Levapack Screw Capping Machines
In any packaging system may it be in the food or non-food industry, especially lines that are handling liquid products, having a reliable capping machine is essential. A capping machine ensures that after the containers pass through the filling station, they will be securely sealed and ready for the next step of the manufacturing chain - delivery.
Screw capping machines are one of the most popular types of capping machines when it comes to packaging liquid products and other harmful substances aside from solid ones. To avoid leakage on the packaged liquid containers, you will not only need a reliable screw capper equipment. But also one that meets your packaging line’s actual needs and requirements which is made possible through customization of your very own screw capper machine.
At LPE, a manufacturer of various packaging equipment including screw capper machines in China, you’ll be able to tailor your machines to your specific needs through our customizable screw capping machines. By opting for LPE’s products, we help you in the completion of your packaging line and ensure that your products are packaged with quality.
What is a Screw Capping Machine?
A screw capping machine is used to tightly seal containers with different dimensions having screw-on type closures in an ergonomic design. Compared to manually placing the screw caps on the containers by hand, using a screw capper machine eliminates injuries and strains to the workers. The operator only needs to load the lids and containers into the machine and it will do the rest of the job.
Types of Screw-on Closures
Screw-on lid closures are among the commonly used closure types in various packaging industries. They are generally caps that are threaded which require torque before they can be tightened onto different container types. The screw-on type bottle containers that you are probably most familiar with are the ones used in soft drinks and bottled water.
However, there are other screw cap variations - from the standard flat cap to trigger sprayers. Below are the most common types of screw-on closures you will find in groceries.
#1 Flat Screw-on Closures
These screw-on cap closures have flat tops and you can usually find these on soft drinks and bottled water.
#2 Sports Closures
Sports closures are similar to flat tops but without the flat tops. They have extended tops instead. To open these types of caps, you have to pull up or twist the sports lid, often requiring you to squeeze it, which allows a controlled flow of the product from the container. Sports caps are used in a few bottled water and energy drinks like Gatorade.
#3 Press Top Closures
Press top closures are screw caps having one pressable side which when pressed will pop the lid on the other side. They are common in shampoos and body washes.
#4 Trigger Sprayers
This is the most unique type of screw-on closures found in various household products such as glass cleaners. They include a sprayer and a straw which allows it to shoot a product mist from the cap. Spindle cappers are usually used to cap these types of screw-on closures.
#5 Anti-Theft Closures
Anti-theft closures are tamper-evident screw caps that possess tear-off rings located at either the cap’s bottom or on its sidewall. The rings separate when you open the container for the first time.
Types of a Screw Capper Equipment Based on the
Capping Device Used
Basically, there are two common types of screw capping machines: chuck and spindle screw capping machines.
Screw Chuck Capping Machines
A screw chuck capping equipment uses a chuck or a capping head and is sometimes installed with a rubber insert used to lower the closures and apply torque on it to produce a tight seal. These machines are mostly in semi-automatic designs.
Our LPE-RVS040 Rotary Screw Capping Machine for Glass Bottle and LPE-RVS040 Rotary Vacuum Screw Capping Machine for Glass Can are screw chuck capping machines but ours are fully automatic ones.
Screw Spindle Capping Machines
Instead of using a chuck head, a screw spindle capping equipment uses a spinning disk or wheel for tightening the caps and are usually designed as automatic machines. When integrated with a conveyor system, automatic spindle capping machines allow auto-feeding of lids for a continuous capping process. Our LPE-SCM008 Screw Capping Machine is of this type of screw capper machine.
Types of Screw Capper Machines Based on Mode
of Operation
Whatever production speed your packaging lines are designed for, they will all require assistance to properly cap the containers. In fact, the goal of incorporating a capping machine in your packaging lines is not only for increasing the production speed. Bottle capping machines allow for reliable and consistent seals to prevent loose caps, overly tightened caps, crooked caps, and product waste caused by spills.
Fully Automatic Screw Capping Machines
Fully automatic screw capping machines are designed for the provision of continuous container capping in your packaging line. These types of machines come with conveyor and delivery systems for the lids. For instance, a cap elevator or a vibratory bowl. Automatic screw capping machines are controlled using a touch screen control panel and various levers and/or finger knobs that are necessary for the machine.
Furthermore, the packaging line operator is responsible for the provision of bulk cap quantities to the machine’s cap delivery system. Once the screw can capper machine is completely set up with the caps provided, the operator’s remaining job is to:
- Keep watch of the machine while it does its job.
- Always ensure the availability of caps in the cap delivery system.
Semi-Automatic Screw Capping Machines
Semi-automatic screw capping machines come in various designs. They can be handheld, tabletop machines, or semi-automatic screw cappers built on portable frames. They can handle various cap sizes and containers like the fully-automatic screw can cappers. The major difference is that semi-automatic screw cappers require manual placement of the lids onto the bottles before the machine applies the necessary torque to tighten the lids.
Furthermore, semi-automatic screw cappers built on portable frames can be moved from one place to another easily and thus are ideal for low production requirements. For tabletop semi-automatic screw cappers, they are built with small sizes but placed in a permanent location, unlike the movable portable frames.
Why Use a Screw Capping Machine?
Aside from increasing the speed of your packaging lines, screw can capping machines ensure that proper hygiene is maintained on the caps. This avoids product contamination which is not prevented when the capping process is manually handled. Furthermore, screw cappers save your operators the hassle of manually screwing the lids into the bottles themselves.
How Can Screw Capper Machines Benefit Your
Business?
Screw capper machines save time and streamline your packaging lines for faster bulk productions. For example, you can rely on the machine to do all of your manual work while producing more uniform and consistent results compared to capping by hand. Aside from this, you can prevent costly spills caused by manual capping. So not only can you save time but also money because automated packaging lines decrease your operating costs and the possibility of defective capped containers.
What we offer
Fast turnover and machine versatility allow for the production of various product designs at a fast speed. To ensure our customers’ satisfaction through speed and precision, we incorporate innovative technologies in the design of our screw capping machines for sale at affordable prices. With our offered customization of your own screw capper equipment, we guarantee the dependability of our products for various industries.
Find your ideal screw capping machine to suit your business’ needs from LPE’s products to improve your productivity. To give you an overview of our offered products, below is a brief description of each of our screw capping machine models. You will find the recommended applications of each machine in the Applications section of this article.
LPE-RVS040 Rotary Screw Capping Machine for Glass Bottle
This LPE-RVS040 rotary screw capper comes with a rotary cap feeder and a rotary clincher allowing for a seamless and more precise capping process. It is a fully automatic screw capping equipment with an advanced design that can handle aluminum covers including anti-theft ones. It comes with a PLC control system for convenient operation and automatic protection devices installed in both of the inlet and outlet wheels to ensure a safe operation.
LPE-SCM008 Screw Capping Machine
Our LPE-SCM008 screw capping machine model is installed with four heads (total of eight spindle disks) to tightly torque threaded closures at high speeds for more efficient capping process. It has a touch screen interface for adjusting the capping operation parameters and effectively prevents damages to anti-theft closures when capping. Furthermore, this machine has an adjustable spindle wheel to accommodate various bottle sizes.
LPE-RVS040 Rotary Vacuum Screw Capping Machine for Glass Can
Similar to our LPE-RVS040 rotary screw capping equipment, our LPE-RVS040 rotary vacuum screw capper machine is equipped with a rotary clincher and a rotary cap feeder but the clincher has six stations for accurate capping. You can adjust the vacuum and cap torque settings to your desired standards. Moreover, it can handle various cap dimensions and bottle types.
Components of a Can Screw Capper Machine
Since LPE’s screw can capper machines have fully automatic designs, the components listed below are of a fully automatic screw capping equipment.
#1 Chuck Head
In screw chuck capper machines, a specialized clamp called a chuck head is used to hold the container being capped. The chuck head applies torque on the lid to create a seal.
#2 Spindle Disks
For screw spindle capper machines, they use sets of spindle disks (usually 3-4 sets) that spin the caps down onto the container as the container moves to the capping station. Our LPE-SCM008 Screw Capping Machine has 4 spindle wheel sets.
#3 Cap/Lid Sorter and Feeder
The lid sorter sorts the right caps to be fed into the machine and its design will depend on the cap geometry the machine handles. On the other hand, the lid feeder of the screw capper equipment can either be a cap elevator or a vibratory bowl.
#4 Cap Chute
The screw capper equipment requires the cap chute to hold the lids in place. It is responsible for placing the lids on the top of each bottle that passes through the spindles or chuck.
#5 Conveyor Belts
The screw capper’s conveyor belts are vital parts of an automatic screw capper equipment. The machine will depend on these for the transportation of the containers towards the capping zone and to other parts of the machine. They are continuously moving and can either be made from metal or rubber materials. Moreover, they are essential in firmly guarding the containers during the capping process to prevent them from going off the capping line.
#6 Drives, Gear Boxes, and Motors
These parts are also called the driving engine of your screw capper equipment. By working together, they help drive the other components of the machine for a smooth capping operation. You can set the speed of their movement on your capper equipment’s control panel.
#7 Pulleys
The pulleys also play a vital role in the transport process in an automatic screw capper machine. They are connected to the belts and gears and assist in moving different parts of the machine. Their sizes are varied depending on your screw capping equipment’s design.
#8 Shafts and Sprockets
These two work together in assisting the machine during the transmission of a rotary force to the shafts. Just like pulleys, motors, gearboxes, and drives, the shafts and sprockets are important components of the machine that are used to drive the capping process.
How Screw Can Capping Machines Work
Whether a chuck or a spindle capping machine in semi-automatic or fully automatic operation modes, the working principle is similar for both machines except for the device used by each to tighten the lids onto the containers. The basic idea is to apply torque on the screw-on closures to create a seal. Below is a step-by-step guide on the screw capping process.
Step 1. Lid Feeding and Sorting
Automatic lid feeding and sorting only takes place on fully-automatic chuck and spindle screw capping machines. The operator feeds the machine with bulk quantities of screw-on closures through the cap-feeding system. The caps are led into the cap sorter which removes the disoriented caps from the line and directs the properly oriented ones to the cap chute.
Step 2. Placement of Lids Onto the Containers
Fully Automatic Screw Capping Machine
The oriented closures fall down the cap chute by gravity. When a container is detected, the chute releases a cap placing it exactly on top of the current container. The container will continuously move via the conveyor belt before it proceeds to the capping station.
SemiAutomatic Screw Capping Machine
In this machine operation mode, the operator needs to place the lids onto the containers manually before feeding the cap-container combination into the screw capping machine.
Step 3. Screw-Cap Tightening
Fully Automatic Screw Capping Machine
Fully Automatic Spindle Screw Capping Machine
For inline fully automatic screw capper machines such as spindle screw cappers, the cap-container combination proceeds to the capping station in a linear path. As the combination passes through the sets of spindle wheels/disks, the spindles apply the required torque on the lids to create a seal. Our LPE-SCM008 Screw Capping Machine uses four sets of spindles to tighten the lids.
Moreover, to make the capping reliable and consistent, the machine uses cap stabilizers and side gripper belts to hold the combination in place as it moves through the spindle wheels. In fully automatic screw cappers, the capping process runs continuously without the containers stopping for cap placement, indexing, or any other reason.
Fully Automatic Chuck Screw Capping Machine
Fully automatic chuck screw cappers are popular in rotary layouts. They use a rotary or a star wheel for the capping process which means that the process will not run continuously like in the spindle capper machine. Each cap-container combination is directed by the conveyor belt into one of the star wheel’s pockets. The wheel rotates and puts the combination below the chuck head for tightening.
The chuck head will then descend onto the cap-container combination and applies torque on it to create a reliable seal. After the lid is tightened, the star wheel rotates again and directs the sealed product to the release point.
Semi-Automatic Screw Capping Machine
The tightening process for semi-automatic screw cappers is similar to the fully automatic ones except that instead of the process starting automatically, the operator needs to manually place the cap-container combination into the screw capper. Depending on the design of the semi-automatic screw cappers, either a footswitch or a hand switch is used to activate the capping process.
Step 4. End of the Process
Fully Automatic Screw Capping Machine
The capped containers automatically proceed to the end of the capping line and are now ready for the next steps of the packaging line.
Semi-Automatic Screw Capping Machine
Since the capping process is not fully automatic, each capping cycle is only done in a few containers. For semi-automatic chuck cappers, the process is usually done per cap-container combination so the operator needs to repeat the process for each container. While for semi-automatic spindle cappers, the only thing the operator needs to do is feed the machine with capped containers manually and it will do the rest.
To help you better understand the working principle of screw capping machines, below are links of short videos on the capping process for LPE’s chuck and spindle screw capping machines:
Quality Control
At LPE, we guarantee the production of durable machines for streamlining your packaging lines by enforcing strict quality control in each step of the manufacturing process of our machines. It undergoes six stages of quality control process as presented in the following sections.
Stage 1. Rigorous Raw Material Selection
In every machine, the raw materials play an important role in its overall quality. At LPE, we ensure the quality of your screw can capping machines through a rigorous selection of the raw materials. To ensure the durability and reliability of your capping machines, we use materials from world-renowned brands.
The raw materials include #304 or #306 premium stainless steel and other components from the following brands:
- PLC control system: OMRON and Mitsubishi
- Electric motors: SEW
- Touch screen: DELTA
- Electrical parts: Schneider
- Air cylinders: SMC
Stage 2. Thorough Processing and Inspection of the Equipment Parts
Not only the raw materials affect the overall quality of the machine but also the individual parts of the machine. To guarantee that each part is precisely produced, LPE uses the latest CNC technologies including lathes, milling machines, and grinders.
One all of the screw capping machine’s parts are finished, our experienced engineers will perform a rigorous inspection of each part’s dimensions to make sure that the tolerance is only with 2um.
Stage 3. Intricate Equipment Assembly
A thorough selection of the raw materials, careful processing, and inspection of the machine parts, plus a professional assembly of your machine differentiates your equipment from the inferior ones. Through our patient engineers with years of experience in the industry, we make sure that each of your equipment’s parts is installed correctly.
Stage 4. Final Machine Inspection
After the equipment assembly process, every finished screw capping equipment undergoes a final inspection meant to ensure the following:
- All components of the equipment (mechanical parts, lid feeder, sensors, conveyors, and pneumatic mechanisms) run smoothly.
- The electrical parts and toolings are properly installed.
- The electrical wirings are not loose.
- The machine’s motor is not noisy and does not overheat when running.
Stage 5. Strict Trial Run Testing
A strict trial run of your screw capper equipment will follow after the inspection. LPE’s engineer will use your sample bottles for the trial run of more than 100 consecutive operations. This process checks that your equipment will work well with your sample bottles.
Stage 6. No-Load Run Testing
Once the loaded test run is finished, a no-load run test follows which is done in 48 hours. The no-load run test is intended to test your equipment’s overload protection device and makes sure that the machine will stop once it detects that something is wrong with the process. Through this, any further damage to your equipment’s electrical parts is prevented.
Stage 7. Final Polishing
Before delivering the customized screw capper machines to our customers, we perform final polishing activities to the machine to bring out the elegance of the design. We remove any stains, handprints, and debris on the machines and apply anti-rust oils to prolong their service lives.
Certifications
All of LPE’s products including our screw capping machines comply with the set electrical safety standards by the Canada Standards Association (CSA Marking) and European Union (CE Marking).
Moreover, LPE’s Quality Management System is certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). As one of the aspiring top global manufacturers of can packaging machines, we guarantee the quality of our products through compliance with international standards.
Advantages
#1 Customizable
To better accommodate your company’s needs, you can customize your screw capper machines including the machine’s size, type of stainless steel to be used, capping speed, and the brands of the electrical parts.
#2 Precise and Seamless Capping
The rotary cap feeder and rotary clincher components of our rotary screw capping machines allow for a more precise and seamless capping process with increased production speed.
#3 Compatibility With Anti-Theft Closures
Our screw capping machines are integrated with advanced technology allowing them to efficiently handle anti-theft closures without breaking them.
#4 Components From International Brands
We use components from world-renowned brands for our screw capping machines, including the touchscreen PLC control system, for guaranteed reliability and efficiency of the whole packaging process.
#5 Wide Range of Applications
Our machines are compatible with all types of screw-on closures in various shapes and sizes. Moreover, you can easily replace the type of container under three minutes only. Once the handled container is replaced, the adjustable cap wheel allows for a more convenient shift between different container dimensions.
Applications
The customizability and versatility of our screw capper machines allow for their compatibility with containers and screw-on closures in various types and dimensions. Our existing screw capping machine designs can only handle specific types and sizes of screw-on closures but you can customize them to handle other closure types. Below are the recommended applications of each of our screw capper machine designs.
LPE-RVS040 Rotary Screw Capping Machine for Glass Bottle
This rotary screw capper machine is ideal for capping glass bottles having small caps and specialized for products in the healthcare sector such as oral liquids. It is used to seal aluminum closures for bottles containing juices, non-gas beverages, wineries, anti-theft-capped products, condiments, beverages, and other similar products.
LPE-SCM008 Screw Capping Machine
For capping PET containers with caps, our LPE-SCM008 Screw Capping Machine would be ideal. Aside from its ability to handle anti-theft caps without breaking them, it can cap all container shapes and sizes in various industries.
LPE-RVS040 Rotary Vacuum Screw Capping Machine for Glass Can
Our LPE-RVS040 is compatible with any screw-on closures in different dimensions. Use this rotary vacuum screw capper machine to cap glass jars with small screw-on closures for food products such as sauces and jams.
Are you handling other products in different container and cap dimensions than the ones that our existing screw capping machines can handle? No worries as we allow you to customize your own screw capping equipment to suit your requirements.
In addition, LPE’s screw can capping machines can handle various products in different industries as listed below.
Customizing Your Screw Can Capping Machine
During the initial customization stage of your desired screw capping equipment, LPE’s experienced engineers will cooperate and communicate with you to produce a machine tailored to your capping needs. We will be helping you in creating a dependable solution for your can packaging system along with professional technical support including the installation, adjustment, and maintenance of the equipment. Feel free to contact us for further information.
Factors to Consider
Before we start with the production of your required screw capper equipment, we make sure that we fully understand your actual needs so that we can create a machine that perfectly suits your production line. For this, there are many factors and questions that we need to answer which will have a great impact on your resulting customized machine:
- What type of screw can capping equipment do you need?
- What can will you cap including the material type?
- What types of caps will you be using?
- What products will you be packaging?
- What is your product yield requirement?
- What is your factory’s size and layout?
- What are your other special requests?
Customizable Components
When we are already confident in knowing your actual needs, we will be asking you about the specifications of the machine that you want. No worries as our patient engineers will assist you in the customization process and make sure that your requirements are taken into account while still considering your desired specifications.
For the customizable components of your screw capper equipment, check out the list below.
#1 Your Equipment’s Whole Structure
Customize your screw capper equipment’s whole structure to suit the closure type you will be using for your containers. Furthermore, you will be required to send us samples of your cans to guarantee the compatibility of your machine with your containers.
#2 Your Machine’s Speed of Production
Set the production speed of your screw can capper machine to match your factory’s production capacity.
#3 The Brand of Your Equipment’s Electrical Parts
Choose among the world-renowned brands of electrical components you want your machine to have including the PLC control system.
#4 Type of Stainless Steel You Prefer
You can either opt for a #304 or #306 stainless steel for the raw materials.
#5 Your Screw Capper Machine’s Size
Make your machine fit on your factory’s allocated space by customizing the machine’s size.
The Customization Process
Once we have finalized your actual needs and your customization requirements, the manufacturing process of your machine starts which is done in four stages.
Stage 1. Generation of Your Desired Screw Capper Machine’s Design
Since the machine drawing will determine your screw capping equipment’s overall reliability and efficiency, this stage is crucial because the result will be reflected in the next stages. After our in-depth consultation with you, our engineer starts with a detailed drawing of your machine giving into consideration the following:
- The appearance of the screw capper machine.
- Type of machine according to the needs of your packaging line.
- Your product yield demand.
- Your equipment’s size and layout to ensure that it will fit in your plant’s space.
Stage 2. Fine-Tuning The Design of Your Machine
After the initial sketch, our designers and engineers work together for the finalization of the machine design. They will make further adjustments if any is required. And to make a machine perfectly tailored to your packaging line, LPE will assist you through the whole process of fine-tuning the design according to your actual needs. After which we will confirm the finalized machine sketch with you before we start the actual production of your screw capper equipment.
Stage 3. Crafting Your Screw Capping Machine
This is the machine production stage where we make sure to consider the following factors to generate a high precision machining:
- The combination of only the best materials
- CNC-produced parts
- Skillful assembly
Stage 4. Testing the Machine’s Performance
A strict trial test follows after the completion of the production of your customized can screw capper machine. To perform this test, we will be asking sample cans from you for us to check the following:
- If the machine runs smoothly.
- If the machine is able to meet your product yield requirements.
- The machine’s defective rate.
After which a test run for no-load is performed to guarantee that the equipment is safe. Finally, we do the delivery of the machine to you.