The Better Choice for Me - Spindle or Chuck Capper?

While packagers can use corks, ROPP caps, snap caps and other closures to seal bottles and containers, one of the most popular closures continues to be the screw-on type cap. From bottled water caps to trigger sprayers found on popular window cleaners and even certain pumps or flip tip caps found on soaps and other products, threaded, screw-on type closures are found on many products across almost every industry. At Liquid Packaging Solutions, we manufacture two different capping machines specifically for continuous thread caps, the spindle capper and the chuck capping machine. But as a packager, how do you decide which machine is best for your own project?

This choice may come down to a matter of preference for some packagers, as there are situations where either capping machine will provide efficient and reliable sealing. However, working to fully analyze a project can identify certain benefits that one machine may have over the other. For instance, the range of caps used can be a factor in finding the best machine. Spindle cappers can typically tighten not only different cap types, but also different sizes with quick changeover procedures. If a company uses a number of different closures for short runs, the spindle capper might be the better choice to save not only on changeover time, but also cost, where in this situation the chuck capping machine may require multiple capping heads to handle all of the caps. On the other hand, for a capping project where bottle stability may be an issue, a packager may incorporate star wheel indexing to ensure that bottles and caps are positioned properly and remain steady during the capping process.

Production demand can also influence the capping machine decision. Spindle capping machines tighten caps as the bottle and cap move down a conveyor system using spinning wheels to thread the closures. This system allows for continuous capping when using an automatic machine with a cap delivery system. Chuck capping equipment offers more alternatives for smaller production facilities, including a simple handheld option that allows more flexibility than semi-automatic spindle capping machines. Both options include the benefits of reliable and consistent tightening without variation from bottle to bottle.

While each capping project will have an overall goal of ensuring efficient and secure sealing of bottles, each project will use different closure types, bottles, and other components to meet this goal. At LPS, we encourage packagers to take advantage of our capping machinery expertise to find the best solution for their own needs. Speak to an LPS representative for a no-obligation consultation at your convenience by calling 1-219-393-3600.