Buying packaging machine is a big decision especially for the first time buyer. With over more than 10years experience in packaging machine industry, Packway is able to be your good guide to help you to make the right decision,
In this article You will find answers to frequently asked questions before buying a packaging Machine, Packway packaging solution will help you understand the different types of packaging machines and on how to make the optimal packaging solution and decision for your business.
Please be sure to spend mins to read this first time packaging buyer’s guide before proceeding the purchase.
Table of Contents
Define your products
Different product with different natures, as like easy breakage for chocolate,dusty for powder,sticky for cheese. There is no one universal packaging machine can pack all products on one packaging machine.Packaging machine may need special customization in order to handle your products well.
It is necessary to offer as detail information about your requirement to you packaging machine supplier if you expect a optimal packaging solution from them.
Confirm your package types
The most common type package is filmroll,premade pouch. And they are produced on different kind of packaging machine. VFFS packaging machine with filmroll style package, and premade pouch packaging machine with premade pouch.
Film roll
Filmroll is a large roll of plastic packaging film prewrapped around a hollow core. The large filmroll will be transformed by a packaging machine into the bag style,ie pillow bag,gusset bag etc. Basically, roll stock film is the most economical choice meanwhile can be processed at higher speeds.
And fill roll most used on VFFS packaging machine and flowpack packaging machine
Simplified and flexible, vertical form fill seal packing machines start with a large roll of film, form it into a bag shape, fill the bag with product, and seal it, all in a vertical fashion. Different style of packaging can be produced on the vertical machine. Various widths can be processed by changing different bag forming parts.
Flowpack packaging machine is a machine for wrapping a flow of products into a film of packaging material and fold the film in a tubular form around the products,then seal the bag.It is one kind of film bag packaging machine in the world.it is widely use in food packaging industry
Premed pouch
Premade pouch is formed into a bag shape by a film supplier before arriving in your hands. A premade pouch packaging machine then fills and perfectly seals these bags. basically, the cost of the premade pouch is higher cost compared to film roll but provides a more premium look.
With premade pouch packaging style, the rotary premade pouch packaging machine and doypack packaging machine are most used in todays packaging process
Rotary premade pouch packaging machine is the high packaging capacity equipment for premade pouch, the most popular model is the 8 station premade pouch packaging machine, Each station can be flexible integrated with different device for various purpose. This machine canbe applied for various pouch and add extra features ,ie zipper lock. It can stably produce approx 20-60 pouch/min.
Doypack packaging machine is the simplify structure equipment, relatively simple function and lower speed, practically giving 5 to 20pouch/min depend on different kind of applications.
Can one packaging machine pack all your products
Simply you can confirm if all your product and can be process in just on packaging machine,
a. First to confirm the package style, if fillroll or premade pouch only, or you have different type of package.
b. Second to confirm your package dimension, as every machine made with applicable pack range, it your package dimension are much bigger than that, it will not fit.
c. Third, consider if the filling machine are suitable for all your products, obviously for granule product, you can choose a multihead weigher,linear weigher ,or cup filler. However for liquid products, those machine is not able to handle, in stead you need extra one liquid filling machine (liquid pump etc)
d. lastly consider about the products character, for small granule and big piece or block product, it is not 100% sure if one filling machine like multihead weigher can handle all of them, as there will be a product stuck issue if product are oversize then multihead weigher buckets opening dimensions.
Semi automatic or fully automatic packaging solution required
Generally, semi-automatic packaging machine includes an operator starting the process machine before finishes. However the fully-automatic packaging system starts the process and finishes it with minimal operator assistance.
Customer may consider either one packaging solution according to actual demand and situation, such as
a. Budgetary cost
Semi automatic packaging machine is most welcome by small scale business or the new starter to automate the packaging process business owner, obviously the investment is much lower compared to a fully automatic packaging system
b. Factory space availability
With the tight factory space availability,the semi automatic solution will be the first choice.
c. Packaging capacity
The semi automatic solution packaging speed is limited by the operator, how fast the operator can do how much packaging output customer can get.
What packaging capacity required
Consider the working hours and packaging capacity demand to choose best packaging solutions.
In term of VFFS package machine system. Standard speed 40-60pack/min, the intermittent vffs packaging machine + linear weigher ,cup filler will be the most regular choice. High speed more than 100pack/min, the continuous packaging machine + multihead weigher is the good fit
In term of the Flowpack packaging machine .Standard speed 30-70pack/min, the single jaw flowpack machine will be used. For high speed flowpack machine more than 100pack/min, the rotary jaw or reciprocating jaw flowpack machine will be the optimal solutions.
Regard to the Premade pouch. The Rotary premade pouch packaging machine is applied in high speed more than 60pouch/min , And the Mini doypack packaging machine is able to give 5-20pouch/min regularly.
What is the cost for your packaging machine
Packaging system configurations is differ from project to project.Most of the cases, it is customized as per customers requirements, To offer you a initial quotation, supplies usually need some basic information: your bag style, pack weigh gram, product nature , packaging capacity required etc. Of course, the more facts we know, the more accurate quotation will be
Basically there are some factors affect the cost of the packaging machine
a. Machine cost
This is related with the machine itself,such as how much functionality the machine were featured, what kind of reliable and durable electrical component were used on the packaging machine
b. Labor cost
Every packaging machine supplier are different, such as in business scale,R&D capability,technical strength, skillfull workers, and their labor cost are different as well
c. Operation cost
Obviously in most circumstance,the giant company have much higher operation cost compared to mid scale manufacturer.
d. Branding
Giant or big company usually put a lot money in branding and marketing,such as exhibition, website advertising, And these money for sure have to be covered their selling price.
Packaging system is usually different for every projects, and it is different from supplier to supplier as well,From several thousands semi automatic solution to dozens thousands dollar fully automatic solution are possible.Thus we advice you talk to our packaging expert for an initial proposal for reference.
How long is the delivery time
The delivery time depends on how much customization needed to your machine, as well as the complexity and the orders we already have in production.
The delivery time of your machine will be impacted by two main reasons
1)The level of customization and complexity of your machine
For some regular standard machine, we have enough material and even ready machine in stock thus delivery in several days can happen, but most of the projects are not standard due to customer have their unique requirements on capacity,package style, available space of the factory, budget etc. In this case, the complexity and customization level decide how quick we can finish your orders.
2)Our production status
It is very fair that we arrange the manufacturing of the machines according to date of customer confirm the order and settle the downpayment. Once the payment is transfered,, the order is added to production, So if our production capacity already full, the later orders will be postponed correspondingly.
How to do the factory acceptance test
It is very important to proceed the factory acceptance test before delivery the packaging machine to your factory plant.
In order to fullfill all project requirements, we advice customer to do the test with their own packaging material and products. If that is the regular easy handling products, it is also ok to do the test with similar products if not able to find the same.
Be sure to keep in mind that to ask your supplier to make good record to the parameter setting, as well as testing video in order to help you run the machine smoothly during the commissioning onsite.
How to do the installation and commissioning
Installation and commissioning are critical before putting packaging machines into real production smoothly
At PACKWAY we will provide assist our customers in these ways
1)Arranging engineer onsite
2)Online technical support
3)Video and operation manual guidance
Get some spare part as stock
Spare parts refer to interchangeable parts that customer have to keep on hand to replace when parts are lost, damaged, or worn out over time.
Spare parts are critical for customer to maintain high productivity. Preparing spare parts in advanced allows you to meet or exceed your production goals and ensure the on-time shipment and delivery of your products
Without spare parts on hand, you’ll need to order these items whenever a piece of packaging equipment fails. That could result in maachines downtime while you have wait for the part from your packaging machine supplier, causing lost profits and effects on productivity.
Talk to your supplier when ordering packaging machine, and get safe margin qualities spare parts in advanced to secure your packaging production.
We hope this guideline can give your comprehensive understanding before purchasing the packaging machine,If you have further question or advice for us ,You are most welcome to reach us at info@packwaymachine.com
