Automatic capsule filling machine

Introduction

An automatic capsule filling machine is an industrial machine used to fill the empty capsules with the powders, the granules, the pellets, or the liquids, with a high speed and a high accuracy, and it is used in the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical manufacturing for the large-scale production of the filled capsules. The automatic capsule filling machine consists of a capsule loading and a sorting system, a capsule separating system, a filling system with the dosing mechanisms, such as the auger, the tamping pin, or the vacuum drum, a capsule closing system, an ejection system, and a control system, and it operates automatically, with the empty capsules loaded, the bodies and the caps separated, the fill material filled into the bodies with a precise fill weight, the caps replaced, and the filled capsules ejected, at a high speed, and it provides a high accuracy and a consistent fill weight, with features such as the automated operation, the changeover for the different capsule sizes, the weight control, and the data management; the automatic capsule filling machine is used for the filling of the pharmaceutical capsules, for the filling of the vitamin and the supplement capsules, for the production of the filled capsules in the large quantities, and for many other applications, and it is available in various capacities, from the semi-automatic and the automatic models for the medium production to the high-speed models for the large production, and it is an essential equipment in the pharmaceutical manufacturing. Automatic capsule filling machines are used in the pharmaceutical industry, in the nutraceutical industry, in the food industry, and for many other applications. With their high-speed filling, automatic capsule filling machines are essential for the large-scale capsule production.

Automatic Capsule Filling Machine LACM-T2010

Automatic Capsule Filling Machine delivers a high production capacity of 72,000 capsules per hour. It can fill capsules with powder, pellets, or a combination of both, offering versatile...

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Standards

EN 415-1:2014-Safety of packaging machines-Terminology and classification of packing machines

EN 415-2:2025-Safety of packaging machines-Packaging machines for pre-formed rigid containers (filling, capping, closing and sealing)

Complies with the above standards, but is not limited to them.

Features

1. Automatic capsule filling machine for filling hard gelatin/HPMC capsules with powder or pellets.

2. Automated capsule filler with hopper, dosing system, tamping pins and capsule handling mechanism.

3. Suitable for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, herbal and health supplement manufacturing.

4. Includes machine body, hopper, dosing disc, capsule feeding system, control panel and manual.

5. Supports high-speed, accurate filling of capsules (sizes 000-5) with powder, pellets or granules.

FAQ

Q1: What testing scenarios is this machine mainly applied to?

A: The automatic capsule filling machine fills hard gelatin or HPMC (vegetarian) capsules with powder, pellets, granules, or micro-tablets at high speed with accurate dosing. Used in pharmaceutical (prescription and OTC drug capsule manufacturing - powders, pellets, combination products), nutraceuticals (vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, probiotics, protein powders), herbal/traditional medicine (herbal powder capsules), health supplements, and compounding pharmacies. Process: capsule bodies and caps are separated, bodies filled with precise dose (tamping pin method for powder, or volumetric cup for pellets), caps rejoined, finished capsules ejected. Output ranges from 10,000 to 200,000+ capsules/hour depending on model. Capsule sizes 000 (largest) to 5 (smallest). Dosing accuracy typically +/-1-3%.

Q2: What standards does the machine comply with?

A: Complies with cGMP (FDA 21 CFR Parts 210/211 for pharmaceutical manufacturing), EU GMP Annex 15 (qualification), ISO 9001 (quality), CE (machinery directive, EMC, LVD), and GB/T standards for pharmaceutical machinery. Hardware meets dosing accuracy (+/-1-3% depending on material), capsule handling (no damage), cleanability (GMP design: stainless steel 316L product contact, smooth surfaces, no dead legs, tool-less disassembly for cleaning), and safety (guards, emergency stop, interlocks per ISO 13849). For pharmaceutical production, require IQ/OQ/PQ (installation/operational/performance qualification), validation (dosing accuracy, weight variation per USP <905> / EP 2.9.6), and change control. Dust extraction required for powder containment (OEL compliance for potent compounds).

Q3: What is the warranty period for the whole machine and key components?

A: Whole machine covered 12-24 months (pharmaceutical machinery often 1-2 years). Dosing pins/discs (wear - contact with abrasive powders; replace/restore periodically), capsule handling parts (wear - rubber/silicone components), motors/gears (wear - 5-10 years), and seals/gaskets (wear - replace) are consumables/accessories. Damage from improper use, abrasive powder wear (titanium dioxide, minerals accelerate wear), overloading, poor cleaning (powder buildup causes jams/corrosion), using wrong capsule size/brand (jams, damage), or unauthorized modification is excluded. Extended warranty and service contracts (preventive maintenance, spare parts, calibration) common for production equipment. Dosing pins 1-3 years depending on powder abrasiveness; machine body 10-20 years.

Q4: Is this device difficult to operate? Is professional training required?

A: Operation requires trained pharmaceutical production personnel (familiar with GMP, capsule filling, powder handling). Professional training is REQUIRED for GMP production. Workflow: set up machine (install correct size change parts (dosing disc, pins, capsule handling), adjust fill weight via tamping pin depth or dosing disc volume), load empty capsules (body/cap separated by machine), load powder/pellets in hopper, start machine (automatic cycle: feed capsules -> separate -> fill -> close -> eject), monitor (fill weight checks every 30 min (weigh 10 capsules, individual weight variation per USP <905>), visual inspection for defects (dented, split, unfilled), adjust parameters as needed), clean between batches (GMP cleaning, swab testing for product residue if multi-product). Training 2-5 days (machine operation, changeover, cleaning, weight adjustment, troubleshooting, GMP documentation). Safety: moving parts (guards, interlocks - do not bypass), dust (powder inhalation - dust extraction, PPE, respirator for potent compounds), high-speed capsule ejection, electrical (lockout/tagout for service).

Q5: What is the typical lead-time for order delivery?

A: Standard models require 7-30 working days. In-stock units can ship within 3-7 working days. Custom configurations or large built-to-order systems may require additional time, and we confirm the exact schedule before order confirmation.

Q6: Is regular calibration required? What is the recommended calibration cycle?

A: Calibration/qualification: PQ (performance qualification) initially and revalidate after change parts, major repair, or product change (dosing accuracy, weight variation per USP <905>/EP 2.9.6: average weight +/-5%, individual within +/-7.5-15% depending on weight). Routine: fill weight checks during production (every 30 min or per batch record), calibration of weighing balance (used for weight checks) daily/weekly, and machine mechanical calibration (timing, alignment) annually. For GMP, maintain calibration records, IQ/OQ/PQ documentation, change control, and SOPs. Dosing accuracy verified with actual product (powder flow properties affect fill - each product may need parameter optimization). For potent compounds, verify containment (OEL monitoring, swab testing after cleaning).

Q7: Are supporting consumables universal?

A: Change parts (dosing discs, tamping pins, capsule handling segments) are machine- and capsule-size-specific (use OEM or certified compatible). Empty capsules (gelatin/HPMC, sizes 000-5) universal from capsule suppliers (Capsugel, Qualicaps, ACG) but must meet quality specs (moisture, brittleness). Cleaning supplies universal. Lubricants (food-grade) specific. Long-term cost: change parts (per capsule size), wear parts (pins, seals), empty capsules (ongoing raw material), and cleaning. Powder abrasiveness affects wear rate (TiO2, minerals wear pins faster - may need hardened pins).

Q8: Can I customize parameters or supporting accessories?

A: Customization includes output (semi-auto 10,000-30,000 cph, automatic 50,000-200,000+ cph), fill material (powder only, powder+pellets combination, pellets/granules, liquid/paste (special)), capsule sizes (000-5, change parts per size), containment (standard open, contained for potent/OEL <1 mcg/m3 with isolator/gloves, washdown), material (316L stainless product contact, GMP design), automation (in-line checkweigher with feedback, vision inspection, metal detector, capsule polisher, dust extraction, SCADA/data logging for 21 CFR Part 11), features (touchscreen HMI, recipe storage, batch reports, alarm, auto-lubrication). Accessories: change parts (per size), spare parts kit, capsule polisher, dust collector, checkweigher, empty capsule loader, validation package (IQ/OQ/PQ, FMEA), certifications (cGMP, CE, ISO 9001, ATEX for solvent-containing).

Q9: Does the purchase include on-site installation and commissioning service?

A: Standard delivery includes machine, standard change parts (one size), tools, manual (spare parts, additional change parts, validation docs often quoted separately). On-site installation, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and operator training ARE typically included or REQUIRED for pharmaceutical capsule fillers (professional installation, GMP qualification, user training on operation/changeover/cleaning; manufacturer/certified technician standard, and may be required by GMP/regulatory). Always run PQ with actual product before production batches.

Q10: What types of samples are compatible with this equipment?

A: Compatible: powders (pharmaceutical APIs, excipients, herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals - must have good flow properties; cohesive powders may need glidant (talc, silica) or granulation), pellets/granules/micro-tablets (controlled release, combination products), and empty hard capsules (gelatin or HPMC, sizes 000-5). Not compatible: liquids (unless liquid-filling specialized model), highly cohesive/poor-flowing powders without formulation adjustment (causes weight variation, bridging - add glidant or granulate), very low-density/fluffy powders (hard to fill accurate dose - may need densification), potent/hormonal compounds without containment (use contained model, OEL assessment), wet/moist powders (causes sticking, capsule softening - dry properly), or capsules outside size range. Each product requires formulation development (flow, lubrication, bulk density) and fill parameter optimization for accuracy.