Collect
Gather SDS, formulation limits, packs, closures, output, cleaning, site and current process evidence.
Quote preparation
Chemical filling machine enquiry checklist.
A strong enquiry helps the supplier recommend a practical chemical filling machine faster. Copy this checklist into your email before requesting a quote.
- Product and SDS details
- Container, closure and label information
- Output, accuracy, site and integration requirements
40+ yearsmachinery experience
UK supportspecification, installation and aftercare
Chemical focuscorrosive, foamy, solvent and large-container applications
Line integrationfilling, capping, labelling and conveyors
Project details
Copy-and-send enquiry details
Use these points to avoid vague quote requests and reduce back-and-forth.
Product details
- Product name and product family
- SDS or safety notes where relevant
- Viscosity and fill temperature
- Foaming, corrosive, flammable, abrasive or sticky behaviour
- Known compatible or incompatible materials
- Cleaning or product-change requirements
Container and closure
- Container type, material and dimensions
- Fill volume range and tolerance
- Neck finish and opening size
- Cap, pump, trigger, lid, bung or plug details
- Label type and label position
- Photos, dimensions or samples available
Production and site
- Target output per minute, hour or shift
- Batch sizes and SKU count
- Current manual process or existing machinery
- Preferred semi-auto or automatic equipment
- Available footprint, utilities and access
- Need for capping, labelling, coding, conveyors or installation support
Comparison
Example email format
| Field | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Product | Foaming alkaline cleaning liquid; SDS available |
| Fill volume | 500ml, 1L and 5L |
| Container | HDPE bottle and 5L jerrycan; photos and dimensions attached |
| Closure | 28mm screw cap and trigger spray option |
| Output | 20 bottles/min target; 2,000 packs/day |
| Accuracy | +/- target to be discussed |
| Line scope | Filler now; capping and labelling likely included |
| Site | UK production area; single-phase/air available to confirm |
Note
Best next step
Attach photos and dimensions of the container, cap and label panel. For solvents, corrosives or hazardous products, include the SDS and any site constraints from the start.
Specification
Why this checklist improves the quote
Chemical filling machines are project-sensitive. The same fill volume can be easy or difficult depending on product behaviour, cap style, container stability and installation area. Better input usually produces a better shortlist.
Checklist benefits
- Fewer generic replies
- Faster machine selection
- Better capping and labelling fit
- Clearer budget comparison
- Lower risk of missing compatibility issues
FAQ
Chemical filling machine questions
Do I need an SDS before enquiring?
For many chemical products it is strongly recommended, especially for corrosive, solvent, flammable or hazardous liquids.
Can I enquire without final container samples?
Yes, but accurate dimensions or dimensions are needed. Samples should be provided before final specification where possible.
What output figure should I give?
Give the practical target per minute, hour or shift, plus batch sizes and changeover expectations. Avoid quoting only a theoretical maximum.
Speak to Lancing
Need help choosing the right chemical filling machine?
Send the product, fill volume, container, closure and target output. Include SDS and compatibility notes where relevant.
Controlled enquiry brief
Separate confirmed requirements, supplier assumptions and items still to be tested.
A strong chemical filling enquiry gives every supplier the same product, pack, performance and site information. Mark unknown items openly rather than allowing each proposal to make a different assumption. Use document revision and date, and identify who can approve changes to product, materials, layout or acceptance criteria.
| Information group | Details to provide | Supporting evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Product name, formulation/concentration, density, viscosity, temperature, foam, solids, conductivity and known restrictions | Current SDS, technical data and representative sample where agreed |
| Fill requirement | Minimum/normal/maximum fill, target, permitted tolerance, measurement method and inspection frequency | Current records, legal/metrology requirement or approved quality specification |
| Containers | Material, dimensions, neck opening, stability, tolerances, handle/offset features and empty/filled weight | Drawings and production samples from normal supply |
| Closures and labels | Cap/trigger/pump/lid type, orientation, torque/seal, tamper evidence, label panel and code | Component drawings, samples, supplier limits and quality method |
| Output and batches | Good packs per minute/hour, batch size, shifts, changeovers, replenishment and future formats | Production plan and current process observations |
| Product supply | IBC/tank/drum source, pump, pressure, head, hose, recirculation, heating/cooling, filtration and return | Process sketch, utility schedule and connection details |
| Cleaning | Flush/strip/exchange method, cleaning fluid, temperature, waste route, endpoint and changeover time | Approved procedure and compatibility information |
| Site and safety | Layout, access, utilities, environment, DSEAR/zone, extraction, earthing/bonding, spill control and operator tasks | Site drawing, assessments and responsibility matrix |
| Acceptance and support | Trials, FAT, SAT, documents, training, spares, service and required handover evidence | Draft test protocol and deliverables schedule |
Sample and trial plan
State what a trial must prove before sending materials.
Agree the sample quantity, handling, transport and return or disposal before sending hazardous product. The trial should use representative product, smallest and largest fills, least stable packs and normal closures. Define the measurements in advance: fill result, foam, drips, neck cleanliness, cycle, operator intervention, changeover, flushing and any visible effect on wetted parts.
Acceptance wording
Avoid a single statement such as “machine must be accurate and fast”. Define the product condition, sample size, test duration, measurement instrument, permitted result, treatment of rejects and what happens if an action remains open. For line projects, count acceptable finished packs at the agreed discharge rather than only filler cycles.
Attachments that reduce ambiguity
- SDS and product technical data
- Container and closure drawings
- Photographs/video of the current process
- Available floor plan and access dimensions
- Utility and process connection schedule
- Example label, code and finished-pack standard
- Draft FAT/SAT and document list
Compare quotations
Check that every proposal answers the same duty.
| Comparison point | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Which exact wetted materials, seals, hoses and pump internals are offered, and what approval remains customer-dependent? |
| Performance | Which product, fill, pack and operating conditions support the quoted output and accuracy? |
| Scope | Which product-supply, capping, labelling, conveyors, controls, guarding and site interfaces are included or excluded? |
| Cleaning/changeover | What is the agreed method, access, retained product, tooling and verification? |
| Testing | What product and samples will be used, for how long, and what evidence defines pass/fail? |
| Documentation/support | Which manuals, drawings, declarations, training, spares and service items are included? |
Enquiry checklist FAQ
Questions that make quotations comparable.
What if viscosity or density is not known?
State that it is to be confirmed and provide a representative sample or supplier data when available. Do not allow proposals to rely silently on water-like assumptions.
Do I need to know the filling technology?
No. Describe the required result and constraints. Suppliers can compare dosing routes, but should explain why the proposed method suits the product and pack.
How many container samples should be supplied?
Enough to represent normal tolerance and support setup, repeat fills, faults, capping and changeover. Agree the exact quantity with the supplier before the trial.
Should future pack sizes be included?
Yes as clearly labelled future requirements or options. Separate mandatory launch formats from possible later formats so the current machine is not overcomplicated without justification.
Can I specify output as bottles per minute?
Yes, but state whether this means filler cycles or acceptable finished packs, the fill size, product, format, batch duration and included operator tasks.
What should be marked customer responsibility?
Typical items include accurate product/site data, samples, DSEAR/area information, utilities, building works, permits and agreed acceptance attendance. The final responsibility matrix must match the contract.
Issue the brief
Send one version-controlled requirement to Lancing.
Attach the product, pack, site and acceptance evidence available and mark remaining questions for review.
From enquiry to specification
Convert the first checklist into a controlled requirement before order.
The initial enquiry can be concise, but the order should not rely on email fragments. Consolidate confirmed product and pack data, site interfaces, assumptions, sample-trial results and acceptance criteria into a version-controlled requirement. Mark unknowns clearly and assign a route to close them.
Classify
Mark requirements as mandatory, preferred, future, assumed or requiring a trial.
Verify
Link each critical item to document review, inspection, trial, FAT, SAT or site record.
Control
Issue one approved revision and record supplier responses, deviations and changes.
Use the chemical filling URS guide to continue from the enquiry checklist.
One project brief
Send Lancing the current approved revision.
Attach representative samples and identify evidence that still needs to be generated.