Capping Machine Options for Screw-On Type Caps

While many different types of closures exist, there is one in particular that can be found on an extremely wide range of products. Screw-on type caps, or continuous thread caps, are used across many different industries and come in many different forms. Bottled water and soft drinks typically use simple, flat screw on caps. But products such as window cleaner or weed killer can use a screw-on cap with a sprayer. Hand soaps may use a screw-on closure with a pump. Other products may use sports caps, flip-top caps or a number of other varieties. However, each of these different types of screw-on caps are sealed by spinning and tightening the closure along the threads on the bottle. Given this similarity, there are basically two ideal solutions for applying screw-on closures and for most projects, either machine will work.

1. Spindle Capping Machines

The first of the two machines used for continuous thread caps is the spindle capper. This machine uses sets of spinning disks to tighten the cap on to the bottle as it passes by each set. Automatic spindle cappers will include a cap delivery system such as an elevator or vibratory bowl to allow each bottle to pick up a cap while on the conveyor, just prior to entering the capping area. Semi-automatic spindle cappers, including the tabletop version, will require an operator to place each cap before the tightening process begins. The spindle capper provides an economical solution for tightening screw-on type closures, while normally requiring no change parts.

2. Chuck Capping Machines

Chuck cappers use a chuck head to descend on the bottle and cap combination and apply torque to tighten the screw-on cap. Automatic chuck capping equipment will normally take advantage of starwheel indexing which adds stability and can be an ideal solution for vials, tubes and other smaller containers that require a threaded screw-on closure. These machines also use a PLC and servo indexing, which means changeover can be easier on the chuck capper, through the use of recipes, with certain projects. Chuck cappers, like spindle cappers are also available as automatic or semi-automatic cappers to cover just about any production demand.

Again, for most projects, either the spindle capping machine or the chuck capper can be used to tighten continuous thread caps. However, the unique characteristics of each project, including the bottles being used, the type of screw-on type cap being used, the output desired and a number of other factors may make one machine preferable to the other for any given project. To learn more about either machine, or for assistance in choosing the right machine for your project, contact a Packaging Specialist at Liquid Packaging Solutions today.