To increase the level of automation on an existing packaging line, CM3 Engineering has designed and built an automatic capping unit specifically for applying plastic screw caps to PET bottles.
The aim of the project was to integrate a compact and highly reliable solution into the customer’s filling line, ensuring production continuity, precision during the capping stage and a reduction in manual intervention.
Photos of the completed installation
The monoblock is equipped with an automatic cap feeding system using a vibrating orienter. The orienting trough, made entirely of stainless steel, has been custom-designed to suit the cap’s geometry. The guides and precision welds ensure the correct orientation and continuous flow of the caps towards the pick-up station, guaranteeing a constant and reliable feed.
Inside the monoblock, the bottles move along a conveyor belt synchronised with the capping operations. A pick-and-place system fitted with a suction cup automatically picks up each cap from the orienter’s outlet and places it precisely onto the bottle, ensuring accurate positioning prior to the screw-on phase.
The final sealing is carried out by an automatic screw-on station fitted with a spindle custom-made to suit the cap’s specifications. This solution ensures a constant tightening torque, preserves the integrity of the cap and guarantees a reliable and repeatable seal even during continuous production runs.
Photo of the interior of a monobloc capping unit
The entire system has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the customer’s existing filling line, minimising installation time and enabling a rapid start to production without any substantial modifications to the existing plant.
Thanks to this solution, the customer has fully automated the capping stage, improving process efficiency, increasing line productivity and ensuring a high level of quality and consistency in packaging. The result is a compact, reliable and bespoke monoblock, capable of adapting perfectly to production requirements and existing layouts.
