What Is a Capsule Filling Machine? Everything You Need To Know

How Do Capsule Filling Machines Work?

If you’ve been interested in adding a capsule filling machine to your business, you may be wondering how it works. To put it simply, the purpose of capsule filling machines is to automatically fill empty capsules with liquids, powders, or granules, instead of doing it manually. Here is a detailed breakdown of how it works:

• The Capsule Loading and Orientation:First, empty capsules are loaded into the machine. Usually, there are two components to these capsules: the body and the cap.

The Capsule Loading and Orientation

• To ensure that the body of each capsule is positioned downward for filling, the machine first aligns them all in the same orientation.
• The Capsule Separation:The machine then divides the capsule body from the cap once it has been orientated. The cap is placed aside for the time being, while the body stays in place, ready to be filled.

The Capsule Loading and Orientation

• The Filling Process:Various techniques are employed to fill the capsule bodies, contingent upon the type of machine:

Filling Process

• Granules and Powders:Prior to being inserted into the capsule body, the powder is measured and compressed using a dosator or tamping pin device.
• Liquids:The liquids are carefully measured and filled into the capsules using a piston pump or similar device.
• The Capsule Closing: After filling, the machine makes sure the capsule is well sealed by pressing the cap back onto the body.

Capsule Closing

• The Ejection and Quality Control: Finally, the machine expels the sealed and filled capsules. Systems for quality control are frequently included within the specific machine to verify that capsules are properly filled and sealed and that they adhere to the specifications.

Quality Control

How Many Types of Capsule Filling Machine Are There?

We understand that every business may be in need of a specific capsule filling machine to meet their needs. There are several capsule filling machines available, each made to accommodate a distinct manufacturing scale and set of requirements. The primary types of machines in the industry include:

• Manual Capsule Filling Machines: The simplest kind of capsule filling machine is the manual model, which involves human labor. They are perfect for small-scale companies and newly established businesses. Capsules are manually loaded, separated, and filled by operators, who reassemble the capsule themselves.

Manual Capsule Filling Machines

• Semi-Automatic Capsule Filling Machines: Operate in between completely automatic and manual modes are known as semi-automated devices. The filling, capsule separation, and sealing procedures are automated, albeit they still need some user involvement for tasks like loading capsules and changing settings. Due to their ability to balance cost and efficiency, these machines are well suited for semi-automatic processes and are typically employed in medium-sized production runs.

Semi-Automatic Capsule Filling Machines

• Fully Automatic Capsule Filling Machines: built for mass manufacturing. The whole capsule filling process, from orientation and separation to filling, sealing, and ejecting, is automated. Fully automatic equipment can handle large amounts with consistent quality and little assistance from humans. Large pharmaceutical and nutraceutical enterprises with significant production requirements are the perfect fit for these types of machines.

Fully Automatic Capsule Filling Machine

1. Liquid Capsule Filling Machines: Specifically designed for the purpose of encapsulating liquids or semi-liquids, making them particularly suitable for softgel production.

Liquid Capsule Filling Machine

1. Soft Capsule Filling Machines: Designed specifically for the production and filling of soft gelatin capsules, which are ideal for containing oils and solutions.

Soft Capsule Filling Machine

1. Hard Capsule Filling Machines: Utilized to fill hard gelatin capsules with powders, granules, or small pellets.

Hard Capsule filling machine

What Are the Benefits of a Capsule Filling Machine?

Capsule filling machines provide a variety of advantages that are essential in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Here are some significant benefits:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Capsule filling devices greatly expedite the production process. Regardless of whether they are semi-automatic or completely automatic, these machines have the capacity to fill hundreds to thousands of capsules every hour, much exceeding the productivity of human labour.
• Consistency and Accuracy: Ensuring consistency and accuracy is a significant challenge in the production of capsules, especially when it comes to ensuring that each capsule has precisely the right amount of ingredients. These machines ensure full consistency and accuracy every time.
• Reduced Labor Costs:Capsule filling machines are specifically engineered to administer accurate doses, hence minimizing the potential for inadequate or excessive filling.
• Minimized Work Expenses:Capsule filling devices decrease the requirement for manual work. This not only reduces labor expenses but also decreases human mistakes, hence enhancing the total product quality.
• Flexibility: Contemporary capsule filling machines include the ability to handle a wide range of capsule varieties, such as hard gelatin, soft gelatin, and liquid-filled capsules. In addition, they have the capability to handle various substances, including powders, granules, and liquids, which allows for flexibility in meeting diverse manufacturing requirements.
• Scalability: Capsule filling machines provide the ability to efficiently increase production capacity without compromising on quality, which ultimately serves as a lucrative investment that facilitates business growth in the long run.
• Enhanced Sanitation and Safety: Capsule filling machines are specifically engineered to function inside controlled cleanroom settings, therefore reducing the potential for contamination. Their enclosed systems also guarantee that operators are not subjected to potentially dangerous substances.

What is the Difference Between Soft Capsule and Hard Capsule Filling Machine?

Moving on to our last section of our article, let’s look at the differences between specific machines. Capsule filling machines, whether soft or hard, are specifically built to accommodate capsules of varying qualities and specifications. That said, here are some of the main differences between them:

Softgel capsule VS Hard Capsule Filling Machines

Capsule Type 

• Soft Capsule Filling Machines:These machines are designed specifically for filling soft gelatin capsules, which are commonly used to enclose liquids, oils, or semi-solid substances. Soft capsules are pliable and need a particular filling procedure that commonly entails enclosing the liquid substance inside two gelatin sheets. In addition, the machine also applies a seal to the capsules, resulting in their distinctive smooth and velvety feel.
• Hard Capsule Filling Machines: These are specifically designed for filling hard gelatin capsules, which are composed of two inflexible portions, namely a body and a cap. Typically, these capsules contain powders, granules, or tiny pellets. The machine disassembles the capsule into two parts, fills the body with the substance, and then reassembles the cap to seal the capsule.

Filling Process

• Soft Capsule Filling Machines: The filling process for soft capsules is intricate, since it involves both the manufacturing of the capsule shell and the simultaneous filling of it with liquid or semi-solid substance. In order to guarantee appropriate encapsulation and sealing, the machine must uphold accurate temperature and viscosity controls at all times.

• Hard Capsule Filling Machines: These machines provide a simpler procedure compared to other types of capsules. This is because hard capsules are already pre-formed and simply need to undergo separation, filling, and sealing. The machine employs several dosing techniques to precisely fill the capsule body prior to sealing it with the cap.

Application

• Soft Capsule Filling Machines: appliedfor items that need liquid encapsulation, such as oils, suspensions, or active ingredients that are more effectively kept in a liquid form.
• Hard Capsule Filling Machines: appliedfor powders, granules, and other dry materials. They are often employed in the pharmaceutical and supplement industries, where accurate measurement of dry compounds is crucial.

Complexity and Cost

• Soft Capsule Filling Machines: often more sophisticated and costly because of the complex procedure involved in manufacturing and filling soft gelatin capsules.

• Hard Capsule Filling Machines: often less intricate and more economical, making them suited for various production sizes.

All that being said, visit our website to learn more about how capsule filling machines can help your business and to find the best option that meets your needs. At Grand, our team is here to provide you with expert guidance and top-notch products specifically designed to meet the needs of your business.

Recommend Reading:

Types of Capsule Filling Machines – Design, Process, and Working Principle.
How Different Types Of Capsule Filling Machine Work?