With so many different models and features, choosing a liquid capsule filling machine can be confusing and sometimes even overwhelming. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, we’ve summarized seven key factors you should consider to help you determine which type of liquid capsule filling machine will best meet your needs.

Whether you’re a home craftsman just starting to expand your business beyond the hobby stage, or a pharmaceutical company packaging precise quantities of medicines at a rate of hundreds of bottles per minute, taking a moment to think about the questions we’ve listed below will help you make a wise investment.

Filling Liquid Characteristics

What is the viscosity of the liquid you need to fill – a measure of the resistance of a fluid’s internal flow, with substances like honey being more resistant to flow than water. Therefore, the liquid capsule filling machine you purchase should be able to meet the growing demand for high-viscosity liquids.

Does your product contain particles? Is it a semi-solid? In these cases, a piston or pump filling machine may be best suited for the job.

What type of container are you filling?

What material is the container made of? Plastic, glass, or aluminum each require specific filling techniques. Knowing which material is being used will help determine which liquid capsule filling machine to purchase.

The shape of your container can also influence the most suitable liquid capsule filling machine. If your container has a non-standard cap or closure, an automatic bottle filling machine that grabs the bottle from the top may not be the best choice. Likewise, a bottle filling machine that grabs from the side may not work well with very wide containers.

Automated vs. Manual

Manual liquid capsule filling machines are good for handling low production rates and are an affordable and space-saving option for hobbyists or small companies that don’t plan to expand.

Semi-automatic liquid capsule filling machines produce bottles much faster than manual fillers, but still require some manual effort. These machines can’t reach the speeds of fully automatic fillers. However, their mid-range price often makes them the best choice for small and medium-sized businesses that don’t need the largest systems yet but still have plans for growth.

Automated liquid capsule filling machinee are production powerhouses and are ideal for larger companies with high production rates. These machines use conveyors to pull bottles from bulk warehouses. They require the most floor space and are more expensive to purchase and maintain than manual or semi-automatic fillers. However, they require little or no manual effort to operate.

Inline vs. Rotary

Inline liquid capsule filling machines fill bottles in a single file format, filling anywhere from 4 to 20 bottles at a time. Inline liquid capsule filling machines are an excellent choice for small and medium-sized businesses. This is because they are less expensive, flexible to accommodate different bottle shapes, and can easily change products without replacing parts.

Rotary liquid capsule filling machines are more expensive, more complicated to operate, and cannot be stopped midway through production if anything goes wrong. Additionally, changeovers take more time and expensive parts need to be replaced for each unique bottle and cap. Nonetheless, their high speed and ability to fill more than a hundred bottles at a time make them essential for larger businesses that need to produce in large quantities.

If you would like to learn more about liquid capsule filling machines, of course, we would be happy to answer all of these questions and take the guesswork out of it. If you would like to get started right away, please contact us or send us your samples directly.