Engineering Tools

Labeling Machine Capacity Calculator

From your line speed — or from stations × rpm — to practical bottles per hour with real-world efficiency, then matched against U-Packer rotary models. Formulas and constants are published below.

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Your line

All inputs stay in your browser; the URL updates so you can share the calculation.

Line requirement
bottles per hour (BPH) of the filling/packing line the labeler must keep up with
Production pattern
η = (shift time − roll changes − changeovers − maintenance − stops) ÷ shift time. Typical 0.85–0.95.
Bottle & label sanity check
mm, body OD
mm, on the bottle
Schedule (for annual output)

Required labeler capacity

—BPH

Matching U-Packer models

ModelTypeNameplatePractical ×ηMarginVerdict

Practical = nameplate × your η. “Marginal” fits on paper but depends on hitting η — confirm with factory test data.

Output over time

—
bottles / shift
—
bottles / day
—
bottles / year

Size guard (wrap-around)

    Assumptions in this calculation

      Indicative engineering estimate, not a quotation. Final machine sizing is confirmed on your physical bottle and label samples — .

      Frequently asked questions

      What does BPH mean, and how do I convert bottles per minute?

      BPH is bottles per hour — the standard capacity unit for labeling and filling lines. Multiply bottles per minute (BPM) by 60 to get BPH: a 200 BPM line runs 12,000 BPH. This calculator accepts either unit and always shows both.

      Why does my line never reach the machine’s nameplate speed?

      Nameplate BPH is theoretical: stations × rpm × 60 with zero stops. Real production loses time to label-roll changes, SKU changeovers, glue-system care and unplanned stops. The overall efficiency η = (shift time − lost time) ÷ shift time typically lands between 0.85 and 0.95 for a single-SKU long run, and nearer 0.80–0.88 for multi-SKU short batches. That is why this tool applies η before matching a model.

      How much headroom should I plan above my line speed?

      Size the labeler for your upstream/downstream line speed plus 10–15%. The labeler should never be the bottleneck: filler and packer efficiencies differ, and a labeler running permanently at 100% of its nameplate has no reserve for catch-up after a micro-stop.

      Does the rotary formula (stations × rpm) apply to linear machines?

      No. A linear (in-line) labeler’s theoretical output is Q = conveyor speed v (m/min) × 60 ÷ bottle pitch p (m), where pitch = bottle diameter + minimum gap set by the feed screw or star wheel. Rotary machines dominate above roughly 6,000 BPH; below that, linear and single-station machines are often the economical answer.

      How accurate is this calculator?

      Indicative, by design. The formulas are exact; the inputs that vary by factory (efficiency η, changeover times) are stated openly and can be adjusted. Final machine sizing is confirmed against your physical bottle and label samples — send us samples and we validate the calculation on the actual machine.