Rotary Fillers and Inline Fillers

Pacific Packaging Machinery Celebrates 50 Years of Packaging Excellence

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:53:02 +0000

SAN CLEMENTE, CA. January 4, 2011 – This year, we invite you to celebrate Pacific Packaging Machinery’s 50th Anniversary with us. We would like to thank all of our customers, suppliers, and partners and share with you our appreciation for our history.

Pacific was founded in 1962 by Stephen Ellison in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Ellison believed the rotary volumetric “timed-orifice” filling principle offered many distinct advantages over other competing fillers. Today, Pacific has an impressive customer base that includes not only 500+ “timed-orifice” filling machine installations, but also rotary filling systems that utilize pressure-level, flow meter and piston technology.

Recently, Pacific made a few key acquisitions that gave us the opportunity to provide our customers with ‘best in class’ filling and capping solutions. In 2007, Pacific acquired RatioFlo Technologies and we added inline fillers, drum fillers and lidders to our set of rotary filling products. In 2010, Pacific acquired Pack West Machinery & we added a full line of over 40-models of inline cappers, rotary cappers, lidders, torquers and inline components, including: state-of-the-art cap elevator-sorter-feeders, unscramblers, accumulators and conveyor systems.

Today, Pacific continues to have an impressive customer base that includes over 2000 inline and rotary filling and capping installations throughout 25 countries.

Thank you for your continued support and assistance. We are extremely proud of how our history continues to shape our future.

About Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.

Based in San Clemente, California, Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc. provides rotary and inline liquid filling and capping equipment to the packaging industry. Founded in 1962, Pacific Packaging is widely recognized as the packaging leader for high-speed rotary volumetric liquid fillers. Pacific’s personalized & custom engineering, innovative research and development, and superior customer service enable the company to be at the forefront of major liquid packaging areas including foods, personal care, household, chemical and automotive. For more information, contact us at info@pacificpak.com or visit our web site at www.pacificpak.com.

About Pack West Machinery

Pack West Machinery, based in Irwindale, California, provides a full line of over forty models of inline and rotary liquid to viscous fillers and inline and rotary cappers, lidders and torquers. Also available are an impressive array of packaging line components including state-of-the-art cap elevator-sorter-feeders, unscramblers, accumulators, and conveyor systems. For more information, contact us at sales@packwest.com or visit our website at www.packwest.com.

Packaging World Magazine Article, Pacific Fillers in Action

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:39:05 +0000

Packaging World Magazine, September 2011 – “Flavours, Inc. helps bring aseptic and nutritional products to market in a new facility that handles everything from pilot test batches to full commercial production runs.” See published article below.

To Email, Share or View Video from Packaging World Article click here.

About Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.

Based in San Clemente, California, Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc. provides rotary and inline liquid filling equipment to the packaging industry. Founded in 1962, Pacific Packaging is widely recognized as the packaging leader for high-speed rotary volumetric liquid fillers. Pacific’s personalized & custom engineering, innovative research and development, and superior customer service enable the company to be at the forefront of major liquid packaging areas including foods, personal care, household, chemical and automotive. For more information, contact us at info@pacificpak.com or visit our web site at www.pacificpak.com.

Pacific Packaging to Exhibit New 18 Station Rotary Volumetric Filling Machine Designed Exclusively for APEX International

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:27:11 +0000

SAN CLEMENTE, CA. August 11, 2011 – Pacific Packaging Machinery Inc, the leader in high-speed rotary volumetric liquid packaging fillers, today announced that they will introduce their new 18-Station Rotary Volumetric Timed-Pressure-Flow Filling Machine at the 2011 Pack Expo Las Vegas Show taking place on September 26th – 28th. They will be exhibiting in booth # C-3217

Pacific will be demonstrating an exclusively designed 18-Station Rotary Volumetric Filling Machine supporting personal care products with low to medium foaming characteristics that fills 1 to 16 ounce containers at speeds of 150 to 200 containers per minute.

The line has been purchased by Apex International Manufacturing, Inc. to support their growth in cosmetic and OTC contract manufacturing. As quoted by Greg Poirier, Vice President of Operations at APEX International, “We made the decision to purchase from Pacific Packaging because of the proven technology demonstrated with our similar filler installed in 2009. With this new critical application, we are confident that their filler will complete the job with complete accuracy”.

The filling system offers filling accuracy of ± ½% (8 to 32-ounce) to 1% (1 to 4-ounce) during continuous operation for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion and like viscosity products. The filling system is arranged with self-draining components and special filling nozzles that offer CIP/SIP capabilities. In addition to the exceptional filling accuracy and minimal clean-in-place capabilities, the equipment also offers no-bottle/no-fill, quick-change/tool-less changeover parts and a durable, all stainless steel construction.

About Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.

About Pack West Machinery

About APEX

APEX International is a world class manufacturer of personal and home care products. Boasting an extensive range of capabilities in over the counter, cosmetics and household products, Apex is a recognized leader in contract manufacturing due to its fierce commitment to quality, lean manufacturing principles and customer service.

With over 300 employees and state-of-the-art facilities, Apex is well-equipped to handle your entire contract manufacturing needs – from new product launches, packaging improvements and providing value added services. All of their efforts show in the delivery of tangible results that help customers grow market share and improve profit.

About Pack Expo 2011

Pack Expo 2011 will feature 1600 world class suppliers and 25,000 colleagues of exhibitors and will be the showcase for the latest innovations and state of the art advances in packaging machinery, materials, containers, packages, software, components, fabrication, robotics, and design systems.

Over 50,000 packaging professionals from the U.S. and other countries around the world will attend the show.

PMT Article, Chemrite & Pacific Packaging Create the “Rolls Royce” of Fillers

admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:03:24 +0000

Packaging Machinery Technology (PMT) Magazine, June 2011 – “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” With product expansion including different viscosities, it was time for collaboration between ChemRite CoPac and Pacific Packaging to create a one-of-a-kind filling system. See published article below.

About Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.

PMT Ad – Pacific Packaging & Pack West Have Combined Forces

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:02:47 +0000

Packaging Machinery Technology (PMT) Magazine, July 2011 – See our new two page full color Ad, “Pacific Packaging & Pack West have combined forces and are now your single source for filling and capping.” Both Integrated Rotary and Integrated Inline Liquid Filling and Capping solutions available.

About Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.

About Pack West Machinery

Pack West Machinery, based in Irwindale, California, provides a full line of over forty models of liquid inline fillers and rotary fillers and inline cappers, rotary cappers, lidders and torquers. Also available are an impressive array of packaging line components including state-of-the-art cap elevator-sorter-feeders, unscramblers, accumulators, and conveyor systems. For more information, contact us at sales@packwest.com or visit our website at www.packwest.com.

Pacific Packaging Machinery Acquires Pack West Machinery

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:36:57 +0000

SAN CLEMENTE, CA –11/16/2010– Pacific Packaging Machinery Inc., manufacturer of rotary and inline liquid filling machines, has purchased Pack West Machinery. Pack West, a 35 year manufacturer of rotary and inline filling and capping equipment, will become a division of Pacific Packaging and continue to operate in their 40,000 square foot facility in Irwindale, CA. They utilize state of the art CNC, water jet and laser equipment to machine all of their parts in house, keeping quality at the highest level.

Pete Carpino, President of Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc states, “We are very excited with the acquisition and the opportunity to provide customers with ‘best in class’ filling and capping solutions. The strengths of each company complement one another and enhance both companies’ market opportunities. The purchase was a natural for our business, especially given Pacific Packaging will now leverage the manufacturing automation Pack West utilizes.”

William Ellison, founder, owner and president of Pack West Machinery, will remain with the company throughout a transition period and then retire from the packaging industry after a successful 45 year career. Ellison adds, “I am very pleased with this acquisition. Pacific Packaging has been a quality manufacturer since my uncle Steve Ellison founded the company, so I know that my lifetime efforts of producing the highest quality machinery will continue under the proud flag of Pacific Packaging. I am especially happy that the Pack West family of dedicated employees will stay on, providing the manufacturing excellence that our customers have come to expect.”

About Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.

About Pack West Machinery

ESTIMATING THE PUMP RMP

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:42:56 +0000

Pacific filling machines integrate a positive displacement pump that allows the operator to set the volume of product for each container. In order to set this value, the overall pump speed must be specified. The advantage of this system, is there is only one setting for the operator to specify in order to achieve accurate fill volumes.

To calculate the pump speed in RPM, one must determine the Gallons Per Minute (GPM) required and divide it by the Pump Capacity Rating. The Pump Capacity Rating varies based on the model of your pump.

The calculation is as follows:

GPM = (CPM x Fluid Oz. Per Container)/128

RPM = GPM / Pump Capacity Rating

For example, if you are running 8-oz containers at 200 CPM and are using a Waukesha U-30 pump with a Pump Capacity Rating of 0.060, then your Pump RPM is:

GPM = ( 200 CPM x 8 oz ) / 128 = 12.5 GPM

RPM = ( 12.5 / 0.060 ) = 208 RPM

The operator would then use 208 RPM as the starting point.

RESTRAINING ARM GUIDELINES

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:36:46 +0000

The restraining arm on a Pacific filler serves two purposes: (1) it keeps the the stator plate from turning, and (2) it allows adjustment of the start of fill/end of fill.

The “restraining” function holds the stator plate in the proper position. This is important to ensure the rotating plate receives the proper amount of product.

The “adjustment” function provides flexibility to improve fill appearance. The restraining arm can be “advanced” or “retracted” to set the desired start of fill and end of fill location. This adjustment eliminates aeration and stringing.

There are two rules to always follow with the restraining arm:

Always loosen the restraining arm when changing the turret height. If the arm is not loosened before the turret height adjustment, the arm will bind up and cause uneven pressure on the stator plate. This will cause premature and uneven wear in the stator and rotar plates

Always make sure the restraining arm is level. If you are does not have a level indicator, purchase and install a device as shown in the photo. Always verify that the restraining arm is set to a level state.This will ensure even wear of the filling turret.

RECOMMENED GREASE LUBRICATION

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:32:21 +0000

Lubrication of your Pacific filling machine is important to ensure proper filling operation.

Throughout the years we have reduced the number of lubrication points, such that, with today’s latest models, there are less than eight (8) total lubrication points on the machine.

While our newer machines require less lubrication, we have included a complete list to cover the older models.

The recommended lubrication and frequency is shown below:

ERRATIC FILLS DURING CONTINUOUS OPERATION

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:11:03 +0000

If this is something you experience, use the following list of potential causes and solutions to troubleshoot and easily adjust the filling machine back to its original operating condition:

Non-smooth rotation of the filling turret and/or pump.

Solution: Verify the main spindle bearings are in good condition. Inspect the filling turret drive system for worn parts. Verify that the pump and the pump drive system are good working condition.

The pump is slipping.

Solution: Inspect the pump gears and impellers for wear or damage. Rebuild the worn or damaged components as necessary.

The product fed to the filling machine includes entrapped air.

Solution: Arrange the filling machine product tank with a submerged product inlet fitting. If the problem persists, address the product supply back at processing.

The product condiments are larger than specified for the filling system

Solution: Add a mixer to the filling machine product tank. If the problem persists, reduce the size of the condiments.

Varying temperature or specific gravity of the product being fed to the filling machine.

Solution: Improve processing consistency. Integrate check weigher with the filling machine drive system to automatically adjust the fill level.

The filling machine tank cover is sealed on the tank, thereby creating a vacuum.

Solution: The product tank that mounts to the Pacific pump is designed to be open to atmosphere.The cover should not be fastened to the tank. Add a venting hole to the tank lid to allow venting.

The filling machine product tank level is varying more than 6″.

Solution: The product level within the tank must be maintained within a 6″ window (+/- 3″). Install the appropriate level sensor and integrate with your processing system.

The product is vortexing in the filling machine product tank.

Solution: Install a stainless steel vertical baffle.

An air leak at the filling machine pump results in pump cavitation.

Solution: Replace all damaged or worn seals.

The piping down to the filling turret is too large and not purging air.

Solution: For multiple turret inlet arrangements, reduce the number of pipes/hoses. For single inlet arrangements, reduce the size of the piping.

The air manifold is leaking excessively.

Solution: Increase the tension on the fastener but ensure smooth rotation of the filling turret. If the problem persists, replace the air manifold.

The air manifold is not in the correct timing position.

Solution: Ensure the air manifold is timed with the start of fill and end of fill markings. Set, pin and time the air manifold in the correct position.

The filling turret is leaking excessively.

Solution: Increase the tension on the turret hub nut but ensure smooth rotation of the filling turret. If the problem persists, lap the filling turret.

For an individual station (or stations) that are always high or low, the filling nozzle or plunger is not operating properly.

Solution: Re-gauge the plunger stroke. If this does not solve the problem, replace the plunger and/or filling nozzle. If the problem still persists, rebuild the air cylinder.

The camming slides and rollers are not operating freely.

Solution: Lubricate the cam roller carriers with a light oil. If the problem persists, rebuild the cam roller tire, bushing and bearing.

The container opening is too small for the filling nozzle, thereby choking off air escapement from the container.

Solution: Reduce the machine speed. If the problem persists, use a smaller set of filling nozzles.

Capacity or volume of the containers varies — erratic appearance only.

Solution: N/A.

Also note that many of the above items can be added to your semi-annual preventative maintenance check-lists in order to ensure that your filling machine maintains consistent fills.