Introduction

While a vertical form fill seal machine can dramatically change the process of how your products flow on your packaging line, it will only do so if it comes complete with the capabilities you need. An incorrect machine will still package your products but can result in unwanted down time, unreliable bags, and costly maintenance problems long after your purchase agreement was signed.

There have been times when I have visited packaging facilities and watched as a VFFS machine runs unattended for hours. There have also been times where I have seen lines slowed down due to constant adjustments since the equipment did not match their product and their production schedule. Seeing past the speed and cost is always the better choice.

What a Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine Does

The Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine creates a package from a roll of plastic material by filling it and sealing it all at once. This produces a completed package which will be labeled, packed into a case, or shipped out.

This type of machine has found wide use for snack foods, coffee, frozen foods, pet foods, powders, hardware, and many other types of consumer goods. Their adaptability makes them an integral part of today’s manufacturing plants.

Of course, not all VFFS machines have identical designs. There are some design characteristics that make a big difference in their daily operation.

Easy Product Changeovers

Flexibility Saves Time

Several products are often packed in one shift by many companies.

There should be no need to spend hours setting up the machine to change bag sizes, change fill weight, or change packaging film. The fast changing VFFS machine will enable operators to do adjustments without affecting production schedules.

Factories which manufacture products using seasonal or promotional packaging stand to gain the most from such machinery that reduces downtime.

Accuracy in Filling Systems

The accuracy in the filling system has a great impact on the profit.

Under-filling leads to complaints while overfilling increases product giveaway in thousands of bags. Today, modern VFFS machines work with several filling systems depending on the product. These include auger filler, multihead weigher, volumetric filler, and piston filler.

Reliable Sealing Performance

The sealing of a package determines its quality.

Poor or uneven sealing could result in contamination of the product due to moisture or air, hence increasing the wastage of the product due to the low shelf life. Quality sealing jaws ensure uniform sealing temperature and pressure for strong sealing irrespective of the packaging material used.

Skilled operators always take into consideration the sealing since even the slightest mistake will be costly once the products have been shipped out.

User-Friendly Controls

Simplicity Improves Productivity

Since operators work with the machine on a daily basis, it is important for the control system to assist them and not complicate things further.

A user-friendly interface with clear menu options, storage capabilities for recipes, and alert options for diagnostics allow for quicker setup and troubleshooting without referring to complex manuals, enabling faster restart of production.

Simple controls also minimize the time spent on training new hires.

Film Tracking and Tension Control

Packaging film is not consistent throughout the manufacturing process.

Varying temperatures and humidity levels, as well as film roll quality, might affect film tracking. Machines that include an automated tracking and tension control system ensure that packages are made straight and that there is a minimum amount of wrinkles and sealing defects.

In the absence of such systems, operators might spend significantly more time on manual adjustments than expected.

Production Speed That Matches Your Needs

Speed is not always an advantage.

A company specializing in packing premium coffee in small quantities will have varying production requirements from those of a company packing snacks, where thousands of packs are produced in just one hour. Buying machines that surpass the production requirements does not necessarily add value to the cost.

It is more important to consider the performance of the machine at your production speed.

Durable Stainless Steel Construction

The packaging environment can sometimes be challenging.

Machinery constructed with stainless steel framework is resistant to corrosion, easy to clean, and able to operate year after year non-stop. This is especially important in food production factories because of high standards of sanitation.

Robust build will assist in keeping machinery aligned and minimize vibration of moving parts.

Integration with Other Equipment

The performance of a VFFS machine will be best if used as a complete packaging line.

Before buying, make sure that the machine integrates well with the upstream feeding machines and the downstream machines like conveyor belts, metal detectors, check weighers, labeling machines, and case packers.

Maintenance-Friendly Design

Small Details Matter

Routine maintenance does not need extensive disassembly.

A machine which is easy to access with its sealing jaws, removable panels, and marked points of servicing ensures that preventive maintenance is carried out within less time. Such design features might be trivial in sales exhibitions but are highly valued by the technicians working on them for months together.

The more maintenance work gets reduced, the greater the hours of production.

Practical Example

Think about two companies looking to buy a VFFS machine.

First is a local spice company that packs a range of products in various pouch sizes each day. Faster recipe changeover and faster film changeover would definitely create more value than the speed of packaging.

Second one is a big pet food company operating around the clock. Such company will most likely require higher speed and automation of film changeovers.

Which machine will be better – it depends only on how it will be used.

Think Beyond the Initial Purchase

Cost of acquisition is just one factor that makes up an investment.

Costs related to spare parts, cost of support, cost of software upgrades, and training of operators affect the running expenses. It is very important to have a reliable vendor who will take care of problems before they become a hindrance to production.

Moreover, it is equally important to consider the availability of replacement parts. It takes much longer to wait for replacement parts than most people expect.

FAQ

What products can a vertical form fill seal machine package?

VFFS machines package a wide variety of products, including snacks, coffee, frozen vegetables, rice, powders, pet food, candy, hardware, grains, and many dry consumer goods.

What packaging materials work with VFFS machines?

Most machines support laminated films, polyethylene, polypropylene, recyclable flexible packaging materials, and other heat-sealable films designed for automated packaging.

How fast can a VFFS machine operate?

Production speed depends on the machine model, package size, and product characteristics. Some systems package dozens of bags per minute, while high-speed industrial models can produce several hundred.

Is a vertical form fill seal machine suitable for small manufacturers?

Yes. Many compact VFFS machines are designed for growing businesses that want to automate packaging without investing in large-scale production equipment.

Conclusion

A high speed or an exhaustive specification chart does not make a great vertical form fill seal machine. It is the machine which is capable of giving quality packages based on your products, production objectives, personnel needs, and future development strategy.

If you want to buy a machine, then look into the following factors very carefully, because it will make much difference in the productivity of your packing line than all the fancy figures mentioned in the brochure of the product.