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Choosing the food packaging machines thoroughly ensures the product is of the desired quality, regulatory compliance is met, and the desired shelf life is achieved. In this guide, we will explore the most important considerations of product requirements, machined specifications, and reliability of the suppliers of the machines.
Understanding Your Product Requirements
Before evaluating the machines, we will discuss the requirements of the food product. Different food products have physical features, storage conditions, and shelf life that require specific packaging. Perishable fresh produce and dairy products require airtight packages and dry goods, like pasta and rice, require basic protection. Evaluation of the products’ requirements will help in choosing machines that match the step in the process.
Types of Packaging Machines
Each specific style and material of packaging has machines specifically made to cater to the style and material. The most common types of packaging machines are:
Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS): This machine is suitable for granulated products. It forms bags from a roll of film, fills them, and seals them in a single continuous process.
2. Horizontal Flow Wrappers: Horizontal flow wrappers are ideal for items such as bars and snacks as they enhance both protection and presentation of the product.
3. Cartoners: These are required if the product is to be automatically packaged into cartons as cartoners improves the productivity of the process whilst maintaining the standard of the product.
4. Labeling Machines: Marketing and compliance of the product requires proper labeling. Labeling machines can be added to the packaging lines to ensure all products are labeled accordingly.
Your production volume, the food products you deal with, and budget all determine what type of machine you will need.
Evaluating Machine Specifications
After identifying the machine most suitable for the type of packaging needed, the next step is to look into the specific details of each machine. Important details to look into are:
Speed: Achievable production volume needs to be balanced with the intended production rate.
Material Compatibility: The machine should be able to process the kind of packaging materials to be used. These can be plastic, paper, and even biodegradable materials.
Ease of Use: Machines with a friendly user interface, as well as, low maintenance needs should be prioritized as they will incur lower operational and training costs.
Flexibility: Buy packaging machinery that can easily change to work with a different shape, size, or type of product if your product line changes frequently.
Supplier Reliability and Support
A trustworthy vendor also is of equal significance as a packaging machine manufacturer. Good suppliers are those that provide warranties, installation, and maintenance of the machinery, as well as training to the involved personnel. Always validate claims using reviews and references. Also, ensure to check warranty, maintenance, and support services to be sure that the needed assistance is always available.
Industry Trends and Future Outlook
As changes occur in the food packaging, some of these changes are impacting the future of packaging machinery. Focus on the eco and bio friendly materials is increasing as well as manufacture of energy-efficient packaging machines. ‘Smart’ and automated technologies are being integrated in higher quantities and the demand is ever increasing with the aim of improving the accuracy of the processes. In other cases, the increase in online shopping is creating new demand for packaging that will safeguard products after sale and during shipping.
As we saw, the food product's packaging machine selection requires consideration of the product requirements, machine specifications, and supplier reliability, as discussed previously. Staying up to date with emerging industry trends and advancements can significantly improve the packaging operations of any business.