Define the measurement before testing
Many T‑cork problems are caused by inconsistent inspection rather than a clear machine fault. Before trialling a machine, define where the measurement starts, where it ends and how soon after insertion it is taken. A simple gauge or calliper method is usually more useful than a description such as “flush” or “slightly proud”.
| Reference datum | The fixed bottle feature used for measurement, such as the neck face, a shoulder feature or an agreed jig surface. |
|---|---|
| Measurement timing | Immediate first-off measurement and, where useful, a later observation point to identify closure recovery. |
| Allowed variation | A written acceptance window for good bottles, with examples of rejected high, low or crooked closures. |
| Visual standard | Photographs of accepted packs so decorative-top marking, squareness and label alignment are understood. |
Machine variables that affect the result
The apparent depth can change with bottle base support, head alignment, chuck shape, press travel, closure material and the way the bottle is held during the press. For automatic machines, bottle spacing and conveyor stability also matter because the bottle must arrive squarely under the head before insertion starts.
Support
A soft or unstable base condition can allow the bottle to move instead of accepting the closure cleanly.
Tool contact
The chuck should press the closure top without creating visible damage or allowing the closure to tilt.
Recovery
Some closures may settle or recover after pressing; record both immediate and later measurements if this affects presentation.
Finished-height acceptance checklist
- Define the datum and measurement method.
- Provide accepted and rejected bottle examples.
- Record machine setting, support position and chuck used.
- Measure a representative sample, not only the best examples.
- Photograph any failure mode and keep the associated bottle and closure pair.
For linked issues, see bottle-breakage control, T‑cork troubleshooting and the compatibility checklist.