Fixing softgel capsule oil leakage and open seam issues on softgel encapsulation machines
Softgel capsules with oil leakage, open seams, or failed leak tests are serious issues in softgel production. If the root cause is not properly addressed, the defect may repeat continuously, increasing the reject rate, affecting production batches, and causing significant losses for the factory.
When should a softgel encapsulation machine be inspected?
In a Softgel Encapsulation Machine production line, oil leakage is usually not caused by a single component alone. It may indicate that the system is becoming unstable in the sealing area, gelatin ribbon, filling pump, die roll, or drying conditions.
- Softgel capsules leak oil after encapsulation or after several hours of drying.
- The sealing line is not fully closed, with weak or uneven seams.
- Capsules stick together in the tumble dryer or drying trays.
- The leak test failure rate increases abnormally.
- Capsules become dented, deformed, or soft at the seam area.
- The machine must be slowed down to reduce the defect rate.
Common causes of oil leakage and open seam defects
To effectively solve softgel capsule oil leakage, the mechanical system, temperature, gelatin, filling system, and control system all need to be inspected together.
If only the temperature is adjusted or the die is replaced without evaluating the entire system, the defect may return after a short period of operation.
Weak heaters, inaccurate sensors, or uneven heat distribution can cause the seam to seal improperly.
Ribbon that is too dry, too moist, uneven in thickness, or not yet stable can result in weak seams.
Scratched, worn, eccentric die rolls or uneven compression pressure can cause seam sealing defects.
Unstable filling pumps, worn pistons, or air in the supply line can make capsule formation unstable.
Unstable bearings, gearboxes, couplings, or servo systems can cause seam misalignment and increase the leak rate.
Incorrect humidity, airflow, or drying time may cause capsules to leak oil after leaving the machine.
VietSonic softgel encapsulation machine repair and maintenance service
VietSonic provides inspection, repair, and maintenance services for softgel encapsulation machines used in pharmaceutical,
dietary supplement, omega-3, fish oil, vitamin, and other softgel product manufacturing plants.
Technical inspection scope
- Inspect the die roll, wedge, ribbon system, and fill pump assemblies.
- Evaluate sealing temperature, seam stability, and gelatin ribbon condition.
- Inspect servo motors, encoders, sensors, heaters, and the temperature control system.
- Inspect vibration, looseness, eccentricity, and bearing condition.
- Evaluate the causes of leak test failure and high capsule defect rates.
Technical support process
Record the symptoms: oil leakage, open seams, capsule sticking, weight variation, failed leak tests, or unstable machine operation.
Evaluate key assemblies such as the die roll, wedge, ribbon, pump, servo, gearbox, heater, and sensors.
Analyze whether the defect comes from mechanical issues, heat, gelatin, filling, control systems, or drying conditions.
Adjust, maintain, replace worn parts, restore mechanical assemblies, or calibrate the control system when necessary.
Check operating stability, seam quality, leak rate, and the machine’s ability to run continuously in production.
Why should softgel capsule oil leakage be fixed early?
Oil leakage does not only affect the appearance of softgel capsules. In actual production, this defect can affect product stability, storage performance, capsule weight, shell sealing integrity, and the pass rate of the entire batch.
- Reduce the risk of damaging the production batch.
- Limit extended downtime.
- Reduce gelatin and filling material losses.
- Stabilize capsule quality after drying.
- Extend the service life of the die roll, pump, and transmission system.
Is your softgel encapsulation machine experiencing oil leakage or open seam defects?
VietSonic provides inspection, repair, and maintenance support for Softgel Encapsulation Machines based on the actual condition of each production line.
Vietnam Ultrasonic Equipment Co., Ltd.
Phone: 0938 49 33 66 | Email: info.vietsonic@gmail.com