1. Product flow
Record viscosity at filling temperature, settling, aeration, foam, stringing, drips and whether the product changes under shear.
Selection tool
Volumetric filler selection matrix.
Compare the main filling principles against product behaviour, particles, dose control, cleaning and typical applications before narrowing a machine shortlist.
Piston vs pumpProduct behaviourMachine selection
Start with the process
Use the matrix to create a shortlist, not to replace a product trial.
A useful selection process combines product behaviour, fill range, pack format, cleaning, output and integration. The matrix highlights likely routes and the questions that still need confirming.
| Filling principle | Product behaviour | Particles | Dose approach | Cleaning focus | Typical shortlist uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volumetric piston | Thin to very thick products; useful where a measured cylinder stroke suits the fill range | Can suit soft particulates where valve, port and nozzle clearances are appropriate | Good route for repeated measured doses; actual result depends on product and setup | Check cylinder, valves, seals, hopper/feed and strip-down method | Sauces, creams, pastes, gels, honey and many general liquids |
| Positive-displacement pump | Wide range depending on pump type; useful for continuous product feed and servo control | Some pump types can handle soft solids; shear and damage need testing | Flexible recipe control when pump displacement is repeatable | Check pump access, product hold-up, seal compatibility and cleaning route | Liquids, oils, lotions, sauces, gels and specialist products |
| Peristaltic pump | Best suited to products that can pass through flexible tubing | Normally unsuitable for significant particles or highly abrasive products | Product contacts the tube, which can simplify changeover for suitable products | Tube life, compatibility and calibration must be managed | Low-volume liquids, flavours, fragrances and products needing a simple product path |
| Vacuum / fill-to-level | Free-flowing liquids in rigid containers | Not intended for particulate or viscous products | Consistent visual level rather than a measured volumetric dose | Product recovery and bottle seal condition are important | Water-like liquids where equal fill height is the priority |
| Volumetric cup | Free-flowing granules and powders with stable bulk density | Particle size and bridging affect flow; not a liquid-filling method | Dose is based on cup volume, so density variation affects weight | Cup access, dust, product flow and changeover should be reviewed | Rice, seeds, pulses, small granules and suitable powders |
The descriptions are planning guidance. Actual machine suitability and performance must be confirmed with representative product, containers and the proposed production arrangement.
Decision sequence
Six checks that prevent a misleading machine comparison.
2. Particles
Record maximum particle size, shape, softness and concentration rather than saying only that a product is “chunky”.
3. Fill range
List the minimum, normal and maximum dose. A very wide range can change cylinder, pump or recipe choices.
4. Container
Confirm opening diameter, height, stability, material and whether nozzle dive or neck centring is needed.
5. Cleaning
Decide whether parts will be removed, flushed, cleaned in place or changed between products and allergens.
6. Complete line
Compare filler cycle time with feeding, capping, labelling, coding, conveying and accumulation.
Downloadable worksheet
Take the comparison into a project meeting.
The CSV version can be opened in Excel or another spreadsheet application and extended with your own products, containers and trial notes.
Use one row per product and pack
- Product name and temperature
- Viscosity and particles
- Fill range and tolerance target
- Container and closure
- Cleaning and changeover
- Target output and integration
Machine families
Move from the selection matrix into the closest machinery category.
Technical resource library
Continue your filling-machine project research.
Use the related tools and guides to build a clearer specification before requesting a machine shortlist.
Capacity calculatorEstimate packs per minute and shiftOverfill cost calculatorEstimate product giveaway and costFilling-line OEE calculatorModel availability, performance and qualityURS templatePrepare a stronger machine specificationViscosity and product behaviourUnderstand what changes filler choiceUK compliance planningReview documentation and workplace dutiesTotal cost of ownershipCompare cost, savings and paybackAbout LancingCompany, support and content approach
FAQs
Common selection-matrix questions.
A piston or suitable positive-displacement pump is often shortlisted for thicker products, but particles, temperature, shear sensitivity and clean cut-off still need testing.
Usually not without compromises. A broad product range may require different product paths, nozzles, change parts or more than one filling principle.
The opening controls nozzle size, insertion depth, splash risk, particle clearance and whether bottom-up filling is practical.
No. A stable, clean and repeatable fill normally matters before theoretical maximum speed, especially when capping or labelling can become the real bottleneck.
Turn the planning work into a practical machine shortlist.
Send your product, fill range, container, output target and available footprint. Lancing UK can compare the most practical filling route before quotation.