Automatic Capsule Filler

An Automatic Capsule Filler, also known as a capsule filling machine or encapsulator, is a piece of equipment used in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and supplement manufacturing to automate the process of filling empty capsules with powders, pellets, granules, liquids, tablets, or even other capsules (capsule-in-capsule). Unlike manual or semi-automatic fillers, fully automatic models operate with minimal human intervention, loading, filling, and sealing capsules in a continuous production line. This technology ensures precise dosing, reduces labor costs, minimizes contamination risks, and boosts efficiency for high-volume output.

Automatic Capsule Filler are essential for industries requiring consistent quality, such as drug production, herbal supplements, and clinical trials. They handle various capsule sizes and materials like gelatin or vegetarian shells, often incorporating features like dust collection, tamper systems for uniform filling, and containment for handling potent substances.

Automatic Capsule Filler Video

Popular Models and Suppliers

• LFA Capsule Fillers: Offers a range from semi-automatic to fully automatic. Known for affordability, 1-year warranty, and support for beginners. Ideal for supplement makers.

• TES Equipment Supplier: TES 3000A model emphasizes safety and simplicity, with features like automatic adjustments for capsule variations.

• Syntegon (formerly Bosch): High-end GKF series for pharma-grade production, focusing on precision and scalability.

• Dott. Bonapace: IN-CAP for versatile, small-footprint use in labs or small batches.

• SED Pharma: SED-J series for powders/granules, with enclosed designs for operator safety.

• Used/Refurbished Options: Available from suppliers like Wohl Associates, featuring brands like Capsugel, Bosch, and Macofar for cost savings.

For home or small-scale use, benchtop semi-automatic options like the Capsule-It from Herb Affair are popular, using BPA-free materials and tools for easy 100-capsule batches.

How Does It Work?

1. Loading: Empty capsules are fed into segmented plates or hoppers.

2. Separation: Capsules are aligned and split.

3. Filling: Material is dosed precisely into the capsule bodies.

4. Joining/Capping: Bodies and caps are rejoined and sealed.

5. Ejection/Cleaning: Filled capsules are ejected; segments are cleaned for the next cycle.

Output depends on capsule size, material flow, and operator skill—smaller sizes fill faster.

Salient Features of Automatic Capsule Filler

• Compact cGMP model.

• Programmable Logic Control (PLC) & display of all operations

• All the drive elements and the cabling at the bottom side separate panel

• Crevice free smooth stainless steel pharmaceutical grades

• Automatic intermittent motion Driving Zone completely separate at bottom and production zone at upper side.

• Fill weight can be easily achieved by dosing disk thickness; the weight variation can be maintained ± 3% by accurate dosing disc.

• Powder sensor maintains constant level of powder in the dosing chamber and there will alarm in case of low level of powder in dosing chamber.

• Easy to operation by central control touch screen and easy to change dosing disc, tamping pins, capsule feeding & orientation parts, capsule segments.

• Product contact parts are 316L SS and the other parts non-corrosive material.

• Capsule can fill powder or pellets.

• Non-separated capsule will be ejected automatically.

• Option of attaching Capsule Polisher Line which includes capsule polishing, sorting, metal detection machines.

• IQ/OQ documentation can be provided.

• Sampling system can be provided on demand.

Process Operation of Automatic Capsule Filler Machine

After starting up the machine, the empty capsules in hopper will be fed into the slot of magazine vertically. With each stroke of machine, the fingers of magazine will release one row of capsules into rectifier raceway. The horizontal fingers rectify the direction of capsules and vertical fingers push the capsules into hole of segment with all caps on the up position. The capsules in the holes are sent to each working station along with the intermittent rotation of the turn table.

• At the 1^st & 2^nd station, the vacuum system separates the capsules in position.

• At 3^rd station, the lower segment with capsule body extends out ready for the filling.

• 4^th station uses to fill pellets.

• At the 5^th station, the tamping pins push the pressed powder slug into capsule body.

• 6^th station to re-joint cap & body segments.

• At 7^th station non-separated capsule get eject.

• At 8^th station vertical pins pushing body of capsule into the cap for re-join and close the filled capsules.

• The 9^th station is to eject the finished capsules.

• At the 10^th station the holes of segments are cleaned by vacuum cleaner and compressed air. Then the segments are ready for next cycle of operation.

The powder from a SS hopper entered to a chamber of dosing plate & temping pins for dosing, the height of the powder is controlled at chamber by a material level sensor. Tamping device is work by a 6-working station of intermittent mechanism, there are 6 groups of standard holes on dosing disc. The powder filled in holes was made of a slug that reaches the weight of dose after 5 tamped. At the 6th working station the slug pushed by tamping pin into capsule body. Adjusting the height of tamping pin holder can be changed the filling weight of powder.

Technical Specification of Automatic Capsule Filler

* 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.