5 Things to Consider When Selecting Packaging Equipment

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Investing in capital equipment to elevate your business is a significant decision. After analyzing the numbers, evaluating alternatives, and recognizing the need for growth, it’s pivotal to select the right machine. K-Flex Packaging Systems is committed to making this process seamless for you.

Here are 5 key factors to ensure a successful packaging machine purchase for your business:

1. Production Speed

The speed of packaging is crucial. Depending on your daily output requirements, your machinery choice may vary. If this is your first investment, consider starting with smaller equipment and grow over time. Opting for oversized machinery isn't always better.

Form-Fill-Seal machines are among the fastest options. However, Premade Pouch Machines offer flexibility that's attracting the packaging community's attention. Your choice should depend on required production speed, labor, and SKU variations.

The PSG LEE machine allows quick SKU changes via touchscreen, ideal for copackers. Conversely, the SN Horizontal Form-Fill-Seal machine suits high volume, limited SKU runs.

Pouch style, including trending shaped and fitment pouches, also influences equipment selection. For more on this, see point five.

2. Waste and Waste Disposal

Effective waste management is crucial in manufacturing. Minimizing waste reduces both financial and environmental impacts. Different machines produce varying waste amounts; hence, align your choice with your waste reduction goals.

The Form-Fill-Seal machine produces waste during setup and changeovers, unlike the Premade Pouch machine which maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste. The PSG LEE, for instance, ensures unopened pouches are not wasted.

Employ programs like PPi Technologies Group's SECAMP that focus on reducing energy and material usage and costs.

3. Overhead and Operating Costs

Consider both the initial purchase cost and ongoing operating and maintenance costs of your packaging machine. While some machines may be pricey upfront, they could offer better efficiencies and smoother operations, enhancing your ROI.

Factor in the cost of materials like rollstock film or premade pouches and labor required for operation. An expensive machine might significantly increase your profitability.

4. Staff Training

The complexity of the machine impacts the amount of training and employee hours needed. Form-Fill-Seal machines require more training compared to Premade Pouch Machines.

With a Premade Pouch Machine, staff need only keep the infeed conveyor full. In contrast, a Form-Fill-Seal machine allows for multitasking after initial setup. To minimize downtime, consider features like automatic splicing and end-of-line case packing solutions.

Leverage training options from providers like PPi Technologies Group to ensure success.

5. Variety of Packaging

Your product diversity and packaging goals will influence machine selection. For instance, if you handle multiple SKUs daily, a Premade Pouch Machine is preferable. But for single line high output, a Form-Fill-Seal machine is ideal.

Discuss your SKUs and desired output with us to determine the right fit.

Bonus Point #6: Quiz Your Vendor

Ask vendors questions like: How many machines are fielded? Can you speak with current customers? What post-sale support do they offer? Do they have in-house engineering and quick access to spare parts? What are their training programs?

These considerations aim to simplify your decision-making process. Choosing the right packaging equipment is critical for business growth. K-Flex Packaging Systems is here to support you every step of the way!

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Packaging machinery is essential across all packaging operations, from primary to distribution packages. These machines handle various processes like fabrication, cleaning, filling, sealing, combining, labeling, overwrapping, and palletizing.

Overview

Some packaging tasks are impossible without machinery, such as packages requiring heat seals. Effective heat sealing is vital for product safety, requiring strict control and documentation, especially for food, drugs, and medical products.

Automation

Packaging operations can adapt to variable package sizes or handle uniform ones, adjustable between production runs. Transitioning from manual to automated lines optimizes labor costs, ensures consistent quality, and enhances throughput.

Automated packaging lines increasingly use programmable logic controllers and robotics. Large, fully automatic lines involve major equipment from different manufacturers, along with conveyors and ancillary gear. Integrating these systems can be complex, often requiring external consultants or engineers.

Visit Kinsun for additional products and information.

Choosing Packaging Machinery

Evaluating packaging machinery includes assessing technical capabilities, labor requirements, safety, maintenance, serviceability, reliability, integration, cost, floorspace, flexibility, energy needs, package quality, efficiency, productivity, ergonomics, and ROI.

Machinery can be bought off-the-shelf, custom-made, refurbished, or manufactured in-house. Leasing options are also available. Equipment must suit operating conditions, such as requiring special considerations for cold operations or regular washdowns. Stable handling is crucial for products, like powders and liquids.

Some businesses opt for contract packagers to manage packaging, outsourcing capital, labor, and other costs.

Types of Machinery

Packaging machines can significantly enhance productivity, ensure quality, handle specialized packaging needs, and protect workers from hazardous products, while reducing costs and ensuring hygiene, especially for food and medicines.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website packaging machinery supplier.