7 Things to Consider Before Buying Liquid Filling Equipment: Automatic or Semi-Automatic?

Before committing to a purchase, it's crucial to conduct thorough research. According to online resources, some key factors to evaluate before investing in liquid filling equipment include your production volume, required precision, and whether to choose an automatic or semi-automatic machine.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

Liquid filling equipment can be either automatic or semi-automatic. In most cases, the quantity of product to be filled will guide your decision on which model best suits your needs.

For small-to-medium batch sizes and shorter production runs, semi-automatic machines are typically the most cost-effective option.

Semi-Automatic Filling Machinery

• Bench top fillers: Compact and budget-friendly for small batch sizes. 100ml - 1.1l fill range.
• Single and twin head fillers: Suitable for larger batches. 250ml - 5l fill range.
• Boom arm fillers: Designed for medium batches. 5l - 1l fill range.

A Karmelle twin head filler can fill 12 - 16 containers per minute*.

Pros: Cost-effective, easy to operate, compact size.

Cons: Not ideal for large volumes; requires an operator.

For those businesses producing larger daily volumes, investing in fully automatic filling equipment may be a sound choice.

Automatic Filling Machinery

An 8 head Karmelle filler can fill 20 - 24 containers per minute*.

Pros: Modular (additional heads can be added for increased production), effective for large volumes.

Cons: Higher initial cost than semi-automatic machines, longer lead times.

When selecting between automatic and semi-automatic equipment, consider your company's unique filling needs. A high-speed machine sounds appealing but assess whether you produce enough volume to warrant the investment.

If you're uncertain whether semi-automatic filling equipment suits your requirements, reach out to the Karmelle team at or . You're also welcome to drop by our West Yorkshire workshop; we always have a kettle on!

*Examples based on filling 5-litre containers with water.

Description: Wondering whether you should invest in a filling machine? Below are 9 essential questions to consider before making your purchase. This guide aims to help you find the equipment that best meets your production needs.

Purchasing a filling machine can be challenging due to the numerous options available and identifying the most suitable choice for your business. Here are 9 critical questions to guide your decision.

1. What do you need to fill?

While some filling machines cater to dry goods (powders or pills), others are specifically designed for liquids. Therefore, the viscosity of your product is a vital consideration. Products with high viscosity, like molasses, demand specialized filling technology capable of accommodating their unique attributes.

2. Has your product been carbonated?

Carbonated drinks (beer, soda, champagne, etc.) necessitate specialized filling machines known as back pressure filling machines, which ensure the carbonation remains intact during the bottling process. This technology employs double pre-evacuation to extract oxygen and pressurize the bottle with carbon dioxide, ultimately enhancing product shelf life.

3. What type of container will you use?

Kinsun provides extensive product information that can assist you in this regard.

Understanding the physical characteristics of the container is critical when selecting a filling machine. The container type will influence the filling technology employed, ensuring compatibility is key for operational success.

Certain automatic machines may retrieve the container from above, while others do so from the side. Unique bottle designs may not work well with machines that grab from the top. Additionally, consider whether your containers are glass, plastic, or aluminum, as each material requires different filling techniques.

4. What is your output requirement?

Assessing the efficiency of your filling machine involves understanding both present and future production needs. Expansion demands may render smaller machines less feasible. Usually, smaller machines are gauged on fill speed per hour (BPH), whereas larger ones use bottles per minute (BPM) as the measurement.

For instance, start-ups or smaller companies may begin with manual filling machines. However, these may not suffice as small and medium enterprises look to scale up production.

5. What level of automation is necessary?

Choosing the right automation level is vital before purchasing a filling machine. For home brewing or small enterprises with limited staff and no plans for growth, a manual machine serves well. However, small and medium breweries with projected expansion may benefit from semi-automatic machines, providing greater efficiency at a cost-effective rate compared to fully automatic ones.

Large breweries requiring rapid fill rates should consider automatic machines, despite their higher costs and space requirements. They significantly reduce manual intervention.

6. What capacity or volume does your machine need to fill?

The container size and capacity significantly affect the weight during filling. Depending on the liquid's characteristics, overfilling may be necessary. Establishing the filling capacity influences your bottom line and addressing waste management is crucial for cost control.

7. Will it adapt to composition changes?

Over time, the composition of your liquid products may change, whether due to cost-cutting measures or quality upgrades. A scalable filling machine can accommodate these changes without necessitating a complete overhaul.

8. Do filling conditions impact liquid characteristics?

Understanding your liquid's properties before filling is crucial, along with identifying possible changes during the process. Avoid machines that could alter the product adversely.

9. How complex is machine maintenance and cleaning?

Liquid buildup can impact the functionality of your filling machine and product quality. Opt for a design that simplifies cleaning and maintenance to mitigate contamination risks and ensure product integrity.

By addressing these nine questions, you'll be better positioned to select a filling machine that boosts your production efficiency. Custom-designed equipment can enhance quality, reduce waste, and maintain consistency throughout your production process. Collaborating with a professional filling machine manufacturer can help tailor a solution that fits your operational needs perfectly.

Get a Turnkey Solution for Craft Breweries

If you're ready to start a craft brewery, contact us. Micet Craft engineers are prepared to provide you with a detailed list of equipment and pricing. We also offer professional turnkey brewery solutions, so you can concentrate on brewing excellent beer. We look forward to collaborating with you!