How a Pouch Packaging Machine Works
A pouch packaging machine is an essential tool for businesses that need to bag products in bulk. It can help you save time and money by automating the process.
HFFS machines use horizontal film to form pouches, and they can be paired with a liquid filler for spout-filling or an auger filler for powder products.
1. Film Pulling System
A pouch packaging machine is designed to automatically feed pre-made pouches, insert a top spout, seal them, fill them, code them, and cap them. Karlville offers five different thermal pouch making models to choose from, and we can help you determine which one will work best for your product.
The film is pulled into the machine by a pull-down roller and tensioner, and it passes through a printer that prints a date or production batch code on the film. The film then moves to a forming tube, where it overlaps to form a pouch. It’s then sealed shut using heat or an adhesive. This process is automated by the machine and is highly accurate.
2. Registration Photo-Eye
The Registration Photo-Eye of a pouch packaging machine is responsible for detecting registration marks on the printed film. These marks are used to indicate to the machine when it should perform certain functions such as print, count, or position each label or bottle.
To properly set up the Registration Photo-Eye, first ensure that the sensor is powered on and warm. Next, locate the sensor settings menu and adjust the sensitivity and threshold.
Then, determine which registration marks to use. Ideally, the marks must be much lighter or darker than the rest of the film. You can then tell the bagmaker how far to advance the film before its jaws close by using the photoeye offset distance parameter.
3. Film Tracking Sensors
A pair of film tracking sensors monitors the edge of the film while it’s moving through a pouch packaging machine. If they detect that the film is shifting away from its normal position, a signal will cause an actuator to shift the entire pouch packaging machine film carriage left or right to bring it back to center. This reduces film and product waste.
Once the bag is formed, it goes through a vertical seal bar that bonds the overlap layers of the film. A set of horizontal jaws then seal the sides of the pouch. Then, a cooling bar cools down the pouch to preserve its freshness. This prevents the pouch from being damaged during transport and storage.
4. Forming Tube
The forming tube of the pouch packaging machine takes in premade pouches and fills them with the desired product. It also seals the pouch shut using heat and pressure. For pouch packaging machine manufacturers This creates an airtight seal, preserving the quality and freshness of the packaged product.
This pouch packing machine can accommodate a wide range of bag shapes and sizes, including stand-up, zipper and spout pouches. It is available in rotary and inline models and can handle both powder and liquid products. Its features include a high-speed operation for maximum production capacity, consistency, and accuracy. It can be connected to downline equipment like a check weigher, X-ray machine, or case packer for final packaging.
5. Sealing Jaws
A pouch packaging machine’s sealer is comprised of 2 bars that are pressed together to form a seal. These bars are also heated to increase their sealing efficiency.
During one closing movement of the jaws, the apparatus simultaneously forms the top end seal of the leading package and the bottom end seal of the following package. The apparatus also cuts the web material between the two seals to separate the leading package from the web tube.
Choosing the right machine for your business requires considering the different types of products you’ll be bagging and the size of those bags. You may also want to consider whether or not you’ll be weighing and labeling the product as well.
6. Date Printing
A pouch packaging machine can be fitted with printing or embossing equipment for date coding. This is particularly important for food-related products that require Julian dates or best-by dates (month/day/year codes).
Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers are an established technology for date coding on FMCG packaging and directly onto some manufactured products. Greydon offers a range of CIJ print heads, from a single head for basic text to multiple heads for printing bar codes and 2D codes, plus sterilisation-resistant inks for use in harsh production environments.
Thermal transfer (TIJ) printers can also be mounted on labelers to print variable high-resolution data, including date codes, on labels before application onto products moving down the production line.
7. Opening & Detection
A rotary or linear premade pouch packaging machine fills and seals powdered products and liquids in one automatic process. This type of packaging machine is ideal for food and beverage manufacturers that produce a range of products and want to streamline their production process.
The machine scans the code of the product and selects the appropriate processing method. This includes printing a date on the pouch for coding purposes. The machine also features an open bag detection function that ensures that the pouch is not empty or incomplete. If the machine detects that the bag is open, it will not add material or heat-seal it, which helps save production cost for users.
8. Labeler
Pouch packaging is popular with consumers and retailers because it’s easy to open, transports well, and takes up less storage space. It’s also durable, lightweight, and provides branding opportunities for companies.
The labeler on a pouch packaging machine prints and applies a pressure-sensitive label to pre-made bags of various sizes. It can also inspect labels for defects and compliance with label standards. Labelers can be standalone machines or integrated with other parts of the packaging line like an auger filler or multi-head scales.
