FAQ

Start with the container: bottle, pail, 55-gallon drum, or IBC tote. From there, we’ll help you choose net-weight vs volumetric filling and then match the pump, plumbing, and nozzle to your product’s viscosity, foaming tendency, abrasives/solids, and any other special consideration. Contact us with your container size(s), target rate, and fluid data, and we’ll recommend a complete package that fits your process.

Yes, 5-gallon pail fillers in semi-automatic and automatic configurations, with options for sub-surface (diving) nozzles, lid press, lid placement, and conveyorized handling.  See here for our line of XPG pail filling machines.

Yes, stand-alone and palletized drum fillers with roller conveyor scales, drip trays, and lance control for top-fill or sub-surface filling. See here for our line of DC palletized drum filling machines.

Yes, IBC tote filling machines with net-weight control, lance positioning, dual station filling, and optional conveyorized lines for higher throughput. See here for our line of DC IBC tote filling machines.

For variable conditions (temperature, viscosity, density), net-weight filling on load cells is typically more accurate and requires less maintenance. Volumetric (piston, PD pump, or flowmeter) can excel for small containers with fluids with stable physical properties (density, viscosity, etc).  See here for additional information.

Yes, lid press, lid placers, crimpers/cappers, gravity conveyors, powered conveyors, batch coders, and label printing can be integrated into a complete container filling system.

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.

Yes. We routinely tailor pump type, nozzle style (including diving/sub-surface), plumbing, and controls. We can add options like stainless/washdown, lid press, corrosive  resistance, gravity or powered roller conveyor, label printing, data logging, and Class I Division 2 (C1D2) configurations where needed.

Any of our machines can use any type of pump or method of conveying fluid. For example:
- Gravity feed
- Pressurized flow (like from a pressure vessel or with an upstream AODD pump)
- Gear pump
- Rotary lobe pump (most common for high-visc food products)
- Centrifugal pump (most common for low-visc fluids)
- AODD (air operated double diaphragm) pump
- any other type!

We have control systems for fast/slow filling or continuously variable speed filling for all types of electric or pneumatic pumps.

For XPG systems filling 1-gallon to 7-gallon containers: With proper load-cell sizing and tuned fill parameters we can often achieve +/- 0.20 lb as a baseline or +/- 0.10 lb when required using smaller nozzles.
For DC systems filling drums and IBC totes: +/- 1.00 lb as a baseline or +/- 0.50 lb when required using more sensitive scales and smaller nozzles. Optional secondary scales can achieve +/- 0.20 lb when filling small containers on a DC series machine.
We’ll set a realistic spec after reviewing your product and throughput requirements.

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.

A diving nozzle refers to an extended nozzle lance that starts low in the container and rises with the liquid level during the fill. It reduces foam, entrained air, and splashing while also improving accuracy while achieving higher flow rates.

We often pair gear, rotary lobe, or an AODD (air-operated double diaphragm) pump with machines for high viscosity fluids. 

Semi-solid fluids or even solids can be pumped, but usually with specialized equipment.

Additionally, hose sizing, nozzle design, and how you feed fluid to the pump will also play a big role.  Contact Paquip for help designing a system specifically for your fluid, including if your fluid is semi-solid.

Coriolis meters dose by mass flow and can be excellent for stable, continuous runs. For large containers (pails/drums/totes), many operations still prefer a scale-based net-weight approach for simplicity, cost, and reduced maintenance.

If a standard machine without modifications to suit specific requirements can work for you, then purchasing online would work. If you have any special requirements (such as changing the wetted materials or adding special options like diving nozzles) or you just want assistance with specifying a system, fill out our Request a Quote form to get started. We will create a machine customized for your application and can process the order via a traditional PO.

In-stock machines can ship immediately or within 1-2 weeks, depending on complexity of the system. Built-to-order machines have additional lead time that will fluctuate between 4 to 16 weeks based on our current production schedule.

We do not accept credit cards for machine orders, but we do accept credit card for parts, accessories, and smaller orders (<$3,000).

Container(s) and closures, target rate (pails/min, drums/hr, totes/hr), accuracy goal, product density/viscosity range, foaming behavior, sanitation/HazLoc needs, and available utilities (air/electrical).  Complete our Request a Quote form to get started.

All of our new machines come with a 30-day guarantee that the equipment will work as intended in your specific application. If for any reason you wish the return the equipment, you may do so minus a reasonable processing fee (see the terms within your equipment proposal for more information). The machine(s) must be in good working order without damage. Putting your fluid into the machine for testing is allowed, but steps should be taken to clean out the machine prior to shipping it back to us. Hazardous materials or any material that hardens must be cleared out and cleaned entirely.

Our standard warranty on all equipment, accessories, and parts is 12 months. During this time, we offer unlimited technical support and replacement parts for warranty-covered repairs. If the warranty service requires any programming changes to your machine, we will either replace the affected device with a new one with the software change pre-loaded, ship a VPN router to your location to directly modify the software, or have a technician visit your facility to update the software on-site.
All of these services and parts are available after the warranty period as well.

Our machines are all designed to be installed by your own staff. You do not need to schedule on-site installation with our staff for most filling systems. Prior to shipping your machine, we will schedule a live demo with your staff to review the machine, its operation, and discuss how it will arrive at your facility.

For XPG semi-auto pail filling machines, installation is as simple as removing the machine from the crate and connecting power, compressed air, and your fluid. If you ordered conveyor, you will generally have to bolt the conveyor sections to the supports and place any accessories like a lid press.

For DC semi-auto drum and tote filling machines, the major machine components need to be bolted together, but the process is detailed thoroughly in the manual with pictures.

Full-auto system may include extra steps to set the sensors/gates. We will provide a setup sheet with all full-auto systems.

Note: Hard-wired electrical connections should be done by trained professionals. Follow the local, state, provincial, or federal regulations.

For our net-weight machines, the scale assembly will need periodic weight checks to help identify when load cell damage has occurred or when recalibration is necessary. Nozzles have seals which may wear over time and can be replaced.  Depending on your fluid, disassembly for cleaning would help prevent build-up of material within the machine's wetted components.  Pumps often require maintenance which will be different depending on the pump type, manufacturer, and model.

We test each filling machine in our facility prior to shipping it to you. Our testing and tuning process is typically done with water. If your fluid is significantly more viscous than water, we will discuss tuning certain fill parameters with you during the live pre-shipment demo. We can even save a few sample fill profiles for you to try when you first use the machine.

As you use the machine, there are easy to change variables within the fill profiles that can help get the machine filling accurately for your specific fluids. We can also work with you to tune the machine after you receive it.

Operations that need fully-automatic or semi-automatic pail, drum, or tote filling, lidding, or conveying equipment. We specialize in flexible designs to fit your application, fast changeovers, recipe control, and simple installation and operation. If you run multiple products or short batches, our setups are designed to switch quickly and keep QA high.

Yes, stainless frames, appropriate seals and tubing, protected load cells, and IP-rated devices. We’ll align materials and cleaning procedures with your QA requirements.

We can configure C1D2 systems using listed components and purged/pressurized enclosures where required. Tell us your solvent and area classification, and we’ll propose a compliant filling system.

If you sell by weight, we can spec legal-for-trade scale systems on any of our filling machines.  If you fill by weight, but sell by volume (ie fill a pail to 41.7lb but sell to your customer as a 5 gallon pail) then NTEP approval to be "legal-for-trade" is generally not required.

Using cut-off nozzles, anti-drip hardware, and dribble time (short wait at the end of the fill). For stringy products, we can adjust the cut-off geometry and add mechanical or vacuum-assist features as needed.  We can also add drip catches in situations when drips or stringing can't be 100% controlled.