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By Miriam Ciriano
Before investing in a bottle unscrambler, it is essential to analyze several technical and operational aspects that will make a real difference in the performance of your line. It is not just about speed, but also about reliability, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to the specific needs of your product and industry. This guide outlines the key criteria that will help you choose the most suitable system and supplier, keeping in mind both current efficiency and future challenges.
1. Bottle Type and Material
Different unscramblers are engineered for specific bottle shapes, weights, and materials. Since this equipment represents a significant investment, think long-term. Choose a flexible system that can handle both your current SKUs and anticipated future packaging trends.
Ask your supplier about their experience with:
- Complex shapes (e.g., off-centre necks, tall or slim designs).
- Challenging materials (e.g., rPET, ultra-lightweight bottles).
- Delicate surfaces (e.g., coloured PET, decorated bottles).
A premium automatic bottle unscrambler should ensure gentle handling regardless of complexity.
2. Required Throughput
Performance is more than just theoretical speed — Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) must be achieved and sustained. Include these targets in your contract and validate them during extended runs at the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT).
A rotary bottle unscrambler is often the best choice for high-speed lines thanks to its solid, simple, and fast mechanical design. But speed is meaningless without consistent uptime and stable operation.
3. Available Space and Layout
Your facility’s physical constraints will determine the line configuration. If space is limited or bottles are unstable, consider air conveyor systems or puck-handling systems.
Layout design is not just a formality — your supplier should act as a trusted advisor, delivering complete engineering for infeed and outfeed systems adapted to your actual space and conditions.
4. Sector-Specific Needs
Different industries have different requirements:
- Pharmaceutical: must comply with GMP standards and use sterilizable parts.
- Cosmetics: often require handling asymmetrical, delicate bottles.
- Food & beverage: must use certified food-grade materials.
- Chemicals: require compatibility with aggressive products and robust materials
Define these in your User Requirement Specifications (URS) to ensure proper validation during FAT.
5. Proven Technology and Reliability
Select a solution with proven unscrambling technology and references across all relevant markets — not just in Europe or the USA.
Experience matters: a reliable supplier will have dozens, if not hundreds, of successful installations in your sector.
6. Service and Support
A high-quality unscrambler can operate for more than 20 years, so after-sales service is as important as the machine itself.
Key questions to ask:
- How are obsolete components managed?
- Can older machines be upgraded?
- What are the estimated maintenance costs over two years?
Knowing your OPEX in advance avoids surprises and ensures long-term operational stability.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bottle unscrambler manufacturer goes beyond comparing machines. It’s about finding a partner who understands your products, your sector, and your future. From optimised layout design to dependable long-term support, your decision today will shape your line’s efficiency for decades.