In pharmaceuticals and food supplements, the capsule is a common form that fixes the dose of a powder or granule and makes it easy to swallow. Capsule filling has three basic requirements: the same amount in every capsule, opening and closing the capsule without damage, and rejecting empty or faulty capsules. Türesan manufactures its capsule filling machines in its own plant; each machine is designed for the project after reviewing the product and packaging information.
How capsule filling works
For hard gelatin or vegetable (HPMC) capsules, filling generally follows these steps:
- Feeding and orientation: empty capsules are taken from the hopper and turned so that the body sits at the bottom.
- Separation: the cap and the body of the capsule are separated by vacuum.
- Dosing: powder or granules are transferred into the body with a dosing method chosen for the product's flow behaviour.
- Rejection: capsules that failed to open or are faulty are removed from the process.
- Closing: the cap is pressed onto the body and locked.
- Discharge: filled capsules leave the machine; surface powder can be removed if required.
Before and after filling
A homogeneous powder is a precondition for consistent dosing; a cubic mixer is used to blend the powder components. If the filled capsules are sold in bottles, tablet counting machines transfer them into the bottle by count; channel width and vibration are adjusted for capsules and softgels. For blister packs, see the blister machine page.
Capacity and format
Capsule size, fill weight, the product's flow behaviour and the target output differ in every project. Capacity, format parts and tooling dimensions are therefore defined per project, according to the product and the packaging. At the quotation stage, the product information and the capsule size are evaluated together.
Related pages: Medicine sector · Tablet counting machines · Cubic mixer · Contact us for a quote
Frequently Asked Questions
What products does a capsule filling machine fill?
Powders and granules are filled into hard gelatin and vegetable capsules; the product's flow behaviour determines the dosing method.
How are capacity and capsule size determined?
Capacity, format parts and tooling dimensions are defined per project, according to the product, the capsule size and the packaging.
How are filled capsules put into bottles?
Tablet counting machines count the capsules and transfer them into bottles; channels and vibration are set for the capsule form.
