DESCRIPTION
The SATF-1 is a semi-automatic bucket filling and lidding machine designed for filling liquid and viscous products into pre-made plastic buckets, tubs and other rigid containers. It is suitable for a wide range of products, including yoghurt, cream cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, sauces, salads, confectionery creams, spreads and similar products.
The machine uses net-weight filling to provide accurate dosing of the required product quantity. Its simple semi-automatic configuration provides a cost-effective solution for applications requiring accurate bucket filling and automatic lid closing without the complexity of a fully automatic rotary packaging machine.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
The SATF-1 is a semi-automatic filling and lidding machine in which the operator manually loads the empty buckets onto the roller conveyor and positions each bucket on the weighing platform, where the net-weight filling system dispenses the preset quantity of product.
Depending on the product characteristics, a suitable feed pump — for example a centrifugal or lobe pump — transfers the product from the customer’s main product tank to the machine’s filling system. The filling system is equipped with a filling valve, and the weighing platform uses load cells to continuously measure the weight of the product dispensed and transmit the weight signal to the machine controller.
When the preset target weight is reached, the controller closes the filling valve and redirects the product flow back to the main product tank. This keeps the feed pump running continuously between filling cycles, avoiding repeated start-stop operation and reducing wear on the pump.
After filling, the operator places the plastic lid onto the bucket and moves the filled bucket along the roller conveyor to the lid-closing station, where the machine closes the lid automatically, completing the packaging cycle.
Filling weight and operating parameters are set at the operator control panel, which also displays machine status and alarms. The semi-automatic design allows the operator to handle bucket and lid loading, while filling and lid closing are performed automatically.
