Match the filling principle to viscosity, particles, shear sensitivity, cleaning, dose range, temperature, chemistry and required cutoff. The pump name alone does not define accuracy or hygienic performance.
Why this matters
Piston filling uses positive displacement and suits many liquids and pastes. Pump systems can offer flexible product transfer and metering. Peristaltic filling isolates product inside tubing and can suit controlled small volumes. Gravity methods can suit free-flowing liquids with stable supply.
Decision table
| Method | Strengths | Watch points |
|---|---|---|
| Piston | Positive displacement, viscous products and nozzle choice | Cylinder range, valves, particles, seals and cleaning |
| Gear/lobe/other pump | Flexible feed and recipe control | Shear, slip, pressure and calibration |
| Peristaltic | Product contained in replaceable tubing | Tube life, pressure, viscosity and dose range |
| Gravity/timed flow | Simple path for free-flowing liquids | Head pressure, foam and supply level |
| Net weight | Direct mass feedback | Scale stability and cutoff |
Information to collect first
- Record viscosity at actual filling temperature.
- Measure the largest particle.
- Define product-contact and cleaning requirements.
- Check shear sensitivity and aeration.
- State minimum and maximum dose.
- Provide final containers for drip trials.
Recommended method
- 1
Screen methods for compatibility first.
- 2
Trial the hardest product at the smallest dose.
- 3
Confirm long-run heating and stoppage behaviour.
- 4
Select nozzle cutoff after observing the product.
- 5
Agree changeover evidence.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Selecting by a broad name such as sauce or chemical.
- Assuming pump speed equals delivered volume.
- Ignoring tubing or seal compatibility.
- Testing only with water.
- Using one pump range for extreme dose ratios.
Questions people also ask
Which filler is best for thick paste?
Piston or suitable positive-displacement pump systems are common, but temperature, particles and cutoff must be trialled.
When is peristaltic filling useful?
When product isolation, rapid fluid-path change or controlled small doses are valuable and pressure/viscosity are suitable.
Can one filler handle thin and thick products?
Possibly, but prove both extremes and expect different nozzles or settings.
Why are comparison trials misleading?
Different samples, temperatures, quantities or check methods make results incomparable.
Continue to the appropriate specialist route
Use the links below after defining the product, pack, output and acceptance criteria.