Semi-Automatic Filling and Capping Machinery

When companies make the transition from hand packaging products to using packaging equipment, filling and capping are often two of the first processes to be considered for some type of automation. However, moving from hand packaging to some form of automation does not always necessarily mean moving to a fully automated packaging system. At LPS, semi-automatic filling and capping machines are offered for those who need to increase efficiency but do not necessarily need to produce thousands of finished product every day.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC FILLING MACHINES

Liquid fillers can be manufactured to perform semi-automatically several different ways. Tabletop filling machines are ideal for packagers with little space to spare. These machines literally sit on top of a table and pull product from a hopper or bulk source to fill bottles. Operators of the equipment will position bottles under the fill heads and activate the fill with a finger or foot switch, removing the bottles once they are filled.

Other semi-automatic equipment may be manufactured on a full size frame, but will work in much the same manner as tabletop filling machines. The operator will slide one or more bottles along a slide track until the bottles are in position under the nozzles, then activate the fill cycle through a switch or button. The main advantage of having semi-automatic equipment built on a full size frame is the ability to upgrade to automatic production in the future. These semi-automatic machines are therefore ideal for those packagers who see further upgrades and increases in production in the future. Both tabletop and full frame models can utilize different filling principles, including gravity, overflow, piston and more.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC CAPPING MACHINES

A wide range of semi-automatic capping equipment is available for many different closure types. Of course, the options available to any single packager will depend on the type of cap or closure being used by that packager. But for almost all capping machine types, both tabletop and full frame models are also available, and even handheld cappers can assist some packagers.

Handheld capping machines, as well as some tabletop machinery, may not offer a great increase in speed over hand capping containers. However, it does offer a much more consistent and reliable seal, avoiding issues such as fatigue and over-tightening/under-tightening by manual labor. These machines require the operator to place the cap on the bottle, then postion the bottle and cap as necessary under the capping or sealing apparatus. The capping cycle may begin once the bottle is in place, or it may require some activation, such as the finger or foot switch.

As to semi-automatic cappers on full frames, just like the filling machines, they offer the ability to upgrade in the future to fully automatic production. These machines can handle screw-on type caps, snap caps, corks and more. The operator will still have to place the cap on the bottle, but a conveyor can also be added to a semi-automatic capper that allows the operator to then simply place the combination on the belt.

For more information on semi-automatic fillers or cappers, or any of the other equipment manufactured by LPS, simply browse our website or call and speak with a Packaging Specialist today.