For a bottled water project, an integrated blow-fill-cap combi system and separate bottle blowing and filling machines are two arrangements to assess. The useful buying question is how each would handle your containers, production schedule and factory conditions. Use this checklist to make the comparison concrete before requesting quotations.
ASG describes its CGF combi-block as combining preform handling and heating with bottle blowing, filling and capping. Its catalogue also lists standalone bottle blowing equipment together with its drinking water filling equipment. These listings do not establish compatibility for a particular project; request a configuration review.
Define the beverage and packaging
Define the beverage, intended filling process and packaging before choosing the machine arrangement. Provide bottle and preform drawings, closure specifications, material information and samples. Ask which product and container combinations are covered by the proposed configuration, and which require further assessment or tooling.
Compare output under agreed conditions
Request a proposal for every important bottle format and product combination. Include planned shifts, batch sizes and changeover frequency. Ask how machine output and complete-line output will be assessed under agreed operating conditions, including the equipment and services included in the acceptance test.
Plan the working factory
Send a scaled factory plan showing columns, doors, ceiling restrictions and utility connections. Ask for operating, cleaning and maintenance access, as well as equipment positions. Include preform and cap supply, product preparation, inspection, labeling and secondary packaging so both proposals cover the same factory boundary.
Review stoppages and restart
Ask how containers move between blowing, filling and capping, and what happens when one stage stops. Request the proposed treatment of affected bottles and product, plus the restart procedure. For separate machines, identify the included transfer arrangements; for a combi, review coordination between the connected processes.
Make changeovers explicit
List the formats you expect to run and request a changeover schedule covering moulds, handling parts, closures, settings and downstream packaging. Identify manual tasks, necessary tools and additional parts. Agree how important format changes will be demonstrated rather than treating one example as representative of every product.
Include cleaning and maintenance
Request cleaning procedures and the required services for your proposed beverage. Clarify preparation, access and return-to-production checks. For maintenance, ask for the recommended schedule, documentation, training and an itemized spare-parts proposal. Separate wear parts, format parts and maintenance tools, and clarify how technical assistance is requested.
Compare utilities and quotation scope
Obtain a utility schedule tied to the quoted operating conditions. Ask for electrical, compressed-air, cooling and water requirements, as applicable. Compare equipment, conveyors, piping, installation, commissioning and acceptance testing on the same basis. Any resource-saving claim needs stated assumptions matching your container, beverage and production plan.
Prepare a useful equipment enquiry
A useful enquiry gives the supplier enough information to propose a documented arrangement. Attach:
- Beverage specification and proposed filling or preservation process.
- Bottle, preform and closure drawings, materials and representative samples.
- Target production plan, batch sizes and complete format list.
- Scaled floor plan, utility information and existing equipment details.
- Required labeling, packing and inspection scope.
- Acceptance requirements, training needs and project constraints.
Review the drinking water solution and the available combi, filling and standalone blowing equipment against your project inputs. Send the details to ASG to request a configuration-specific proposal with clear interfaces and responsibilities.