Flow Meter Technologies for Filling Machines: Magnetic vs Coriolis vs Mass Flow

Views: 277 Author: Howie SUN Publish Time:
Fill accuracy is decided by the dosing principle, the product temperature and the condition of the seal, not by the number on the quotation. Yes for typical ±1% tolerance; choose Coriolis only when pulp, viscosity or tighter tolerance demand it.

Filling Machine for Viscous Product

Key facts at a glance
ScopeFilling, capping and closing equipment
Filling principlesGravity, volumetric, isobaric, piston, load cell
Capacity2,000-48,000 BPH by configuration
Accuracy basisVolume, weight or fill level
Contact materialSUS 304 product contact, CIP-ready
Key controlFill accuracy, closure integrity, CIP time

What is the real difference between the two options?

Two options usually differ on one axis that matters and several that do not. Compare the dosing principle, the changeover time and the failure mode before the price, because a cheaper machine often costs more per 1,000 units once changeover and rejects are counted.

Which filling principle fits this product?

Filling principle comes from the product, not from the target BPH. Still liquid at a steady density runs gravity or volumetric; carbonated product needs isobaric; thick product with solids needs a piston; product sold by weight runs a load cell. A machine picked ahead of the product usually gets picked again.

PrincipleDoses byFails when
GravityFill level in the bottleBottle geometry varies
VolumetricChamber volumeValve seal wears
IsobaricVolume under counter-pressurePressure or temperature drifts
PistonDisplacementProduct carries solids
Load cellNet weightProduct temperature moves

A different bottle format means a different unit; see the Gravity Filling Machine for Still Water.

What actually decides fill accuracy?

Four variables sit behind a fill number: the dosing principle, the product temperature, the bottle geometry, and the condition of the valve or piston seal. A machine that holds its tolerance on the factory test can drift in the plant when the product arrives warmer or the bottle wall gets thinner.

For the same duty in another bottle format, the Volumetric Filling Machine for Still Water is specified separately.

How does the closure change the filler specification?

The capping head is built for one closure family. A screw cap, a crown and a ROPP cap need different heads, different heights and different checks. Changing closure after the line is ordered means a new head, and sometimes a new bottle finish, not a setting change.

The same question is worked through from another angle in Volumetric vs. Gravity Filling: What the Acceptance Test Should.

How to read the numbers. Capacity is quoted as a reference range from the product specification. Changeover, CIP and downstream stops sit outside a rated BPH, so plan on 0.65-0.85.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is a filling machine?

It depends on the principle and the product. A volumetric or load cell filler holds a tighter band than gravity on a variable bottle. The tolerance belongs in the acceptance protocol, measured by weight on a defined sample.

Can one filler run different bottle sizes?

Yes, with change parts: star wheels, guide rails, grippers and a recipe. The parts are cheap compared with the changeover time, which is why most plants specify one dominant format.

How long does a CIP cycle take?

From tens of minutes to over an hour, set by the circuit volume and the soil. It is a fixed cost per production day and should be planned as downtime, not squeezed into the shift.

Why does the fill level vary between bottles?

Bottle capacity variation, product temperature, valve wear or foam. On glass, mould-to-mould capacity variation alone is enough to make level filling inconsistent, which is why glass lines often check-weigh.

Key takeaways
  1. The product picks the filling principle; the output only picks the size.
  2. Each closure family needs its own capping head.
  3. Line enquiries rarely specify the neck finish, and it is the item that decides the most change parts.
  4. When the formats are far apart, two small fillers often beat one flexible one.
About the author
Written by the Sunswell engineering team - led by Howie SUN, Founder & CEO, with 14 years in filling and blow-moulding equipment R&D and turnkey project delivery across 71+ countries.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-28 . Reviewed by Sunswell engineering team
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