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How to Choose a Capsule Filling Machine

First and foremost, the best capsule filling machine will always be the one that works best for what you need.

However, at the end of the article, we’re going to list the best capsule filling machine for each of the most common purchasing scenarios that we receive from our customers.

Let's talk about some key things you should consider:

1. HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO MAKE?

Think about the quantity of capsules you need to fill. If you’re a home-user looking to make your own supplements, or a small to medium-sized business, a manual or semi-automatic machine is likely what you’ll need. If you have really high production needs, you probably want to consider an automatic machine for efficiency.

Manual Machines: Suitable for small-scale production or startups with limited budgets. They require more manual effort but are cost-effective.

This includes our Core Series and Pro Series machines. Manual machines require the use of pre-separated capsules, which means you’ll either have to buy capsules pre-separated, or separate each one yourself before use. With one of our 100 hole manual machines, you can expect up to about 700 capsules per hour, or about 10 minutes to make 100 capsules.

Semi-Automatic Capsule Presses: Ideal for medium-scale production. They automate some processes, making them more efficient than manual machines.

Examples include our Pro-Op Series. The big difference here is that they use joined capsules, so you don’t have to separate them yourself one-by-one, and you don’t have to buy pre-separated capsules either.

Automatic Machines: Best for large-scale production. These machines offer high-speed and fully automated capsule filling, reducing labor costs and increasing efficiency.

MACHINE BATCH CAPACITY: HOLE COUNT

The amount of holes your capsule-filling tray has will dramatically affect the time it takes to make your capsules. That’s because it allows you to fill more or less capsules all at once.

For example, a manual machine with 100 holes may take about 40-60 minutes to fill 400 capsules, while a manual press with a 400 hole count may only take 15-20 minutes to fill the same amount. This is important only when considering a manual or semi-automatic capsule press because it will drastically change the speed of production and the amount of work involved.

However, automatic machines can have a batch capacity of just 1, and still make capsules at a high rate (because they continuously run on their own).

Here are the rates at which BlateCo manual and semi-automatic capsule presses typically work:

MANUAL PRESS - USES SEPARATED CAPSULES

Core Series:

100 Holes - 300-600 capsules per hour
400 Holes - 1000-2000 capsules per hour

Professional Series:

100 Holes - 300-600 capsules per hour
400 Holes - 1000-2000 capsules per hour
800 Holes - 1500-3000 capsules per hour

SEMI-AUTOMATIC PRESS - USES JOINED CAPSULES

Professional Operation (Pro-Op) Series:

100 Holes (Metal) 500-1000 capsules per hour
120 Holes (Acrylic) 600-1200 capsules per hour (SPOILER alert: Releasing this month!)
300 Holes (Metal) 3,500-7000 capsules per hour (highest with automatic loading machine)

Comparing your desired rate of output with the cost effectiveness of each one is usually the main thing to consider.

2. WHAT KIND OF CAPSULES ARE YOU MAKING?

Capsules come in 8 general sizes: 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

These sizes are similar to how gauge measurements work for wires, jewelry, etc.: As the numbers go up in value, the capsule goes down in size.

So size 000 is the largest, and size 5 is the smallest.

A common question people ask is:

Can a size 00 machine fill 0 capsules?

Answer: No, manual capsule machines cannot do more than one specific capsule size. That’s because they would require all new parts, which is the same cost as a whole second manual capsule press. A size 00 machine can only fill 00 capsules, a size 0 machine can only fill size 0 capsules, and so forth..

However, there are some specialty models (like the Pro-Op 300 Series capsule filler) that can do more than one capsule size, but those require size-change parts for each capsule size needed.

MACHINES WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SIZES PLATES

If you want a machine that can grow as your needs change, consider choosing one with upgradable add-ons such as the Pro-Op 300 Series. As you grow, you can upgrade your machine with other size plates to be able to do more capsule sizes.

As you grow and your output needs increase, you can upgrade your loading device to an Automatic Capsule Loader. This add-on fills your 300-hole capsule tray with upward-facing empty capsules in about 45 seconds, reducing labor costs and saving time dramatically.

FILLING OIL CAPSULES

If you’re looking to fill oil capsules using manual and semi-automatic capsule presses, be aware that the filling procedure is different.

Unlike powder which you can pour and spread evenly into each capsule, you’ll want to use an oil syringe to individually fill each capsule as quickly as possible. The reason for this is that oil can make the seal tighter when pressing capsules together, which may make it harder for air to escape as it normally would while being pressed together. So too much oil on the outside of the capsule may cause some capsules to not press together correctly.

Also, if the oil being used is an expensive product, you definitely don’t want to waste any due to spillage… which would be very high without using a precise oil syringe to fill each capsule.

Some specialty machines also have the ability to do enteric coatings, suppositories, etc. If you require such add-ons, opt for a machine with expandability into these areas.

CAPSULE INGREDIENTS

There are different types of capsules, but we’ll focus on the three main, uncolored types’ ingredients:

1. Gelatin capsules: Made from animal-derived gelatin, these capsules are the most common and affordable choice. However, they are not suitable for vegans or individuals with certain dietary restrictions.

2. Vegetarian capsules: Composed of the plant-based hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), these capsules offer an alternative to gelatin capsules. This is an artificially modified form of cellulose/plant matter such as sawdust. Most companies claim hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsules, also called “vegetable cellulose” or HPMC, are vegan. However, this is debated because HPMC cannot be found naturally occurring in nature, as it undergoes a significant series of artificial processing to reach its final form (we strongly recommend against these, and we don’t carry them for that reason).

3. Vegan capsules: Composed of pullulan gum and other naturally occurring ingredients (our capsules of choice)

3. HOW RELIABLE AND DURABLE IS THE MACHINE?

Build quality is of the utmost importance because you want a machine that will last a long time and not break easily. If you’re only using it every once in a while to make your own pills, our Core-Series line will likely work great for your needs. These machines have been spring-fatigue tested to over 100,000 presses with no problems at all.

They’re made from high-quality, food-grade ABS plastic, and will last excellent for such use.

Meanwhile, our Pro-Series machines are made from the highest-quality acrylic resin and stainless steel hardware. You can rest assured they will last you a very long time, even with continuous daily use. We include extra pieces too, so if you happen to lose one, it won’t be the end of the world!

Finally, our Metal Pro-Op Series machines are considered optimal for constant and continuous production, as their metal bodies are as durable as it gets. They’ll last you for as long as you’ll need them to, and then many years after. These machines come with easy maintenance instructions to care for them, which will increase the overall life. In general, choosing a machine with a focus on reliability and durability ensures consistent performance and reduces the total cost of ownership.

4. IS IT EASY TO USE?

The machine should come with simple, concise directions that are easy to follow. Confirm that each part comes clearly labeled or is easily identifiable, so that it’s not difficult to learn how to use.

Video instructions are especially helpful, as it’s not always easy to understand what something means through text and pictures alone. For videos showing how to use all the capsule filling machines we carry (and for tips on how to live a healthy life you won’t find on “webMD”..) follow the BlateCo YouTube Channel!

5. IS IT EASY TO CLEAN?

A good machine is easy to clean, allowing you to work faster while preventing things like cross-contamination. Our Pro and Pro-Op Series are made to easily be taken apart and cleaned, even without tools. This is especially important for larger presses, such as the 400 and 800 hole counts, as it’s very difficult to reach and clean underneath the body plate of such a large set of plates without taking them apart.

You’ll notice that knock-offs of these machines use Phillips head screws and unadjustable hardware to hold the springs in place, while ours have easy hand-removable washers to remove the top plates in seconds for a quick and healthy cleaning.

This same feature makes these machines quick and easy to adjust, which comes in handy in case the specific capsules you’re working with are slightly different and require a small adjustment to work better.

6. DOES IT COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? (FOR BUSINESSES)

Regulatory compliance is vital, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals and food manufacturing. If you’re planning to make capsules for your business, ensuring your capsule filling machine meets your industry regulations and quality standards is critical for product safety and legality. You’ll want to choose a machine that adheres to GMP guidelines for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Our metal Pro-Op machines were made with GMP compliance top of mind. The Pro-Op 300 comes in a full-stainless steel option, making it the smartest choice, while most other companies only carry models with plastic chrome-plated bodies/non-contact parts. If you’re a business, making sure there’s no risk of non-compliance issues will ensure the production of safe and high-quality products.

7. SUPPORT AND SERVICE

The quality of support from the company you choose directly impacts the machine's performance, maintenance, and overall lifecycle. Choose a company with a responsive and knowledgeable technical support. We recommend a domestic company, as they’ll understand you, your needs and they’ll speak the same language.

Because they’re domestic, you won’t have to worry about the hassle of importing equipment from overseas, such as registering and filing with the DEA. This can be both difficult and takes days or weeks to get approved. A USA company will also provide the easiest and quickest shipping, which includes access to spare parts. This can prove important in case you experience any machine downtime from maintenance or repairs being necessary.

Unlike most capsule machine suppliers, BlateCo ships your order the same day, up to (and even past) our daily 3PM cut-off. So anything you need, we’ll have to you as quick as possible. This is even true of our Pro-Op Series machines, while other companies take weeks to even ship your order. Product quality and customer experience are our top priorities.

These are some of the main factors to consider for anyone selecting a capsule filling machine. By thinking about what you need, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs and ensures a successful capsule filling operation, regardless of the scale.

And if you have any questions about pill making machines, whether they’re our models or not, comment your question below and we’ll answer ASAP.