What are the advantages of beverage machinery?

The advantages of beverage machinery depend on the product, container, production rate and equipment configuration. For a filling and capping system, compare the following features against the specifications of the machine being offered.

Filling and product-contact design

1. Machine layout and automation can be selected to suit the available floor space and operating requirements.
2. Check the specified materials and finish of parts that contact the beverage, together with access for cleaning.
3. Choose a filling method and valve design suited to the beverage and container; confirm the required fill accuracy in the equipment specification.

Capping and container changeover

4. Match the capping head and torque settings to the cap and bottle. Confirm the closure quality during a trial with the intended packaging.
5. Check whether the selected machine includes a cap feed system and suitable guards.
6. Changing bottle shape may require adjustments or change parts for the star wheels, guides, conveyor, filler or capper. Confirm the changeover procedure for each planned format.

Cleaning, protection and controls

7. Review the cleaning method and access points for the selected equipment and beverage hygiene requirements.
8. Confirm the guarding, interlocks and overload protection supplied with the proposed machine.
9. Where variable-speed drives are specified, review the usable speed range for the planned products and containers.
10. Ask for the electrical component list and service requirements rather than assuming a particular imported component brand or origin.
11. Confirm which controls, alarms and production counters are included in the quoted configuration.

For equipment options within a production line, see the Filling and Packing System category.