Automatic capping machines in liquid packaging lines will ultimately require a cap delivery system. While many types of cappers are available for various types of closures, missed caps on a machine can potentially cause spills and slow production, or cause splashes and other issues. Regardless of the type of machine you’re using, there are certain areas you should check to troubleshoot the equipment.
Check the Chute
A majority of automatic industrial bottle cappers use a chute to deliver caps to bottles or other types of containers for proper sealing. The chute presents a lid to each container. A missed cap could result from a crooked, cross-threaded, or incorrectly placed closure in many cases.
To keep the machinery running smoothly, you need to make sure the cap delivery system and the machine are properly aligned. The first place you should check is the cap delivery equipment positioning. Even the smallest nudge or bump can cause misalignment and subsequent improper sealing.
Operators should check for a smooth transition and alignment of chute fingers that hold the lid in place for bottles down the line. You may find that all you need to do is readjust the alignment in many cases.
Bad Seals and Closure
Along with misalignment, you may want to check for bad seals or closures. Bottle changeover will often need a height adjustment to the capper.
The height adjustment may control spindle wheels, control chucks, gripper belts, or other capper machine parts, but if any components aren’t properly set up, this could result in uncapped bottles’ capping heads that neglect to cover the bottle many not use enough torque, while unstable bottles may tip or vibrate and cause loose caps or cross threads.
Slow Component and Conveyor Speed
Another common issue with industrial bottle capping machines is the speed of either the conveyor or other components. For instance, a spindle capping machine that uses gripper belts to hold a bottle in place needs the belts to be timed properly along with the conveyor. A higher conveyor speed with a low belt speed can cause tipping and insufficient sealing.
This is also true with snap cappers that use both snap and gripper belts. Operators should check for speeds and adjust and align them accordingly, which could help resolve missed caps.
Check Each Part
While these three issues are normally the cause of missed caps and improper sealing, you may need to check each part of the machinery. Each type of capping machine will have different parts and adjustments.
For example, a spindle capper may need wheel adjustment, while chuck cappers may require different sizes of inserts or insert replacements.
If you’re still unsure about which part of your packaging line is causing issues with capping or other processes, you may be better off consulting with packaging experts who may help you resolve the issue. With a smooth-running capper in your packaging line, your systems will be able to give you the results you want.
