Nano ACS: Compact Two-Head Automated Canning System
The Nano ACS is Cask’s compact, two-head automated canning system for producers bringing packaging in-house for the first time or moving off a co-packer or mobile canner without committing to a large-footprint line. It fills and seams 18 cans per minute (45 cases per hour), handles carbonated and still beverages across multiple can formats, and offers integrated liquid nitrogen dosing — making it the smallest-footprint way to start canning while leaving room to scale.
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Nano ACS Specifications
| Specification | Nano ACS |
|---|---|
| Production speed | 18 cans per minute / 45 cases per hour |
| Filling heads | 2 fill heads |
| Footprint | 2.9' x 4.9' = 14.2 sqft / 9m x 1.5m = 1.4 sqm |
| Supported can formats | Standard, Sleek and Slim can formats |
| Can size changeover | Quick changeover between supported can sizes |
| Beverage types | Beer, cider, sours, RTD cocktails, wine, cold-brew coffee, kombucha, other carbonated & still beverages |
| Seamer | Pneumatic seamer |
| Fill head | Universal fill head |
| Fill control | Proprietary foam-creation valves with fill-level sensors |
| Dissolved oxygen | 15–20 ppb DO pickup |
| Carbonation | Verified to 3.2+ volumes CO2 |
| Recipe memory | Stores fill settings per product for repeatable SKU changeovers |
| Liquid nitrogen dosing | Nitro-doser ready with OEM integrated controls |
| Operators required | 1 operator with infeed and outfeed automation |
| Enclosure | Polycarbonate enclosure for safety and hygiene |
| Power | Single phase, 208–240 VAC at 15 A, 50/60 Hz |
| CO2 | 25 psi from plant system, 3/8" barbed fitting |
| Compressed air | 15 cfm at 90 psi. Compressor c/w refrigerated dryer and autofloat drain. |
| Water | 1/2" hot water line (clean-in-place), 1/2" cold water line |
| Product temperature | 32–35.6 °F (0–2 °C) |
| Cleaning | Clean-in-place with caustic |
| Installation & training | 2 day hands-on commissioning & training |
Where the Nano ACS Fits in the Cask Range
The Nano ACS is the entry point to Cask’s range and is generally the right choice for producers bringing packaging in-house for the first time, moving off a co-packer or mobile canner, or canning at taproom and early-distribution volumes. Producers who have already outgrown 18 cans per minute, or who are running several SKUs at higher volume, more often step up to the Micro ACS.
| System | Speed | Output | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano ACS | 18 CPM | 45 cases/hr | First in-house line, smallest footprint |
| Micro ACS | 25 CPM | 63 cases/hr | Multi-SKU production, scaling past entry level |
| ACS Mobile | 40–50 CPM | 100–125 cases/hr | Mobile canning serving multiple sites |
| ACS V6 | 50 CPM | 125 cases/hr | Regional distribution volume |
| ACS FleX2 | 100 CPM | 250 cases/hr | High-volume and co-packing operations |
See the Nano in Operation
This walkthrough shows a Nano ACS canning run in a functional beverage facility, including the full line from can infeed through filling, seaming and off-pack in the kind of footprint most producers are actually working with.
What you will see
- Quick Change Rinser and 3D Inverters. Tool-less can changeover — swapping an inverter set for a different can size takes seconds rather than a scheduled changeover.
- Modular Full-Height Shaker Table. Accumulation infeed keeping cans supplied to the filler without an operator hand-loading them.
- Fill level sensors and filling accuracy. Sensor-controlled fill rather than timed fill, holding volumes consistent as conditions change through a run.
- Digital HMI with real-time data. Can weights trending on screen as they are filled, with corrections made at the panel instead of by stopping the line.
- Rotary Collection Table. Meaningful automation at the outfeed, providing accumulation time and reducing the need for additional operators.
Build A Complete Packaging Line
Increase infeed and outfeed automation, or add capabilities to the Nano ACS for a turnkey packaging system.
- Manual Load Quick Change Rinser: Adds sanitation capability at the Infeed. Paired with the Can Inverters, it allows for a singular infeed solution and easy can size changeover.
- Infeed Funnel or Modular Shaker Table: Accumulation infeed that keeps cans supplied to the Nano ACS for up to 8min or 27min respectively instead of an operator hand-loading.
- Date Coder: Domino Ax130i continuous inkjet printer for batch control and traceability.
- In-Line Labeler: Pack Leader ELF-50 pressure-sensitive wrap-around applicator, for brands running short-run or seasonal SKUs where printed cans are not economical.
- Nitrogen Doser: Chart Industries Ultra Doser with OEM integrated controls for packaging still beverages.
- Rotary Collection Table: Provides meaningful accumulation at the outfeed, reducing the need for additional operators.
Nano ACS FAQs
Is the Nano ACS a two-head canning machine?
Yes. The Nano ACS uses two filling heads. The two-head configuration is what lets a compact system reach its rated throughput while staying small enough for first-time in-house production.
How fast is the Nano ACS?
The Nano ACS runs at 18 cans per minute, or 45 cases per hour. It is the entry point to the Cask range, sitting below the 25 CPM Micro ACS and above manual and entry-level packaging.
Can the Nano ACS integrate liquid nitrogen dosing?
Yes. The Nano ACS is nitro-doser ready with OEM integrated controls, adding a liquid nitrogen dosing system for still and low-carbonation beverages that need additional internal can pressure — such as cold-brew coffee, still RTDs and juices. The doser integrates into the canning line rather than operating as a separate standalone process.
What beverages can the Nano ACS package?
The Nano ACS packages still and carbonated beverages verified to 3.2+ volumes of CO2, including beer, sours, cider, wine, hard seltzer, RTD cocktails, cold-brew coffee, kombucha, tea and functional beverages such as THC and hemp beverages.
What dissolved oxygen levels does the Nano ACS achieve?
Cask customers achieve as low as 15–20 ppb DO pickup. Fill level is controlled by sensor, and proprietary foam-creation valves reduce oxygen pickup at the fill.
How many people does it take to run?
One primary operator with infeed and outfeed automation. Pairing the Nano ACS with an infeed shaker table and a rotary collection table provides the automation and accumulation time to support a one-person operation.
How much floor space does the Nano ACS need?
The Nano ACS has the smallest footprint in the Cask range, at approximately 14 sqft. Cask offers custom layouts and integration support to help minimize footprint and optimize your canning system in your facility.
What utilities does the Nano ACS require?
Single-phase power at 208–240 VAC / 15 A / 50–60 Hz, CO2 at 25 psi, compressed air at 90 psi, and 1/2" hot and cold water lines. Full detail is in the specifications table above.
Is the Nano ACS a good first in-house canning line?
Yes. The Nano ACS is generally the right first line for producers moving off a co-packer or mobile canner, or bringing packaging in-house at taproom and early-distribution volumes. Producers already running several SKUs at higher volume more often step up to the Micro ACS.
Does Cask supply and support canning systems in my region?
Yes. Cask supplies and supports canning systems internationally, with equipment running in 80+ countries and 1,800+ active customers. Cask has dedicated regional teams for North America and the UK & Europe. Installation, operator training, spare parts and ongoing support are provided on-site and/or remotely directly through Cask wherever you operate.
What does a Nano ACS cost?
The Nano ACS starts at $52,500 USD. Complete pricing depends on configuration and auxiliary equipment. Talk with the Cask team for a right-fit quote, and check out Cask's lease calculator tool to explore monthly payment options.
Do I need counter-pressure filling for my beverage, and does the Nano ACS support it?
Not all atmospheric fillers are built the same. Cask's proprietary fill technology gives you precise control at the filler, allowing you to achieve high carbonation without changing your upstream process. Regardless of filler type, products at very high gas levels lose CO₂ during filling, so true in-can carbonation is often lower than assumed. Cask systems reliably tolerate 3.2+ in-can CO₂, validated through extensive testing with Anton Paar, covering virtually all commercial carbonation levels. If you've been told counter-pressure is required for high-carb products, the data tells a more nuanced story. Check it out.
What do installation and training look like with the Nano ACS?
Installation and training takes place over 2 days and is hands-on and production focused, covering system and auxiliary setup checks, seamer calibration, water testing, clean-in-place (CIP) procedures and packaging quality fundamentals, then live runs with your actual product. The Nano ACS is designed to be plug-and-play - most operators are running the line themselves within the first day of setup and training.
What ongoing support does Cask provide after installation?
Cask supports customers for the lifetime of their equipment — with many of our customers running systems for 20+ years. We support customers directly in over 80 countries, and when you call Cask you get a real human on the phone because we know packaging doesn't wait for ticket queues. Whether you need a quick question answered, live video troubleshooting during a run, overnight parts, or an on-site technician, Cask stands behind its equipment. Our goal isn't just to fix issues, it's to help you get the most value out of your system over its entire lifetime.