Semi Automatic Filling Machine

The Nexus Australia semi-automatic liquid filling machine fills bottles, jars and containers with a measured dose of liquid, paste or cream, one container at a time. The operator positions the container under the nozzle and triggers the fill; the pump dispenses the set volume and the operator moves the next container into place. It suits lower-volume and batch production, product launches and contract packers, and it is the usual first filling machine before a fully automatic line. Supplied and supported Australia-wide.

Also known as

• Semi automatic bottle filling machine or benchtop liquid filler
• Semi automatic filling machine for liquids, pastes and creams
• Peristaltic filler, gear pump filler or piston filler, named after the pump inside
• Manual filling machine, in the sense that containers are handled by hand

How it works

The operator places a container at the filling nozzle and presses a foot pedal or button. A pump draws product from a hopper or supply drum and dispenses a measured dose into the container. Dose volume is set on the controller and stored per product, so a change from a 250 mL bottle to a 1 L bottle is a recipe change. Nozzles with anti-drip valves keep the fill clean, and single or twin nozzle heads are available to lift output.

Pump options

• Peristaltic pump: the product only touches the tube, which makes peristaltic fillers the choice for pharmaceuticals, essential oils, sterile liquids and small accurate doses. Tubes are swapped between products, so there is no cleaning of the pump itself.
• Gear pump: smooth, continuous flow for thin to medium liquids such as oils, syrups and cleaning liquids.
• Piston pump: a positive-displacement stroke for thick products, pastes, creams, sauces and anything with particles. The most accurate option for viscous product.
• Spiral pump: gentle handling for shear-sensitive and foamy products.

Products it can fill

Water-thin liquids through to thick pastes: juices, sauces, dressings and syrups; oils and essential oils; lotions, creams, shampoos and gels; cleaning liquids and chemicals; pharmaceutical liquids and tinctures; paints and coatings. A paste filling machine configuration uses a piston pump and a wide-bore nozzle for products that do not pour.

Semi-automatic versus automatic liquid filling

A semi-automatic filler runs at the pace of the operator, typically a few hundred containers an hour depending on fill volume. An automatic liquid filling machine takes containers from a conveyor and fills continuously with multiple heads, which is where the Nexus overflow filler, flow meter filler and bleach line filling system come in. If you fill fewer than a few thousand containers a week, or run many products in short batches, the semi-automatic machine is the better buy. Our guides to choosing a liquid filling machine and liquid filling machine costs in Australia cover the decision.

Containers

Bottles, jars, vials, tubs, jerry cans and pouches, from a few millilitres to 20 litres, with a height-adjustable nozzle so the same machine covers the range. Glass, PET and HDPE containers all suit.

Industries served

• Food and beverages: juices, sauces, dressings, honey and syrups.
• Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals: accurate dosing of liquids, tinctures and supplements, with peristaltic pumps for hygiene.
• Cosmetics and personal care: creams, lotions, serums, shampoos and essential oils.
• Chemicals and cleaning products: detergents, disinfectants and industrial liquids.
• Automotive and lubricants: oils, additives and fluids.
• Paint and coatings: small-batch tinting and specialty coatings.

Output

Volumes are matched to your production demands, from small batches to larger runs, and the machine is upgraded with a second nozzle or an indexing conveyor as volume grows. Pair it with a semi-automatic capping machine and a semi-automatic labelling machine for a complete benchtop bottling line. For powders, see the semi-automatic auger filling machine.

Send us a sample of your product and your container, and we will recommend the pump and nozzle. Contact Nexus Australia for a quote on a semi-automatic filling machine.