Cartridge Filling Machines and Your Business
When a company is ready to start filling vape cartridges and actively trying to decide whether to use manual filling strategies or to go automatic, there are many considerations depending on the business' priorities.
We developed this article with the hope that you will find the below information insightful and supportive in making those decisions for your business. Within the oil & concentrate sectors of the industry, new and innovative products are continually rolling out and it's hard to distinguish what is really the best fit for your business.
Filling machines are an important part of this sector. We believe the industrial revolution shows us a thing or two about scaling and optimizing production. In this article, we will be reviewing some of the strategies we have found to be most effective and efficient.
What is a Cartridge Filling Machine?
Cartridge filling machines are designed to fill vape cartridges with exact dosages of concentrates, such as various blends of THC oil, CBD oil, and Live Resin. After being filled, consumers attach these cartridges to batteries in order to heat up and vaporize the oil to be inhaled. The machines come in many different sizes and shapes and most can be custom tailored to suit your business' needs.
The main hardware that comprises the filling machines vary from brand to brand but most have an oil chamber that can be filled up and is used to dispense the oils, a nozzle that injects the concentrates into the cartridges and a holding tray to put the cartridges in while filling them. Some are equipped with a heating element to make the distribution of more viscous oils easier while others use a piston to force enough pressure into the line to get the same results.
Types of Filling Machines
There are three different types of filling machines on the market: Manual, Semi-automated and Fully-automated fillers.
Manual Filling
Manual hardware typically fills one cartridge at a time, utilizing a smaller amount of space and keeping start-up investment costs lower. Tools include syringes and hotplates.
- Heating: Essential for viscous oils like distillate.
- Precision: Requires a scale for compliance.
- Risk: Higher chance of contaminants and "foggy" appearance from syringe lubricant.
Automatic Filling Machines
These can fill roughly 2,000 vape cartridges within an hour (amount varies by machine), ramping up production speed while limiting the contact with the operators.
They are more pricey up front but often when taking into consideration the hourly rate of manual labor, automatic machines typically pay for themselves on calculable ROI periods. There is also less chance of contaminants entering the filled tanks and more consistency in volume distribution.
Operator Requirement
"As a fully automated system, the pump, fill volumes, and environmental controls are all controlled by software and require little-to-no intervention from an operator once a production run has been fully loaded and processed to begin."
Semi-Automatic Filling Machines
The happy medium between these two options is the semi-automatic filling systems. These are ideal for mid-level to bigger companies that need to fulfill more quantities quickly but don't have the space or budget for a fully automatic machine.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Filling Machine
As with any major purchase, there are a few things to take into consideration. Researching different machines is a key part to making an informed decision.
- Oil ViscosityEnsure the machine can handle your specific oil thickness (distillate vs live resin).
- Production VolumeMatch the machine's throughput to your daily/weekly targets.
- Warranty & ServiceLook for reliable support and clear maintenance terms.
- Lab SpaceConsider the footprint; automated machines can be large.
Capping Machines
Alongside the filling machines, capping methods can also be completely manual, semi-automatic, or completely automatic. Some of these machines can come separately or be integrated.
Screw-on vs Press-on Caps
There are two distinct types of caps for cartridges currently: screw-on and press-on.
Screw-on
Threaded center-post. Can be added manually or with a twisting machine.
Press-on
Pressed onto filled cartridge. Often faster for mass production using hydraulic presses.
Top Filling Machines on the Market
There are many Vape Cartridge filling machines to choose from on the market. Two of the top manufacturers are Thompson & Duke and Convectium.
Convectium 710 Shark
The 710 Shark by Convectium is probably the most popular within the industry. It is fully automated and can handle approximately 100 cartridges per minute. It supports multiple types of vape cartridges from glass to polycarbonate.
Thompson & Duke ACF1
Thompson and Duke have options for both semi-automatic and fully-automatic needs. The ACF1 Automatic Vaporizer Filling Machine is versatile and can handle almost any type of cartridge, POD, syringe or jar.
Need Compatible Hardware?
Our quartz cartridges are compatible with most major filling machines. Get a sample kit to test compatibility.
Request Free Sample KitAbout the Author: Tommy La Plant
Tommy is a seasoned expert in vape pen hardware and manufacturing, bringing years of industry experience and a deep understanding of cutting-edge technology to the forefront. Based in Las Vegas, NV, he combines his expertise in illustration and graphic design with extensive knowledge of vape technology.