An Automatic Bottle ROPP Capping Machine is a specialized piece of equipment designed to securely apply Roll-On Pilfer-Proof (ROPP) aluminum caps to bottles, ensuring a tamper-evident and leak-proof seal. These machines are widely used in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, and distilleries for high-volume production lines.
The Automatic ROPP Capping Machine is a fully automated system that threads and seals aluminum ROPP caps onto rigid containers, typically made of glass or hard plastic. ROPP caps are unthreaded aluminum billets that are pressed onto the bottle neck, where rollers form threads and create a hermetic, tamper-evident seal. This process ensures product integrity and prevents tampering, making it ideal for products like wine, spirits, olive oil, pharmaceuticals, and other bottled goods.
Automatic Bottle Ropp Capping Machine Video
Key Features
- Automation and Efficiency:
-
Fully automated operation with minimal human intervention, capable of capping 20–180 bottles per minute (1,200–8,000 bottles per hour, depending on the model and configuration).
-
Equipped with conveyor systems to transport bottles, cap sorters, and feeders for seamless cap placement.
-
High-speed capping design with precise torque control to ensure consistent sealing and prevent over-capping or leaks.
-
- Versatility:
-
Compatible with a variety of bottle sizes and cap sizes.
-
Adjustable capping heads to accommodate different bottle shapes, heights, and diameters, including round, square, or designer bottles.
-
Suitable for various industries, including beverages, pharmaceuticals, edible oils, cosmetics, and chemicals.
-
- Tamper-Evident Sealing:
-
The ROPP capping process forms threads directly onto the aluminum cap, creating a tamper-evident band that indicates if the bottle has been opened. This is critical for product safety, especially in pharmaceuticals and food industries.
-
The machine applies downward pressure and uses rollers to crimp the cap onto the bottle neck, ensuring a hermetic seal.
-
- Construction and Design:
-
Built with durable materials like 304 or 316L stainless steel and anodized aluminum, meeting cGMP standards for hygiene and durability.
-
Features a robust frame with a heavy-duty conveyor for reliable bottle transport.
-
Includes advanced control systems like PLC and 7” color touchscreens for easy operation, recipe storage, and error detection.
-
- Additional Features:
-
Servo-driven systems for precise torque control, adjustable via HMI for different cap or container types.
-
Cap feeding systems, such as vibratory bowl feeders, cap elevators, or vertical wheel cap sorters, to automatically sort and orient caps.
-
Safety features like emergency stops, safety guards, and “no bottle, no cap” sensors to prevent errors.
-
Optional integration with other packaging equipment for a complete production line.
-
Operation
- Bottle and Cap Feeding:
-
Bottles are fed into the machine via an infeed conveyor and aligned using a star wheel or positioning plate to ensure precise placement under the capping heads.
-
Caps are sorted and oriented by a cap feeder and placed onto the bottle neck via a cap chute.
-
- Capping Process:
-
The capping head, equipped with threading and sealing rollers, descends onto the bottle and applies downward pressure to press the unthreaded aluminum cap onto the bottle neck.
-
Rollers crimp the cap, forming threads that match the bottle’s neck and creating a tamper-evident seal with a pilfer-proof band.
-
Torque is precisely controlled to ensure a secure seal without damaging the cap or bottle.
-
- Output:
-
Sealed bottles are transferred to an outgoing conveyor for further processing.
-
Quality control systems, such as defect rejection mechanisms, verify proper cap placement and sealing.
-
Advantages
-
High Productivity: Automates the capping process, reducing labor costs and increasing output for large-scale production.
-
Tamper-Evident Security: Ensures consumer safety and product authenticity with pilfer-proof seals.
-
Flexibility: Adjustable for various bottle and cap sizes, making it suitable for diverse applications.
-
Consistency and Precision: Advanced torque control and automation ensure uniform sealing, minimizing defects.
-
Durability: Robust construction ensures long-lasting performance with minimal downtime.
Applications
-
Food and Beverage: Wine, spirits, olive oil, juices, vinegars, and condiments.
-
Pharmaceuticals: Medicine bottles, oral liquids, and vials requiring tamper-evident seals.
-
Cosmetics and Personal Care: Lotions, shampoos, and other bottled products.
-
Chemicals: Lubricants, detergents, and agrochemicals.
Types and Configurations
-
Single-Head ROPP Cappers: Suitable for smaller production lines, capping up to 30–60 bottles per minute.
-
Multi-Head ROPP Cappers: Available in 4, 6, or 8-head configurations for high-speed production, up to 8,000 bottles per hour.
-
Rotary ROPP Cappers: Use a rotating turret with multiple capping heads for continuous, high-speed operation.
-
Customizable Models: Can be tailored for specific cap types, bottle materials, or production needs.
Considerations for Selection
-
Production Volume: Choose a machine based on required output.
-
Bottle and Cap Compatibility: Ensure the machine supports the specific bottle material and cap size/type. The bottle neck must withstand the pressure required for thread formation.
-
Adjustability: Look for machines with easy height and torque adjustments for flexibility across product lines.
-
Integration: Consider compatibility with existing filling or labeling systems for a seamless production line.
-
Maintenance and Support: Opt for machines with robust construction, easy setup, and reliable after-sales service to minimize downtime.
Critical Considerations
While ROPP cappers provide excellent tamper-evident sealing, they require bottles with robust necks to withstand the crimping pressure, limiting their use to glass or hard plastic containers. Adjusting the machine for different cap or bottle sizes may require technical expertise or additional change parts, which could increase setup time. Always verify bottle and cap compatibility and consider sending samples to the manufacturer for testing before purchase.
Salient Features of Automatic Bottle Ropp Capping Machine
-
Compact GMP model.
-
“No Bottle – No Cap” system.
-
“Container Overturn – Machine Stop” mechanism.
-
Quick and very easy change over and setting from one size of Container to another by a Single Ratchet.
-
Parts coming in contact with the Container or the Aluminum cap or exposed to atmosphere are made out of stainless steel for long life.
-
Single motor synchronizes Conveyor, star wheel and Platform Turret and speed can be varied by VFD.
-
Star Wheel is equipped with safety clutch for automatic stoppage of machine in case of jamming or overloading.
-
Quick and very easy change over and setting from one size of Container to another by a Single Ratchet.
-
Digital counter for counting production output.
-
Machine construction in Stainless Steel Finish
-
Cap Feeder with Variable Speed System for feeding control of caps. (optional)
-
Hopper can be completely dismantling for easy cleaning
-
Various safety features including Clutch system to avoid Bottle Breakage or Jamming
-
IQ/OQ documentation can be provided.
-
PLC system with Graphical User Interface can be offered.
Process Operation of Automatic Bottle Ropp Capping Machine
The filled bottles moving on conveyor belt and fed into an in feed star wheel by in-feed worm. While moving in feed star wheel, bottles pick up caps one by one from delivery chute. The descending rotary sealing heads hold bottle’s neck with desired pressure. The sealing is done in a programmed roll-on manner, accurate positioned of the caps is done mechanically by means of a rotating unscramble, to direct the caps correctly into the chute, when the chute is filled up the rotating unscramble drive is disengaged, hence, there is no chance to damage of caps. The sealing roller takes place due to rotating sealing head and transfer movement of sealing & threading rollers due to sealing cam. The sealed bottles are discharged by exist star wheel on conveyors.
Technical Specification of Bottle Ropp Capping Machine
Model | ACSR-60 | ACSR-120 | ACSR-200 |
No. of Capping Heads | Single | Four | Eight |
Production Rate | Up to 50 Containers/Minute | Up to 80 Containers/Minute | Up to 180 Containers/Minute |
Container Diameter: | 24mm to 90mm | 24mm to 90mm | 24mm to 90mm |
Container Height: | 50mm to 250mm | 50mm to 250mm | 50mm to 250mm |
Cap Diameter: | 20mm, 25mm & 28mm with the help of change parts | 20mm, 25mm & 28mm with the help of change parts | 20mm, 25mm & 28mm with the help of change parts |
Power Specification: | 1 H.P. | 1 H.P. | 2 H.P. |
Electrical characteristics | 440 Volts, 3 Phase, 50 Hertz, 4 Wire System | 440 Volts, 3 Phase, 50 Hertz, 4 Wire System | 440 Volts, 3 Phase, 50 Hertz, 4 Wire System |
Conveyor Height | 800mm to 900mm adjustable | 800mm to 900mm adjustable | 800mm to 900mm adjustable |
Optional Accessories | Safety Cabinet Covering Machine | Safety Cabinet Covering Machine | Safety Cabinet Covering Machine |
– | PLC with HMI | PLC with HMI | PLC with HMI |
Overall Dimension | 1500mm (L) X 850mm (W) X 1800mm (H) approx. | 1675 (L) x 1000mm (W) x 1800mm (H) approx. | 2000 (L) x 1000mm (W) x 1800mm (H) approx. |
* Power voltage can be adjusted as per customer’s domestic power voltage requirements.
* Rights of technical improvements & modification reserved.
* Illustrations & dimensions are shown for information purpose only.
Send Inquiry