Cap closing machines are essential components of bottling automation. A capping machine’s main function is to apply a metal or plastic thread lid, snap, or caps accurately and securely to a container or bottle. Capp closing machines also process plugs and other similar closures. These systems ensure sanitary workspaces, high production speeds, and affordable manufacturing costs.
Cap Closing Machines
Although each system is customized to meet the needs of specific applications, a traditional capping system contains several key components, which include:
- Cap Elevator
- Cap Hopper
- Cap Sorter
The system starts with a box of closures (caps, plugs, lids, etc.). Through a feeder system, closures are moved into the cap hopper. From here, the cap elevator takes over and begins to feed closures into the sorting bowl. A sorting bowl is used to increase the speed and efficiency of the cap delivery system. When closures are in a sorting bowl, they are oriented before being sent to the capping machine when attached to a container. For certain applications, a cap sorter or hopper can be used to eliminate the need for adding a sorting bowl.
There are two common types of cappers that companies use:
Rotary Chuck
These cappers place caps onto containers and then send the part through the machine to get sealed onto the container. The machine contains moving parts that spin the bottle and cap to create a secure seal. These systems are considered continuous motion assembly machines, which means that the line never stops moving.
Single Head
These cappers are like rotary chuck cappers, but they should not be used interchangeably. A single head capper stops containers at stations to secure caps. These systems are often designed to be inline, but they can also be constructed with a star wheel that takes the cap and bottle off the line to secure before returning the parts back to the line.
