Filling Machine Checklist
Here is a useful filling machine checklist to help make sure you get the right filling equipment for your liquid packaging operation. Whether you are replacing just one component, like a filling machine, in an existing production line or moving up from a manual filling operation to a fully automatic liquid packaging line, this checklist will help eliminate mistakes that could cost you in time and money.
- Start by creating a flow chart of the stages of production. Prepare a written list of specifications for the new equipment including (but is not limited to):
- List all the containers, closures and other packages that will be handled by the equipment. Include all package dimensions and production control drawings with dimensional tolerances of each.
- List liquids to be filled, including the characteristics of the liquids like viscosity and fill temperature. Add the required fill accuracy ranges and fill volumes to be delivered.
- Identify the space requirements for the equipment, including length, width and height of its final operating position. Be sure to measure doorways, elevators and hallways that will be used to move the equipment into the final position.
- Document the required line speeds. Identify the rate limiting steps from the flow chart created. The slowest portion of the line must be scaled to meet the desired line speed. For example, a filling machine that fills 6,000 bottles per hour will not perform at optimum if it is followed by a 3,000 per hour capping machine.
- Specify the materials of construction required for the liquid contact parts and the overall machine. Be sure to list materials that are not going to deteriorate when in contact with the product liquids. Include materials that are typical in equipment construction that might deteriorate in the presence of the cleaning agents or product liquids.
- List the environmental requirements for the equipment (example: class 100 clean room with laminar flow air). Include humidity, temperature range, and other details of the environment where the equipment will operate. Include any environmental control requirements for the liquid products.
- For capped containers, specify the application and release torque ranges required.
- List the information regarding the nature of the products such as sterility, pH, shelf life, use in the marketplace and final product quality control and quality assurance test specifications.
- Document your equipment control and inspection system requirements. Include your preferences for PLC suppliers, user password requirements and controls desired.
- List the electrical, compressed air, vacuum, heat, steam and other requirements for utility supplies to the equipment. Make sure these are readily available at the installation location.
- Identify conveying requirements.
- Specify the details of the equipment’s liquid product contact supply system.
- Forward this data, along with sample containers, to your equipment manufacturer. They will analyze the data, conduct product testing if applicable and respond with an appropriate equipment solution that will meet your specific requirements.
APACKS has the finest products to offer
APACKS manufactures filling equipment as well as representing many of the leading manufacturers in the world. Our customers range from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. For some we’ve delivered a single machine. For others we’ve designed, manufactured and installed full liquid packaging production lines. We take pride in maintaining high standards of quality and performance. We apply those same standards to every machine we deliver.
