Capsule Filling Machines – Importance in Pharmaceutical Industry
Capsule filling machines, more popularly known as manual capsule filling machine, semi-automatic capsule filling machine and automatic capsule filling machine, are mechanical devices widely used for pharmaceutical and industrial purposes. These machines are utilized to fill capsules of different sizes with powder, granules, semi-crystallized, or liquid materials containing active ingredients or a combination of active ingredients and excipients like anesthetic, analgesic, or steroidal medications. In addition, these machines can be used to prepare a number of medicines in bulk. These capsules are enclosed in containers made of fiberglass, plastic, or aluminum. They are designed for easy filling of small, delicate, and difficult to handle capsules.
The mechanism of a capsule filling machine works similar to that of a manual machine. Before the filling starts, the mixing of ingredients starts. In this case, the mixing is done by a machine, rather than by a human. The mixing of ingredients normally involves the mixing of a small amount of powdered base material followed by a controlled amount of liquid filler material in the form of a semisolid, semi-soft gel or cream.
Once the ingredients are mixed, the machine automatically empties the contents into a container attached to the machine. This container is referred to as the capsule fill material. A small amount of manual powder is then added to this container. The manual powder is required to be mixed with a small amount of liquid powder. In manual capsule filling machine, this powder mixture is mixed using a rotary screw type of mixing tool while in automatic capsule filling machine, it is done automatically using an injection system.
One of the common uses of capsule filling machines is for encapsulating medicinal substances such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and immune system boosters, blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, nerve agents, and other molecules. These equipments work in the same way as that of manual mixing. However, their operating principles are different. Here are two of them:
Manual capsule filling machine
Manual capsule filling machine produces a range of standard capsules for the treatment of different medical conditions. For this purpose, a manual mixing system is used. There are two types 100 holes capsule filling machine and 300 holes capsule filling machine. These production output capsules are manufactured using the same manual process as that of manual mixing.
One of the most important factors for using manual capsule filling machine is that the mixing process does not involve any heat production process. Heat production can affect the quality of the capsules. This machine operates in an easy manner, which makes it a suitable choice for use in mass production of capsules. Since capsules made by this kind of method do not require any heat treatment, they are preferred more than manual methods of capsule production. In addition to that, the high rate of production is an added advantage in manufacturing hard gelatin capsules.
capsules produced by capsule filling machines are ideal for short shelf life. They have minimal shelf life and hence manufacturers prefer to use them instead of hard-gel capsules.
The production output from this kind of machine is very consistent and reliable and manufacturers get consistent quality control. Also, since capsule filling machines are operated with minimal heat treatment, producers do not need to pay much attention to the chemical reaction that takes place while heating the gels.
Capsule Filling Machine produces high quality hard-gel capsules that can be used in body rings, shot glasses and other promotional item. This equipment is designed for producing hard-gel capsules without any errors. The best part of capsule filling machine is that the process is done automatically. All capsules are mixed evenly inside the mixing tank according to the specification provided by users and plates are put under pressure to fill hollow body rings. Manual operating principle of this capsule manufacturing machine allows users to run it easily without following any specific procedures.
