Types of Packaging Machines

Packaging machines are designed to produce a wide variety of different types of packages. They include machinery that forms, fills, seals, and wraps. They also include equipment for sorting, counting, and accumulating. Closing methods can include caps and lids, glue, corks, heat seals, or nails.

Machine flexibility can help reduce overall packaging costs by reducing the number of machines required for each order type. However, achieving flexibility often requires compromise in key areas.

Vertical Packaging Machine

When selecting the right packaging machine for your production line, consider factors such as technical capabilities, labor requirements and worker safety. You also need to look at floor space and energy costs. You should also evaluate the quality of the outgoing packages and whether the machine is qualified for food or pharmaceutical production.

A vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine is a high-performance packaging machine that can package a wide range of powders, chemicals and agricultural products in a hygienic manner. This type of machine is often used for packaging wet wipes, dental and cosmetic cleaning products, baby diapers, wet pet foods and powder chemicals. It can form, weigh, measure, fill and seal a pouch of product. It can even print a date and batch number on the bags.

Various models of VFFS machines are available. Some are designed for continuous production, while others are intended for intermittent use. Continuous VFFS machines can pack up to 300 bags per packing machine minute. Intermittent VFFS machines can achieve up to 100 bags per minute.

A VFFS machine starts with a roll of film material that is fed into a collared, hollow forming tube. Proper web tension and guides ensure that the film tracks correctly. The forming tube is then filled with the product. Portions of the product drop down into the forming tube and are sealed by vertical sealing jaws to form the back seal of the bag. A cutting head then slices between the seals to create individual packaged bags.

Pouch Filling Machine

A pouch filling machine is a specialized piece of packaging machinery that automatically opens, fills and seals premade pouches. It can handle a wide range of product types, including liquids, pastes, powders, and snacks. This type of machine is available with either an inline or rotary layout. Both designs are efficient and easy to operate.

A rotary pouch packing machine starts by feeding a stack of premade pouches into a bag magazine. The pouches are then conveyed to a main module that opens and fills the bags. This module also has an optional gas flush feature to remove oxygen from the pouch and extend its shelf life.

The first step of a pouch filling machine is to open the bag by suction and air blast. After the bag is open, it drops down a bag funnel where the desired amount of product is dropped into the bag. This is done using a multi-head scale for liquid products and an auger for powders.

Once the product is dispensed into the bag, the machine closes and seals it using heat or ultrasonic sealing methods. The pouch is then cut and falls into a collection system, typically a conveyor belt that brings it to the next process.

Many pouch filling machines also have an inline or off-line coder that prints the necessary codes and dates on each packaged product. Some machines even offer an inkjet printer for printing best-before dates and lot codes.

Heat Sealing Machine

Heat sealers use a thermoplastic fabric that melts at a high temperature. It is then pressed between two separate materials to create a solid bond. These machines are used to seal bags, pouches, blister packs, and jars of liquids, granules, and powders. They also include features that make the process faster and easier. Some have integrated feeders and computer interfaces that link to a control network. Others are designed to meet specific requirements for chemical, medical, and pharmaceutical products. They are often portable and have casters or wheels for easy movement. Many are aseptic or sanitary for improved protection of products from pathogens and microorganisms.

A heat sealer can be manual or automatic. Manual models have a lower seal bar that melts the film and is packing machine then cooled rapidly. This allows a single operator to handle high volumes of packaging. It is ideal for smaller operations such as chemists and newsagents that need to bundle products or cover Christmas hampers.

Automized units have a conveyor belt that moves the packages through the heating and cooling processes. They are programmable and list their production rates, which are typically listed as pieces per minute. Some of them can also be used for vacuum or gas flushing, which removes air from the package and introduces a controlled amount of nitrogen or carbon dioxide to prevent spoilage.

Sterilization Machine

Autoclaves are commonly used to sterilize surgical instruments, laboratory equipment and pharmaceutical items. They can also be used to sterilize solids, liquids, hollows and devices of different shapes and sizes. They are known to kill bacteria, fungus and other pathogens that can’t be killed by boiling water or powerful detergents. The process works using steam under pressure. When the autoclave door is locked, all air in the sealed chamber is replaced by steam and then pressurized to achieve the desired temperature and time duration for sterilization. After the sterilization cycle is complete, the steam is exhausted and the lab equipment can be removed carefully.

The Tuttnauer EZ11 is one of the most popular and efficient autoclaves on the market, allowing you to choose between 4 FDA-cleared sterilization programs for your specific needs. It also has a HEPA-filtered air drying system and Dynamic Air-Removal Technology, so you can rest assured that your instruments are being sterilized in a sterile environment.

Sterilization by moist heat involves exposing the waste load to high temperatures and pressures for several minutes in an autoclave. It is not effective for items containing electronics, flexible plastics, or oils. To validate the sterilization process, chemical indicators are placed in the waste load. If the indicator does not change color or display diagonal stripes, contact your Department Safety Manager.