Packaging is an important industry, especially where food and beverages are concerned because the safety of the consumers is very important. At the core of this operation, the most vital components are the can capping machines that seal everything inside, protecting food from contamination and other foreign substances.We are going to explore how a packaging company can choose the right can capping machines to enhance productivity, and at the same time, we will look at the types of capping machines that can be used to turn this into a reality. If you are running a packaging company and need to set up good can capping machines, then you are in the right place.

Types of Capping Machines

There are about 9 types of can capping machines that are widely used in today’s packaging industry, and each is designed for certain functions. Most packaging companies have several types running at the same time, depending on the scope of the operations. These types are discussed in detail below.

Can Capping Machine

A can capping machine is used to create and attach caps on bottles and other containers. A typical can-capping machine is made up of different components that work independently of each other to create a seamless operation that keeps the assembly line moving. These capping machine parts include the following:

• Lid Feeder: This is an automated part that continuously feeds already made caps into the caring machine at a certain rate.
  
• Press on Head: They are used to snap and tighten the cap onto the container by applying pressure on the cap towards the container.
  
• Rotary Clincher: This is a screw capper that comes with rotary cylinders that are used to tighten the lids onto the containers.
  
• Conveyer Belt: This is the continuously running metal or rubber-based belt that holds the containers and caps, moving them from one part of the production line to the next.

Tin Capping Machine

A tin capping machine is used to attach lids and caps onto packaging tins. This is a method that is heavily relied upon by food packaging industries that package all their perishables inside well-sealed tins. This means that the process has to be very accurate to stop any contamination from sipping in. 

This cap fitting machine operates with the same principle as all the other capping machines, with conveyor belts that transport the lids from one stage to another.

Jar Capping Machine

A jar capping machine is widely used in the food packaging industry. Therefore, it is designed to meet the requirements of sanitization, accuracy, and speed. A cap for a jar can be made of plastic or metal. That means we have flexible designs in the torque to handle different capping operations. Screw capping machines and snap capping machines are usually used for jar capping.

Automatic Capping Machine

This is one of the most popular machines that are widely used to handle the capping needs for a range of packaging products. They can be used for bottles, tins, jars, and a host of other packaging containers. The automatic capper machine has a very impressive operational speed with a capacity to handle over 200 caps per minute. The speed can even go higher depending on the capsize and the overall configuration of the machine.

Semi-Automatic Capping Machine

This is a cap tightener machine that combines manual and automatic mechanisms when it comes to applying lids and caps on all sorts of containers. They are faster than handheld capping machines and more affordable than an automatic can capping machine. Workers usually need to place the lids and containers manually before the semi-automatic capping machine works, while fully automatic capping machines have a lid feeder to match lids and containers.

Handheld/Manual Capping Machine

This is a manual capping machine that is cheaper as it doesn’t use a lot of resources to run. However, being manual, there’s a great deal of labor involved. It is purely pneumatic with very little electrical configuration. They may save you some money when it comes to accessorizing the machine, but the work you will have to put in is intense. This also means the speed is not that much compared to the automatic machines. They are suitable for family workshops.

Benchtop Capping Machine

A benchtop capping machine has almost the same design and working principle as the handheld capping machine. The only difference between the two is that the benchtop camping machine uses automation in most of the operations and has much higher torque reliability. The capping machine is also unique in another way; it makes use of air cylinders that press down on the cap once they are activated by a footswitch. This may look like a simple mechanism, but it has one of the most secure lid applications on containers and doesn’t use a lot of labor.

Screw Capping Machine

This is a common capping machine that is mostly used for screw caps which have simple threading allowing you to screw the lid on a container. Packaging solutions including lids like sports caps, trigger sprayers, pump sprayers, flip-top caps, and simple flat lids can introduce a screw capper to enhance the productivity of the packaging line.

Snap Capper

Snap capper’s working principle is similar to screw capping machine’s while it simply snaps the lid onto the can/tin/jar/bottle.

Can Capping Machine Parts

Can capping machines are made up of many parts that work in different ways to ensure that the containers are well closed to protect the contents inside. The following are the most notable parts of the average can capping machine parts.

• Feeders and Sorters: The feeders and sorters are tasked with the responsibility of sorting and feeding the machine with the right lids and caps. The cap feeder is often designed in a straightforward way, while the shape of the sorter depends on the geometries of the machine and the tasks at hand.
  
• Belts: These are called the conveyor belt system that makes the movement of the plastic caps possible. A can capping machine has several sections, and the only way that caps and lids can be moved from one point to another is through the use of conveyor belts.
  
• Shafts and Sprockets: These two parts usually work hand in hand to assist in the transmission of rotary motion between the shafts, and it is very handy in situations where gears are not ideal for imparting linear motion. They simply assist in the smooth movements of the different parts of the machine.
  
• Chucks and Inserts: These are the parts that hold the caps in position before they are inserted and placed over the containers. They come in different sizes and materials, and you can choose the type to go with depending on the type of application.
  
• Chute Parts: These are clamps that hold the caps in place. They also handle the role of placing caps on every container that passes by the conveyor belt through the chuck and spindles. It makes use of a number of control procedures to ensure the continuous placement and tightening of the caps on the containers.
  
• Clutches: A clutch is a part within the capping machine that assists the spindle capper in making it possible for more consistent and accurate torque on the caps. The machine you are using for capping does determine the function of the clutches. In most machines, the clutches are made of magnets that hold their metal caps in place to enhance accuracy and consistent torque.
  
• Servers, Motors, and Drives: These are the engines of the entire machine. They use electric power to get everything going. They control every movement and every part of the entire machine, and theft is what the controllers can use to regulate the speed of the capper machine.
  
• Gripper Discs: Gripper discs are used to increase the holding grip of the machine, and in turn, this increases the torque and the holding strength to stop any spills or misplacement of the caps. This ensures that accuracy is maintained all through the assembly line for uniformity purposes.
  
• Guarding Clamps: These are hardware parts that are used to provide protection for the internal parts of the capping machine once the mechanical movements begin. It offers resistance when it comes to holding and joining the different parts of the machine to ensure that everything works as designed.

Working Principle of Capping Machines

Every capping machine has a unique way of operation. There are some factors that determine how each capping machine operates, and this ranges from the task at hand, the type of capping being done, and the type of capping machine involved. A good number of them require an operator to be around to kickstart the process, even the fully automated ones.

However, they are linked with some principles that make it possible for the parts to move the way they want. Typically, capping machines seal different types of lids firmly on top of containers. To ensure the leakproofness, the main consideration in designing a capping machine is the torque.

Applications of Can/Tin/Jar/Bottle Capping Machine

Can capping machines are heavily used in the packaging industries and other sectors. Everywhere you look, be it at home or the supermarket, you will see a lot of packaged containers that have different kinds of lids and caps. This shows how important these capping are to the day-to-day life of human beings. Some of the applications include the following.

General Packaging Applications

A good number of packaging companies make use of capping machines as they are not only fast and efficient but are also good at assisting the tightening and securing of the package contents. This is a process that would take a very long time and increase the chances of contamination if it were done by hand. The same machines are also used in chemical industries, where they can be a little corrosive if they are handled in any other way. So in some way, general packaging benefits a lot from capping machines as they increase safety.

Food and Beverage Processing Applications

The food and beverage industry is one of the heaviest users of automated packaging, and at the very center of this, you will find all sorts of can capping machines. From soft drinks, canned food to anything that makes use of containers for packaging, capping machines are used to ensure that contamination doesn’t take place and to make sure that the product has a longer shelf life. Most times, the process of capping food and beverage containers is done by automated capping machines that are fast and accurate. Where food is involved, you cannot take chances.

Agricultural Applications

Agricultural products like solvent fertilizers and pesticides are toxic chemicals that have to be packed in tight-sealed containers, and the best way to do this is to use capping machines. This is why a good number of these agricultural chemicals are properly sealed in double layers; this is not by accident. The majority of them are handled by automatic capping machines, which are faster and more efficient compared to other types.

Medical and Military Products

Another sector that benefits greatly from this high level of packaging is the pharmaceutical industry. Medicine, being important and delicate, has to be packed in airtight containers, and the use of capping machines is the only effective way of ensuring there is no contamination taking place. The same applies to military products that are required to be sealed in tamper-proof packaging that features caps and lids that cannot be opened easily.

Things to Consider When Buying a Can Capping Machine

Looking at the number of can-capping machines that exist, it is not hard to imagine how challenging it would be for any manufacturer and packager to choose the right capping machine. To help you make the decision right, we have analyzed a number of factors that can help you in your search. They include the following.

Type of Canning Lids

There are different types of canning lids and caps. Each of them comes with a specific purpose in mind. There are smaller ones for regular bottles and wider and bigger ones for other larger containers. The type, nature, and size of the capping machine will be determined by the type and size of the lids and cans that you plan to manufacture. Therefore, when it comes to selecting the right can capping machine, pay attention to the sizes of the lids and caps that you will be making and, at the same time, think of the scale of the operation. You don’t want to end up with small machines that will not be able to handle the volume 6 months down the line once you have grown.

The Price of the Capping Machine

You can only buy what you can afford; there are no two ways about this. For the most part, the best machines that are able to function with high accuracy tend to cost a lot more than regular ones. You have to think of what you truly need in terms of production. A bigger operation will require more money to set a complete system. Therefore, think hard and long about your budget before making that final decision. And as you make the purchase, think of future expansion and factor that into your final capping machine price decision.

Degree of Automation

Automation is pretty standard these days, and when you are planning to get a can capping machine, you will be better served by one that embraces full automation. There are a number of benefits that you will get from this. The first one is the reduction in labor wages as you will only require a few operators to run things and conduct maintenance. The other important benefit is the speed and accuracy, two attributes that are completely lacking in most manual setups. Therefore, go for a can capping machine that incorporates automation; it may cost a lot more, but the long-run benefits far outweigh the cost.

Technical Support

How good is the follow-up from the machine manufacturer once you have purchased the machine? Is it a case of having to follow them for days before they send someone once the machine has broken down? You need to be extra careful when choosing a can capping machine in regards to the willingness of the manufacturer to provide after-sales services. This will protect you from having to incur losses all due to the fact that the machine malfunctioned and no one in your staff has the technical know-how of getting things running again.

Warranty

Can capping machines are not toys; they are heavy equipment that is highly mechanized, and this exposes them to damage eventually. What this means is that you have to go for a machine that is well covered by a long warranty. This is the only way you can protect yourself from liability in the event that the machines develop problems that may not be due to your own fault. The longer the warranty covers, the better it will be for you in the long run.

Electrical Requirements

There are no escaping huge power bills where manufacturing is involved. But that is not a license to expose yourself to high bills by going for a machine that has too many electrical requirements. Take time to assess each machine that you show any interest in to make sure that the power consumption is within the expected range. Otherwise, you will spend a better part of the profits you make settling huge electricity bills.

Size of Factory

Space is important when it comes to manufacturing, especially where packaging is involved. When using automated machines, there has to be enough maneuvering room for the machines to move around unrestricted. This is how they are able to clock high speeds. Think of the space available before purchasing that can of capping machine. The last thing you would want to deal with is to have huge machines in limited space where even fitting a proper conveyor belt would be impossible.

Size of Demand

How huge are the orders that are coming in from your clients? The main reason why most capping machine manufacturers expand their operations by getting new machines is when the demand has gone up. When scaling up your operations by buying new can capping machines, think of the demand you are currently having and make calculated estimations on where that demand will be six months down the line. If you feel like it will increase, then use that data to get the right number of can capping machines in anticipation of that growth. This is what separates good and successful businesses from flailing and struggling ones.

How Can a Capping Machine Benefit Your Business?

There are so many benefits that any manufacturer that deals with packaging materials can accrue from investing in good can capping machines. Some of these benefits include the following.

• There is a high level of repeatability, and this increases efficiency. This means that running a can capping machine once it has been set right is easy and cost-effective as it can be used for the production of high-volume items at once. This also translates to a high level of uniformity as each product that comes off the assembly line is identical to the next one.
  
• Integration is much easier as you can quickly adapt can capping machines to an already existing packaging system that you may have. This is the flexibility that cannot be found anywhere, and it goes a long way in saving you money.
  
• It is easy to operate these machines as most of them are automated. In most instances, the only human presence required on the manufacturing floor is a single operator whose work is to kickstart things and control speeds. Once the process starts to run, it can handle things on its own without any human interference.
  
• They are versatile machines that can handle all sizes of caps and lids. In a nutshell, you don’t have to buy a new machine every time you need to change the calibrations to a new product. You simply make the necessary changes to the machine to accommodate a new production line, and that’s it. This will not only save on cost, but you get more freedom to handle any kind of manufacturing.
  
• There is increased production speed where automated can capping machines are involved. By eliminating the need for human labor, you are able to increase the production speed while cutting down cycle times. Unless the machine breaks down, you can keep the assembly line running for as long as you want. This ultimately means that you get to produce more.
  
• There’s uniformity and consistency when you make use of can capping machines. Once the necessary adjustments are made, the machine will continue producing the same kind of product until the instructions are changed.
  
• It saves on cost in the long run. Getting the machines in the first palace may cost you a significant amount of investment, but you will be able to recoup all that within a short time. This is made possible by the fact that you can handle high-volume production.

Conclusion

Can capping machines are every integral in the packaging world. The more they embrace technology in their operation, the more refined things become,  and it is easy to see how they are going to be a huge part of future packaging solutions. If you have been thinking of scaling up your packaging business by getting can capping machines, then use this guide to make an informed decision. For more information on can capping machines and how they impact the packaging industry, check out our website.