First time buyers
First Time Buyers
Buying your first Packaging Machine?
Investing in your first Packaging machine might be intimidating, but you don’t have to worry! We are here to help you through every step of the process.
To guide you in making an informed decision, we have provided answers to the most common questions about packaging machines and provided tips on purchasing the packaging machine and material that is right for your product and industry.
Understanding Packaging Machines for First time Purchase:
Firstly, form fill seal machines produce bags from roll-stock film. These machines fill the bags with products and seal them in the machine. They are versatile and ideal for packaging various products, including snacks, liquid, granular, and powdered products. Additionally, form fill seal machines are further categorized based on the type of bags they produce. Specialized vertical form fill & seal machines include stick pack & sachet packaging machines. Stickpack machines pack long and slender stick-shaped packages of varying lengths for single use. While sachet packaging machines pack rectangular or square sachets. The choice between these machines depends on the product type, packaging requirements, and product volume.
On the other hand, preformed pouch filling & sealing machines fill and preformed bags with products before sealing them shut. As opposed to vertical form fill seal machines, preformed pouch bagging machines use premade pouches and fill and seal the pouches with the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it difficult to operate a packaging machine?
The machines provided by Unified Flex are easy to operate and do not require extensive technical knowledge. But to put our customers at ease, we provide training along with additional resources to ensure our customers are well-equipped to operate our machines. We ensure your operators know how to use the equipment effectively. Being trained on the equipment by our qualified trainers is an important part of our process to ensure you get the right solution for your needs.
The following list is a sample of our training options, and you can tailor these to meet the requirements of your staff.
- Pre-production due diligence by operators
- Post-production due diligence by operators
- Educating operators about each button on the machine
- Educating operators about machine safety
- Educating operators about setting up an SKU for production
- Educating operators about maximizing production on the equipment
- Educating operators and maintenance staff to maintain the quality of the package
- Educating operators on setting up
To learn more about our machines, Click here to get a consultation with our packaging specialists.
How much does a Packaging Machine cost?
The price of a machine depends upon multiple factors like the scope of automation, functionality, and capability of the machine, mechanical components used in the machine, production capacity of the equipment, and many other factors. It also depends upon your product, the packaging material you plan to use, and the output speeds you plan to achieve.
We cannot give you an exact answer as each packaging machine is specific to the customer & product’s requirement. But to get a quote you can contact our consultants now, click here to get a Quick Quote.
What are semi-automatic packaging machines?
These packaging systems require human input during the packaging process, with a slight advantage over manual packaging. For example; labor will be required to load the product & packages into the packaging machine to start the packaging process. The machine will fill the packages and the labor will be required to carry the packages to the next step of the process. This machine is suitable for low-volume production or in the packaging process where the product is not homogeneous in nature. It is more cost-efficient for small businesses and suitable for businesses with varying production needs.
What are Fully automatic packaging machines?
These machines are efficient and advanced packaging systems that are set up in single or multi-lane setups. They incorporate weighers or fillers to pack different products. These packaging systems are automated and require minimum human intervention during the packaging process. These machines have automatic product feeding, filling, sealing, and labeling processes. The sealing time, temperature, and pressure are usually pre-programmed and controlled. These machines are suitable for mid to high-volume production outputs. Fully Automatic machines require higher initial investments compared to Semi-Automatic machines, but their ROI, productivity, and efficiencies are significantly higher and tend to be more reliable.
Are packaging machines able to accommodate a variety of shapes, sizes, and lengths of bags?
Generally, Packaging machines can handle various bags of different shapes, sizes, and lengths, due to the adjustable settings and components that can be tailored to suit different packaging requirements. However, it is important to recognize the extent of the packaging machine’s flexibility may vary depending on factors such as specific design, capabilities, and manufacturer specifications.
The process of adjusting a machine might take a few minutes to hours provided it has the capability to cater to multiple bag styles. Given the challenges associated with the frequent changes, it must be noted that relying on one versatile machine may not be the best option if production requirements are immensely high.
If your product has multiple packaging options, it is best to invest in a machine for each packaging option as it will be cost-effective provided demand is significant. This approach helps ensure that each machine operates seamlessly within its designated parameters, reducing complexity and increasing product efficiency. To find the right machine for your needs click here to book a consultation with one of our packaging experts.
What is roll stock?
Roll stock is flexible packaging roll-stock or rolls of flexible packaging laminates. These films are usually clear and unprinted, but Unified Flex provides you the option to custom print a design of your choice. These rolls are loaded onto vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machines where they are sliced, formed into bags, filled with products, and sealed. Roll-stock films are an economical option to reduce packaging costs along with the unit cost of products. Additionally, if you are worried about determining the right size length, and material for your product, we have you covered. Through package engineering, we analyze the size, shape, and material composition requirements of your product to ensure desired results. As a well-established packaging equipment manufacturer, we can determine the right packaging material requirement with the packaging equipment used.
What is a preformed pouch/bag?
A preformed pouch or a premade bag is a bag that has already gone through the converting process where clear or printed film is sliced, formed, and sealed into a ready-to-fill bag. It is loaded into a preformed pouch bagging machine that fills it with your product and seals it. Preformed bags are costlier compared to rollstock film but can be a great option for small businesses and startups.
At Unified Flex Packaging Technologies, we offer custom-printed preformed pouches to help your brand succeed through packaging. With the help of our in-house graphic designer, we can develop preformed pouches that reflect the unique character of your product and your brand.
What is a packaging machine filler?
Fillers or dozers are an integral part of a packaging machine. They are responsible for accurately filling specific quantities of products into packages such as bags, pouches, bottles, or jars. Usually, fillers are positioned either above the machine or beside it.
We have explained the most common types of fillers below;
Volumetric fillers: They are ideally used for dispatching dry or semi-dry products like pasta, beans, and rice. It measures volumes based on fixed parameters.
Auger Fillers: They are ideal for filling powdered products like spices, or granular products like salt and sugar. It uses a rotating auger to dispense precise amounts of products.
Piston Fillers: They are used for both free flowing & viscous liquids like sauces and condiments. It utilizes a piston mechanism to measure and fill products before they are dispensed.
Is packaging Automation the right solution for my Business?
Finding out, if automation is the right solution for you depends upon many factors including the customization level of your packaging, your workforce capabilities, production speed requirements, and future business plans. However, the most important factor is production volume. If your desired production output is very low then automation will not be cost-effective. Conversely, for high production requirements, investing in multiple dedicated packaging machines or packaging machines with multiple lanes, is essential to meet demand effectively & consistently.
To start your packaging journey today, click here to book a consultation with one of our packaging experts.