What Is a Capsule Filling Machinery?
Capsule filling machinery is a device that fills and seals a hard capsule with the substance to be filled.
The objects to be filled into capsules include liquids, powders, granules, and pellets. The machine can be used regardless of the shape, color, or other properties of the object to be filled.
Due to the manufacturing process, capsule production is less likely to damage the contents than tablet production, making it easier to apply to delicate materials.
Capsule filling machinery is most commonly used in the field of medical products such as medicines, but recently they have also been used in the food industry, for example, in health supplements.
Uses of Capsule Filling Machinery
Capsule filling machinery is often used for medical products and food products, but there are differences in the equipment used depending on the situation of use and the contents.
1. Tabletop Type
This is a tabletop capsule filling machine.
Capsules are set on a special plate and separated using a vacuum.
The material to be filled is then placed on another plate and sandwiched between the plates containing the separated capsules to complete the filling process.
Because it is easy to use, it is used in cases where only a small number of capsules are needed, such as in homes and laboratories.
2. Fully Automatic Type
This type of equipment performs everything from capsule separation to filling.
This type enables high-volume and high-speed filling.
This type is often used on an industrial scale.
Principle of Capsule Filling Machinery
The following is an introduction to the process of filling capsules.
1. Opening the Capsule
The capsule is sealed by the combination of two different bodies. The capsule is separated to fill it with a substance. They are separated by being suctioned by a vacuum.
2. Filling
One of the separated bodies is filled with a substance.
3. Covering (Sealing)
An empty body is used to cover the filled body.
4. Discharge
The completed capsule with the cover is discharged and becomes a product.
There are two types of filling methods, divided by the substance utilized.
Tamping Method
This method applies strong pressure to the substance to be filled and pushes it into the body. A long, thin rod called a tamping pin (rod) is used to apply pressure.
This method is suitable for high-speed production and is often used, but it is also a method that tends to put a burden on the material because of the pressure applied.
Auger Method
This method uses a hopper for filling. A screw inside the hopper pushes the material out and fills the body. After filling, the empty body is sandwiched between the body and the plate to seal it.
This method can be used for substances that are difficult to use with the tamping method, such as those that break when pressure is applied. The auger method is typically used for food products.