What is the Name of the Machine That Fills Capsules?
In the world of pharmaceuticals, the efficiency and accuracy of filling capsules with medicinal ingredients are paramount. This task is performed by a specialized device known as a capsule filling maker. These machines are indispensable in the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring that each capsule is filled with the precise amount of active ingredients. But what exactly is a capsule filling maker, and how does it work? Let’s delve into the details.
Understanding the Capsule Filling Maker
A capsule filling maker, also known as a capsule filler or encapsulating machine, is a device designed to fill empty capsules with various substances such as powders, granules, semi-solids, and liquids. These substances typically include active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or a mixture of active drug substances and excipients. The process of filling these capsules is known as encapsulation.
Types of Capsule Filling Makers
Manual Capsule Filling Maker
The manual capsule filling maker is ideal for small-scale production. It consists of a bed with multiple holes, a loading tray, a powder tray, a pin plate, a sealing plate, and a lever. This type of filling machine is often used in small-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing and hospitals for extemporaneous preparations. The manual capsule filling maker can produce around 6,250 capsules per hour.
Semi-Automatic Capsule Filling Maker
The semi-automatic capsule filling maker combines both manual and automatic processes. It is designed to meet the hygiene requirements of the pharmaceutical industry, with contact parts made of stainless steel to prevent contamination. This machine can produce approximately 25,000 capsules per hour. It involves a cap and body ring positioned under a rectifier to receive empty capsules, which are then filled with powder and rejoined using pins.
Automatic Capsule Filling Maker
The automatic capsule filling maker is a fully automated system designed for large-scale production. It can fill up to 150,000 capsules per hour and can handle various capsule sizes. This machine is equipped with advanced features such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) for precise control, and additional attachments like an online capsule polishing machine, dust extractor, damage capsule sorter, and empty capsule ejector.
How Does a Capsule Filling Maker Work?
The working principle of a capsule filling maker involves several steps:
Positioning the Capsules
Empty capsules are placed in the machine’s loading tray, where they are aligned and separated into their cap and body parts.
Filling the Capsules
The machine fills the capsule bodies with the required amount of pharmaceutical ingredients, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Rejoining the Capsules
Once filled, the capsule bodies are rejoined with their caps, sealing the contents inside.
Expelling the Filled Capsules
The filled capsules are then expelled from the machine, ready for further processing such as polishing and packaging.
Benefits of Using a Capsule Filling Maker
Using a capsule filling maker offers several advantages:
Increased Efficiency
These machines significantly speed up the capsule filling process, allowing for high-volume production in a shorter time.
Enhanced Accuracy
Capsule filling makers ensure that each capsule is filled with the exact amount of ingredients, reducing the risk of dosage errors.
Improved Hygiene
With parts made of stainless steel and other non-corrosive materials, these machines minimize the risk of contamination and are easy to clean.
Conclusion
In summary, the capsule filling maker is an essential piece of equipment in the pharmaceutical industry. Whether manual, semi-automatic, or automatic, these machines ensure the efficient, accurate, and hygienic filling of capsules with medicinal ingredients. As technology advances, these machines continue to evolve, offering even greater precision and productivity in the encapsulation process.
