In the manufacturing and packaging industries, filling glue into tubes is a critical process that directly impacts product quality, shelf life, and user experience. Whether you’re producing industrial adhesives, craft glues, or household sealants, choosing the right equipment and following best practices is essential to ensure consistency, reduce waste, and meet production demands. As a leading manufacturer of filling and packaging machinery, Granda Machinery offers tailored solutions to streamline glue-to-tube filling operations. Below is a comprehensive guide to the process, key considerations, and recommended equipment.
1. Step-by-Step Process for Filling Glue into tubes
Filling glue into tubes requires a systematic approach to avoid spills, air bubbles, and uneven filling. Here’s a standard workflow optimized for efficiency:
Step 1: Prepare the Glue and tubes
- Glue Preparation: Ensure the glue has a uniform viscosity (adjust temperature if needed—some thick glues may require gentle heating to flow smoothly without altering their chemical properties). Filter the glue to remove impurities, which can clog nozzles or affect product quality.
- tube Preparation: Select tubes compatible with glue types (e.g., chemical-resistant tubes for industrial adhesives, food-grade tubes for non-toxic craft glues). Clean and dry tubes thoroughly to eliminate dust, moisture, or residual substances from previous batches.
Step 2: Set Up the Filling Equipment
- Mount the tube holders or fixtures to secure tubes in an upright or tilted position (depending on tube design) to prevent movement during filling.
- Calibrate the filling machine to the desired volume (e.g., 50ml, 100ml) based on tube capacity. For Granda Machinery’s equipment, this can be done via a user-friendly touchscreen panel, ensuring precise volume control.
Step 3: Filling Operation
- Activate the machine to draw glue from the storage tank into the filling chamber. Granda’s positive displacement pumps or piston fillers are ideal here—they handle high-viscosity glues (common in industrial applications) without dripping or splashing.
- The filling nozzle dispenses glue into the tube at a controlled speed. For thick glues, use a larger-diameter nozzle to avoid backpressure; for low-viscosity glues, a smaller nozzle prevents overflows.
- Once filled, the machine automatically stops to ensure consistent volume across all tubes.
Step 4: Post-Filling Sealing and Quality Check
- Seal the tube openings using heat sealing, crimping, or screw-on caps (Granda offers integrated sealing modules that sync with filling machines for a seamless workflow).
- Inspect tubes for leaks, air bubbles, or under/over-filling. Reject or rework defective units to maintain product standards.
2. Key Considerations for Glue-to-Tube Filling
Glue’s unique properties (viscosity, chemical composition, drying time) and tube design demand careful attention to avoid production issues. Here are critical factors to prioritize:
Viscosity Compatibility
Glue viscosity ranges from thin (water-like) to extremely thick (paste-like). Using equipment that matches viscosity is non-negotiable:
- Low-viscosity glues (e.g., craft glue): Require machines with anti-drip nozzles and precise flow control to prevent spills.
- High-viscosity glues (e.g., industrial epoxy): Need piston fillers or gear pumps (like ttube in Granda’s GHF series) that can exert enough pressure to push glue through tubes without clogging.
Chemical Resistance
Some glues (e.g., solvent-based adhesives) are corrosive. Ensure all machine contact parts (tanks, pumps, nozzles) are made of chemical-resistant materials:
- Granda Machinery uses 304/316 stainless steel for wetted components, which withstands harsh glues and meets food-grade or industrial safety standards (e.g., FDA, CE).
Air Bubble Prevention
Air bubbles in filled tubes can reduce glue usability and cause customer complaints. Mitigate this by:
- Using vacuum-assisted filling (available in Granda’s advanced models) to remove air from tubes before filling.
- Ensuring the glue tank is properly sealed to avoid air intake during pumping.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
For glues used in sensitive applications (e.g., medical adhesives), equipment must be easy to clean to prevent cross-contamination. Granda’s machines feature quick-disassemble parts and CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems, reducing downtime between batches.
Production Speed and Scalability
Match machine capacity to your output needs:
- Small-batch production: Tabletop fillers (e.g., Granda’s GHT-100) are cost-effective and compact.
- High-volume production: Automatic inline filling lines (e.g., Granda’s GHF-500) can fill 50-200 tubes per minute, with optional integration for labeling and packaging.
3. Recommended Filling Machines from Granda Machinery
Granda Machinery offers a range of glue-to-tube filling solutions, designed to adapt to different glue types, tube sizes, and production scales. Below are top recommendations:
1. Granda GHT-100 Tabletop Piston Filler
- Best for: Small to medium batches (5-500ml tubes), low to high-viscosity glues.
- Key Features: Manual or semi-automatic operation, digital volume adjustment, anti-drip nozzles, and 316 stainless steel contact parts. Ideal for startups or workshops with limited space.
2. Granda GHF-300 Automatic Piston Filling Machine
- Best for: Medium-volume production (30-100 tubes/min), industrial glues (epoxy, silicone).
- Key Features: Servo-driven piston for precise filling, touchscreen control, vacuum degassing function, and compatibility with tubes of 10-200mm diameter. Can be integrated with conveyor belts for automated workflows.
3. Granda GHF-500 Inline Filling and Sealing Line
- Best for: High-volume, fully automated production (80-200 tubes/min).
- Key Features: All-in-one system (filling + sealing + coding), multiple filling heads (2-6), automatic tube feeding, and real-time production monitoring. Suitable for large manufacturers aiming to minimize labor costs and maximize efficiency.
Why Choose Granda Machinery?
- Customization: We tailor machines to your specific glue viscosity, tube size, and branding needs (e.g., adding company logos to control panels).
- Durability: Heavy-duty construction ensures machines operate reliably for 10+ years with minimal maintenance.
- Support: Global after-sales service, including installation, training, and spare parts supply, to keep your production running smoothly.
Conclusion
Filling glue into tubes efficiently requires a balance of proper process design, attention to glue properties, and high-quality equipment. By following the steps and considerations outlined above, and choosing a machine from Granda Machinery’s specialized lineup, you can enhance production consistency, reduce waste, and scale your operations with confidence.
For a personalized consultation—whether you need help selecting the right machine or optimizing your existing workflow—contact Granda Machinery today. Our team of experts will ensure your glue-to-tube filling process meets the highest standards of efficiency and quality.