What to Expect When Your New Filling Machine Arrives – Part 2

November 13, 2026

What to Expect When Your New Filling Machine Arrives – Part 2

 

Line layout and upstream/downstream equipment

If Laub\Hunt is supplying a turnkey system, our engineering team will have already produced a line layout showing equipment positions, conveyor routing, and operator access zones. Ahead of arrival, your plant team should review this layout for any last‑minute adjustments related to doors, columns, or existing infrastructure.

When the filler is integrating into an existing line, we coordinate conveyor heights, starwheel handoffs, and control interlocks with upstream and downstream machines to ensure smooth bottle flow. This systems‑level view is a hallmark of Laub\Hunt’s process and distinguishes us from single‑machine vendors.


Uncrating, Positioning, and Leveling

Safely uncrating and moving the filler

Once at your facility, Laub\Hunt technicians or your rigging contractor will uncrate the machine, following lifting points and handling instructions marked on the frame. Our fillers are engineered with clear lift points and structural members designed to withstand rigging forces, which helps prevent misalignment or damage during placement.

Laub\Hunt specifies rated lifting lugs and gantry points and requires professional riggers for heavy rotary fillers. Its documentation calls out these details so your safety and maintenance teams understand how to move the equipment without risk.

Leveling and alignment on the floor

Once the machine is in position, technicians:

●    Set leveling feet and verify machine level in both directions.

●    Align the filler with the main conveyor and any existing line equipment.

●    Confirm that access doors, guarding, and operator stations have adequate clearance.

Accurate leveling is especially critical for gravity and gravity/vacuum fillers, where consistent head pressure and bowl level are essential for uniform fills. Laub\Hunt’s long experience with gravity, pressure, and mag‑flow systems has shown that careful mechanical alignment at this step pays off with smoother startups and fewer adjustments later.


Hookup: Electrical, Air, and Product Connections

Electrical and controls integration

With the machine in place, Laub\Hunt’s installer or your plant electrician will connect the filler’s main electrical cabinet to your facility power, following the wiring diagrams supplied with the machine. Control signals to and from upstream and downstream equipment—such as infeed star sensors and conveyor run/stop—are tied into your line controls or provided as a complete, central control system for turnkey projects.

Laub\Hunt provides integrated line controls and HMI interfaces that provide unified start/stop, jam handling, and recipe management across the entire line. It supports this through coordinated controls design, particularly on full turnkey installations.

Air and product piping

Next, technicians connect:

●    Compressed air to the machine’s main manifold, verifying pressure and air quality.

●    Product inlet lines to the bowl or manifold, using materials appropriate to your product (e.g., special chemical protection for bleach, sanitary fittings for food and beverage).

●    Return or overflow lines, where applicable, to your bulk tanks or waste handling systems.

Because Laub\Hunt equipment is widely used for bleach and other corrosive products, many models incorporate stainless steel or Hastelloy construction and specialized chemical protection. During hookup, we confirm that plant piping and gaskets match these design assumptions to maintain corrosion resistance and safety.

 

Commissioning: Bringing the Filler to Life

Dry runs and safety checks

Before introducing water or product, Laub\Hunt technicians will perform dry runs to verify basic motions, safety functions, and interlocks. This includes checking:

●    E‑stops and safety guards.

●    Infeed and outfeed sensors and limit switches.

●    Starwheel and conveyor timing without bottles.

These steps echo the commissioning sequences recommended by other packaging machinery suppliers: verify safety first, then mechanical motion, then product flow. For Laub\Hunt, validating safety and control logic early is a non‑negotiable part of every startup.

Contact us for more information and see Part 1 and Part 3 (Coming Soon) of this series.

What to Expect When Your New Filling Machine Arrives – Part 1
November 6, 2026
When Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems ships a new filler, customers can expect a structured, turnkey experience: pre‑validated equipment, coordinated delivery and installation, guided commissioning
November 2, 2026
Material Compatibility: Choosing Equipment That Lasts Material compatibility is one of the most important factors in equipment performance. The wrong choice can lead to premature wear, more maintenance, and unnecessary downtime. At Laub\Hunt Packaging Systems, we consider product chemistry, cleaning requirements, and operating conditions early in the design process so our customers receive equipment with long-term reliability. Why Material Choice Matters Every product places different demands on a filling system . Corrosive formulations, abrasive materials, temperature variation, and washdown exposure all affect how equipment performs over time. Stainless steel is the choice for many applications because of its durability and cleanability, while titanium, PVC, and specialty materials can be appropriate in more demanding environments. The best material is the one that performs well for all needed applications, for the full life of the production line. We view material selection as part of the design strategy for reliability and durability, not just a specification detail. When the equipment is built for the product and the plant environment, you see consistent performance and fewer maintenance disruptions. Where Stainless Steel Fits Stainless steel remains a common choice across liquid filling applications because it offers a strong balance of strength, hygiene, and service life. For many food and beverage, personal care, and household product lines, it provides the durability and cleanability needed for day-to-day production. It also supports sanitation practices that matter in regulated environments. At the same time, stainless steel is not the answer for every contact point or operating condition. Product chemistry, cleaning agents, and process temperatures all influence how the equipment will hold up. We evaluate those conditions carefully so the line is designed for the application, not just the product category. When Specialty Materials are Appropriate Some applications call for materials beyond standard stainless steel. Titanium may be appropriate where corrosion resistance is critical, while PVC or other specialty polymers can be useful in selected chemical filling environments. The key is understanding where the material will be used, what it will contact, and how often the system will be cleaned or exposed to harsh conditions. We encourage engineers and plant managers to look at the full operating environment before making a final decision. A material that performs well in one part of the line may not be the best choice elsewhere. Our engineering approach is to match each component to the conditions it will face, with a focus on service life and dependable operation. Maintenance and Uptime Material compatibility has a direct effect on maintenance. When components are exposed to incompatible products or cleaning agents, wear can develop faster and repairs become more frequent. Over time, that leads to more interruptions and less predictable production output. A well-matched material package can reduce those risks. It can support easier cleaning, better corrosion resistance, and longer intervals between parts replacement. For plant teams, that creates a more stable operating environment and a more manageable maintenance schedule. Supporting Product Integrity In food, beverage, personal care, and chemical applications, material choice also supports product integrity. Equipment surfaces and contact materials must perform consistently while helping protect the quality of the product being run. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on cleanability, compatibility, and durability. Regulatory requirements and customer standards continue to make this area more important. Plants that take material selection seriously are better positioned to maintain quality, reduce risk, and keep production moving. We see material compatibility as a practical decision with clear operational benefits. Our Approach At Laub\Hunt, we design liquid filling systems with these considerations in mind from the outset. Our goal is to help customers choose equipment that fits the product, the process, and the production line. That approach supports reliability, extends equipment life, and helps reduce unplanned downtime. We work with customers in the bleach, pool / spa, household products, industrial chemicals, food and beverage, personal care, and automotive industries. In every case, our focus is on building systems that are durable, maintainable, and appropriate for the job. Contact us for more information.
October 29, 2026
FAQs - The 15 Quality Assurance Checks Every Machine Must Pass Before Shipment - Part 3 Frequently Asked Questions What is a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)? A FAT is a structured, pre‑shipment validation where the machine is tested against performance, safety, and functional requirements—often witnessed by the customer. It confirms the machine is ready before it leaves the factory. Why is lubrication verification done before shipment? Proper lubrication prevents premature wear, overheating, and accuracy issues. Verifying it at the factory ensures all critical components are protected from the first startup. What is the purpose of the wet test? The wet test runs the machine with water to confirm the entire product path is leak‑free and functioning correctly under realistic conditions, reducing contamination and cleanup risks later. Why perform a detergent or “suds” test? Foaming and chemically aggressive products behave differently than water. This test ensures the machine can handle foam, corrosion risk, and level control under real application conditions. How do alignment checks impact performance? Precise alignment of stars, guides, and valves ensures smooth bottle transfer, prevents jams, and maintains consistent fill accuracy across all containers. What safety features are verified before shipment? Technicians test interlocks, limit switches, emergency stops, guarding, and jam detection systems to ensure the machine operates safely and complies with applicable standards. Why is long‑run testing necessary? Extended operation reveals issues like heat buildup, abnormal wear, or noise that short tests cannot detect, improving reliability from day one. What happens if an issue is found during QA checks? The issue is corrected and the affected system is re‑tested before the machine is approved for shipment, ensuring no unresolved problems reach the customer. What documentation is included with the machine? Customers receive operation and maintenance manuals, lubrication guidance, spare parts lists, and recorded factory settings to support installation and ongoing use. How do these QA checks benefit installation and startup? They reduce debugging time, prevent early failures, and provide a stable baseline so the machine can reach full production faster. Are these checks aligned with industry standards? Yes. The process reflects modern practices informed by standards such as ANSI/PMMI B155.1, OSHA requirements, and hygienic design guidelines. Can customers witness the QA or FAT process? In many cases, yes. Customers may attend or review FAT results to verify the machine meets their specifications before shipment. Contact us for more information. Check out part 1 and part 2 of this blog series.