FAQ

Q: What machine is right for my fluid?

A: Our machine frames can be fitted with various pumping systems to suite any type of fluid, from very thin to extremely viscous or fluids with particulates and abrasives. You would generally start with selecting the base machine for the type of container you're filling (ie bottle, pail, drum, or tote), then contact us to discuss pumping options. We will review your fluid's properties with you and recommend a pump, plumbing, and nozzle system for you.

Q: Who is the typical Paquip customer?

A: Our machines are designed specifically for small-to-medium sized filling operations, where you need to automate the container filling process but you do not need a fully automatic packaging line. We focus on easy product change-over and setup since quickly changing between products or even just filling a small number of containers is important to many of our customers.

Q: Can machines be customized?

A: Absolutely. Our machines can be built to order and we often match the pump, plumbing system, and nozzle type to suite specific fluids.  We can also modify the machine itself to include custom functionality or programming such as mixing different fluids or chemical dosing.

Q: What is the different between gear, piston, and peristaltic pumps used in your filling machines?

A: All of these pumps move fluid and are used in filling systems.  Gear pumps are the most versatile because they have a high, accurate flow rate and you can run the pump for as little or long as needed to fill any virtually any size container. Gear pumps are typically not self-priming and may need to be operated slower with highly viscous fluids. Typically, gear pumps cannot pump fluids with solids.

Piston pumps operate with piston that moves back and forth using pneumatics.  These filling systems can be efficient at pumping viscous fluids and even pastes, but require more CFM of compressed air to operate continuously.  Piston pumps have a narrow range for fill volume, so applications where different bottle sizes need to be filled would need additional piston pump parts, swapping it out between filling runs, to accommodate.

Peristaltic pumps are similar to gear pumps in their versatility, but are specifically for filling smaller volume bottles very accurately.  Bottle volumes of 2oz or less are ideal, however larger volumes can be filled if pumping time is not an issue. Peristaltic pumps are typically more economical than gear pumps.

Q: How do you calculate containers per minute (CPM) or containers per hour (CPH)?

A: The maximum number of containers that can be pumped per minute or hour is NOT directly derived from the max pumping speed.  CPM/CPH will be lower than this theoretical maximum due to several factors, including:
- Avoiding Foaming/Splashing/Sloshing
- Slow "topping-off" at the end of the fill cycle for each container
- Time for bottle movement between each fill cycle
- Operator interacting with the filling equipment
Generally, the max CPM/CPH seen on filling equipment spec sheets will take these factors into account, but be advised that different manufacturers will use different methodology when calculating this number.  To get the most accurate CPM/CPH, your own fluid properties, container size, and processes should be taken into account.  Contact Paquip for help with determining proper expectations for CPM/CPH for any machine.

Q: What are your different nozzle types?

A: Nozzle selection is dependent on fluid characteristics (mainly viscosity) and fill speed. The following is list of common nozzle types. Contact Paquip for help selecting a nozzle for your application.
- Capillary Nozzle: The simplest type of nozzle simply uses surface tension to stop the flow of fluid.
- Cut-off Nozzle: A cut-off nozzle sits over the container or just under the lip of the container opening. A plunger, valve, or other device is used to close the end of the nozzle opening, either from the interior or exterior.  Suitable for most fluids and container types. Different types of cut-off mechanisms will be used based on fluid properties.
- Lance: A type of nozzle, usually paired with a cut-off mechanism, which extends into the container being filled to either fill from the bottom or be lifted up with the fluid level as the container is filled. Typically used for excessively foamy fluids or for achieving higher flow rates without splashing or sloshing.