Efficient Capsule Fillers

The idea behind the capsule is simple: a tiny container to house a single dose of a liquid or powder. The machines that fill them, however, range from a simple, hand-operated system to a complex machine that can insert several separate substances into thousands of capsules. Motor-driven or manual, capsule fillers ensure a precise dose with minimal waste.

A hand-operated machine fills 300 capsules at one time. The Model 301 stainless-steel capsule-filling machine is simple to operate and can be supplied with a motor-driven capsule loader. The machine opens and closes the capsules automatically; the powder is filled manually. A tamping device compresses the powder in all 300 capsules simultaneously. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry Company, Inc., Ramsey, NJ.

An intermittent-motion capsule filler offers a wide range of filling combinations with up to four dosing stations at speeds of up to 60,000 capsules per hour. The dosing system permits tight fill-weight tolerances because each dosator has an individual volume control. The CD-60 has a cGMP sealed filling area, single-tool format change capability, and one-key operation. Romaco Inc., Morris Plains, NJ.

A machine can fill capsules with liquids, powders, tablets, or herbal products in either single or multiple doses. The MG Futura, designed specifically for the pharmaceutical and nutritional markets, can fill capsules at rates from 6000 to 48,000 capsules per hour. The continuous-motion machine is fully automated. MG America, Fairfield, NJ.

A company offers two models for small or large production of filled capsules. The SA-9 semiautomatic capsule-filling machine accommodates up to 28,000 capsules per hour. Loading, filling, and closing operations are automated. The MF-30 manual capsule-filling machine has all stainless-steel contact parts. This compact machine can fill 300 capsules at a time and is easy to use. Encap Systems Inc., Long Beach, CA.

A company can convert a capsule-filling machine that fills 1500 capusules per minute to one that can fill 2000 capsules per minute or 120,000 capsules per hour. One set of size change parts is included and no alteration to existing machinery is required. On-site installation is available. Index Manufacturing Company, Inc., Northvale, NJ.

Two capsule fillers offer customers a choice of a low- to medium-speed machine or a medium- to high-speed machine. The Zanasi series capsule fillers (from 6,000 to 70,000 capsules per hour) feature intermittent motion, while the Matic series machines (from 60,000 to 120,000 capsules per hour) are fitted with a continuous-motion system. The Zanasi capsule fillers offer combined dosing of various products (powder, pellets, small tablets, and liquids) within the same capsule. The Matic models process powder or pellets and ensure dosing precision and reliability even at a high speed. IMA North America Inc., Fairfield, CT.