6 Key Factors To Consider When Choosing Packaging Machinery

Investing in packaging machinery is not an easy decision. But if you take the time to do your research, many benefits can outweigh this expense and make it worth every penny spent on these important tools for any business owner or entrepreneur who needs them! If you're considering packaging machinery, you should consider some key factors. Packaging machinery can be complicated, expensive, and difficult to source, which makes it all the more important to ensure you're making the right choice when purchasing your packaging line. To help make this process easier, we've put together a list of six top tips that you should consider when choosing packaging machinery. You could also use these tips as an outline or introduction to your own article on this topic if you wish! Read on for more details.
You can also have a look to our article about why secondary packaging is so important for your business right here !

1 - The Speed Of The Packaging Machinery

When choosing packaging machinery, the speed of the machinery is an important factor to consider. The faster the machinery, the more product can be packaged in a given amount of time. However, it is also important to consider other factors, such as the product's size and the packaging used. Compared to physical labor, packaging machinery works faster and more efficiently. For example, if the product is large, it will likely require more time to package than a small product.

Additionally, if the packaging is complex, it will likely take longer to package than simple packaging. Therefore, the speed of the packaging machinery is just one of several important factors to consider when choosing packaging machinery. It is recommended that when pallet wrapping, you use automatic or semi-automatic machines as it is not only time-saving but also cuts down on material wastage.

Here at Enoline we have a large variety of packaging machinery adapted to every need !

2 - Is The Packaging Machinery Environmentally Friendly?

When selecting packaging machinery, another important factor to consider is whether the machinery is environmentally friendly. With the increasing focus on sustainability, more businesses are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. As a result, many manufacturers have developed packaging machinery that is designed to be more environmentally friendly. One way to determine if a particular packaging machine is eco-friendly is to look for the Energy Star label. This label indicates that the product meets certain energy efficiency standards. Additionally, some packaging machinery is made with recyclable materials, which can further reduce a business's environmental impact. You can also look at the packing machine energy consumption, which would not only be an ecological improvement but also a working machine cost reduction.

Read more about our eco friendly solutions right here

3 - The Packaging Machine Costs

Of course, the cost is always a major consideration when choosing packaging machinery. The initial cost of the machinery is just one factor to consider. Other important costs to consider include the cost of installation, the cost of training employees to use the machinery, and the ongoing cost of maintenance and repairs. In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate with the packaging machinery supplier to include some or all of these costs in the initial purchase price. However, it is important to understand all the costs associated with the packaging machinery before making a final decision.

It is important to have a machinery analysis where the rep visits and runs an evaluation of your current packaging line. This allows you as well as them, in order for there to be improvements made before upgrading or purchasing new machines so that we can ensure our investment will get us what we want out of it without wasting any money !

4 - Staff Training On Packaging Machinery

Another important factor to consider when choosing packaging machinery is the training that will be required for employees who will be using the machinery. In some cases, the packaging machinery supplier may offer training services. However, finding online training courses or hiring a third-party trainer is also possible. The key is to make sure that employees are properly trained on how to use the packaging machinery before using it in the workplace. Improper use of packaging machinery can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Therefore, employees must be properly trained on how to operate the machinery safely.

Read more about security at work here.

5 - The Flexibility Of Packaging Machinery

When choosing packaging machinery, another important factor to consider is the flexibility of the machinery. In other words, you will need to consider how easily the machinery can be adapted to different packaging requirements. For example, some packaging machinery is only able to package one type of product. However, other types of packaging machinery are designed to be more flexible and can be used to package a variety of products. The more flexible the packaging machinery, the more versatile it will be and the more likely it will be able to meet your future packaging needs.

Here at Enoline, our solutions are made to be very compact, flexible and easy to use so you can optimize your warehouse space, production and workforce.

6 - The Warranty On Packaging Machinery

Warranty is also an important factor that you must consider while buying packaging machinery. A warranty gives you the peace of mind that in case your machinery breaks down within the warranty period, you can get it repaired or replaced without spending any extra money. Most good quality packaging machinery comes with a warranty of at least one year. However, some suppliers offer extended warranty periods of up to five years. When choosing packaging machinery, it is important to check the warranty period and make sure that it meets your requirements.

Most importantly, you should chose a manufacturer or packaging integrator on your continent, we made an article which explain why in details right here.

  Our first-time buyer's guide will help you understand the different types of packaging machines, answer the most common packaging machinery questions, and provide tips on how to make the best packaging automation decision for your business.

Link to Kinsun

  Frequently Asked Questions

1.How much does packaging equipment cost?

There is no quick, easy answer to this question. Packaging machinery is specific to the customer, so arriving at 'standard pricing' isn't usually practical. But we can provide a range: For fully automated systems, you can expect to pay in the mid-to-high five figure range all the way up to millions of dollars.

Pricing largely depends upon your unique needs: The products you want to package, the speeds you would like to achieve, your bag styles and sizes, the complexity of your process, and how quick you need the machine delivered.

Generally, the more complex, customized, or high-speed the packaging process is, the more you can expect to pay.

 2.How easy is it to operate packaging equipment?

The good news is that as long as your packaging system isn't hyper-customized, the equipment is pretty easy to use! Most of Samfull's equipment does not require advanced technical knowledge to operate.

Modern packing machines have intuitive full color touch screen interfaces. And if you need to change the machine over to accommodate different bags, it can be done without tools.

Still worried about the learning curve? Ask your representative or contact our service department for training options. Our expert technicians would love to show you how it's all done.

  3.What types of packaging machines do you offer?

Samfull offers a variety of flexible packaging machines that can satisfy almost any requirement.

We offer PREMADE POUCH FILLING AND SEALING MACHINES that are loaded with preformed bags which are then filled with product and sealed shut. These machines are easy to learn and operate and can be run with low-skilled labor. The end product they produce has a premium look. Adjusting these machines for new bags is simple, so they are great for companies that have varied bags sizes and short runs.

We also offer VERTICAL FORM FILL SEAL (VFFS) PACKAGING MACHINES. This equipment forms bag shapes, fills the bags with product, and seals them shut, all in a vertical fashion. These machines are established technology capable of high speeds and economical in cost. They do, however, require a higher level of expertise to operate and troubleshoot and are best for dedicated lines without much variation in product and bag styles.

Another category of equipment we offer is multi-lane SACHET and STICK PACK MACHINES. They work in a similar manner to VFFS machines but produce multiple bags at once via multiple packaging lanes.

Finally, we offer cartoning equipment that erects cardboard cartons, counts out a number of packages, places the bags into the cartons, and seals the cartons shut.

  4.What's the difference between semi-automatic and fully automatic packaging systems?

A fully automated packaging system is optimized for high speeds and minimal human involvement. These solutions are best for companies that run a high number of products with relatively low variation. A fully automated line could include things like equipment to feed the product to the system, a scale to weigh the product, and a machine to place the product into bags. Automated systems provide a high level of accuracy and consistency, but require a larger upfront investment.

A semi-automatic packaging system still requires a substantial level of human labor. For example, a company could use an automated scale to weigh the product, but require a human to dispense the product into bags and seal them. Semi-automatic packaging lines are a great place to start if you're not quite ready for full automation. In many cases, individual pieces of a semi-automatic line can be integrated at a later date with other equipment to create a fully automated system. Overall, semi-automatic packaging lines have a much lower cost of entry, but are slower and less accurate than fully automated systems.

Want more information on Powder Packaging Machine Line? Feel free to contact us.

  5.Can one packaging machine handle different bag styles, sizes, and products?

The short answer is "Usually, yes." Adjusting a machine to accommodate different bags is called changeover, and it can take from minutes to hours depending upon many variables.

The longer answer: Sometimes a one-size-fits-all machine isn't the best choice. The more varied your needs are, the more it may make sense to invest in multiple systems or automate only certain parts of the process. Reason being, packaging machines are optimized to run within certain parameters. If your needs are varied, accommodating those variations within machine parameters can be complex, costly, and inefficient. It can sometimes be better to have a machine that does one thing really well than a machine that does many things 'just okay'.

  6.What's the difference between rollstock film and premade bags?

Knowing the packaging material format you require informs which machinery the equipment manufacturer recommends.

Here are descriptions of two major flexible packaging formats:

Rollstock film is a long, flat sheet of (usually plastic) packaging material that is wound around a hollow core. It is usually pre-printed with graphics. This large roll of film is loaded onto the back of a form fill seal machine which then forms it into bag shapes, fills the bags with product, and seals them shut. Rollstock film is generally economical in cost per bag and can run at high speeds.

Premade bags arrive at the packaging facility already formed into their end bag shape. They are loaded into a pouch fill and seal machine that fills them with product and seals them shut. Premade bags have a premium look that can't be beat, but usually cost more per impression than bags created from rollstock film.

  7.What are packaging machine fillers/dosers and do I need one?

The packaging machine itself does not measure or dispense product. Instead, integrated filling or dosing equipment measures out discrete quantities of product into the packaging machine to be dispensed into the bags. Fillers usually sit above or off to the side of the packaging machine.

Depending upon your needs, different fillers will be recommended. Here are some of the most widely used:

Auger fillers are often used for powder products. This equipment uses a long screw-like mechanism to measure product into bags.

Multi-head scales are often used for solid products. These highly accurate systems use weigh buckets to weigh out product before dropping it into bags.

Liquid pumps usually use a piston mechanism to measure specific volumes of liquid product into bags.

You do not have to have a filler to be able to use a packaging machine. However, if a filler is not present, a human must stand-in. This will limit the system's speed and accuracy. Most of our clients integrate their packaging machine with a filler.

  8.How fast can packaging equipment run?

Packaging equipment speeds are usually represented by bags per minute (BPM), which is how many finished bags can be completed per minute. Machines will usually be rated for a maximum number of bags per minute. Generally, automated flexible packaging machines can be rated for anywhere from 10 - 100 bags per minute.

Actual production speeds, however, depend on many factors. Your product properties, bag sizes and styles, plant environment, and technical skill of operators will all factor in to actual speeds.

The best way to estimate actual production speeds is to send in film/bag and product samples to the packaging machine manufacturer for testing.