What Makes a Liquid Filling Machine

Filling bottles and containers without having to rely on operators to complete every cycle helps add efficiency and consistency to the packaging process. But what exactly allows a filling machine to run automatically, without constant operator interaction? Below are three key features of an automatic liquid filling machine that help to remove the need for manual labor.

BOTTLE MOVEMENT

The first task taken from operators or manual laborers is the need to move the bottles into and out of the filling area. On an automatic filler, a power conveyor allows containers to flow freely and continuously into and out of the fill zone. An operator of a packaging line can simply load bulk bottles onto a turntable, into an unscrambler, or other loading mechanism to start the process. Transporting empty and full containers without the assistance of workers saves time while adding speed and reliability to the packaging process.

BOTTLE PLACEMENT

Liquid Packaging Solutions manufactures automatic filling machines with anywhere from two to sixteen fill heads, allowing multiple bottles to be filled with each cycle run. Indexing systems ensure that the right number of bottles are placed in the right location to receive liquid each time a fill cycle occurs. Different indexing systems are available based on bottles, speeds, and other factors. These systems include pin indexing, screw indexing, and more to ensure the best process for the project at hand. This second step in automating the filling process removes the need for an operator to place the bottles below each fill head every time a cycle is run, as would be necessary on a semi-automatic machine, increasing efficiency by saving time and reducing labor.

FILLING PROCESS

Finally, once bottles have been moved into position, the equipment uses a PLC and sensors to release the liquid and complete the fill. The manner in which this happens will vary depending on the type of filling machine being used, but generally speaking, the sensors communicate with the PLC to let the filler know that bottles are in place and ready to be filled. From there, the machine will activate components such as neck grabbers to stabilize bottles, dive fill heads if necessary, and open fill nozzles for the release of product. The PLC communication with filling machine components lets the filler consistently release liquid to fill by volume, level, net weight, or other principle, removing the need to hand fill bottles or activate each cycle using a foot or finger switch.

While each process may differ slightly, the automatic liquid filling machine can save a packager time and labor while offering consistent and reliable performance that may not be possible when hand filling containers. To learn more about the different automatic liquid fillers available from Liquid Packaging Solutions, visit the Filling Machinery section of our website.