The ECT cap tightener has a fractional horsepower motor that is in the hand piece. The motor begins to rotate when the chuck is pressed against the cap. The the rubber liner grips and rotates the cap until the torque reaches the set force on the clutch, then the clutch releases. When the cap is tight, the operator removes the chuck from the cap. To adjust the amount of torque, the clutch is adjusted.   

Advantages:

• Ease of use.
• When the chuck is in contact with the cap, there is force from the motor applied to the cap, this ensures the cap is tight.
• It has a gauge torque setting.

Disadvantages:

• Only one model is available, for use with 110-120 volt, 50-60 hz, 1 phase electrics.
• It is suitable, in most cases, for caps to only 40 mm.
• It is not available in an explosion proof model.
• When the cap is tight, there is force transferred to the operator's wrist until he lifts the chuck from the cap.

Recommended Use:

The ECT cap tighteners are excellent for closing nearly all types of caps on all types of containers. They work well on caps with diameters 40 mm and smaller.

The PCT cap tightener uses an air motor to develop torque. The chuck begins to rotate when the chuck is pressed on the cap and the lever is pressed to start the air motor. The the rubber liner grips and rotates the cap until the force of the air motor can no longer rotate the chuck. When the cap is tight, the operator releases the lever and removes the chuck from the cap. To adjust the amount of torque, the air flow and air pressure can be adjusted. 

Advantages:

• It is Explosion Proof.
• When the chuck is in contact with the cap, there is force from the motor applied to the cap. This ensure the cap is tight.
• It has a gauge torque setting.
• It can close larger caps than the other models and produce a higher torque.

Disadvantages:

• When the cap is tight, there is force transferred to the operator's wrist until he releases the lever on the tightener.

Recommended Use:

They are recommended for explosion proof environments if the containers are metal with metal caps, or plastic containers with necks that are not smooth. The PCT cap tighteners are also recommended for caps above 40 mm diameter. They are recommended if the torque requirements are above 25 inch pounds.

Advantages:

• Because rotation stops when the cap is tight, there is no force on the operator's wrist.
• Models are available for operation in 110-120 and 220-240 volt, 50 or 60 hz, 1 phase electrics.
• Explosion Proof models are also available.

Disadvantages:

• Because there is not a constant drive on the chuck, the cap must have a smooth rotation during tightening.
• Torque is set by adding and removing weights rather than a settable gauge.
• The operator must take more care when pressing the chuck against the cap. Incorrect operation will cause incomplete tightening.
• They are not well suited to metal caps on metal containers because of the high friction through the complete tightening.

Recommended Use:

Inertial cap tighteners are excellent for closing plastic caps on glass bottles, and plastic caps on plastic bottles with smooth necks. They work well on caps with diameters less than 60 mm, without lugs on the side.