Machine Types and Working Principles
Atmospheric Pressure Filling Machine: Its quantification method is relatively simple, controlling the filling volume by liquid level difference or time. If the liquid flow rate is unstable or the control of filling time is not precise enough, it will affect the accuracy. For example, when the viscosity of durian puree changes, the amount filled within the same time may be different, thus leading to a decrease in accuracy.
Pressure Filling Machine: It injects durian puree into the container by relying on pressure. Fluctuations in pressure will have a significant impact on the filling accuracy. If the feeding pressure is unstable or the back pressure in the container changes during the filling process, both will make the flow rate and filling volume of durian puree unstable. Moreover, for high-viscosity durian puree, the pressure transmission effect is not good, which will also affect the accuracy.
Vacuum Filling Machine: Filling is carried out through a vacuum environment. The performance of the vacuum pump and the stability of the vacuum degree are crucial. If the vacuum degree is unstable, it will cause the filling degree of durian puree in the container to be inconsistent, thereby affecting the filling accuracy.
Flowmeter Filling Machine: It completely depends on the flowmeter to control the filling volume. The accuracy, stability, and adaptability of the flowmeter to the characteristics of durian puree (such as whether it contains bubbles, conductivity, etc.) directly determine the filling accuracy. If the flowmeter is subject to electromagnetic interference or the presence of gas in durian puree interferes with the flow measurement, filling errors will occur.
Weighing Filling Machine: It measures the weight by relying on the weighing sensor. The accuracy and stability of the sensor are key factors. If the sensor is affected by external vibrations, electromagnetic interference, or the uneven distribution of durian puree during the filling process (for example, there is more durian puree on one side and less on the other side in the container), measurement errors will occur, thus affecting the filling accuracy.
Piston Filling Machine: The movement accuracy of the piston and the sealing property of the cylinder body affect the filling volume. The stroke error of the piston and the leakage caused by the wear between the piston and the cylinder body will make the amount of durian puree filled each time inconsistent, reducing the filling accuracy.
Characteristics of Durian Puree Itself
Viscosity: High-viscosity durian puree flows slowly and is more difficult to control the flow rate and filling speed during the filling process. For example, very thick durian puree may clog the pipes or valves of the filling machine, resulting in insufficient filling volume; while low-viscosity durian puree may overfill if the flow rate is too fast because it cannot be accurately controlled in time.
Whether It Contains Gas: If durian puree contains gas, the escape of gas during the filling process will cause the filling volume to be unstable. For example, in a pressure filling machine or a flowmeter filling machine, the presence of gas may interfere with pressure transmission or flow measurement, thus affecting the filling accuracy.
Temperature: The temperature change of durian puree will affect its viscosity. When the temperature rises, the viscosity decreases and the flow rate accelerates; when the temperature drops, the viscosity increases and the flow rate slows down. Such changes will make the original filling parameters of the filling machine no longer applicable, thereby affecting the accuracy.
Maintenance and Calibration of Equipment
Regular Maintenance: The valves, pipes, sensors and other components of the filling machine need to be regularly maintained. If the valves are worn or not tightly sealed, it will cause durian puree to leak or the flow control to be inaccurate; the scaling or clogging inside the pipes will change the flow characteristics of durian puree, affecting the filling accuracy.
Calibration: Whether it is a flowmeter, a weighing sensor or other quantitative control components, they all need to be regularly calibrated. If they are not calibrated for a long time, the measurement errors of these components will gradually increase, resulting in a decrease in filling accuracy.
Filling Speed
An overly fast filling speed will make it difficult for the control system of the filling machine to respond accurately and in a timely manner. For example, during high-speed filling, it may be too late to accurately measure and control the amount of durian puree flowing into the container, and it is easy to have overfilling or underfilling situations. Moreover, during high-speed filling, the flow state of durian puree may become more complex, such as generating splashes and foams, which will also affect the filling accuracy.
