Short answer: choose the line capacity from your daily sales target, not from the machine price. Divide the bottles you plan to sell per day by your working hours, then add about 15–20% for breaks, bottle changes and growth. For example, 50,000 bottles a day on one 10-hour shift needs about 5,000 bottles per hour, so the SVW14-12-5 filler (4,000–5,000 bottles per hour) is the right size. ServoLines builds complete lines from 2,000 to 48,000 bottles per hour.
Step 1: Start from your daily target
Use this simple formula:
Bottles per hour needed = bottles per day ÷ working hours per day × 1.15–1.2
The extra 15–20% covers start-up, cleaning, bottle-size changes and short stops, so you still reach your daily target on a normal day.
Step 2: Match the target to a filling machine
The 3-in-1 water filling machine sets the speed of the whole line. Daily output below assumes one 10-hour shift:
| Model | Bottles/hour | Bottles/day (10 h) | Typical plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| SVW8-8-3 | 2,500–3,000 | 25,000–30,000 | Start-up plant, local distribution |
| SVW14-12-5 | 4,000–5,000 | 40,000–50,000 | Small plant with growth plans |
| SVW18-18-6 | 6,000–8,000 | 60,000–80,000 | Medium plant covering a region |
| SVW24-24-8 | 10,000–12,000 | 100,000–120,000 | Large plant or regional brand |
| SVW32-32-10 | 12,000–14,000 | 120,000–140,000 | High-speed, multi-shift production |
Need more than 140,000 bottles a day? Run two shifts, or choose a larger line: complete ServoLines lines go up to 48,000 bottles per hour.
Step 3: Size the rest of the line to the filler
- Bottle blowing: the blowing machine must make at least as many bottles per hour as the filler fills. Semi-automatic blowers cover 900–2,000 bottles per hour; automatic servo blowers with 2 to 6 cavities cover 2,000–10,000.
- Water treatment: 5,000 bottles per hour of 0.5 L needs 2,500 L/h of treated water, so a 3 T/H reverse osmosis system fits.
- Labelling: hot melt glue labelers run 10,000–24,000 bottles per hour; shrink sleeve labelers 3,000–30,000.
- Packing: 6,000 bottles per hour in 12-bottle packs is about 8 packs per minute; see our shrink film packing machines.
Step 4: Plan for growth
Most new plants grow. If you expect to double sales within two or three years, either buy one size up now, or plan the floor space and water treatment for a second filler later. Upgrading only the filler is usually cheaper than replacing the whole line.
Common mistakes
- Choosing by price only and buying a line that cannot meet peak-season demand.
- Buying a fast filler but a slow blower or labeller, so the whole line runs at the speed of the slowest machine.
- Forgetting that every extra bottle size needs change parts and moulds.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity do I need for 100,000 bottles a day?
On one 10-hour shift that is 10,000 bottles per hour plus a margin, so the SVW24-24-8 (10,000–12,000 bottles per hour) fits. On two 10-hour shifts you need about 5,750 bottles per hour, so the SVW18-18-6 (6,000–8,000) is enough.
Is a small line enough to start?
Yes. Many plants start with the SVW8-8-3 (2,500–3,000 bottles per hour) and one bottle size, then add capacity when sales grow.
Does capacity change with bottle size?
Yes. Rated outputs are usually given for 500 ml bottles; larger bottles fill more slowly, so tell us all your sizes when you request a quote.
Not sure which size fits? Send us your daily target, bottle sizes and country, and we will recommend the line. Request a quote · Related: What determines the price of a water bottling line?