What are packaging machines used for?

Any machine used for packaging

Equipment on a pharmaceutical packaging line

Packaging machinery is used throughout all packaging operations, involving primary packages to distribution packs. This includes many packaging processes: fabrication, cleaning, filling, sealing, combining, labeling, overwrapping, palletizing.

Overview

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Some packaging operations cannot be accomplished without packaging equipment. For example many packages include heat seals to prepare or seal a package. Heat sealers are needed, even in slow labor-intensive operations.

With many industries, the effectiveness of the heat seal is critical to product safety so the heat sealing operation must closely controlled with documented Verification and validation protocols. Food, drug, and medical regulations require consistent seals on packages. Proper equipment is needed.

Automation

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Packaging operations can be designed for variable package sizes and forms or for handling only uniform packages, where the machinery or packaging line is adjustable between production runs. Certainly slow manual operations allow workers to be flexible to package variation but also some automated lines can handle significant random variation.[1]

Moving from manual operations, through semi-automatic operations to fully automated packaging lines offers advantages to some packagers.[2] Other than the obvious control of labor costs, quality can be more consistent, and throughput can be optimized.[3]

Efforts at packaging line automation increasingly use programmable logic controllers[4] and robotics.[5]

Large fully automatic packaging lines can involve several pieces of major equipment from different manufactures as well as conveyors and ancillary equipment. Integrating such systems can be a challenge. Often consultants or external engineering firms are used to coordinate large projects.

Choosing packaging machinery

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Choosing packaging machinery includes an assessment of technical capabilities, labor requirements, worker safety, maintainability, serviceability, reliability, ability to integrate into the packaging line, capital cost, floorspace, flexibility (change-over, materials, multiple products, etc.), energy requirements, quality of outgoing packages, qualifications (for food, pharmaceuticals, etc.), throughput, efficiency, productivity, ergonomics, return on investment, etc.

Packaging machinery can be:

1. purchased as standard, off-the-shelf equipment
2. purchased custom-made or custom-tailored to specific operations
3. purchased refurbished and upgraded
4. manufactured or modified by in-house engineers and maintenance staff

Double chamber vacuum packer

In addition to purchasing equipment, leasing options are often attractive.[6]

Machinery must be compatible with the expected operating conditions. For example, cold temperature operations require special considerations.[7] Some industries must perform periodic washdowns of all equipment. This high pressure chemical washing puts special demands on machinery and control systems.[8][9] Condensation within closed portions of machinery can also be problematic.

Machinery needs to keep control of the product being packaged. For example, powders need to be stable, liquids cannot slosh out,[10] etc.

Some manufacturers decide not to do their own packaging but to employ contract packagers to perform all or some operations. Capital, labor, and other costs are outsourced.

Types of machinery

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Checkweigher Milk bag form-fill-seal operation

Packaging machines may be of the following general types:

Function

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Packaging is necessary to protect products, and is now done mainly through the use of packaging machinery. Machinery plays increasingly important roles such as:

• Improve labor productivity. Sliding blister sealing machine packaging machinery is much faster than manual packaging. One good example of this is the candy packing machine. Here, hundreds to thousands of candies can be wrapped in minutes.
• Ensure packaging quality. Mechanical packaging is particularly important for exported goods to achieve consistent packaging.
• Handle specialized requirements, such as vacuum packaging, inflatable packaging, skin packaging and pressure filling.
• Reduce labor and improve working conditions for bulky/heavy products.
• Protect workers from health effects brought by dust, toxic/hazardous products and prevent environmental contamination.
• Reduce packaging costs and save storage costs for loose products, such as cotton, tobacco, silk, linen, etc., by simply using compression packaging.
• Reliably ensure product hygiene by eliminating hand contact with food and medicines.

Gallery

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See also

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References

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Books, general references

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• Yam, K.L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
• Soroka, W, Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology Institute of Packaging Professionals, [1]
• Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", Chapter 19 – Packaging Machinery, IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-930268-25-4
• Henry J R, "Packaging Machinery Handbook", 2012, ISBN 1479274518
• Kay, M.G., 2012, Material Handling Equipment, Retrieved 2014-10-02.

• Packaging machines at Wikimedia Commons

Navigating the world of packaging machines is overwhelming. Knowing which machine to pick is nigh impossible with a dizzying array of options available for businesses. This article aims to be your ultimate guide as we delve into 10 critical types of machinery designed to cater to a wide range of industries and products.

By understanding the features and capabilities of these machines, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and choose the ideal packaging solution to elevate your business operations.

What is Packaging Machinery?

It is specialized machinery that packages various products, ensuring their protection, freshness, and visual appeal. These machines are essential across a multitude of industries, such as food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods.

Automatic packaging equipment is the latest development — with little human input, these technical marvels weigh, pack, and palletize products. Greater efficiency, reduced labor costs, and increased output drive their uptake as businesses respond to just-in-time supply chains and next-day deliveries. 

10 Types of Equipment for Packaging You Need to Know

These machines take the ready-to-go pouches, open them up, fill them, and seal them — using either a zipper or non-zipper system. Ideal for food products, pet foods, pharmaceuticals, and other consumer goods, they guarantee an airtight seal. 

The pros of using a food packaging machine like this include product versatility, speed, efficiency, high-quality pouch designs, and locked-in freshness. Unsurprisingly, pre-made pouches are the packaging of choice for coffee, spices, pet food, and dried fruits.

HFFS machines create, fill, and seal packages from a single roll of packaging material. They are ideal for products requiring horizontal packagings, like bars, candies, and baked goods.

The benefits of these machines include high-speed packaging, flexibility, and reduced material waste due to the continuous packaging process. However, they may be less suitable for packaging products with irregular shapes or requiring vertical positioning.

VFFS machines function similarly to HFFS machines but create packages vertically, making them perfect for packaging products like chips, nuts, powders, and granules.

Pros of an automatic packing machine include their high-speed operation, versatility in handling various packaging materials, and adaptability for different product types. However, it is important to note that they may not be suitable for packaging large, bulky, or fragile products.

Few packaging solutions are as fast and efficient as flow-wrapping. These machines wrap a continuous plastic film around a product, often using heat sealing to lock in the air, creating a pillow-like final package. 

Candies, snack foods, and baked goods commonly rely on them for their speed and cost efficiency. However, it’s not suitable for products requiring rigid or protective packaging. 

It involves wrapping a product(s) in a heat-sensitive plastic film that shrinks when heated. The result is a tamper-evident protective seal that protects an item or bundles multiple products together. 

Cost-effective, versatility, and a high-quality finish make it popular among packaging machine manufacturers. From water bottles to cosmetics, shrink wrapping is the preferred method of choice — although it doesn’t alter the structural support of alternative packaging methods. 

Meat, fish, and ready meals require packaging that showcases the product and prevents outside contamination. Enter tray sealers — the product is placed in a plastic or polystyrene tray and sealed with a lid or film. 

Nothing creates a protective, airtight environment cheaper and more effective than tray sealing. However, the process struggles with irregular shapes or products requiring additional support. 

They are automated packaging machines that stack products onto pallets for easy transportation and storage. They are used across various industries to improve warehouse efficiency and reduce labor costs. 

Pros of using palletizers include increased productivity, reduced risk of injury, and the ability to handle various package sizes and weights. The main drawback businesses may face is the initial investment cost, which may be high when choosing the right palletizers.

8. Cartoners

These machines are commonly used for liquid or semi-solid food products. These form, fill, and seal machines work effectively and efficiently, producing a sturdy, stackable result ready for the shop shelf. They even range widely in size and style, suitable for everything from food products to consumer goods.

This packaging machinery produces slender, tube-like packages ideal for single-serve products such as coffee, sugar, or pharmaceutical powders. These are commonly found in hotels, restaurants, and other public locations.

Stick packs are as compact as they are convenient — capable of being stored in boxes for easy transport. Plus, minimal material usage lowers cost, even if the process isn’t suitable for anything other than liquid or granular products. 

Unlike any other packaging method — thermoformers take a plastic sheet and, using a mold, mass-produce a custom-shaped container. Food, medical devices, and consumer products can all be stored inside. Indeed, due to the bespoke nature of the mold, thermoforming is highly adaptable to unusual product shapes and sizes. 

Final Thoughts

Packaging machines are indispensable for businesses, playing a pivotal role in preserving product quality, streamlining operations, and cutting down labor expenses. With such a vast array of machinery options, it’s crucial to understand each type’s unique features and benefits to find the perfect solution tailored to your business needs.

If you’re on the lookout for reliable, state-of-the-art packaging systems, don’t hesitate to contact Plan IT Packaging for expert guidance and top-notch assistance.