Capping in a Clean Environment
Capping bottles in clean, sanitary, or sterile environments introduces a strict set of requirements to the bottle packaging machines and accessories that are to be used in these environments. Below are some of the products that we offer that are built for clean and sterile environments as well as other options you can add to our other capping machines to make them more suitable for such environments.
The ST™ Cap Tightener
Constructed of 316 stainless steel, the ST cap tightener is ideal for use in laboratory, pharmaceutical, sanitary and sterile packaging environments. 316 Stainless steel is the material of choice for these environments because it is easy to clean, resistant to corrosion, and is chemically resistant to the cleaning agents commonly used in these industries.
In addition to their 316 stainless steel construction, ST™ bottle cappers include other features that make them ideal for use in clean settings. The internal components of the ST™ capper are lubricated with NSF-H1 Food Grade Certified lubricants. The Kinex Exhaust Capture System™ is integrated into the design of every ST™ capping machine. As an option, the ST™ capping machine can be built with one of our oil free pneumatic motors.
The ST™ Capping Head
Fit your SA™ Benchtop capping machine with a 316 stainless steel capping head. The ST™ capping head features all of the clean features included with the ST™ cap tightener and can be mounted directly onto the frame of an SA™ capping machine.
SA 2000
With
ST™ capping head
and Oil Free Motor
Oil Free Pneumatic Motors
An Oil Free Motor can be installed on our ST™ capping machines, PS™ Capping Machines, SA™ Capping Machines and PumpCap™ Capping Machines. Just as the name suggests, our Oil Free Pneumatic Motors do not require lubrication.
Standard pneumatic motors cannot be used in many clean 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 is still not suitable for a clean room environment. Since our oil free motors require no lubrication, the exhaust air exiting the machine is as clean as the compressed air going into it.
SA Capping Machine
with Oil Free Motor &
Exhaust Capture System™
Exhaust Capture System™
The Exhaust Capture System™ is built into our ST™ cap tighteners and capping heads. The Exhaust Capture System™ can be added as an option to our SA™ Bottle Cappers, PS™ Bottle Cappers and PumpCap™ Bottle Cappers.
The Exhaust Capture System™ is an enclosure built into the capping machine that ca ptures 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.
Oil Free Pneumatic Motor with Exhaust Capture™
Combining these features will ensure that the air in your clean room is contaminant free and the air flow in your clean room is undisturbed.
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 since they do not wear and do not create particles. Machined chucks are custom made to fit the rib pattern of a particular cap. They fit the cap in the same way as a socket fits a nut. Machined chucks also improve torque accuracy and never have to be replaced.
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