How does a pouch filling machine work?: Today, there has been a rise in the use of pouch filling machines in the manufacturing industry. This is because pouches have several benefits over more conventional packaging, such as metal cans or glass bottles, because of their adaptability, better aesthetics of their end product, and portability.
If you have no idea anything about packaging equipment but are thinking of marketing your products in pre-made pouches, you may be interested in finding out more about how they work so you can make an informed decision.
So how does a pouch filling machine work? Now, we are going to explore the procedures necessary to transform a raw, unfilled pouch into a packaged, retail-ready product.
Automatic Pouch Filling Machine
Vertical form fill seal (VFFS) and horizontal form fill seal (HFFS) pouch filling machines are the two most common varieties, with VFFS being the more popular approach.
These machines may be built in either a linear or rotating configuration. In today’s piece, we’ll take a closer look at the rotational design. This layout is gaining favor over inline versions because it requires less space on the factory floor and is designed with worker comfort in mind.
Rotary automatic pouch packaging machines can fill and seal up to 200 bags per minute using a simplified process that involves grasping a premade pouch, adding goods, and sealing the pouch. Bags are rotated through a series of stations in a ring-shaped configuration at regular intervals. The packing tasks at each station are distinct from one another. The typical number of stations is 8, while configurations with 6 and 10 stations are also common. Filling machines for automatic pouches might have one, two, or four lanes, depending on the manufacturer’s needs.
How does a pouch filling machine work?
Packaging pouches typically consist of the following steps:
🔵 Pouch Loading/Feeding
The automatic pouch packaging machine requires a human operator to manually feed premade pouches into the bag magazine at the machine’s front. Bags are fed into the device by a roller that transports the bags.
Recently, a robotic bag infeed are used to automate the process of loading and shingling ready-made pouches into the bag magazine. This robotic arm has the ability to pick up individual bags and transport them to the bag-grasping area by means of vacuum suction. Get in touch with us if you wish in seeing this equipment in operation!
🔵 Pouch Gripping
As soon as a bag enters the range of the machine’s proximity sensor, the rotational packaging machine’s vacuum bag loader grabs the pouch and sends it to several grippers. On the most advanced versions of pouch filling and sealing machines, the load that these grippers can hold continuously is 10 kg. Add a consistent bag support for sturdier pouches.
🔵 Print or Emboss (Optional)
This is the location where printing and embossing machinery will be set up. Thermal and inkjet printers are both viable options for use with pouch fill and seal equipment. The printer has the ability to add custom dates or lot codes to the pouches. Bag seals may be embossed with date and lot information for easy reference.
🔵 Pouch/Zipper Opening and Detecting
When the bag includes a resealable zipper, the bottom portion of the premade pouch may be opened using a vacuum suction pad, and the top of the bag can be caught by the opening jaws. The top of the bag unzippes by spreading the opening jaws, and an air blower inflates the pouch. Bags without zippers may nonetheless have their bottoms opened with the help of vacuum suction pads and an air blower.
To detect its presence, there are two sensors that are close to the bottom of the bag. The machine will go for an action at the filling or sealing stations once there is a bag present. Moreover, filling and sealing bags is not possible until the following cycle if it is present but in the wrong position on the rotating device.
🔵 Pouch Filling
Typically, a multi-head scale will lower the product down the bag funnel and into the bag below. An auger filler fills all the powdery goods. A liquid filler with a nozzle applies in the case of liquid pouch filling machines to pump the product into the bag. The machine then fills pouches with a precise amount of product.
At the product filling area, you may choose among the following:
- Dust Collector: For products that generate dust or other airborne particles, installing a dust hood above the filling station is a good idea.
- Gas Flusher: This method, known as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), uses a burst of gas, often nitrogen, to displace the oxygen within the bag. This is before filling the pouch with goods to guarantee the most efficient displacement possible.
🔵 Product Stabilization or Alternatives
Loose products in a bag allows to fall to the bottom before sealing. The bag or pouch gently shakes at this step to accomplish the task. The station also offers the following alternatives:
- Second Liquid Sealing: This area may be used to apply a second liquid seal for liquid pouch filling machine setups, guaranteeing the highest possible seal quality.
- Second Filling: Adding extra reservoir in this space is possible for multi-part goods that need both liquid and solid components.
- Loading Shelf: When loading more than 10 kilograms, you may also add a ledge to support excess weight and relieve pressure on the grasping arms.
🔵 Sealing and Deflation of Pouch
Before the bag seals, two deflator parts force the remaining air out of it. The top portion of the bag is sealed with a hot seal bar. The sealant layers of the bag bonds together to form a sturdy seam using pressure, heat, and time.
🔵 Pouch Cooling and Discharging
The seal flattens and strengthens by a cooling bar that passes across it. The final bag discharges then from the packaging machine into a container or onto a conveyor. This follows sending the bag/s into downline equipment such as check weighers, x-ray devices, case packing, or carton packing machinery.