A vertical bagger may not be the most costly piece of equipment on the production line, but it is one of the most important. When the bagging machine is constantly down, isn’t filling correctly or is not able to measure up to your production speed, there will be problems.
Whether you are buying a new vertical form fill seal machine or replacing an existing model, take the time to compare the different manufacturers and models out there. New technology, increased speed and even increased versatility in vertical baggers can address the issues you are experiencing or prevent issues from cropping up after the equipment is installed.
Must Have Features
It is a good idea before going online to start your research to make a list of the features you need in a new bagging machine. This can include the speed of the bagger, the ability to handle the packaging sizes required and even the type of power supply that you wish to run to the equipment or that is already in place.
For most companies, particularly in the food manufacturing industry, it will be essential that the vertical bagger has full PLC controls and Dual Servo control. Additionally, a touch screen display on the equipment that allows for immediate adjustments will be critical for most packaging lines.
The equipment should be stainless steel to allow for wash down as necessary. It should be designed to be easily cleaned as this can be problematic for an operation if cleaning is a complicated or long procedure.
Look also for the features of auto film spindle centering and auto film detection. This prevents bagging issues throughout processing. Auto positioning belts are another feature than most facilities will consider a must-have component.
Additional Features or Options
Some companies offer only limited additional features while others offer a wide scope of different options. Having these options can enhance your bagging abilities or allow you to scale up the use of the bagging machine over time.
Equipment options such as air expellers, product settlers, gas and air flushing systems, built-in printers and hole punch options all add to the versatility of the equipment.
The cost will also come into play, but it should not be the primary consideration. The top companies will be competitive in their prices. The range of additional services they offer from lifetime phone support to the ability to find technicians to work on your equipment will also be important features to consider before making a purchase.
