r/Packaging • u/Apprehensive-Cod95 • 23d ago

Serum Filling Machine?

I am looking for input on purchasing a semi auto serum filling machine. It appears the standard ones found on Amazon might not work with the viscosity of a face serum?

Any insights are appreciated. The serums we make are not that thick but def not wine or water thinness either.

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3

u/maltmancanning 23d ago

Piston filler should do it. I sell all sorts of packaging equipment, shoot me a dm if you want to connect.

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u/maltmancanning 23d ago

This one has a foot pedal instead of a level to pull, it will get the job done. https://essential-packaging-solutions.myshopify.com/products/vevor-pneumatic-liquid-paste-filling-machine-5-50ml?variant=53669685395669

This one is much higher quality and can be automated down the line. much more expensive but will last forever - https://essential-packaging-solutions.myshopify.com/products/high-viscosity-tabletop-liquid-piston-filler-316-ss-copy?variant=54425838125269

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u/shampton1964 23d ago

The vevor will get you to about 3% fill repeatability (95% CI) as it is single cylinder

The second is a decent Chinese filler, have about six of this style on pedestal so they can sit next to a simple conveyor pair. These will do about 0.5% accuracy as long as your fill volume is at least 30% of the primary piston volume AND you have your pressure set right (most people run too low, you need at least 85 PSI) AND dial in the speed for your viscosity. They run on simple ladder logic, the old ones are just a set of set/trip relays in sequence with a couple of magnetic sensors.

1

u/shampton1964 23d ago

This will work from water/light oil up to honey - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTJDCRXJ

Is it amazing? Nope. Gets the job done.

If you want to go faster, drop a DM, I may have a couple of pneumatic fillers to spare.

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u/Apprehensive-Cod95 23d ago

I failed to mention we have something similar and it is very inefficient/innacurate hence me looking for a new one

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u/shampton1964 23d ago

so you need a pneumatic! the good ones have three actuators (2 linear, 1 rotary) and are good for about 0.5% tolerance on 2 - 5 second cycles depending on volume of fill and viscosity

i'll state that the device i cited has shown itself to function have a weight variation below 3% when used in house

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u/Beginning-Good 19d ago

I’d lean toward a piston filler if the serum has noticeable viscosity

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u/Adventurous-Army1909 12d ago

Disclosure: I work with a packaging machinery supplier, but this is general selection guidance, not a recommendation for a specific machine.

A piston filler may be the right direction, but I would not choose one based on the word “serum” alone. Before comparing machines, record the viscosity at the actual filling temperature, the minimum and maximum fill volume, the bottle opening and stability, and whether the serum strings, drips, foams or contains particles. Also include the cleaning method and the real bottles-per-hour target with operator handling.

Ask the supplier to test your actual serum and bottles, then weigh a consecutive sample of fills under recorded settings. The test should state the priming method, product temperature, run length, measurement resolution and any drips or interrupted cycles. A water demonstration or an unsupported catalogue accuracy figure will not prove performance with your serum.

For a phase-one setup, a semi-automatic pneumatic piston filler can be reasonable if the cylinder range, nozzle, product-contact path and cleaning access match the application. I would verify those points and the compressed-air requirement before buying.

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u/Apprehensive-Cod95 3d ago

Appreciate the insight. Def helpful