From Benchtop to Fully Automated Solutions
Capping machines play an important role in packaging, especially in industries where safety, security, freshness and leak prevention are essential. Whether you’re bottling cosmetics, beverages, cleaning solutions, or pharmaceuticals, secure and consistent capping is key to ensuring that products arrive intact.
While all solutions aim to do the same thing – secure a cap onto a container, the method can vary significantly between each system.
Automation Levels: Manual to Fully Automatic
Just like filling equipment, capping machines have different levels of automation.
- Semi-automatic machines require some manual steps, such as placing the cap or positioning bottles, but at the same time, speed up the process. They are ideal for small batch operations where speed isn’t mission critical.
- Fully automatic machines handle everything from feeding bottles to tightening caps with minimal human intervention, offering speed and efficiency to the production line.
Every capping machine follows the basic principle of aligning a cap with a container and applying force, either by pressing or rotating, so that the cap is secured.
Capping Machine Types
Benchtop Capping Machine
This machine is ideal for smaller batches and is regarded as an entry-level machine. The equipment uses different torque-controlled chuck sizes. The chuck grips the cap, spinning it down onto the container. The capping machine can also be used with a trigger pack tightener to tighten trigger sprays, cream dispenser pumps or mist spray closures. This machine is designed for 10 to 20 units per minute.
Automatic Capping Machine
For larger quantities, automatic cappers mounted to a conveyor are used for the capping and tightening of most containers, with twist-on, push-on, snap-fit and dropper caps. The trigger pack head can be used for trigger and spray pack containers. The gating and sensor system detects the presence of a container, and machine operation is activated through an electronic timer control which also initiates the jaws, tightening head and gate system. The chucks used are scalable with single or multi-head configurations and are ideal for tamper evident closures due to their downward pressure.
Pneumatic Capping Machines
These offer the same functionality as the automatic capping machine. The equipment is entirely pneumatic (air driven), so that it is suitable for use with flammable products.
Working as Part of the Line
Cap tightening machines typically follow filling on the production line and are often integrated with conveyors, sealers, and even labellers in one production line. After caps are placed and tightened, bottles move on to be labelled, packed, and shipped.
Need help choosing the right solution? Contact the Packserv team for expert guidance and scalable systems that grow with your business.