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The Closure Makes the Capping Machine

At Liquid Packaging Solutions, we have recently received an increase in requests for information on capping machines. However, many of these requests are looking for quotes coupled with the admission that the type of closures to be used are not yet known. While searching for information on capping machines prior to picking a cap is not uncommon, any quotes for a machine prior to choosing the closure types and sizes will be an estimate at best. This is because the type of cap will, in large part, determine the type of capping machine to be used on any given project!

Involving a packaging machinery manufacturer at the outset of the business can be a smart move for a packager in situations such as the one described above. While it is tough to quote a machine without knowing the cap type, there are many other benefits to speaking with a manufacturer about the machines ahead of time. In addition to price differences, different capping machines require different interaction with the operators, different changeover for different caps and can even run at different speeds. Understanding how the machines work and interact with both labor and other packaging equipment as well as what they cost can help make an informed decision as how to cap and seal a product.

Spindle and chuck capping machines are manufactured to tighten down continuous thread, screw-on type caps of all different types. These may include flat caps that screw on to many different beverages, sports caps also found on water and sports beverages, flip tops, pumps and even trigger sprayers. Snap on capping machines use a belt or press to push on caps that snap in to place, such as some of those found on some vials or pharmaceuticals, among other products. Corking machines, or bartop corkers, are manufactured for wines, distilled spirits and other products that use cork type closures, including T-corks. ROPP cappers work with unthreaded, typically aluminum closures. These caps are often confused with continuous thread closures, but the two require significantly different machines!

Each of the machines, and their closures have different benefits when added to a packaging line or package, respectively. Understanding the benefits and limits of each can help a packager make an informed, efficient and cost-effective decision long before the machines are manufactured! For anyone new to the packaging industry, we invite you to contact Liquid Packaging Solutions to discuss your project and the different options available!