Packaging machines: 5 easy ways to choose the right one

Packaging machines play a vital role in increasing the efficiency of production based businesses. They can also improve the overall quality of packaging and protect factory workers from potential hazards associated with manual packaging.

However, finding the ideal packaging machine for different businesses is not always easy. This guide will point out some of the key things to consider when deciding which options to stock.

Packaging machine industry market forecast.

In 2020, the market value of the packaging machine industry was $43 billion, with a projection to reach around $69 billion by 2030. In other words, the market is anticipated to experience an annual growth rate of around 4.7% between 2021 and 2030.

This projected growth is driven by increasing demand for consumer goods and the widespread adoption of packaged automation. In addition, the increased emphasis on industrial security measures is another factor that has influenced the growth of the industry.

Globally, many regions will likely see an increase in production contributing to the growth of the packaging machine market. For example, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (LAMEA). Among these regions, LAMEA is the fastest growing market, with countries like Argentina, Colombia and Nigeria driving growth. These countries are experiencing an increase in personal disposable income, which in turn drives demand for packaged goods.

Packaging Machine Buying Guide: Five Things To ConsiderThe type of packing material

Before choosing a packaging machine, buyers should consider how they will package their products. This is because different machines are better suited to certain types of products. But the operating costs and the planned amount are also important. For example, a buyer may decide to save money up front by purchasing a manual L-bar sealer, but this could increase costs in the long run, as they tend to use more materials. In such a case, getting a more expensive automatic sealer will mean that you spend less over time because the machine uses fewer materials.

That said, it's also good for companies to consider the number of items they intend to produce. Using an automatic sealer will not necessarily be the most cost-effective option for small businesses that intend to deliver around a thousand products each week.

The cost of packaging machines.

Companies should always consider their budget before selecting a packaging machine because it is a big investment.

Businesses with healthy budgets can invest in machines with higher price tags. These heavy-duty machines are more expensive, but they can make up for this in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. On the other hand, small businesses can take full advantage of the more affordable machines, allowing them to meet their quotas without hurting their finances.

Small-scale packaging machines typically range from $1,500 to $10,500. Medium to large scale packaging machines can cost between $23,000 150,000 and $150,000, and the prices can even go up depending on the capacity of the machine.

machine speed

Before choosing a machine, companies should consider:

1. How many products are you producing per day?
2. How fast do they need to be packaged?

These answers can help companies identify the right machine for their specific needs. For example, large-scale companies, such as those operating in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, would want a machine capable of packaging many units per hour. Most large-scale packaging machines can produce between 40 and 400 products per minute.

On the other hand, companies that operate with slower product turnover could invest in small to medium-sized machines, which are typically capable of packaging around 20 to 50 items per minute.

The robustness of the machine, especially at full capacity

Robustness is a key factor to consider before purchasing a packaging machine. The best thing for companies to consider regarding robustness is whether the machine has a robust design and whether it has moving parts, which helps reduce vibration.

Another point worth checking is whether the machine can handle full production capacity without noticeable stress. Additionally, the machine must be able to run production for extended periods without excessive downtime, or frequent parts replacement.

The potential for product change

Efficiency-conscious companies should consider the packaging machine's potential for product change. Switching is a process by which users can switch the machine from running one product to running another. This could be an especially important consideration for smaller businesses looking to use one machine for multiple packaging needs.

Bonus Tip: Keep Package Sizes in Mind

Finally, it is important that companies consider the size of the package they intend to manufacture before choosing a packaging machine. In addition to this, it is also worth thinking about the shapes of the packages. If your intention is to produce containers with irregular or unique shapes, it is wise to look for versatile machines capable of such shapes and sizes, to avoid disappointment.

The different types of packaging machines.Fillers and bottling machines

These are packaging machines designed to fill various containers with a high level of precision. Filling machines pour liquids, grains, and other products into prepared containers while bottling machines work with certain beverages like soda, beer, or wine.

sterilization machines

Different transmissible agents such as bacteria, spores and viruses can contaminate consumables during production.

Sterilizing machines effectively remove these transmissible agents and prevent any contamination and threat to the health of consumers. These machines ensure that only safe products enter the market.

Carbonators and Pasteurizers

Carbonators create bubbles or fizz in liquids by adding carbon dioxide to beverages, and of course, there are several types of carbonation machines available to do this.

Pasteurizers, on the other hand, remove all forms of E.coli and other organisms from the product. Pasteurizers handle partial sterilization, which makes drinks safe and prevents them from spoiling quickly.case packersManual packing can be time consuming, labor intensive and sometimes dangerous. Case packers are useful because they can speed up the packing process and allow employees to focus on other, less repetitive tasks. Case packers can achieve impressive packing speeds of up to fifty packages per minute.

palletizers

Palletizers make the production process more efficient by eliminating the manual process of packing boxes on pallets. A palletizer is a machine that automatically stacks products or finished goods correctly before sending them to market.

heat sealing machinesHeat sealing machines use heat to seal packages by melting adhesives or plastic films. Some heat sealers feature shrink wrap that removes excess air from packages before sealing.

Strapping and packing machines

Production lines need to strap or package their products depending on the type of product.

Strapping machines tie heavy boxes together for added protection after taping, while bundling machines secure metal rods in bundles.

These two machines add additional layers of protection to products and make it easier and safer to transport them.

Coders and printers

Counterfeiting is a big problem in the production world. Product coders and printers print date codes, QR codes, logos and other forms of markings onto product surfaces, offering a potential solution to counterfeiting as well as providing important product details. Time laser printers, on the other hand, can be used to engrave or mark premium products.

case erectors

Box erectors can help users save time on an assembly line by quickly assembling boxes after packing and sealing. Some also feature sealing and packaging capabilities on a single machine, creating a seamless sealing, wrapping and packaging process.

labellers

The labeling machines use thermal technology to print and apply labels for product identification. These machines play a vital role in production because labels are often required on products and provide additional information to consumers.

Some of these machines feature direct thermal printers that work for various labeling applications, while others feature thermal transfer printers that offer longer lasting, more durable labels.

Resume

This blog aims to point out five key things companies need to consider before purchasing a packaging machine. He also highlighted the different types of packaging machines used in the processing and packaging industry.

Visit www.eliter-packaging.com to find the right way to define the packaging machine that suits your business.

The information shared here will hopefully help companies find the right machines to meet their packaging needs and help suppliers stock the best machines to help them do so.

Zixin Yuan - Digital Marketing Coordinator at ÉLITER Packaging Machinery Website: https://www.eliter-packaging.com