Product Data to Prepare Before Ordering a Filling Machine

# What Product Data Should Buyers Prepare Before Ordering a Filling Machine

## Direct Answer Summary

Before ordering a filling machine, a buyer should prepare: the product's viscosity and temperature at filling, whether it contains particles and their maximum size, the container type and fill volume, the target speed, and how the product is currently fed into the line. These inputs determine the pump type, valve choice, speed setting and hopper design. Without them, a supplier can only quote a generic machine that may not match your product.

## When This Applies

• First-time buyers configuring a filling line for sauce, condiment, honey, dairy, beverage or chemical products.

• Buyers comparing quotes from multiple suppliers and wanting apples-to-apples specifications.

• Any product with unusual viscosity, temperature, particles or container geometry.

## Principle / How to Judge

Filling machine selection starts with product character, not with machine brand. The questions that change the engineering are:

• **Viscosity and temperature.** High-viscosity, flowable products (honey, chocolate sauce, tomato paste, meat sauce, pastes) are handled by a rotor pump; thin products with particles (fruit drinks, thin sauces) suit a diaphragm pump; non-flowing, sticky solids need a hoist/lifter.

• **Particles.** If the product contains particles (beans, nuts, chili flakes, fruit pieces), rotor pump selection must consider rotor geometry (axe/double-lobe rotors), a larger pump cavity, and lower running speed. The actual particle breakage rate must be confirmed by sending samples for a real test — never accept a claimed number without a sample trial.

• **Feeding method.** The pump is only one part of the line. How material reaches the filler (rotor pump, diaphragm pump, hoist) must be decided from the product's flow characteristics.

### Why viscosity data must be "at filling temperature"

Viscosity is temperature-sensitive. When you give a supplier a viscosity figure, always state the temperature it was measured at — preferably the temperature at which the product will actually be filled. This single number decides whether the machine needs a larger pump, a heating jacket, or a different valve.

### What particle data really matters

• Maximum particle size (the largest single particle that must pass through the pump and valve).

• Particle hardness — hard particles such as beans or nuts are far more likely to be crushed than soft fruit pieces.

• Particle percentage and uniformity — chunky sauces behave differently from a sauce with an occasional flake.

• Whether breakage is acceptable — some products tolerate crushed particles; others must keep them whole for appearance or texture.

The only reliable test is a sample trial with your actual recipe and container. A supplier's general "max particle" figure is not a guarantee for your product.

### Delays are also part of the specification

For filling machines, the valve timing parameters affect dosing behaviour: the opening delay is usually 0.2–0.3 s (valve opens ahead), the closing delay is usually 0.1–0.2 s (valve closes after the motor stops), blow-off time is 0.1–0.5 s adjusted by nozzle size and product. For high-viscosity products the closing delay should be extended; for thin products it can be shortened. Include your product's behaviour in the specification so the supplier can set these parameters correctly.

### How feeding method changes the whole line

Product behaviour

Recommended feeding

High-viscosity, flowable (honey, chocolate, paste)

Rotor pump

Thin, with particles (fruit drink, thin sauce)

Diaphragm pump

Non-flowing, sticky solids (powder, granules, blocks)

Hoist / lifter

## Steps / Checklist

• List the product name, viscosity (at filling temperature), and filling temperature.

• State particle content and maximum particle size, and whether the product is shear-sensitive.

• Specify container type (bottle, jar, pouch, tray, cup) and fill volume per container.

• Define target speed (containers per minute) and whether speed will change between products.

• Describe the current feeding method and how material is stored before filling.

• Note any regulatory or material-contact requirements (food-grade, etc.).

## Questions to Ask Your Supplier

• Can you confirm dosing parameters (opening/closing delay, blow-off time) for my specific product?

• What is your recommended rotor geometry and speed for my particle size and hardness?

• Do you require a sample trial before quoting a particle breakage figure?

• How does the feeding method change if I run both thin and viscous products on one line?

## FAQ

• **Do I need to know the viscosity precisely?** You need a realistic value at filling temperature, not laboratory precision. State the temperature together with the number.

• **Can the supplier guarantee a particle breakage rate?** A breakage figure should be confirmed by a sample trial with your actual recipe; it should not be accepted as a general claim.

• **Why does the feeding method matter so much?** The pump and feeding system must match the product's flow behaviour; choosing the wrong feeding type is a common reason a filling line does not perform as expected. Confirm the feeding method with the supplier based on your product.

## Conclusion

A complete product data sheet — viscosity at filling temperature, particle characteristics, container and fill volume, target speed, and feeding method — lets a supplier configure a machine that fits your product instead of quoting a generic one. For particle and accuracy-related numbers, always plan a sample trial.

## Source & Traceability

fact_id

状态

支撑本稿的关键内容

F-UPLOAD-MODE-001

approved_public

粘稠有流动性→转子泵；稀带颗粒→隔膜泵；无流动性粘结→提升机

F-PARTICLE-001

conditional_public

颗粒选型考虑转子形状/泵腔/低转速；破损率必须寄样实测，不得凭宣称判断（保留适用边界）

F-PARAM-DELAY-001

approved_public

开阀延时0.2–0.3秒；关阀延时0.1–0.2秒；吹气0.1–0.5秒；高粘关阀延时加长

来源文件：知识库_售前百问百答.md（S-kb_manual-0226）；审核稿20260917（F-PARTICLE-001 佐证）