Visit ENGEL at drinktec 2025 to explore their all-electric e-cap system, delivering efficiency, precision, and innovation in cap production.
When the international beverage and liquid food industry meets at drinktec in Munich from 15 to 19 September, ENGEL will showcase the automated production of closure caps. At the heart of the fully automated production cell is the all-electric e-cap 380 injection moulding machine with a clamping force of 3,800 kN. The application combines maximum energy efficiency with outstanding process consistency and demonstrates how ENGEL increases cost-effectiveness in closure cap production through perfectly coordinated complete systems.
The closures produced for United Caps comply with a widely used standard in the beverage industry. The notch of the tamper-evident band – also called the guarantee ring – is formed in the mould and then folded inwards on the underside in a subsequent step. When opened for the first time, the ring separates from the cap body, providing a clear indication of whether the product has already been opened.
Production takes place in a 48-cavity mould with a cycle time of four seconds. In the fully automated production cell, which is integrated into the ENGEL CC300 control unit, the 38 mm caps are conveyed via a cooling conveyor with waterfall sorting to the folding station, where the lower edge of the band is bent inwards – ensuring a secure fit on the bottle neck.
All-electric and efficient
The e-cap machine series was specially designed for the production of beverage caps. It impresses with short cycle times, high reproducibility, and low energy consumption. The all-electric drive technology enables dynamic and precise motion sequences, while the rigid toggle lever ensures reliable force transmission. With various clamping force sizes and a compact design, e-cap machines are flexibly deployable and designed for continuous operation under the highest demands.
As standard, the e-cap is equipped with the ENGEL Packaging package, which significantly increases the machine’s performance. This includes a HIGH clamping unit optimised for extremely short cycle times, a reinforced, elevated moving platen, high-performance machine feet for stable and smooth operation, and powerful high-performance injection units. The iQ motion control digital assistance system automatically optimises mould movements, thereby reducing cycle times.
