Case Study: Bottle Filling Machine

Matara’s MTV Actuators provide dynamic linear motion examples and solutions for bespoke bottle-filling machines. A pharmaceutical machinery manufacturer specialising in automation and special-purpose machines contacted Matara when they required some precise multi-positional movement for their latest conveyor bottling application for a leading worldwide pharmaceutical company.

How Does a Bottle Filling Machine Work?

The application required 750 mm and 650 mm strokes in the X & Y axis to pick and place varying sizes of medical bottles. The bottles would be loaded onto the tray and then put on the conveyor to travel to the following production line. The specified pneumatic actuators needed to be repeatable to within 0.03 mm and had to be quiet and smooth in their 24-hour-a-day running cycle.

Mataras Linear Motion Solutions

Matara’s size 80 & 110 MTV ballscrew actuators were specified for the job. With repeatability of 0.02 mm and proven PMI & TBI linear rails and ballscrews inside, the lifetime and functionality of the actuators were more than adequate for the application.

These compact, low-maintenance actuators save time in design as they are ready to mount and specifically designed for the simple fitting of stepper or servo motors, a key benefit for the OEM and the end user alike.

The Results

Although the application didn’t require any great speed or load being applied, the customer wanted the option of increased output, so the MTV, capable of achieving speeds of more than 1.5 m a second and dynamic load capacity of over 3000 kg, again proved a good option.

The end user predicts that more than a million containers will pass through this newly automated line every year, massively increasing output and reducing the need for manual handling and human error in the process.

The initial installation and immediate payback mean the end user will require at least two more lines.

Find the Right Solution for Your Application at Matara

If you wish to learn more about us at Matara, browse our technical articles for advice on a huge range of machinery or look at our other case studies to learn all about the value we provide for our customers. We also stock a huge range of pneumatic, linear motion, and linear actuator products perfectly suited for your application.