An even greater disadvantage with conventional
filling machines is the repeated on/off cycling of the filling material pump, which can cause multi-component filling materials to be inconsistently mixed during the tube filling process. The inconsistently mixed filling material cures irregularly or not at all, which results in insufficient seals or other quality problems. In some cases where the filling material is a sealant used to seal joints in aircraft manufacturing, it has been observed that a substantial amount of the filling material is wasted due to rejections for insufficient seals from inconsistently mixed filling material. Thus, there is a need for an automatic filling machine and process that substantially eliminates inconsistently mixed filling materials during the tube filling process. Preferably, such a machine would also be explosion-proof and simple in construction.
The filling operation is conventionally done by hand, since mixing the filling materials and filling the tubes are often required to be in explosion-proof facilities. A typical filling operation comprises an operator applying a label to an empty tube, filling the tube from a filling nozzle, and applying a cap. It is not unusual to fill 1000+ tubes in an eight hour shift. In many cases the packaging must be done locally because the filling material has a relatively short shelf life and, in some cases, the filled tubes must be stored frozen, which further limits their transportability. Filling over 1000 tubes manually creates a significant risk to the operator in terms of repetitive motion, which may result in carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress conditions. Manual operation also creates potential for other personal injuries from contact with the filling material or heavy machinery.
automatic filling machines
An even greater disadvantage with conventional filling machines is the repeated on/off cycling of the filling material pump, which can cause multi-component filling materials to be inconsistently mixed during the tube filling process. The inconsistently mixed filling material cures irregularly or not at all, which results in insufficient seals or other quality problems. In some cases where the filling material is a sealant used to seal joints in aircraft manufacturing, it has been observed that a substantial amount of the filling material is wasted due to rejections for insufficient seals from inconsistently mixed filling material. Thus, there is a need for an automatic filling machine and process that substantially eliminates inconsistently mixed filling materials during the tube filling process. Preferably, such a
liquid filling machine would also be explosion-proof and simple in construction.
