An automatic drum filling machine is designed to convey, position, weigh, fill, cap, and discharge industrial drums with limited operator handling. The GLZON GZM-200L/220L system uses gravimetric filling, a single filling nozzle, PLC and HMI control, automatic drum positioning, and weight-based dosing for containers from 100 to 220 liters.
Under suitable operating conditions, the machine can fill up to 30 drums per hour with a target accuracy of approximately ±0.2% to ±0.5%. Actual performance depends on the liquid, filling weight, viscosity, supply stability, pump flow, and required handling sequence.
Shanghai GLZON Equipment Co., Ltd. configures each drum filling system according to the customer’s liquid, drum dimensions, required production speed, factory layout, and safety requirements.
How the Automatic Drum Filling Machine Works
The filling process combines container handling and weight control in one automated sequence:
- Empty drums enter the line on the powered conveyor.
- Sensors detect and position each drum beneath the filling station.
- The automatic cap-handling system opens or removes the drum closure.
- The weighing platform records the empty drum’s tare weight.
- The filling nozzle moves into the selected top-fill, sub-surface, or bottom-up position.
- Fast filling delivers most of the required product efficiently.
- Fine filling reduces the flow as the target weight approaches.
- The valve closes, the nozzle withdraws, and the anti-drip sequence limits product carryover.
- The cap is replaced and closed, and the filled drum moves to the discharge conveyor.
This fast-and-fine filling method helps reduce overshoot and improve repeatability. Different target weights and operating parameters can be stored as recipes in the HMI when several approved liquids or drum sizes are used.
Main Features and Technical Specifications
| Parameter | GZM-200L/220L configuration |
|---|---|
| Filling range | 100–220 L |
| Typical drum formats | 100 L, 200 L, 208 L/55-gallon, 216 L, and 220 L |
| Number of filling nozzles | 1 |
| Filling capacity | Up to 30 drums per hour |
| Target filling accuracy | Approximately ±0.2% to ±0.5% |
| Measurement method | Gravimetric weighing with tare and net-weight control |
| Filling modes | Top, sub-surface, or bottom-up |
| Product feeding | Pump-assisted |
| Control system | PLC with touchscreen HMI |
| Drum handling | Automatic conveyor and positioning |
| Cap handling | Automatic opening and closing |
| Grounding | Included |
| Power supply | 380 V; phase and frequency confirmed for the destination factory |
| Compressed air | Required |
| Approximate line length | About 10 m, including conveyor |
| Optional configuration | Explosion-protected or ATEX-oriented design when required |
Drum compatibility must be confirmed from the actual height, diameter, opening, closure, and bung position. Wetted materials, seals, nozzle diameter, hose, pump type, and electrical configuration are selected after reviewing the product and installation conditions.
Selecting the Correct Filling Method
The correct nozzle movement depends on the liquid’s foaming, splashing, viscosity, vapor, and safety characteristics.
- Top filling: A simple arrangement for liquids that fill cleanly with limited foam or splash.
- Sub-surface filling: The nozzle fills below or near the rising liquid surface to help control foam and turbulence.
- Bottom-up filling: The nozzle starts low inside the drum and rises as the liquid level increases. This method is often selected for strongly foaming, splash-sensitive, or vapor-sensitive products after engineering review.
GLZON can configure any of these filling methods, but the selected nozzle length, movement, seals, and control sequence must match the customer’s product and drum geometry.
Suitable Liquids and Applications
The GZM automatic drum filler can be engineered for a wide range of free-flowing and viscous industrial liquids, including:
- Lubricants such as engine oil, motor oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil, and other lube oils
- Industrial chemicals following safety-data and material-compatibility review
- Paints and coatings
- Resins and adhesives
- Detergents and other process liquids
- Suitable solvents and flammable liquids with the required hazardous-area configuration
Compatibility is determined by viscosity, density, filling temperature, corrosiveness, foaming, solids content, curing behavior, and chemical resistance. Customers should provide viscosity in cP or mPa·s at the actual filling temperature, together with density and the safety data sheet.
Filling Accuracy and Production Efficiency
The expected filling accuracy is approximately ±0.2% to ±0.5%, subject to the product and operating conditions. Accurate filling depends on more than the weighing system. Stable product supply, correct fast-and-fine settings, valve response, nozzle design, vibration control, drum positioning, and settling time all influence the final result.
The stated output of up to 30 drums per hour also depends on the application. A low-viscosity liquid supplied at stable pressure will normally fill faster than a high-viscosity resin. Drum indexing, nozzle movement, cap handling, and the required accuracy can also affect the total cycle time.
For this reason, final speed and accuracy should be confirmed during a factory acceptance test using the customer’s product or a liquid with representative flow behavior.
Pump Selection and Product Feeding
The pump must deliver stable flow during both fast and fine filling. Its type and size should be selected according to:
- Liquid viscosity, density, and temperature
- Required filling speed
- Corrosiveness and chemical compatibility
- Solids content and cleaning requirements
- Storage-tank height and location
- Distance between the product tank and filling machine
A raised tank with stable gravity pressure may require a different feeding arrangement from a distant or floor-level tank. GLZON reviews the upstream process before confirming the pump, motor, product pipe, and valve configuration.
Safety, Grounding, and ATEX Options
The machine includes grounding provisions and emergency controls, but grounding alone does not make filling equipment suitable for flammable liquids. Solvent and hazardous-chemical projects require a formal review of the product flash point, vapor release, ventilation, hazardous-area classification, bonding, electrical equipment, ignition risks, and operating procedures.
For installations in potentially explosive atmospheres, GLZON can provide an explosion-protected or ATEX-oriented configuration when required. The final machine category, gas or dust group, temperature class, and documentation must match the intended installation and local regulations.
Information Required for a Technical Quotation
To configure the correct automatic drum filling system, please provide:
- Liquid name and safety data sheet
- Viscosity, density, and filling temperature
- Foaming, corrosiveness, volatility, or solids information
- Drum capacity, dimensions, opening, and closure drawings
- Target net filling weight and acceptable tolerance
- Required drums per hour
- Storage-tank position and available supply pressure
- Preferred filling mode, if already known
- Required cap handling, labeling, coding, or pallet handling
- Hazardous-area classification and destination standards
- Available floor space, line direction, voltage, and compressed-air supply
With this information, GLZON can determine the weighing range, nozzle design, pump, product-contact materials, automation sequence, conveyor layout, safety configuration, and documentation required for the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the same machine fill 200L and 220L drums?
Yes, when both drum formats fall within the approved mechanical range. Separate HMI recipes can control the target weight and filling parameters, although guides, sensors, nozzle travel, or cap-handling tooling may require adjustment.
How accurate is the drum filling machine?
The target accuracy is approximately ±0.2% to ±0.5%. Actual results depend on the liquid, target weight, flow stability, viscosity, valve response, vibration, and machine settings. A multi-cycle factory test is recommended for confirmation.
Can the machine fill corrosive chemicals?
It can be configured for suitable corrosive liquids after a chemical-compatibility review. Product-contact parts, seals, hoses, valves, and the pump must be selected according to the safety data sheet and concentration.
Does the line automatically open and close drum caps?
The described GZM-200L/220L configuration includes automatic cap opening and closing. Final tooling depends on the bung or cap design, required tightening method, and drum orientation.
Request a Drum Filling Machine Proposal
The correct drum filling equipment starts with the product and production process, not a generic specification. Send GLZON your liquid information, drum drawings, target filling weight, required output, plant utilities, and safety requirements.
Shanghai GLZON Equipment Co., Ltd. can configure the GZM-200L/220L automatic drum filling machine with the appropriate weighing system, nozzle movement, pump, product-contact materials, conveyor layout, cap-handling system, and project documentation.