SGX-50 Chute Capping Machine

Bottle Capping Machine: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Choosing a suitable bottle capping machine can be an overwhelming task.

This guide will make the process simple and easy for you.

It explores all the fundamental aspects you need to know about this capping machine such as classification, function, features, parts and working principle, among other vital aspects.

Keep reading to learn more.

What is Bottle Capping Machine?

A bottle capping machine is a piece of equipment that closes or seals bottles with caps.

The bottle can either be glass or plastic.

Once you fill the bottles with content like liquids, it is important to seal it so that it does not spill over.

Bottle capping is important as once you seal the bottles, they can move to the packaging stage ready for shipping.

Section of bottle capping machine

Which Types of Bottle Capping Machines are in the Market?

There are various types of bottle capping machines available in the market.

The difference comes in the level of automation they employ.

The different types of bottle capping machines include:

· Manual Bottle Capping Machine

In a manual bottle capping machine, the operator needs to do all tasks by hand.

Once you fill the bottle, the operator then holds it by hand and places a cap on the bottle manually.

Thereafter, the operator will place the bottle with the cap on the machine and turn the machine by hand.

This process is tedious and not reliable as the seals are not all the same.

Inspection of the capping process is only done by looking visually.

In addition, the speed of capping bottles is very slow.

Manual bottle capping machines are cheaper than semi-automatic or automatic bottle capping machines.

 Manual bottle capping machine

· Semi-automatic Bottle Capping Machine

A semi-automatic bottle capping machine has some level of automation than a manual bottle capping machine.

Here, you also need an operator to assist in performing the bottle capping process.

The operator can manually place the cap on the bottle and then place it under the machine.

Finally, they can turn on the machine to assist in capping the bottle.

This process is more reliable and faster than a manual bottle capping machine.

 Semi-automatic bottle capping machine

Automatic Bottle Capping Machine

An automatic capping machine will perform all the bottle capping processes by itself.

These machines are quite costly as they utilize a high level of automation.

They also come in various types depending on the type of cap you are using in your production plant.

Automatic bottle capping machine

This machine is more reliable and fast than the manual and semi-automatic bottle capping machines.

There are various types of automatic bottle capping machines:

1) Automatic Benchtop Bottle Capping Machines

Using this machine is easy and reliable and achievers a higher torque capability.

Air cylinders press on the cap once you activate them with a footswitch.

In addition, the machine is not bulky and requires less human labor in its operation.

2)  Automatic Spindle Capping Machines

This machine is flexible, durable and will work with most bottles and caps.

It can handle flat caps, metal lids, sport caps, etc.

In addition, with its modular design, you can easily add more components as you need.

Finally, this machine can handle cap sizes ranging from  8mm to 110mm.

3) Automatic Snap Capping Machines

This capping machine works the same way as the inline capping machine.

Also, it will use less force to secure the caps in place.

Since it has minimal moving parts, it is much cheaper than the other automatic bottle capping machines.

4) Automatic Chuck Capping Machines

This capping machine can handle specific bottles as you can change the parts.

Changing the caps means you can handle different cap sizes easily and cost effectively.

The freedom of changing parts makes this machine reliable and expensive.

5) Automatic Inline Capping Machines

This is one of the most common capping machines as it can accommodate a variety of caps and bottles.

Depending on the setup and size of the caps, this machine work with speeds of up to 200 caps per minute.

It is accurate and reliable as it has a torque control system.

The torque control system will use a spring or air load clutch to tighten and release the cap appropriately.

6) Automatic Cap Placing Machines

When working with large containers, it is best to use an automatic cap placing machine.

This machine can handle containers whose caps are greater than 80 mm.

The machine holds the containers vertically to avoid cross-threading.

A cap tightener will place and achieve the necessary torque for the caps.

7) Automatic Cap Tightening Machine

This machine will tighten and retighten caps on bottles.

To achieve the perfect torque, you will incorporate a vertical placer on this capping system.

Following induction sealing processes, the caps may be loose hence you need to retighten them using this machine.

What are the uses of Bottle Capping Machine?

The main use of a bottle capping machine is to place and seal a cap over a bottle.

What are the Features of Automatic Capping Machine?

Features of an automatic capping machine will vary from one machine to another.

This varies because of the different caps, bottles, shapes, and capability of the machine.

Some of these features include:

• A programmable logic control [PLC] and human-machine interface [HMI] systems.
• Automatic sensors for safety purposes.
• Durable high-quality stainless steel body.
• Pneumatic components for reliable capping.
• Height adjustment to incorporate bottles with varying lengths.
• No bottle no capping capability which is cost-effective.

What is Bottle Capping Chuck?

A bottle capping chuck is a tool that attaches to a bottle capping machine.

It assists the capping machine to hold on the cap.

The grip that the cap generates enables the bottle capping machine to tighten the cap on bottles.

What Factors should you Consider when Choosing Bottle Capping Machine?

Buying a bottle capping machine is a huge task taking into account the variety of machines that are available.

Having adequate information will assist you to choose the right bottle capping machine that will fit your production needs.

Here are some of the factors worth considering while choosing a bottle capping machine:

· Production Capacity

Different bottle capping machines have varying bottle capping speeds.

The capping speed can range from a few tens to hundreds of caps per minute.

The capsize will also influence the capping speed.

· Size of Caps

Caps come in different sizes ranging from  5 mm to 130 mm.

The bottle capping machine should be able to use the cap size you intend to use.

For instance, if you have large caps, you will need a vertical placing and cap tightening devices.

When working with very small caps, you can use a mono-block device to properly cap them.

Another factor to consider is the cap sorting equipment.

Small caps need vibrating systems while large caps need huge elevator sorters.

· Torque Accuracy

Select a bottle capping machine that will achieve the best torque accuracy

This ensures that the caps have a good seal and are tight to avoid leakages.

· Design of Caps

The shape of the caps will influence the bottle capping machine you will purchase.

Caps come in different heights and widths meaning you need to choose the correct bottle capping machine to handle them.

Difference in dimensions of the caps will also affect the cap sorting device.

It is generally easy to sort, apply, and tighten flat caps.

When it comes to taller and thinner caps, you will need a specialized bottle capping system.

Choosing a machine that strips caps, picks and vertically places caps on a bottle depends on the shape of the caps.

There are instances you can manually place pumps, dropper dips, or spray heads then use a bottle tightener.

· Quality Standards

Ensure that you purchase a bottle capping machine that conforms to international quality standards.

This will safeguard you and your business as it ensures quality.

· Closure Design

Different caps use different closures.

Some caps are tall with a broad conical shape meaning they fit in bottles easily prior to tightening.

Small plug designs will require monoblock systems that are costly.

· Manual or automatic

Manual bottle capping is labor-intensive than automatic bottle capping.

They are cheap to acquire but expensive in the long run as you will always require human labor to operate them.

In addition, they are slow, less reliable, and somehow inconsistent.

On the contrary, fully automatic bottle capping machines are expensive to buy but will save you a lot in the long run.

Automatic machines are fast, reliable, consistent, and economical for large production plants.

A fully automatic bottle capping machine will sort, place, and tighten caps in a continuous flow.

· Possible Upgrades

In case you are planning to expand your production, you are better off with a machine that can handle such upgrades.

Fully automatic machines can handle technological upgrades better than semi-automatic bottle capping machines.

There are some semi-automatic bottle capping machines that you can upgrade to a fully automatic machine.

This allows you to increase your production as time goes on.

Choosing a flexible bottle capping machine allows you to expand your business and incorporate the latest technological advancements.

· Budget

The amount you have will determine the bottle capping machine you can purchase.

Fully automatic machines will cost more than semi-automatic and manual bottle capping machines.

Always purchase a bottle capping machine that will meet all your production needs.

· Level of Integration

If you are planning to use bottle filling, labeling, and packaging machines, you need to choose an machine that can handle this integration.

This allows you to streamline your production process in a central station.

Also, it will save you a lot as you will meet all your production needs within your workspace.

· Operating Environment

Companies can work with toxic and corrosive chemicals.

Ensure that you go for a machine that can handle chemicals and toxins with no wear or tear.

· Available Work Space

The available working station will determine the kind of automatic bottle capping machine you can purchase.

These machines come in varying sizes meaning it is practical to choose the one that fits well in your company.

Which Support Equipment can you Integrate with Bottle Capping Machine?

There are several support equipment you can integrate with a bottle capping machine.

Streamlining your production process is vital when it comes to meeting your production needs and lowering costs.

Support equipment will fall in line with a bottle capping machine to achieve a complete production process.

Some of these support equipment you may integrate include:

Bottle Labeling Machine

This machine will embed labels on the surface of the bottles.

These labels have information regarding the contents in the bottle and the brand name of the company.

Bottle Filling Machine

Incorporating a bottle filling machine is important as you will load contents into your bottles easily.

These machines will fill liquids, solids, powders, etc.

Bottle Packaging Machine

Once you fill and cap your bottles, you have to package them.

Packaging allows you to store the bottles for transit.

Bottle Sorting Machine

Using a bottle sorting machine allows you to select and arrange bottles prior to filling.

What are the Parts of Bottle Capping Machine?

Several parts make up a bottle capping machine.

These parts work together to ensure a smooth and reliable bottle capping process.

Also, since bottle capping machines differ, they will have different parts.

Here are the parts of a bottle capping machine:

 Parts of manual bottle capping machine

 Capper Chutes

To hold the caps in position, you need the capper chutes.

It assists in placing caps on the bottles that pass via the chucks.

· Leak Detectors

This component will sound an alarm when a bottle is leaking due to poor capping.

· Air Cylinders

These parts work with pneumatic components to ensure snapping and twist offs of various caps.

Besides, they will hold the caps back during the bottle capping process.

· LCD Panel

The operator will monitor and control the machine via the LCD panel.

· Conveyor Belts

These belts will assist in transporting bottles and caps from one station to the next.

It also holds the bottles in place when the machine is placing and capping.

· Grippers

This part will add more gripping power of the machine to prevent contents of the bottles from spilling.

It will hold the bottles in an upright position prior to the capping process.

· Motors

Movement in the bottle capping machines happen with the assistance of motors.

These parts can control the speed of the bottle capping process.

· Clutches

To ensure accurate and reliable torquing of caps, the clutches will come in handy.

Magnetic clutches hold metallic caps in place to provide accurate and consistent torquing.

· Inserts and Chucks

These parts will clamp the caps in place prior to inserting them on bottles.

Since bottles and caps come in different sizes, the inserts and chucks are available in varying sizes.

The type of chuck and insert you select depends on the caps and bottles you are capping.

· Pulley System

To move the products from one part to another, the pulley system works with the gears and conveyor belts.

They come in varying sizes and lengths.

· Elevator Hopper and Sorters

This component will select, sort, and feed caps in the bottle capping machine.

Its design depends on the shape and design of the caps.

· Shafts and Sprockets

These components will provide rotational force between the shafts.

In addition, they provide linear motion in places where gears are not suitable.

· Electronic Components

As the name suggests, these parts provide power to the bottle capping machine.

How does Bottle Capping Machine Work?

Different bottle capping machine work differently since some have varying parts.

Here are the basic steps as to how a bottle capping machine works:

·Loading the Caps

The first step involves loading the caps on the hopper.

It will sort and arrange the caps accordingly.

·Capping Process

As the bottles move in the system, it will come below the chuck head.

The capper chutes will hold the caps securely in place.

It will then place the cap on the bottle.

The rotating chuck will tighten the cap on the bottle.

Clutches will ensure the torquing is accurate to prevent leakages.

·Inspection

After the capping process, the bottles now move towards the inspection stage.

Here, an inspection of the capping happens to ensure it all complies to the set standard before moving to the packaging stage.

 Bottle capping machine

Which Types of Caps does Bottle Capping Machine use?

The design of the caps is to make them hold on the small flange of the bottles.

Here are some types of caps that a bottle capping machine can use:

· Flip-top Cap

In other terms, it is known as a swing-top cap.

It is a plastic or a ceramic stopper that stays in place by help of wires.

· Crown Cork

This cap has cork seal and a paper which prevents the contents of the bottle from contacting the metal cap.

To open a crown cork, you need a bottle opener.

· Twist-off Crown Cap

This cap does not need a bottle opener.

To open it, you simply twist the cap by hand since it presses around the screw threads and not the flange.

· Screw Cap

It is the most common type of cap.

A large number of bottle capping machines can easily apply a screw cap.

· Other Caps

There are also other types of caps such as:

1. Stoppers
2. Sport cap
3. Easy pull bottle cap
4. Pull-off bottle cap

What are the different Lining Materials you can use While Capping?

Here are some of the lining material you can use while capping:

· Plastisol

This material is the standard when lining metal closures when packing glass bottles and jars.

It is essential when maintaining a vacuum seal of contents.

· Pressure-sensitive Liners

These liners will adhere to plastic and glass bottles after you apply torque.

It sticks to the bottle as one side has an adhesive.

The main applications is on dry products like food, vitamins, and pharmaceuticals.

· Foamed Polyethylene

This is common with plastic screw caps.

It is economical, compact, strong, and all purpose seal.

They have a low moisture transmission rate, odor, and chemical resistance.

· Linerless Designs – land Seal

It is suitable with most bottles.

Besides, it offers a watertight seal on bottles.

The seal is simple and cheap to manufacture.

· Polyseal Cone Liner

This seal will provide a leak-proof seal on the bottles.

It is good with acid products and oils.

These seals are suitable on glass bottles.

What are the Quality Standards for Bottle Capping Machine?

A bottle capping machine has to conform to quality standards for health and safety reasons.

Some of these quality standards include:

• The European Union [CE Marking]
• Good Manufacturing Practices [GMP]
• Food and Drug Administration [FDA]
• International Organization for Standardization [ISO]

How do you Solve Bottle Capping Problems?

A bottle capping machine can experience some minor hitches which you can solve.

One common problem is a missing cap.

This happens when the machine fails to cap a bottle which will lead to spillages.

The issue might be a missing cap, a crooked closure, or cross-threading.

Ensure that the delivery system is working properly and that it is in the correct height.

In addition, you can realign it to sort out the missing cap problem.

There are instances where the conveyor and the belts do not align.

This makes the bottles fall over as the belts are there to hold the bottles in place during the capping process.

Make sure the conveyors and the belts align to solve this problem.

Which Variable Affect the Efficiency of Bottle Capping Machine?

The variable that will affect the efficiency of a bottle capping machine is torque.

Applying a proper torque force will ensure the cap is in the correct position and completely seals the bottle.

How much does Bottle Capping Machine Cost?

The price of a bottle capping machine varies a lot.

This depends on the kind of bottle capping machine you plan to purchase.

Manual bottle capping machines cost less than fully automatic bottle capping machines.

Production rate of the bottle capping machine will also influence the price as those with a high capacity coasting more.

Materials that make up the bottle capping machine will also influence the price of the machine.

Considering all these, a bottle capping machine will cost you anywhere from 500 US dollars to 25000 US dollars.

 Bottle capping system

What are the Common Problem Associated with Applying Torque in Bottle Capping Machine?

Here are some of the problems related to application of torque:

· Lower Standards of Torque

This happens when there is not enough force to hold the cap in place.

It leads to the cap loosening during handling and transit.

Leakages and spillages may occur because of this effect.

· Higher Torque Standards

Too much force will lead to cracking of the thermoplastic caps.

Distortion will occur on the cap thus creating an uneven closure.

This will cause leakages of contents in the bottle.

Also, friction between the bottle and the liner can cause the liner to wrinkle that will damage the seal.

Which Variable Affect Torque in Bottle Capping Machine?

Here are some variables that can affect the torque in a bottle capping machine:

• Shape and size of caps
• The cleanliness of the fill
• Heat induction sealing
• Quality of the bottles
• The temperature of the closure and container during filling
• Lining and container materials
• Bottle capping process control capability

How can Bottle Capping Machine Benefit your Business?

There are several benefits of using a bottle capping machine in your business.

Some of the benefits include:

Bottle capping machine

· Increase in Production Capacity

Automatic bottle capping machines have a high production capacity than manual and semi-automatic machines.

This means you will have a high production capacity making you meet your production needs.

· Decrease in Operational Costs

An automatic bottle capping machine will cost more during purchase.

During the production process, it will require less human involvement meaning your recurring costs will below.

Contrary to this, a manual bottle capping machine is cheap to purchase but will require a lot of human labor.

· Quality Capping

Using a bottle capping machine will ensure that all bottles have quality capping.

This makes the contents in the bottles not leak during handling and transit.

· Reliability and Efficiency

A bottle capping machine is reliable to your business.

When using an automatic bottle capping machine, you are sure that the capping will meet the necessary standards.

· Increase in Sales and Profits

An increase in your production may lead to more sales and profits.

This is because you will be able to meet your client’s needs in a timely manner.

Is Handheld Electric Cap Sealing Machine Bottle Efficient?

Hand-held electric capping machine

Yes, a hand-held electric cap sealing machine is efficient.

This machine is easy to carry and operate.

It will tighten, loosen, and spin a number of screw caps.

An adjustable clutch minimizes damages while reducing tear and wear inside the plug.

The machine will automatically stops rotating the head once the cap is tight enough.

How do you Maintain Bottle Capping Machine?

Maintaining a bottle capping machine will ensure that it lasts for long and meets your production capacity.

Here are some ways you can maintain a bottle capping machine:

• Replace broken conveyor belts to ensure bottles and caps move smoothly.
• Lubricate the motors to minimize tear and wear of the moving parts.
• Conduct frequent inspections to ensure all components are in good working condition.
• Replace worn-out chucks to ensure proper capping.
• Repair all leaking air cylinders to ensure the pneumatic systems are working properly.
• Replace and repair faulty electrical components to avoid chances of fire breaking out.

Is there a Difference Between Plastic Bottle Capping Machine and Glass Bottle Capping Machine?

A plastic bottle capping machine is suitable for capping plastic bottles.

On the other hand, a glass bottle capping machine is suitable for capping glass bottles.

In addition, they also handle different types of caps.

A glass bottle capping machine mainly used crown caps while plastic bottle capping machine uses screw caps.

How does Corks and Screw Caps in Bottle Capper Compare?

A cork cap comes from a cork bark and is mostly used in capping wine bottles.

It is natural and ages slowly but are expensive, limited, and are breathable.

On the other hand, screw caps are made from metals or plastics.

They are affordable, long lasting and are easy to open.

Why invest in Automatic Bottle Capping Machine?

Here are some reasons as to why you should invests in an automatic bottle capping machine:

• High production capacity
• Lower operating costs
• Reliable and effective
• High hygienic levels
• Offer technological upgrades

How does Fliptop Cap and Screw Top Cap Compare?

It is easy to use a flip-top cap as it is easy to open and close.

Flip-top caps are easy to manufacture, recyclable, long-lasting, leak-proof, and comes in various shapes and sizes.

Once you thread a flip-top cap on a bottle, you do not need to remove the cap during usage.

On the other hand, you need to remove a screw cap to access the contents in the bottles.

Does Bottle Capping Machine Offer Security Sealing Features?

Yes, a bottle capping machine will offer secure seals on bottles.

The seal is airtight and will prevent leakages of contents.

In addition, a bottle cap can have a creak-away tamper-evident band to prevent fraudulent products.

How does Manual Bottle Capping Machine compare to Automatic Bottle Capping Machine?

Manual bottle capping machines are cheaper than automatic bottle capping machines.

An automatic bottle capping machine has a high production capacity than a manual bottle capping machine.

Reliability and efficiency in automatic bottle capping machines is high than in manual machines.

Human labor is necessary when operating a manual bottle capping machines.

What are the Safety Features of Bottle Capping Machine?

A bottle capping machine has automatic sensors that detect bottles that do not meet the set standards.

In addition, some will sound alarms when there is a safety issue hence alerting the operator.

Also, an automatic bottle capping machine can turn off when the danger is high and can cause harm.

Are there Limitations of Bottle Capping Machine?

Bottle capping machine

A bottle capping machine has a few limitations but these should not deter you from purchasing one.

Some limitations include:

• High initial price when purchasing automatic machines.
• Production rates limitations when using manual and semi-automatic bottle capping machines.
• Human involvement for manual bottle capping machines.

Which industries use Bottle Capping Machine?

Several industries use a bottle capping machine in their production processes.

These industries use bottles to package their products.

Some of these industries include:

• Cosmetic industries
• Pharmaceutical industries
• Beverage industries
• Water packaging industries
• Health and wellness industries
• Military industries
• Chemical industries
• Automotive industries
• Food industries
• Agricultural industries

With this information, you can choose a high-performance bottle capping machine.

For questions or inquiries about the bottle capping machine, contact the SaintyCo team now.