottles and other containers. Most machines will simply roll up to a power conveyor system and include a cap delivery system such as an elevator or vibratory bowl. Automatic bottle cappers can handle a wide range of closures as well, from screw-on and snap on type caps to ROPP closures, corks and more, though the design of the machine will differ based on the type of closure being used in any particular project. Control and set up of the capping machine is usually achieved via a control panel as well as the necessary finger knobs and levers for the given machine. For example, an automatic spindle capper will require spindles and gripper belts to be adjusted via knobs on the front of the machine, while height and power will usually be found on the control panel connected to the capper. The operator will also be responsible for providing bulk caps to the cap delivery system. However, once the machine is properly set up and caps are provided, the equipment will need only be monitored as it seals bottles. Automatic capping machines, while normally a part of a turnkey packaging solution, can also stand alone to seal containers as a company builds up to a complete packaging system.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC CAPPING MACHINES

Semi-automatic capping machines can take many different forms, from handheld equipment to tabletop machinery to semi-automatic cappers built on portable automatic frames. Just as with the automatic machinery, semi-automatic equipment can handle a wide range of closure types. The biggest difference between the automatic capping machines and semi-automatic equipment can be seen in the operator interaction with the machine. Operators of semi-automatic equipment will usually need to place the closure or cap on the bottle before moving the combination of bottle and cap to the capping machine. Once positioned under or in the capping apparatus (whether a chuck, corker, spindle wheels or other apparatus), the operator will need to activate the capping process, typically via a finger switch or foot switch. Once sealing is complete, the operator will remove the container to accummulate or move to the next packaging process. The operator must usually complete this process with each bottle and cap combination. In some cases, the packager may see little increase in the speed of the process when using the simplest of semi-automatic capping machines. However, as alluded to above, these machines will close and seal each bottle or container in the same manner, adding consistency, reliability and repeatability to the process while also protecting operators from the dangers of the repeated tightening of caps.

Many different types of automatic and semi-automatic capping machines exist for the variety of closures available to packagers. If you have questions about your capping process or the machines that may be available to you, contact a Packaging Specialist at LPS today to discuss your project.