Packaging machinery is used throughout all packaging operations, involving primary packages to distribution packs. This includes many packaging processes: fabrication, cleaning, filling, sealing, combining, labeling, overwrapping, palletizing.
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Some packaging operations cannot be accomplished without packaging equipment. For example many packages include heat seals to prepare or seal a package. Heat sealers are needed, even in slow labor-intensive operations.
With many industries, the effectiveness of the heat seal is critical to product safety so the heat sealing operation must closely controlled with documented Verification and validation protocols. Food, drug, and medical regulations require consistent seals on packages. Proper equipment is needed.
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Packaging operations can be designed for variable package sizes and forms or for handling only uniform packages, where the machinery or packaging line is adjustable between production runs. Certainly slow manual operations allow workers to be flexible to package variation but also some automated lines can handle significant random variation.[1]
Moving from manual operations, through semi-automatic operations to fully automated packaging lines offers advantages to some packagers.[2] Other than the obvious control of labor costs, quality can be more consistent, and throughput can be optimized.[3]
Efforts at packaging line automation increasingly use programmable logic controllers[4] and robotics.[5]
Large fully automatic packaging lines can involve several pieces of major equipment from different manufactures as well as conveyors and ancillary equipment. Integrating such systems can be a challenge. Often consultants or external engineering firms are used to coordinate large projects.
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Choosing packaging machinery includes an assessment of technical capabilities, labor requirements, worker safety, maintainability, serviceability, reliability, ability to integrate into the packaging line, capital cost, floorspace, flexibility (change-over, materials, multiple products, etc.), energy requirements, quality of outgoing packages, qualifications (for food, pharmaceuticals, etc.), throughput, efficiency, productivity, ergonomics, return on investment, etc.
Packaging machinery can be:
In addition to purchasing equipment, leasing options are often attractive.[6]
Machinery must be compatible with the expected operating conditions. For example, cold temperature operations require special considerations.[7] Some industries must perform periodic washdowns of all equipment. This high pressure chemical washing puts special demands on machinery and control systems.[8][9] Condensation within closed portions of machinery can also be problematic.
Machinery needs to keep control of the product being packaged. For example, powders need to be stable, liquids cannot slosh out,[10] etc.
Some manufacturers decide not to do their own packaging but to employ contract packagers to perform all or some operations. Capital, labor, and other costs are outsourced.
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Checkweigher Milk bag form-fill-seal operationPackaging machines may be of the following general types:
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Packaging is necessary to protect products, and is now done mainly through the use of packaging machinery. Machinery plays increasingly important roles such as:
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With competitive price and timely delivery, Kinsun sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
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Books, general references[
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Whether it's sauces, thick creams, gels, or even water, automated liquid packaging is quick, clean, and easy using modern flexible packaging machines.
If you're looking to automate your liquid pouch packaging, there are three main things your packaging equipment manufacturer or integrator needs to know to provide the best liquid packing machine for your application.
Planning a liquid packaging machine project?
Viscosity is defined as a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. In more informal terms, it's a measure of the liquid product's 'thickness'.
A liquid with higher viscosity, such as icing or molasses resists motion because its molecular makeup gives it a lot of internal friction. It doesn't flow as easily. In contrast, a fluid with lower viscosity, such as water or corn oil flows easily because its molecular makeup results in very little friction when it is in motion.
The mathematics required to calculate viscosity is much too involved for a packaging blog and can be most easily measured with special equipment. However, a simplified formula for measuring viscosity is as follows:
viscosity = shear stress / shear rate
or
μ = τ / γ
The answer is usually expressed in centipoise (cps). Water is the standard at 1 cps. A liquid product like honey would have a viscosity of about 10,000 cps. Condiments like ketchup or mustard have a viscosity of 50,000 - 70,000 cps.
So what does viscosity have to do with packaging, anyway?
CSC Scientific Company Inc., a provider of measuring equipment, explains that in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) world, viscosity affects the rate at which a liquid product travels through a pipe, how long it takes to set or dry, and the time it takes to dispense the fluid into its packaging.
When it comes to selecting liquid packing machines, the viscosity of the product is a vital detail and must be accurate. Viscosity determines the type of product filler used: It must provide the right amount of force to induce flow, but not so much that the packaging will overfill.
When heated, most liquid products flow more readily. Picture the consistency of frosting or motor oil as it is heated; its viscosity lowers significantly and it becomes much more free-flowing.
Here's what's happening: When a liquid is heated, its molecules begin to move faster and faster. This movement is enough to overpower the forces that bind the molecules together, resulting in a more free-flowing liquid. Heat also causes a decrease in surface tension, further reducing viscosity.
How does this affect the packaging process?
The temperature at which the liquid product will be filled into the package is very important to the configuration of the packaging line, specifically when it comes to the product filler.
To provide the most efficient liquid packaging solution, providing an accurate fill temperature is a must. Inaccuracies in this area can result in packaging equipment that isn't specified for your needs, causing malfunctions and frustration.
Liquids like salad dressings, soups, and sauces often contain particulates. These particulates are usually spices and flavor additions like small vegetable pieces. Particulates can be suspended in the liquid product or they can settle toward the bottom of the fluid.
When packaging liquids with particulates, special care must be taken to accurately describe and measure their average size and general properties.
The presence of particulates will determine the type of product filler your liquid packaging solution will require for the most accurate and unimpeded dispensing.
As a leading liquid packaging machine manufacturer, Viking Masek has installed a variety of packaging equipment in facilities for liquid packaging projects like:
Visit our liquid packaging machine hub to learn more about the different types of equipment used for packaging fluid products.
Make sure your next liquid packing machine is manufactured to meet your exact needs, including things like viscosity, fill temperatures, and particulate properties. Download a free planner that will help you define over 50 key details vital to the success of your equipment acquisition:
Originally published 8/31/, updated 6/5/, 2/12/.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Liquid Packaging Solutions.