Liquid filling machine trends: Today's equipment is more versatile Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of liquid filling equipment or an experienced user looking to upgrade or change your production line, browsing websites and product catalogues in the search to source a suitable machine can be more than a little confusing. Overflow or gravity machine? Piston or pump? Automatic, semi-automatic or manual? Hot or cold-filling? In-line or rotary filling? Off-the-shelf or turnkey? Fortunately, with so many choices out there you’re likely to find the ideal solution for your particular application – however, finding it requires that you do a bit of homework and adopt a systematic approach. To simplify the process, you may find this guide to liquid filling equipment useful. It identifies key questions which will help you narrow down your search and focus only on those systems that meet your objectives. The first question to ask is what product is being filled? Not all liquids are the same. Some are free-flowing, others are very viscous. Some contain particulates or flammable ingredients, others are foamy whilst the viscosity of some products may change when the temperature changes. The important thing to remember is that type of liquid filling equipment that you choose has to be compatible with the product type. For example, a gravity filler is more suitable for thin products, piston fillers are a better option for thick products than overflow filling machines and bottom-up filling machines are used for foamy products. Another key question to ask is what type of container is being filled? In many instances, the type of container or bottle will dictate the type of filling technique and the more you know about the attributes of the container, the better. What material is it made from (e.g. glass, aluminium, plastic) and what are its dimensions and characteristics? This information is important because it will determine the optimum performance of the equipment and the best equipment type. For example, an automatic bottle filler which grabs a container from the side may not actually be the best option if your container is very wide and a top filler may not work if your container has an unusually-shaped cap or lid. You need to ask how many containers do you want to fill every hour? Knowing your production rate is also a crucial factor in your equipment selection. A semi-automatic filling machine would be a cost-effective and reliable solution for smaller production runs like those in a laboratory or in a start-up venture, whilst an automatic filling machine with a sizeable conveyor is ideal for larger-scale operations with much higher production rates. For operations with very low production rates and no expansion plans such as a home brewing venture or small-scale home-made sauce business, a manual machine could fit the bill. You also need to ask yourself, how do you want the final fill-level in your container or bottles to look? Appearance does count, and different filling systems have different outcomes. For example, a liquid level machine will fill every container to the same specified level regardless of the volume of the product, making it a preferred product where uniformity is important. On the other hand, a volumetric filler will fill a container with the identical volume of liquid even when the fill levels may appear to be variable. Volumetric fillers generally cost more as they require specialized instruments for calibration, balance and timing. Some of the types of liquid filling machine include: gravity fed fillers (a good, cost-effective option for efficient volumetric filling especially for low viscosity and foamy liquids); piston fillers which use a highly accurate volumetric filling technique, ideal for thick or highly viscous liquids. These are divided into two types, namely check-valve piston fillers and rotary valve piston fillers; pump fillers which are very versatile and suitable for a wide range of liquids and viscosities in-line filling machines (a cost-effective choice for filling containers in a line) which are suitable for those operations where different container sizes are involved; and rotary filling machines (which are often much larger and more specialized) for faster speeds and higher production rates. Another question is whether your filling equipment can be modified if your needs change? It’s often not necessary to buy new equipment just because your business has expanded or you want to add new products or packaging to your line. An experienced manufacturer will have the knowledge and skills to advise whether your liquid filling system can be modified and will make recommendations to future-proof your investment. Choosing the best liquid filling equipment is a complex decision and many factors need to be considered. From product characteristics and container attributes to fill size, production rates, regulatory issues, safety requirements and expansion plans, if you answer the questions highlighted above, you’ll be in a strong position to make an informed choice which factors in all of these issues. However, your best option is to talk directly to industry professionals, like AccuPak. They are one of Australia’s largest suppliers of all types of packing and filling equipment and they will work with you to identify the most cost-effective and practical solution. They know the critical factors required from all packing, filling, bagging and palletizing machinery and equipment - i.e. versatility, flexibility, reliability, accuracy and affordability. All About Liquid Bottle Filling Machine If you are into the packaging industry, then you must have heard about ‘liquid bottle filling machines’. These high-grade machines are designed especially for packaging products in liquid form. Over the years, companies have found it difficult to package and preserve products in liquid form that ensure efficiency and precision. With the invention of Liquid bottle filling machines, companies have now started packaging liquid products in bulk, which are easy to port and can be handled efficiently. The machines are designed in a way that guarantees purity and maintains hygiene standards. Now that you know what a liquid bottle filling machine is, understand how it can benefit your business: Faster and more efficient filling Automatic Bottle Filler machines can help companies to consistently fill bottles with liquid products by avoiding errors and minimizing waste. These machines make it possible for industries such as pharmaceuticals to packaging their products in liquid form with precision. Helps Maintain Hygiene Standards If you are in the food industry or even the pharmaceutical industry, then you know the importance of maintaining proper hygiene standards. Manually filling with them bottles leaves room for error. With an automatic liquid bottle filling machine, liquids enter into the bottle with the press of a button, and you can monitor the whole process to avoid any malfunction. The flexibility of the machines allows you to save time The higher the speed of the machine, the more you can save time. Perhaps the biggest advantage to companies using this machine is speed and its flexible nature. Liquid Automatic filler machines can fill more than 80 bottles per minute; this high speed can help companies fulfilling their orders. The flexible nature of the automatic bottle filling machine allows for a seamless operation. Not only are these machines convenient, but also allow you to adjust the speed and height of the bottles. This machine is designed to achieve maximum output and increase the growth of your company. Uses of Liquid Bottle Filling Machines: Pharmaceutical Product Packaging: Packaging of pharmaceutical products of liquids is very essential for the growth of the industry. The liquid bottle filling machines offers flawless operation that bottles are user friendly and prevent contaminants entering into the bottle. Versatile application of the machine: Many local drug-making companies are using these machines to process vial filling, tube filling, powder filling, and syringe filling to package their products innovatively. Cosmetic and food industry: Liquid filling machines effectively help in sealing syrup, oil, and other liquid products. Milk bottles and grape wine bottles are a few examples of how the food industry is revolutionizing its packaging process. Holden also notes that brands in the snack industry have been implementing reusable cases—often printed with branding—that drivers return to the processing site. This has lead to rising demand for case packers that can accommodate reusable cases. Case aligning and closing mechanisms are fully integrated, removing the need for additional conveyors and creating an all-in-one case packing solution. An integratable seal checker checks for defective packs, while the system features gentle, vacuum-free bag handling. Changeovers can routinely be performed in 3 minutes, with preset options that allow for the machine to be automatically set up without the need for tools or any other manual operation.