TFM-280 Desiccant Filling and Sealing Machine

Desiccant Filling Machine: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

In this guide, you will learn some fundamental aspects about desiccant filling machine.

From parts, features, benefits, working principle to classification, everything you’re looking for is right here.

Let’s dive right in.

What is a Desiccant?

A desiccant is an absorbent that will attract water.

It can attract and hold on to liquids and certain gases.

Desiccants will maintain the dryness of the environment it is in.

What is a Desiccant Filling Machine?

A desiccant filling machine is a piece of equipment that will fill desiccants in pouches.

Desiccant filling machine

Which Features of a Desiccant Filling Machine?

The features of a desiccant filling machine will outline the suitability of the machine to your company.

Also, these features vary from one desiccant filling machine to another.

The level of automation will make these features differ a lot.

They include:

• Manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic desiccant filling capabilities.
• Various sizes that can fit small workspaces.
• Offers an easy changeover requiring no tools.
• It is easy to repeat instructions with the possibility of scaling the settings.
• A programmable logic control [PLC] system for ease of operation from a central station.
• Heavy-duty blades that last for a long time.
• Safety guards that allow the machine to automatically switch off when one opens it.
• A current good manufacturing practice compliance certificate.
• No pouch or bottle, no desiccant filling.
• Accuracy during filling with the assistance of an indexing applicator.
• Ergonomic and special design to minimize wastage of materials.
• Availability of heating system in the tank.
• Height adjustment feature for large pouches and bottles.
• Ability to fill a variety of spacer bars all at the same moment.
• The vibration motor will supply the desiccant material.
• Fast and accurate filling procedures.
• A sensing mechanism for bottle backlogs.
• An automatic adjustment system for various dimensions.
• Automatic desiccant transfer system to the filling tank from the main tank.

What are the Technical Specifications of a Desiccant Filling Machine?

Desiccant filling machines come in different forms.

This means the technical specification will differ from one machine to another.

Also, these capabilities vary from one manufacturer to the other.

Features of a desiccant filling machine assist you in understanding the performance standards of this machine.

They include:

• A power source of 220V, 50/60 Hz, 1 phase.
• The power consumption rate of 100W or 350 W.
• Machine capacity ranging from 50 t0 300 fillings per minute.
• A hopper capacity of between 20 L to 50 L.
• Durable SS304 stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and good quality plastic body design.

What Types of Desiccants are Available?

Some desiccants are very reactive and others are chemically inert.

Extremely reactive desiccants require proper handling techniques.

Silica is the most common type of desiccant as it is also inert, soluble in water, and not toxic.

The categories of desiccants can be either I, II, III, IV, or V.

Some dehydrating agents include alcohols and acetones.

What are the Application of Desiccants?

There are several applications of desiccants.

Some of them include:

Desiccant

Electronics

These depend on their electrical components to function properly.

Also, they are not waterproof, meaning moisture can enter these parts affecting the electrical circuitry.

Corrosion of these parts can occur hence damaging the electronic.

Desiccants can assist in absorbing moisture hence keeping the electronic bone dry.

Travel and Relocation

When traveling and you have electronics, it is vital to keep them dry during travel from one area to another.

It will ensure all your gadgets and products remain dry and functional.

Desiccants will provide a barrier against damage to your stuff.

Tools

These pieces of equipment may spend a lot of time in storage awaiting use.

Moisture can creep in and corrode metals while molds develop on other parts.

It is good to keep these tools in enclosed storage with desiccants inside them to extend their shelf life.

Food

Storage of dry foodstuff for a long time requires the environment to be moisture free.

The store needs to be dry throughout to prevent molds from developing on these dry foodstuffs.

Desiccants will keep off moisture, thus preserving these dry foodstuffs during storage.

Shipping

When goods get transported via the sea and oceans, they face exposure to moisture.

Some of these goods are in crates, and they may take a long time to reach shore during transportation.

Desiccants will keep these products dry from moisture that comes from seas, oceans, and heavy rains.

Sailing

Saltwater can damage pieces of equipment that sailors use while in water bodies.

Desiccants will keep all their products and equipment free from moisture.

This prevents corrosion, damages, molds, etc.

Some other applications of desiccants include and are not limited to:

• Clothing and fabrics
• Hearing aids
• Athletic materials and equipment
• Stamps
• Leather products
• Laboratory tools
• Hygroscopic chemicals
• Books and manuscripts
• Museum and historic materials
• Scientific pieces of equipment
• Surgical instruments
• Pharmaceuticals
• Air conditioners

Which Material makes up a Desiccant?

Several kinds of materials make up different desiccants.

They include:

• Calcium sulfate
• Calcium chloride
• Activated charcoals
• Molecular sieves
• Bentonite clay
• Sodium chloride
• Sodium hydroxide
• Lithium chloride
• Aerogel
• Activated alumina
• Rice
• Silica gel
• Sodium
• Sucrose
• Sodium chlorate
• Sodium sulfate
• Sulfuric acid
• Magnesium sulfate
• Lithium bromide
• Magnesium pentoxide
• Copper II sulfate
• Benzophenone
• Potassium carbonate
• Phosphorus pentoxide
• Potassium hydroxide

What Processes does a Desiccant Absorb Moisture from the Atmosphere?

Desiccants will keep products dry and stable and can absorb moisture from the atmosphere via:

Physical Adsorption

An example of physical adsorption is by silica gel.

Chemical Reaction

An example is an adsorption by calcium oxide.

What are the Benefits of using a Desiccant Dehydrators  and Not Glycerol Dehydrators?

The use of desiccants as opposed to glycerol dehydrators has good economic and environmental advantages:

Reduced Capital Cost

It is easy to acquire desiccant dehydrators than it is to acquire glycol dehydrators.

Desiccant machines operate without gas heaters, circulation pumps, or pneumatic controls.

Low Operation and Maintenance Cost

Desiccant dehydrators will require a refilling and desiccant bed when it has an automatic brine valve.

Glycol dehydrators burn a lot of produced gas in the glycol regenerator and gas heater.

Less Methane, VOC, and HAP Discharge

The TEG regenerator vent and pneumatic systems emit gas to the atmosphere as glycol dehydrators.

In desiccant dehydrators, it will release gas during desiccant vessel depressurizing.

This happens when refilling salt.

What Support Equipment can Work with a Desiccant Filling Machine?

Various support machines can work with a desiccant filling machine in the production line.

They include:

• Bottle unscrambler
• Cotton inserter
• Capper
• Cap sealer
• Labelers
• Cartoners
• Shrink bundler
• Tablet and capsule counting and filling machine
• Leaflet outserters

Desiccant filling machine

How does a Manual Desiccant Filling and Automatic Desiccant Filling Machine compare?

These two machines differ in the level of automation they have.

Speed

Automatic desiccant filling machines have a high filling capacity than a manual desiccant filling machine.

This is because the automatic version will perform some or all tasks by itself with no human intervention.

There has to be an operator for a manual desiccant filling machine to work.

Automation

Automatic desiccant filling machines have levels of automation in the system.

This enables it to perform tasks independently.

Also, fully automatic desiccant filling machines have more automation than semi-automatic desiccant filling machines.

Reliability

Automatic desiccant filling machines are more reliable than manual desiccant filling machines.

The automation in them allows for repetitive actions in the set parameters.

Since operators work on manual desiccant filling machines, the reliability fluctuates a lot.

Efficiency

Automatic desiccant filling machines will produce quality filling processes that the manual counterparts.

Cost

Manual desiccant filling machines are more affordable than automatic versions.

This is because they have less technology and sophistication.

Automatic versions are expensive to purchase as they are specialized and will lift the burden of operators.

How does Desiccants and Vapor or Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor [VCIs] compare?

Here are how desiccant and VCIs compare:

Desiccants

They are cheap to acquire.

The products are hygienic, dry, and environmentally safe.

It is easy to use desiccants.

They are not labor-intensive.

Also, they present no health hazards to users.

Besides, when full, they release moisture back into the atmosphere, and this can corrode metals.

Vapor or Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors

These will provide better protection against corrosion by releasing compounds in the air.

They are clean, dry, and ready to use.

Also, they are easy to use and save costs just like desiccants.

Durability is one of the major advantages of VCIs.

Customization with logos and additional information is possible during production.

Other corrosion products are costlier than VCIs.

How does a Desiccant Filling Machine Work?

All components of a desiccant filling machine work to achieve the filling process reliably.

It is worth noting that manual and automatic machines will operate differently due to the parts they have.

The process involves:

Preparation

Begin by making sure the machine has all parts, and the power supply is on.

Thereafter, the operator will feed the desiccants inside the hopper reservoir.

Filling

Here, the operator inputs the filling parameters once the machine is on.

The bottles will now move from one part of the machine to the other via the conveyor system.

Elevator belts will transport the desiccants into the sorter.

This will happen vertically down via the chute and straight onto the dispersing plate.

The machine fills the appropriate amount of desiccants into the containers or pouches.

Ejection

After filling, automatic sensors will detect the filling and release the bottle or pouches out of the machine.

What Factors will Influence the Price of a Desiccant Filling Machine?

Some of the factors that influence the price of a desiccant filling machine are:

Level of Automation

Manual desiccant filling machines are much affordable than semi-automatic or fully automatic desiccant filling machines.

Type of Manufacturer

Manufacturers price their desiccant filling machines differently.

Those with a positive reputation and years of experience have the machines a bit pricier.

Country of Origin

China is known to produce quality affordable desiccant filling machines.

Production Capacity

A desiccant filling machine with a high filling rate will cost more than those with a low filling rate.

Size of the Machine

Large and heavy commercial machines cost more than small portable desiccant filling machines.

Supply and Demand

When the demand for desiccant filling machines is high, and the supply is low, the price will be high.

On the contrary, when the supply of these machines is high, and the demand is low, the price will go low.

This is the law of supply and demand.

Market Conditions and Economy

When market conditions are not favorable, the machine may be cheaper as buyers are unwilling to pay a higher price.

This unfavorable market condition may be due to political or ethnic tensions.

Model and Features

Specialized desiccant filling machines will fetch a high price than the standard versions.

Those with compelling features will demand a high price.

Condition

Desiccant filling machines that are in bad conditions will demand a low price.

Also, old machines that are well-maintained will fetch a better price.

Several repairs and maintenance will influence the price of a desiccant filling machine negatively.

Age

Desiccant filling machines depreciate over time from the time of manufacture.

This is because new technology will replace the old ways of operating this machine.

Inspection and Testing

Inspecting and testing machine will influence the price of a desiccant filling machine.

The buyer will be able to know the capabilities and limitations of the machine before purchasing.

What is the Cost of a Desiccant Filling Machine?

The price of a desiccant filling machine will go anywhere between 2000 US dollars and 150000 US dollars.

How will a Desiccant Filling Machine Boost your Business?

There are various ways a desiccant filling machine will boost your business.

They include:

Improve Health

Desiccant filling machines will assist in improving the health of the staff as they will not physically handle the products.

Increase Efficiency

The machine will help you fill desiccants efficiently and reliably.

Also, you will produce quality desiccants.

Aesthetics

Desiccant filling machines will assist you to produce a variety of desiccant fillings.

This variety will improve the appeal of your products hence increase the market value of your products.

Increase Sales

This machine will enable you to meet your production capacity and increase your supply, hence increase sales.

Increase Production Capacity

Using automatic versions will help you increase your overall production process.

These machines have a high production capacity thus you can fill several desiccants within a short time.

Meet Client Needs

When the demand is high, a desiccant filling machine will assist you to meet those demands.

This is possible when using automatic versions and not the manual versions.

How should you Maintain a Desiccant Filling Machine?

Desiccant filling machine

It is vital to maintain a desiccant filling machine to ensure its reliability and durability.

Conduct quarterly or semi-annual inspections to ensure all parts are in good working condition.

Lubricate all moving parts to minimize tear and wear from friction.

Replace and repair all electrical components to prevent fires and electrocution.

Replace faulty sensors to ensure the safety of operators and the machine.

Regularly clean the machine to prevent the build up of dust and liquids that will make the machine break down.

Ensure all pipes and pneumatic components are clean and free from blockages that will affect the filling process.

Use genuine parts when replacing worn-out components to prevent frequent disruptions due to breakdowns.

Replace worn-out conveyor systems to enable the moving of products swiftly in the machine.

Replace blown fuses with new ones.

What Documentation should you have when Purchasing a Desiccant Filling Machine?

Desiccant filling machines need to have documentation that will support the standards of the machine.

Some of these documents are:

Factory Acceptance Test [FAT]

This test ensures the machine is built and works effectively.

FAT happens during and after assembly of the desiccant filling machine.

Operational Qualifications [OQ]

It means the desiccant filling machine operates as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Installation Qualifications [IQ]

This documentation means the delivery and installation of the machine is as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Performance Qualifications [PQ]

It means the machine is effective in its operation.

Also, it will reproduce the filling processes reliably by maintaining accuracy and precision.

What Quality Standards should a Desiccant Filling Machine conform to?

The quality standards that a desiccant filling machine should conform to will ensure the safety and health of everyone.

They include:

Restriction of Hazardous Substances [RoHS]

This standard assists in reducing the environmental effects and health impacts of desiccant filling machines.

SS AISI 316 compliant

This ensures the machine uses authentic stainless steel.

European Union CE marking

It is a European Economic Area quality standard but it also applies to all countries in the world.

Good Manufacturing Practices [GMP]

Good Manufacturing Practice quality standard ensures that desiccant filling machines have:

1. Consistent manufacturing practices.
2. Conforms to international quality standards.
3. Produces reliable desiccant filling results.

What are the Types of Desiccant Packs available in the Market?

These are packs that contain the desiccant material and they include:

• Desiccant unit packs
• Silica gel packs
• Molecular sieve packets
• Clay unit packets
• Cargo packs
• Silica gel packs

At SaintyCo, we offer a range of desiccant filling machines depending on your specifications.

Contact us today for all your desiccant filling machine needs.