Compact Bench-Scale Platform
Small Capsule Filling Machine for Startups, Labs & Small-Batch Production
Fill up to 20,000 capsules per hour in a footprint of just 1.29 × 0.69 meters. Stainless steel construction, capsule sizes 00#–4#, inverter-controlled dosing — professional encapsulation without the cost or floor space of a full automatic line. Vacuum pump and one complete mold set included.
Sizes 00#–4#
Powder & Granule
Stainless Steel Body
Net Weight 330 kg
20,000Capsules/Hour Max
0.89 m²Floor Footprint
Quick Answer
What is a small capsule filling machine?
A small capsule filling machine is a compact, bench-scale encapsulation unit that fills powder or granule into hard capsules at moderate speed — HIJ's model reaches up to 20,000 capsules per hour across sizes 00#–4#. With a stainless steel body, three-inverter speed control, and a footprint of only 1290 × 685 × 1600 mm, it is the entry point of our capsule filling machines range — ideal for startups, R&D labs, and small-batch manufacturers.
Key Takeaways
- Verified output: up to 20,000 capsules/hour — roughly 160,000 capsules in a single 8-hour shift, enough for most startup and small-brand volumes.
- Five capsule sizes on one machine: 00#, 0#, 1#, 2#, 3#, 4# are covered by interchangeable change parts (molds); one complete mold set is included with the machine.
- Small space, standard utilities: 1290 × 685 × 1600 mm footprint, 330 kg net weight, 380V±10% 50/60Hz three-phase at just 2.21 kW — nonstandard voltages available on request.
- Built for hygiene: stainless steel machine body and working table designed to meet the sanitary requirements of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production, manufactured under ISO 9001 manufacturing standard.
- A clear scaling path: start here, then step up to a semi-automatic capsule filling machine or a fully automatic NJP-Series line as demand grows.
Verified Technical Data
Small Capsule Filling Machine Specifications
Every figure below comes straight from our factory documentation — the same numbers we stand behind during your Factory Acceptance Test.
Technical Parameters
| Max. Output | 20,000 capsules/hour |
| Capsule Size Range | 00#–4# (change parts / molds swapped per size) |
| Dosage Type | Powder / granule material |
| Speed Control | 3 independent inverters: capsule feeding turret, powder feeding turret, powder feeding auger |
| Construction | Stainless steel machine body and working table |
| Power Supply | 380V ±10%, 50/60Hz, 3-phase, 2.21 kW (nonstandard voltages upon request) |
| Machine Size | 1290 × 685 × 1600 mm |
| Net Weight | 330 kg |
| Packing Size / Gross Weight | 1300 × 1150 × 1700 mm / 560 kg (seaworthy wooden case) |
| Warranty | 12 months free of charge, lifetime maintenance support |
What's Included & Optional
Water-Cycle Vacuum Pump
Included as standard — powers reliable capsule separation from day one.
One Complete Mold Set
Your choice of capsule size (e.g. 00#) tooled and tested before shipment.
One Year of Free Spare Parts
Quality-related spare parts shipped by fast courier within 10 days of notice.
Optional: Extra Size Change Parts
Add mold sets for additional capsule sizes to run multiple products.
Optional: JFP-110A Capsule Polisher
Polishing & sorting unit with two brushes and dust collector for a retail-ready finish.
Optional: Vacuum Feeder Connection
The enlarged assistant feeding hopper connects easily to a vacuum feeder for continuous powder supply.
Working Principle
Three Stations, One Simple Workflow
The machine separates the process into three clearly defined stations, with intermediate handling by the operator — simple to learn, easy to clean, and forgiving for new teams.
1
Empty Capsule Feeding & Separation
Empty capsules are loaded into the feeding turret, oriented, and separated into caps and bodies with vacuum assistance from the included water-cycle pump. The inverter lets you match feeding speed to your capsule quality.
2
Powder Filling
Capsule bodies move to the powder feeding turret, where an inverter-controlled auger doses your powder or granule evenly. The enlarged assistant hopper keeps material flowing and connects directly to a vacuum feeder if you automate supply later.
3
Capsule Closing & Locking
Filled bodies are rejoined with their caps and locked at the closing station, delivering finished capsules ready for polishing. Add the optional JFP-110A polisher for a dust-free, retail-ready result.
Built For Your Stage
Who a Small Capsule Filling Machine Is Right For
If a fully automatic line is more machine than your volumes justify, this compact platform delivers professional results at a fraction of the investment and floor space.
Supplement Startups
Launch your own capsule brand in-house instead of paying contract-manufacturing minimums — control your formula, schedule, and margins from batch one.
R&D & Formulation Labs
Produce consistent development and stability batches, with inverter-controlled dosing that translates cleanly when you scale the process up.
Compounding & Herbal Producers
Fill powder and granule formulations across capsule sizes 00#–4# with quick mold changes between products and easy-clean stainless surfaces.
Small & Regional Brands
Serve local and export markets with up to 160,000 capsules per shift — real commercial volume from a machine that fits in under one square meter.
What 20,000 Capsules/Hour Actually Means
160,000capsules per 8-hour shift at maximum rated speed
~3,200bottles of 50 capsules per shift — enough for most growing brands
1operator runs the full workflow after basic training
Your Growth Path
Small vs Semi-Automatic vs Automatic: Where This Machine Fits
Buy the machine your next 2–3 years need — not your next 10. Here is how the compact platform compares within the HIJ range.
| Platform | Output | Capsule Sizes | Best For | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Capsule Filling Machine (this page) | Up to 20,000/hr | 00#–4# | Startups, labs, small-batch brands; lowest investment & footprint | You're here |
| Semi-Automatic Capsule Filling Machine | Mid-scale | Multiple sizes | Growing operations wanting more throughput with operator flexibility | Semi-auto details |
| Automatic NJP-Series (NJP-800/1200/2000) | 48,000–120,000/hr | 00#–5# + Safety A–E | Full commercial production, ±2% accuracy, minimal labor | NJP-Series specs |
| Industrial 24/7 Platform | Continuous duty | Full range | Mass production with forged cam mechanism for round-the-clock reliability | Industrial line |
Not Sure This Size Is Right? Let's Run Your Numbers.
Tell me your target capsules per day and formulation type. I'll confirm whether this compact platform fits — or honestly tell you if a different machine serves you better. No pressure, just engineering.
Get Sizing Advice & Quote
The HIJ Difference
Small Machine, Full-Size Support
Buying your first capsule filler shouldn't mean buying alone. Every compact machine ships with the same engineering support as our largest lines.
Free Powder Trials Before You Buy
Send us your formulation and we'll run filling trials at our Rui'an facility, so you see real weight data with your own product before committing.
25 Working Days Delivery
Standard configurations ship about 25 working days after deposit, packed in a seaworthy wooden case from any Chinese seaport.
Installation & Training Available
Our technicians can commission the machine on-site and train your operators — backed by our full service & support program.
Trade-Up Engineering Path
When you outgrow this machine, we design your next step — from standalone fillers to complete turnkey packaging lines — as one continuous project.
Forester's Insight
Founder & Chief Engineer, HIJ Machinery
Founders often ask me whether they should stretch their budget for an automatic machine "to be safe." My honest answer: usually not. An automatic line running two hours a day is capital sitting idle — money that should have gone into your marketing, your inventory, or your certifications. The smartest first machine is the one that matches your realistic sales forecast for the next two to three years, not your dream forecast for year ten.
This compact platform exists exactly for that stage. It gives you clean, consistent, repeatable capsules on standard utilities in under one square meter — and when your orders genuinely outgrow it, upgrading to an NJP line is a planned step, not a crisis. Start where your business actually is.
About HIJ Machinery & This Page
HIJ Machinery (legal name: Wenzhou Trustar Machinery Technology Co., Ltd) is a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food packaging machinery manufacturer founded in 2004 in Rui'an, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. The small capsule filling machine on this page is the compact entry point of HIJ's capsule filling range, which extends through semi-automatic platforms to fully automatic NJP-Series lines exported to 30+ countries.
HIJ equipment is manufactured under ISO 9001 manufacturing standard with stainless steel construction designed to meet the sanitary requirements of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production. All specifications on this page are taken directly from HIJ factory documentation.
This page was written and reviewed by Forester Xiang, founder and chief engineer of HIJ Machinery, drawing on 20+ years of encapsulation engineering experience and 100+ pharmaceutical facility audits worldwide. Contact: hijpackingmachine.com/contact-us · +86 13868822120 · Xinhu Mansion, Rui'an City, Zhejiang Province, China.
Buyer Questions
Small Capsule Filling Machine FAQ
Straight answers from Forester Xiang to the questions first-time capsule equipment buyers ask most.
How many capsules per hour can a small capsule filling machine fill?
HIJ's small capsule filling machine reaches a maximum output of 20,000 capsules per hour. In practical terms that is roughly 160,000 capsules in a single 8-hour shift, or about 3,200 bottles of 50 capsules — genuine commercial volume for startups, labs, and small brands from a machine occupying under one square meter of floor space.
What capsule sizes does the machine support?
The machine fills hard capsule sizes 00#, 0#, 1#, 2#, 3#, and 4#. Each size uses its own set of change parts (molds); one complete mold set in your chosen size is included with the machine, and additional size sets can be ordered so you can run multiple products on the same unit.
What materials can it fill?
The machine is designed for powder and granule materials, dosed by an inverter-controlled auger with independent speed adjustment. The enlarged assistant feeding hopper connects easily to a vacuum feeder, and the stainless steel body and working table are designed to meet the sanitary requirements of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production. If your powder is unusually sticky or free-flowing, send us a sample — we run free filling trials before you purchase.
What space and utilities do I need to install it?
The machine measures 1290 × 685 × 1600 mm and weighs 330 kg net, so it fits comfortably in a small production room. It runs on 380V ±10%, 50/60Hz three-phase power at just 2.21 kW, and nonstandard voltages are available upon request to match your local supply. A water-cycle vacuum pump is included as standard.
What is included with the machine and what is the delivery time?
The standard package includes the machine, a water-cycle vacuum pump, and one complete mold set in your chosen capsule size, with quality-related spare parts free for one year and lifetime maintenance support. Optional additions include extra capsule size change parts and the JFP-110A capsule polishing and sorting machine. Standard delivery is about 25 working days after the advance payment, packed in a seaworthy wooden case.
When should I choose an automatic machine instead?
If your sustained demand approaches 150,000 to 200,000 capsules per day, or you need ±2% dosing accuracy with minimal operator involvement, a fully automatic NJP-Series machine running 48,000 to 120,000 capsules per hour becomes the better investment. Share your target daily output with us and we will honestly recommend the right platform — including telling you if the smaller machine is all you need for now.
Start Filling Capsules Within Weeks, Not Months
Send me your capsule size, formulation type, and daily output target. I'll confirm the right configuration and send a detailed quotation — including optional polisher and extra mold sets — usually within 48 hours.
Get Free Turnkey Quote