Screw Infeed or Screwless Infeed: Which Is Better for a Rotary Labeling Machine?

When choosing a rotary labeling machine, customers usually focus on labeling speed, accuracy, and production capacity. But the bottle infeed system is also important, especially when the containers have special shapes or strict appearance requirements.

A rotary bottle labeling machine can use different feeding methods depending on the product. Two common options are a screw infeed and a screwless star-wheel infeed. The right choice mainly depends on the bottle shape, material, and surface requirements.

When Is a Screwless Infeed a Better Choice?

For round bottles, a screwless infeed can be a good option when scratches or surface marks are a concern.

With a traditional screw infeed, the screw contacts the bottle while separating and feeding it into the rotary labeling machine. This works well for many applications, but softer plastic bottles or bottles with a high-gloss surface may require more careful handling.

A screwless star-wheel infeed uses a customized star wheel to hold and transfer the bottles. Since the feeding structure can be designed according to the bottle dimensions, it reduces unnecessary contact with the bottle surface.

This type of screwless infeed can be considered for:

• Round PET bottles with a high-gloss surface

• Soft plastic containers

• Round bottles with high appearance requirements

• Products where scratches or surface marks need to be minimized

Screwless star-wheel feeding is mainly suitable for round bottles. For square, rectangular, or special-shaped containers, a screw infeed or another customized feeding system may be more suitable.

When Do You Need a Screw Infeed?

A screw infeed is commonly used when bottles need to be separated and positioned at a controlled distance before entering the labeling station.

For a rotary labeling machine for glass bottles, for example, the screw can help control the spacing between bottles and reduce the possibility of bottles contacting each other during feeding.

It is also commonly used for:

• Square bottles

• Rectangular bottles

• Glass bottles

• Containers requiring stable bottle separation

• Applications where controlled bottle spacing is important

For these applications, a screw infeed can provide stable and consistent bottle feeding before the labeling process.

Feyvan's Screwless Star-Wheel Infeed

For round bottles with strict appearance requirements, Feyvan provides a customized screwless star-wheel infeed for its rotary labeling machines.

The star wheel is designed according to the actual bottle dimensions and matched to the bottle 1:1. This helps keep the bottle stable during transfer while reducing unnecessary contact with the bottle surface.

The system can also be equipped with an overload protection device. If a bottle becomes jammed or the star wheel encounters abnormal external resistance, the machine will automatically give an alarm and stop. This helps protect the feeding system and other mechanical components.

As a rotary labeling machine manufacturer, Feyvan can provide different bottle feeding solutions according to the container shape, material, production speed, and labeling requirements.

Whether you need a rotary self-adhesive labeling machine for round bottles, a rotary labeling machine for glass containers, or another customized application, the infeed system should be selected according to the actual product.

Not sure which feeding system is right for your bottle? Send us the bottle drawing, photos, dimensions, or sample information. Our team can evaluate the application and recommend a suitable solution.