The Basics of a Pouch Packaging Machine
A pouch packaging machine is used to seal and package various kinds of pre-made pouches. These machines come in two types: rotary and inline.
A rotary model usually has one to four bag infeed ‘lanes’, while an inline version is available for higher throughput needs. The rotary layout conserves plant floor space and is designed with simplicity top-of-mind.
Filling Station
For a pouch packaging machine to function correctly, it needs to have a bag loading station. This is where the premade bags are loaded into the machine, either from a hopper or from a conveyor belt. Once the machine has a bag in its grippers, it is then sent around the rotary machine to various “stations” until the bag has been filled and sealed shut. The machine can also have a printing or embossing option, which places raised dates or codes onto the bags.
Once the pouch has been filled, it is then inserted into a spout. This is the point where bulk products can be packed into the pouches, such as animal feed, mineral mixes, grains, melon seeds, granulated sugar, etc. The product can be weighed as it is being packed, which helps reduce waste and ensures that the product is packaged properly.
Pouch packaging machines are popular because they help businesses be more efficient and save money by automating the process. They are also able to produce a large number of bags in a short amount of time, which allows them to meet consumer demand and increase sales. The types of products that can be packaged with a pouch packaging machine include food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial products. A specialized pouch packaging machine can even be used to package bulk bag products like fertilizer granules, mining materials, cement, and construction building materials.
Deflation Station
Pouch packaging machines are used in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care industries to form, fill, and seal pouches made of a variety of materials. These machines can also be used to package liquids, powders, and granules. They are often designed to be resealable, which can help prevent leakage and maintain product quality.
A pouch packaging machine can be designed with an inline or rotary layout. Inline models use a large roll of film as packing material and can be configured with different types of equipment, including fillers, coders, hoppers, and coolers. Rotary pouch packaging machines are more economical than inline models, and they pouch packaging machine offer a high degree of flexibility. They can be configured with multiple seal stations to accommodate various types of packaging materials and to meet the needs of specific products.
The bag forming and sealing process of a pouch machine starts with the premade bags being loaded manually into a magazine at the front of the machine. The magazine then moves up and the bags are fed into the bag forming and sealing mechanism. When a bag is fed into the sealing mechanism, it is sealed and then passed through a cooling bar to strengthen and flatten the seal.
Once the bag is cooled, it is ready to be shipped or stored. Some pouch packaging machines can also be equipped with a printer to print the date on the bag, while others have a system that codes the bag with a serial number or other information.
Heat Sealing Station
The heat seal station of a pouch packaging machine is responsible for sealing the pouch. It is typically equipped with a hot seal bar that can either be constant heat or impulse. These machines can also offer a variety of additional features, like a bag shaker at the filling station for product leveling, gas flush, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and a dust hood that collects airborne particles.
In addition, these systems are equipped with an indexing mechanism that allows the machine to automatically feed bags into the sealer. It can be set to deliver up to 80 bags per minute, and it has a number of options available for special applications. For example, a system that uses an auger can be added for powder products, while a multi-head scale is used to drop liquids into each bag.
Another feature that is often found in a pouch packaging machine is a digital high-speed PLC controller with an LCD touchscreen HMI. This makes it easy to program the machine and adjust its settings. It also offers password protected seal parameter recipes that help keep the process consistent and accurate. The sealer can also be equipped with internal verification ports to help meet medical and lab pouch packaging requirements. It can even handle a wide range of pouch materials, including MIL spec barrier bags.
Cooling Station
A cooling station removes any heat and moisture from the pouch before it’s sealed, ensuring that your product’s contents are fully contained and protected. This equipment can also be fitted with a printer or embosser to add date and/or production batch codes onto finished products, if desired. This is an ideal option for companies looking to provide resealable or re-sealable packaging to their customers.
Depending on the type of product you’re packaging, you may require an additional stage before sealing. If you’re filling a powder or solids-based product, a settler can be included to help agitate For pouch packaging machine manufacturers the material and encourage it to settle to the bottom of the bag. In liquid products, a dispenser can be integrated to pump the product into the pouch, and if the bag is required to be airtight, wire deflator components ensure that all extra air is squeezed out prior to sealing.
Pouch packaging machines can be used to create a wide variety of products, from food to personal care items and pharmaceuticals. To decide which machine will best suit your manufacturing process, take the time to explore different machine types and consider the specific needs of your product. You should also consider any design elements that could affect your packaging’s appearance and performance, such as a re-sealable zipper or gusset opening.
