ROPP Capping Machines: A Comprehensive Overview of Manual, In-Line, and Rotary Models

ROPP (Roll-On Pilfer-Proof) capping machines are a crucial part of the packaging process, especially in industries like beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. These machines provide secure and tamper-evident closures to a variety of containers. In this article, we will delve into the various models of ROPP capping machines, including manual, in-line, and rotary types, exploring their features, functions, and advantages.

Manual ROPP Capping Machines: Simple and Efficient

• Low Cost: Manual ROPP capping machines are budget-friendly and have lower initial investment costs, making them accessible to smaller businesses.
• Simplicity: These machines are easy to set up and operate, requiring minimal training for personnel.
• Adaptability: Manual capping machines can be easily adapted to cap different bottle sizes and types, offering flexibility in production.

In-Line ROPP Capping Machines: Speed and Efficiency Combined

• Efficiency: In-line ROPP capping machines significantly increase production speed and efficiency, reducing bottlenecks in the packaging process.
  
• Consistency: The precise torque control results in consistent capping, preventing leaks or over-tightened caps.
• Labor Savings: Automation reduces the need for extensive manual labor, contributing to cost savings in the long run.

Rotary ROPP Capping Machines: High-Volume Performance

• High Speed: Rotary ROPP capping machines are designed for high-volume production, providing unparalleled speed and throughput.
• Automated Handling: The automated handling of caps and bottles reduces the risk of errors and increases overall efficiency.
• Scalability: Rotary machines can be easily scaled up to meet the growing production demands of a business.

Conclusion

ROPP capping machines are an essential component of the packaging process, ensuring the safety, security, and integrity of the products being packaged. Whether manual, in-line, or rotary, each type of ROPP capping machine offers distinct advantages suited to various production scales and requirements. Understanding the features and functions of each model helps businesses make informed decisions in selecting the most suitable ROPP capping machine for their specific needs.

If you are not sure which type you should select or you need professionally technical consultation, please contact us, we will provide you with the most suitable solution according to your actual needs. 

Cap Loading Ways:

1. Manual: Place the cap on the bottle by manual. Cap sorter, cap feeding is not included.

2. Automation Direct:  with a cap loading cute and the cap hooked with the moving containers. The functions of cap sorter, cap feeding is included.

3. Automation Intermittent: with the functions of cap sorting, feeding and pick-placing caps onto bottles.

Features and Characteristics: 

• Rugged construction
• Wide range of capping head sizes
• Interchangeable capping heads
• Stainless steel forming wheels
• Suitable for caps between 18-38mm diameter
• No-Cap-No-Roll safety function
• Simple and easy to set up
• Simple and easy to operate 
• Simple and easy to maintain
• Quick changeovers for optional sizes of bottle and cap
• Wide range compatible for various sizes of bottle and cap 
• PLC control
• HMI touch-in screen with friendly operation panel

What is ROPP Cap? 

ROPP, or Roll-On Pilfer-Proof, is a type of closure made of metal (Aluminum is the most popular material) that is commonly used for sealing bottles containing liquids such as wine, spirits, and olive oil. The ROPP cap is a kind of closure designed to be rolled onto the bottle neck. Whenever the bottle sealed with ROPP cap, it is hard to remove without leaving visible evidence of tampering. ROPP cap is also referred to as Torque-on Pilfer-Proof caps, featuring  a plastic, screw-on fitment inside an aluminum closure. ROPP caps provide more convenience for twist-off first and twist-on re-close afterward for the user as well as the security provided by a roll-on tamper evident or pilfer proof band.

Aluminium caps are placed on to bottles and the rotating capping head with a set of forming die forms the cap to the bottle, creating a screw thread and perforated rim in the process.

What is ROPP Capping Machine?

A ROPP capper is a type of capping machine that is specifically designed to apply ROPP caps to bottles. It is typically an in-line machine that can be used in a high-speed production line.

Using a set of roller wheels to form threads and seal a blank aluminum cap over the mouth of a container, ROPP Capping Machines form threads and seal an aluminum cap onto a rigid container like glass or plastic bottles. The rollers of the ROPP capper press the aluminum blank cap into the threads and ribs molded into the bottleneck forming a screw-off cap. ROPP cappers are generally applied on the bottle of beverages that require a tamper-proof cap as a anti-thief security function to demonstrate the bottle without opening. 

There are different types of ROPP caps available for different applications on the market, including:

• Plain ROPP Caps: These are plain aluminum caps with no additional decoration or design. They are commonly used for packaging water and soft drinks.
• Printed ROPP Caps: These caps have a design or logo printed on the top surface of the cap. They are commonly used for packaging beer and energy drinks.
• Embossed ROPP Caps: These caps have a design or logo embossed onto the top surface of the cap. They are commonly used for packaging wine and spirits.
• Holographic ROPP Caps: These caps have a holographic pattern on the top surface of the cap that provides a high level of security against counterfeiting. They are commonly used for packaging pharmaceuticals and high-value beverages.

Applications:

• Soft drinks
• Drinking Water
• Wines
• Spirits
• Sauces
• Edible Oils
• Oral Medicines

The popular sizes of ROPP caps are:

Dia. x Height (mm):    

Ø18.2x12.2mm Aluminum Cap: with liner. suitable for small volume beverage and sample liquor product. (10ml bottle)

Ø19.8x12.4mm Aluminum Cap: with liner. suitable for small volume drink product (20ml bottle).

Ø22.4x15.2mm Aluminum Cap: with liner. Suitable for Chinese herbs drink

Ø28x15.5 mm Aluminum Cap: with anti-tamper band and liner which is commonly suitable for soft drink, water, beer, wine and energy drinks.

Ø28x18 mm Aluminum Cap: with liner which is commonly suitable for soft drinks, water, beer, wine and energy dirnks.

Ø31.5x18 mm Aluminum Cap: with liner

Ø38x18 mm Aluminum Cap: with liner

In conclusion, ROPP caps and ROPP capping machines are essential components in the bottling industry, particularly for sealing bottles containing liquids such as wine and spirits. Understanding the different types of ROPP caps available and the different features and capabilities of ROPP capping machines can help manufacturers choose the best solution for their specific needs.

There are different types of ROPP capping machines with different configurations depending on the application and the type of cap being used.

The first type is also called a crimping machine, is typically used for sealing aluminum caps onto vials of pharmaceutical liquids. These machines use a set of rotating wheels with the same level to compress the cap onto the vial, creating a secure seal. The resulting seal is often referred to as a crimp seal, which is different from the pilfer-proof seal created by ROPP capping machines.

The second type is the more traditional ROPP capping machine, which uses two pairs of rotating wheels on the capping head with different levels. The lower pair of wheels compresses the cap onto the bottle finish to create the pilfer-proof ring, while the upper pair of wheels is used to form the threads on the cap. This type of machine is typically used in the beverage industry for capping glass bottles with ROPP caps.

It's important to note that while both types of machines can create a seal on a metal cap, they are designed for different applications and use different techniques to create the seal. Crimping machines use compression to create a crimp seal on vials of pharmaceutical liquids, while ROPP capping machines use a rolling action to create a pilfer-proof seal and form the threads on ROPP caps for glass bottles in the beverage industry.

The composition of the ROPP capping machine consists of a robust unthreaded aluminum pan housing. When ROPP is screwing the cap, the aluminum plate that fixes the bottle will be set on the neck of the bottle. The ROPP capping head has a set of thread forming wheels that rotate around the shell to press against the shell as the machine presses down. This helps to conform to the existing threads of the bottle and lock ring.

ROPP capping machines are can be equipped with single capping head systems or multi-head systems with high-speed rotating capping turret. The advantage of the ROPP capper is that it seals the product while providing tamper-proof security. The threads and neck of the bottle must be rigid enough to withstand the pressure required to form the threads. Therefore, these machines are mostly used on hard plastic or glass.

ROPP cappers are designed and manufactured from high quality stainless steel material, also hard chrome plated and SS cladding to ensure complete corrosion resistance and long life. They are also equipped with single motor synchronous conveyors, platform turrets and star wheels. 

Various models of automatic and semi-automatic machines are available for different productivity associated for your demeand.

What is Roll-on? What is Screw-on?

Roll-on pilfer-proof (ROPP) caps and screw-on caps are two types of closures commonly used for sealing bottles. The main difference between the two is in the way they are applied to the bottle.

A roll-on pilfer-proof cap is a closure that is designed to be rolled onto the bottle neck. The cap is typically made of aluminum and has a threaded skirt that is rolled onto the bottle finish, creating a tight seal. Once sealed, the cap is difficult to remove without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

A screw-on cap, on the other hand, is a closure that is threaded onto the bottle neck. The cap typically has internal threads that match the external threads on the bottle finish. The cap is screwed onto the bottle, creating a seal.

The choice between ROPP caps and screw-on caps depends on the type of product being packaged and the level of security required. ROPP caps are often used for packaging high-value products such as wine, spirits, and pharmaceuticals, while screw-on caps are commonly used for packaging beverages such as water and soft drinks.

The most popular sizes of ROPP caps are 28mm, 30mm, and 31.5mm. The choice of cap size depends on the bottle size and the type of product being packaged. For example, the 28mm cap is commonly used for packaging water and soft drinks, while the 31.5mm cap is used for packaging wine and spirits.

ROPP capping machines are designed to apply ROPP (Roll On Pilfer Proof) caps to glass bottles, not to make the threads on the caps themselves. ROPP caps are typically made from aluminum or tinplate and feature a series of vertical ribs on the side of the cap. These ribs are rolled onto the bottle finish by the capping machine to create a tight and secure seal.

The process of creating the threads on ROPP caps is a separate process that typically involves a rolling machine. The rolling machine uses a set of dies to form the threads on the caps, which are then fed into the capping machine for application to the bottles.

In summary, ROPP capping machines are designed to apply ROPP caps to glass bottles, while the process of creating the threads on the caps is typically done using a rolling machine.

In summary, ROPP caps and screw-on caps are two types of closures commonly used for sealing bottles. The choice between the two depends on the type of product being packaged and the level of security required. The most popular sizes of ROPP caps are 28mm, 30mm, and 31.5mm, and different types of ROPP caps are available for different applications.

What are the differences between screw-on capper and roll-on capper?

The main difference between a screw-on capper and a roll-on capper is in the way they apply the closure to the bottle.

A screw-on capper uses a screw mechanism to apply the closure to the bottle. The cap typically has internal threads that match the external threads on the bottle finish. The capper uses a set of rotating disks to pick up the cap, place it onto the bottle, and then screw it down onto the bottle finish. This process ensures a tight and secure seal on the bottle.

A roll-on capper, on the other hand, uses a different mechanism to apply the closure to the bottle. The cap typically has a threaded skirt that is rolled onto the bottle finish. The capper uses a set of rotating disks to pick up the cap, place it onto the bottle, and then roll the skirt down onto the bottle finish. This process also ensures a tight and secure seal on the bottle.

The choice between a screw-on capper and a roll-on capper depends on the type of closure being used and the level of automation required. Screw-on cappers are typically used for closures such as snap caps or twist-off caps, while roll-on cappers are typically used for ROPP caps.

In summary, the main difference between a screw-on capper and a roll-on capper is in the way they apply the closure to the bottle. Screw-on cappers use a screw mechanism to apply the closure, while roll-on cappers use a rolling mechanism. The choice between the two depends on the type of closure being used and the level of automation required.

If you are not sure which type you should select or you need professionally technical consultation, please contact us, we will provide you with the most suitable solution according to your actual needs.