Alternative Metering Systems For Liquid Filling Systems

By Bob Rosen

Selecting the correct metering system is one of the most important pieces when purchasing a filing machine. There are a few variables that you must know about your project before choosing the right metering system such as accuracy, viscosity, fill volume, product characteristics (corrosive, stringy, etc.), material compatibility, and temperature. Depending on these items, the optimal metering system could be a Piston Pump, Rotary Piston Pump, Peristaltic Pump, Flow Meter, Lobe Pump, or Gear Pump. In most cases, the contact parts of these systems are typically constructed of stainless steel; however, non-metallic materials can be substituted for products that are not compatible with stainless steel.

Positive displacement pumps are designed to repetitively dispense present volumes of fluids with a high degree of accuracy. Available in a variety of models, these interchangeable pumps are ideally suited to dispense aqueous liquids, viscous cosmetics (including molten products), aseptic parenterals, and corrosive chemicals. Piston pumps are easy to clean and disassemble and have an accuracy of ± 0.5% or better. There are multiple types of piston pumps to choose from depending on the different variables stated above; however, they have different means to control the flow of liquid into and out of the pump. Examples are as follows: ball check valves with weights or springs, spool valves, ball valves and duck bill valves.