10 Questions You Should to Know about Semi automatic powder filling machine

More and more clients are starting to purchase semi-automatic capsule filling machines for their pharmaceutical businesses. They offer a middle ground between fully manual and fully automated processes, making them ideal for small businesses seeking high efficiency with good prices.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit dahe.

If you are interested in this machine, it’s important to know what it is and which parts are super important for it to work well. Now let’s have a look.

What is a Semi-Automatic Capsule Filler?

A semi-automatic capsule machine is a device employed in pharmaceutical manufacturing to fill capsules. It helps fill empty capsules with powdered or granulated medication. In contrast to fully automatic capsule fillers, which handle all tasks independently, semi-automatic machines involve some manual intervention.

This type of machine is great for small to medium-scale businesses that don't require high-volume production but need automation.

Important Parts of a Semi-Automatic Capsule Machine

Now, let's look at the important parts of a semi-automatic capsule machine. Understanding these pieces will help you gain valuable insight into purchase options or optimizing the machine's performance for pharmaceutical applications.

Powder Hopper

It is used to store powdered materials, such as medication or supplements, before dispensing. The hopper is always designed with an inlet on the side, allowing the operator to refill powders easily. After the materials are filled, they will be evenly distributed onto all capsule bodies in the tray.

Capsule Hopper

It serves as a receptacle for storing the capsules awaiting filling. Above the hopper, there is often an enclosed part to keep the dust from entering. The capsule hopper comes in many shapes, such as cylindrical, conical, wedge shapes, etc. Moreover, the hopper allows for regulating the quantity of empty capsules dispensed simultaneously.

Capsule Sowing Mmechanism

This is the core component of semi-automatic capsule fillers. It comprises a fully assembled magazine, a sorting block, and horizontal sorting fingers. Positioned beneath the capsule hopper, it receives empty capsules and allows for the adjustment of their orientation to align with the holes in the filling tray. Then, at your specified speed, the empty capsules are filled into each respective hole.

Filling Tray

It's a component structured with numerous slots intended for holding empty capsules to be filled. It consists of two discs, capable of holding capsule caps and bodies when separated. Typically, manual intervention is required for the separation process.

The filling tray guarantees that the capsules are firmly secured and correctly positioned for the filling process. Filling trays come in various designs and configurations to accommodate different types and sizes of capsules.

Filling Head

It's a critical part of the machine, typically designed in a nozzle shape. Its primary function is to accurately dispense the medication powder or granules into the empty capsules, ensuring precise dosing and uniform filling.

First, it has to line up with the openings of the empty capsules in the tray. Then, it puts the right amount of filling stuff into them. During this process, both the filling amount and speed can be adjusted.

Control Panel

The control panel is the brain of a semi-automatic capsule filling machine. It usually includes an HMI touch screen and a series of buttons and switches.

It allows operators to control and monitor the filling process based on specific production needs, such as changing the filling speed, seeing how the filling is going, etc.

Vacuum System

A vacuum pump sucks air out of a closed area to change the pressure inside. In a semi-automatic capsule filler, a vacuum is used to split apart the capsules. You can adjust how strong the vacuum is to make sure all the capsules separate properly.

If you're having trouble with capsules sticking together or flying off during production, your vacuum pump might be the culprit.

Capsule Closing Mechanism

This mechanism helps lock the two halves of the filled capsule. In this part, the peg ring is the core tool. It comes in a disc shape with multiple pins. After filling the capsules, the worker puts the tops and bottoms back together. Then he puts the whole filling tray on the peg ring, ensuring the ejector pins are inserted into the holes of the filling tray.

To start the closing process, pull the top cover onto the capsule tray first. Some models do it automatically, others need manual closing. Then the peg ring is pressed against the filling ring to seal the filled capsules.

Discharge Outlet

After the filled capsules are closed, they get pushed out of the tray and blown into the outlet, then fall into a collection box. You can choose the shape of the outlet. Usually, it's like a drawer. If you want something specific, just ask your supplier to make it for you.

Safety Guards

Safety guards are protective mechanisms or devices installed on machinery to prevent accidents or injuries to operators or other personnel. They mainly include physical barriers, shields, or interlocking mechanisms.

These parts are designed to prevent the operator from touching moving stuff,  such as the filling mechanism or capsule ejection system, thereby reducing the risk of accidental contact. At the same time, they can also contain any fragments that may occur during the filling process, preventing them from splashing into the air and causing injury to operators.

In addition, there is an emergency stop. You can press it when finding that the machine doesn’t work well as required. Once you press it, the operation will stop.

Wrap-Up

I hope this article can help you have a thorough understanding of the key parts of a semi-auto capsule filling machine and make a wise choice when purchasing your machine.

At HUADA Pharma, we offer a wide selection of high-quality capsule fillers to meet your needs. Our machines are meticulously crafted for efficiency, precision, and user-friendliness. And we also have a professional team committed to delivering top-tier assistance to our valued customers. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

- Friday, November 3,

Are you interested in purchasing a capsule making machine? Have you ever wondered what kind of capsule filling machine would be perfect for your production? Are there questions about a capsule filling machine you have not been able to find suitable answers to?

Check out these primary questions you need to be answered before you order a capsule filling machine.

1. What are the basic things I need to know about a capsule filling machine?

A capsule filling machine is also known as an Encapsulating machine or Capsule filler. The capsule filler is used to fill the empty capsules with the required material, which could be solid, liquid, or semi-solid/liquid.

It is a popular device widely used in many industries, including the pharmaceutics, food, chemical, and packaging industry, and many other sectors. With the continuous advancement in technology, the latest capsule filling machine produces 200,000 capsules per hour with efficient automatic controls, including filling, positioning, locking, and counting.

2. What kind of materials do I require for a capsule filling machine?

There are two categories of capsules: soft capsules and hard gelatin capsules.

The soft capsules are filled with a blend of active ingredients in liquid or semi-liquid form. The soft capsule shell is usually made of gelatin, water, a plasticizer, and an opacifier, which could be glycerin or sorbitol.

Hard gelatin capsules are filled with single or combined forms of dry powder, granules, micro tables, small capsules, and coated beads. The shell consists of gelatin. Other substances, such as opacifiers, preservatives, colorants, and plasticizers are added to the hard gelatin shell to enhance capsule formation and performance.

HPMC capsules also known as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsules are also recommended due to their low moisture content compared to hard gelatin capsules. During the production/ encapsulation process, there could be brittle and breakage of the hard gelatin capsules under mechanical stress, which mainly happens due to the hygroscopic content of the hard gelatin capsules usually about 13% to 16%.

Read More:

What Capsule Dosage Forms Can be Used in Capsule Fillers?

3. What production capacity do I require for a capsule filling machine?

There are three major types of capsule filling machines which are:

• Automatic capsule filling machine
• Semi-automatic capsule filling machine
• Manual capsule filling machine

Depending on your production capacity, any of the three capsule filling machines would fit comfortably into your needs. It is also important to note that each type of capsule filling machine has its peculiar pros and cons.

Automatic capsulefilling machine

The automatic capsule filling machine is preferred for large-scale production. Its operations are completely automated, and the device is durable and designed for long-lasting operations.

The production capacity of an automatic capsule filling machine is an average of 200,000 to 400,000 capsules per hour. It is frequently used in pharmaceutical companies with multiple-line productions.

Some of the benefits of the automatic capsule filling machine include:

• It has a high production capacity
• It has enhanced accuracy in filling capsules
• It is user-friendly
• It requires low maintenance
• There is minimal downtime during productio

Semi-automatic capsulefilling machine

The semi-automatic capsule filling machine combines automated and manual operations. It is preferred for operations with varying sizes of powders, pellets, or granules. The semi-automatic capsule filling machine also has a high production capacity from 25,000 to 47,000 capsules per hour, subject to the operator’s skill set and capsule size.

Some of the benefits of the semi-automatic capsule filling machine include

• It has enhanced accuracy in filling capsules due to its automated operations.
• It is power saving
• It performs a quick and safe operation of filling and ejecting
• It is easy to upgrade
• It is easy to operate

Manual capsule filling machine

The manual capsule filling machine is completely operated by manpower. It is used in small to medium-sized productions. The device can open and fill about 300 capsules per cycle.

The parts of the basic model of the manual capsule filling machine can be changed and modified to fit your requirements.

Some of the benefits of the manual capsule filling machine include

• It is easy to operate.
• It has a simple design.
• It is cost-effective
• It has a precise filling, and it reduces powder wastage.

Also, before purchasing the capsule filling machine, it is advisable to consult with your vendor to make an efficient choice for your production capsule.

4. How do I determine my capsule size?

There are charts and graphs for the basic sizes and measurements of capsules and the required formulations and dosing units.

Capsule sizes usually range from sizes 000 to 5. The preferred sizes are 00 to 2 because they are easy to swallow.

EMPTY CAPSULE SIZE

Capsule Size

0

00E

0

0E

0

1

2

3

4

5

EMPTY CAPSULE WEIGHT

Average Weight (mg)

158

143

123

107

99

78

61

48

38

28

Tolerance

±10

±10

±7

±7

±6

±5

±4

±3

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Semi automatic powder filling machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

±3

±2

EMPTY CAPSULE VOLUME CAPACITY (ml)

Capacity

1.37

1

0.9

0.78

0.68

0.48

0.36

0.27

0.2

0.13

FORMULATION DENSITY

Formulation Density

0.6g/ml

822

600

540

468

408

288

216

162

120

78

0.8g/ml

800

720

624

544

384

288

216

160

104

1.0g/ml

900

780

680

480

360

270

200

130

1.2g/ml

936

816

576

432

324

240

156

You can consult with your vendor to recommend the capsule size and capsule filling machine to fit your production needs.

5. How can I maintain a budget when purchasing a capsule filling machine?

Maintaining a production budget with top-quality materials can be very tasking. Also considering a fast line production and still staying ahead of the competition. Before maintaining a budget, it is essential to maintain top-quality production at all times.

While discussing with your vendor, he/she might suggest a capsule filling machine that is a little above your budget. You could revise your budget to get the right capsule filling machine needed for your production.

6. What is the maintenance routine for a capsule filling machine?

Every machine requires regular maintenance to guarantee its durability.

A regular maintenance routine involves

• Cleaning the machine with a nylon brush.
• Cleaning of the parts that come in contact with powders and materials after a period of production.
• There would be a need for a change of parts in cases of wear and tear.
• Wiping off the grease lines in the machine after a day of work.
• Regular opening and cleaning of the filter of the vacuum system.
• Periodic lubrication to ensure the efficient running of the machine.

Things you should avoid when cleaning the capsule filling machine are

• Do not clean the capsule filling machine with hot water or dip it in corrosive liquids (acids, alcohol, alkaline) overnight.
• Do not clean the machine with heating appliances, like an oven.

You can extend the shelf life of the capsule filling machine by 60 to 90% with proper cleaning and regular lubrication. It is advised to always clean the machine at the end of the day’s production. Do not leave powders in the machine overnight. It could dry and garden resulting in swift wear and tear of the machine.

7. What are the primary factors in choosing a capsule filling machine?

Now, there are some tips you need to consider before making the final choice for the capsule filling machine for your production. Let us look at them briefly.

• The reason for your purchase

The reason for your purchase of a capsule filling machine is very crucial. You need to consider the type of production you are after which could be

1. Hard gelatin or soft gel capsules.

2. Automatic, semi-automatic, or manual capsule filling machine.

3. Size of the capsule.

• Size of the machine

You need to consider the size of the machine you need for production. You can purchase a lighter machine for easy transportation between sites. Or you could get a larger capsule filling machine for better functionality if the production site is fixed.

• Production capacity

Automatic capsule filling machines are recommended for large-scale productions with multiple lines. For small-scale production, a manual capsule filling machine is better to help save costs.

• Features of the machine

If you want to limit human contact and contamination of the product, it is better to opt for the automatic capsule filling machine.

Also, you could consider the customization option of the machine. There are available capsule filling machines that you can modify to fit your requirements.

• Cost

As a manufacturer, you have an overview of the cost of the entire production. When making consultations about the type of machine to purchase, you should look out for a machine that is within your budget range without comprising the efficiency and quality of your products.

Conclusion

With all this information at your fingertips, the next step is to find a vendor that will guide you in picking the best capsule filling machine for your production

With 17 years of expertise, iPharMachine takes its place as one of the leaders in the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical packaging industry. We prioritize quality equipment over quantity and are dedicated to providing the best capsule filling machine and other pharmaceutical machines you need in your production.

Following years of production of capsules and related equipment, we have patented several capsule-related technologies. The team at iPharMachine focuses on research and development and provides pharmaceutical engineering solutions that meet cGMP standards.

We also offer consultations to help guide you in picking a suitable capsule filling machine. iPharMachine provides all types of capsule filling machines (automatic, semi-automatic, and automatic), and also matching separated and joined capsules.

Order your capsule filling machine today at iPharMachine.

Want more information on Automatic Salt Powder Filling Machine? Feel free to contact us.