TOPIC 2– Automatic

Control
Arti Pillay
Sensors

Controllers
Sensors and Controllers
Sensors
• Sensors are used in automatic fillers to effectively accomplish the
filling cycle.
• The sensors help the machine maintain its productivity by running
properly and working efficiently with the entire packaging line.
2 Types of sensor used in Automatic filling
machines
• Increasing productivity is the primary advantage a packager could
benefit from using an automatic filling machine.
• In most cases, filling machines work with other existing equipment in
the facility such as
• capping machines,
• bottle rinsers,
• and labelers.
1.   Count Sensor
• The count sensors serve two main purposes, first is to count the number of bottles in the fill
area transported by the power conveyor system.
• The number of bottles that will enter to the filling machine will also be equivalent to the
number of fill heads attached to it.
• In other words, if the machine is composed of sixteen fill heads; sixteen bottles will also enter
into the filling area.
• Once all the bottles reach its designated fill heads, the indexing system will now stop adding
bottles.
• From there, the count sensor will perform its second purpose by becoming an activating sensor.
• The count sensor will then send signal to the machine that the bottles are already in place and
the filling cycle should now begin.
• 2. Float-type sensor
• The float sensor is a detecting device that ensures product availability.
They are responsible in sending signal to the pump whenever the
liquid level in the tank becomes low. The pump will then re-supply the
tank with product so that filling cycle will continue without
interruptions. Reducing operator intervention is one of the biggest
benefits of float-type sensors. Float-type sensor operator doesn’t
need to check and regularly add products to the supply tank. All he
needs to do is to check the bulk product supply at times to ensure
that the product is not running low.
• Again, the two types of sensors are used in automatic filling machine.
There may be other types, however, they are mostly found on
specialized projects in a packaging line.
• In conclusion, sensors are attached and used in filling equipment as
communication device that will detect any errors arising in the entire
packaging line.
• The detecting device allows the machine to function at its optimum
efficiency and highest consistency.
The Five Basic Components of an Automatic Packaging Line

• There are a lot of varieties of packaging equipment and each

assortment differs from their specific function making the whole
packaging line more productive and efficient. A packaging system can
reduce the space used for equipment like filling, capping, and
labeling. It doesn’t only reduce the space used in a facility, but it can
also minimize the product handling time. It may only take seconds,
but in business, every tick of the clock counts. Business owner will be
surprised to discover how much time can be saved by merely reducing
the distance traveled for each packaging phase. There are actually five
basic components completing an automatic packaging line and they
are listed below:
  1. Bottle Turntable

• The bottle turntable allows the laborer

to quickly and easily introduce the
bottles to the line. The turntable
moves the bottle to the conveyor that
will be transferred to the filling
machine for filling. Bottle turntable
comes with different sized tops to
handle container sizes. There are also
other turntables that make
changeover from one container to the
other quicker and easier.
2.   Conveyors
• From the turntable, the bottles • A conveyor system is a common
will move down to the power  piece of bottle handling
conveyor to be transported to equipment that integrated with
the filling machine for filling, packaging machines.
then down to the capping • Conveyor systems moves
machine for sealing, unto the containers from one packaging
final step of labeling. Conveyors machine to another.
come from different sizes and
can be manufactured using
different belting materials like
stainless steel.
Liquid Filling Machine

• Thin and thick liquids will not make use of the same type of filling
machine as they require different filling principle. Piston filler, pump
filler, overflow filler, and gravity filler are some of the filling machine’s
assortments available in the market. These machines can add up to
sixteen fill heads depending on the needs of the production and the
desire of the end-user. Filling machine contains a user-friendly
touchscreen operator interface, for all the time duration of fill times
and index times. When the time duration are all set-up, it will then be
saved in the memory device, available for future use.
 Capping machines
• Once the container has been filled, it will
then be transported to the capping machine
ready for sealing.
• There are different types of 
capping machines.
• chuck capper, spindle capper, snap capper,
• all dependent on the type of cap being used.
Labelling machinery

•  After sealing the product, the container will again be transported by

the power conveyor to the labeling machinery. Labeling machine can
apply labels in different ways like front labeling, back labeling and
wrap labeling, and more.
• The five machines completing the entire automatic packaging line
may work for a majority of packaging project; however there may still
be adjustments and additional packaging machines to be added like
accumulating turntable. After the product has been labeled, the
power conveyor will move all the products to the accumulating
turntable, the perfect spot for packing station.
Labeling machinery
References
• https://margauxallen.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/the-two-types-of-s
ensors-used-in-automatic-filling-machines/
• https://margauxallen.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/the-five-basic-com
ponents-of-an-automatic-packaging-line/
.