Filling Machines
There are varieties of different filling machines available in the worldwide market. Similarly, a filling machine capacity ranges from the humble manual filler, operating at three bottles per minute, to high-speed rotary systems that operate at over 1,000 bottles per minute. Price-point is an important element to consider when investing in a filling machine. Most expensive technologies are too costly for small- or medium-sized bottling operations. However, some very cheap filling machines have poor technology and can cost their owners more to fix and maintain in addition to causing production downtime or quality issues.
Overflow Filler
An overflow filler is best suited for liquids with low to medium viscosity and liquids with solid particulates not exceeding 1/16 inch. Overflow fillers are well suited for handling very foamy products or sauces, syrups, light gels and shampoos, cleansers, water and other non-carbonated aqueous beverages at high rates of speed. Overflow fillers operate at high standards, are easy to clean and operate, and are expandable at a low cost.
Servo Positive Displacement Filler
The Servo Positive Displacement Filler is the flagship filler of the beverage industry. It is extremely accommodating and designed to fill almost any product in any fill volume. It can even fill 5-gallon drums! The Servo Positive Displacement filler is useful in a variety of industries: pharmaceutical, cosmetic, dairy, chemical, and food because it handles thin and thick products as well as very large particles with ease. The Servo Positive Displacement filler dispenses cosmetic creams as well as thick, chunky sauces at pasteurized temperatures. The machine automatically adjusts fill sizes, which are practically infinite, making operation extremely simple. Because of the automation, the machine is also self-cleaning.
Peristaltic Filler
Designed specifically for high-value products in small volumes, the peristaltic fillers are accurate to .05 percent of 1 mL. Peristaltic fillers are suitable for aqueous and other light viscosity products and are useful for pharmaceutical preparations, filling fragrances, essential oils, reagents, inks, dyes, and specialty chemicals. The fluid path of the filler is disposable, making clean up easy while eliminating cross contamination.
Time Gravity Filler
Time Gravity Fillers are perfect for liquids with very low viscosities that do not change with ambient temperature or with batch variation. Although this type of filler dispenses products that do not foam, subsurface/bottom-up-fill capability controls some foam. Time Gravity Fillers are great for handling water, solvents, alcohol, specialty chemicals, paint, inks, and corrosive chemicals such as acids and bleach. These fillers are the most economical when used for filling corrosive chemicals.
Piston Filler
Piston Fillers are equipped to handle pastes, semi-pastes, or thick and chunky substances with large particles. These piston fillers are built to meet food grade standards and can also handle various chemical applications including: heavy sauces, salsas, salad dressings, cosmetic creams, heavy shampoo, gels, hair conditioners, paste cleaners and waxes, adhesives, heavy oils and lubricants. This is a lower cost option with conventional technology that is easy to understand and offers fast fill rates for thick products. However, the Servo Positive Displacement Filler is a newer and more versatile machine that can handle pastes as well as other liquids.
Net Weight Filler
This type of filler is best suited to dispense liquid in bulk containers such as 5-gallon pails and for products that have a very high manufactured value like bulk cleaning products and high value chemicals and enzyme solutions. The Net Weight filler is the most practical filler for dispensing large volumes.