Capping in Clean, Sterile, and Sanitary Environments.
Capping bottles in clean, sterile, or sanitary environments, such as those commonly found in the pharmaceutical industry, entails elevated standards for the bottle packaging machines and accessories used in these settings.
Many of the design features of our capping machines naturally lend themselves for use in sanitary environments. They are constructed from premium stainless steel (304 or 316) and anodized aluminum, they are easy to clean, resistant to corrosion and contamination, and capable of withstanding harsh cleaning agents.
Additional features and options are available to achieve an even higher level of sanitary performance and further tailor our capping machines for use in such environments, some of which are detailed below.
316 Stainless Steel Capping Motors
Equip the capping machine of your choice with a 316 stainless steel capping motor. 316 stainless steel is the material of choice for use in sanitary packaging environments because it is easy to clean, resistant to corrosion, and chemically resistant to the cleaning agents commonly used in these environments.
Our 316 stainless steel capping motors include additional sanitary features. They are lubricated with NSF-H1 food grade certified lubricants and include the Kinex Exhaust Capture System™.
To further improve their suitability for use in sanitary environments, oil free versions of our 316 stainless steel capping motors are available.
316 Stainless steel capping motors are available on the following Kinex Capping Machines:
Relia-Cap® Automatic Capping Machine
Auto-Max™ Automatic Capping Machine
SA™ Benchtop Capping Machine
PS™ Hand Held Capping Machine
ST™ Hand Held Capping Machine
Oil Free Pneumatic Motors
Equip your chuck capper with an optional oil free pneumatic motor. Standard pneumatic motors cannot be used in many sanitary environments because they expel a tiny amount of lubrication in their exhaust. Although the amount of oil they expel is so minimal that it is completely imperceptible, it still may not be suitable for a clean environment.
Our oil free motors require no lubrication, ensuring the exhaust air exiting the machine is as clean as the compressed air going in, while maintaining the same proven reliability and performance as our standard pneumatic motors.
Oil Free Pneumatic Motors are available on the following Kinex Capping Machines:
Relia-Cap® Automatic Capping Machine
Auto-Max™ Automatic Capping Machine
Versa-Max® Spindle Capping Machine
SA™ Benchtop Capping Machine
PS™ Hand Held Capping Machine
ST™ Hand Held Capping Machine
Exhaust Capture System™
The Exhaust Capture System™ is an enclosure built into the capping motor that captures the exhaust air expelled by the capping motor and channels it directly into an air hose. The exhaust air then travels through the air hose to where it can be expelled in a location that will not adversely affect the clean environment.
The Exhaust Capture System™ is available on the following Kinex Capping Machines:
Relia-Cap® Automatic Capping Machine
Auto-Max™ Automatic Capping Machine
Versa-Max® Spindle Capping Machine
SA™ Benchtop Capping Machine
PS™ Hand Held Capping Machine
ST™ Hand Held Capping Machine
Machined Chucks
The urethane or white rubber chuck inserts within a standard chuck will wear slowly over time and can occasionally leave very small amounts of urethane or white rubber particles on the caps they tighten. These particles may not be allowed in certain clean, sterile or controlled environments.
Machined chucks are ideal for clean environments because they do not wear or generate particles. Machined chucks are custom made to fit the rib pattern of a specific cap, much like a socket fits a nut. They improve torque accuracy and never have to be replaced. Machined chucks are commonly fabricated from aluminum, various grades of stainless steel, or plastics, depending on which material best suits the production environment in which they will be used.
Standard Chuck
With Urethane Liner
Machined Chucks
Cap Retaining Chucks
A cap retaining chuck is a machined chuck that is designed with additional features that allow it to grasp and retain the cap it is designed to work with. Below are a couple of examples of applications in which they are useful.
- De-cap and Re-cap Operations
When decapping a container using a cap retaining chuck, the cap remains in the chuck after it has been removed from the container. This makes it ideal for use when you want to reapply the cap that has been removed.
- Pick & Place Operations
Cap retaining chucks can be used to pick up a cap, hold it, and then tighten it onto a container. For this reason they are ideal for use with automated capping machines and automated robotic capping systems.
Cap Retaining Chuck