Important Parameters to consider before purchasing a filling machine

Filling and packaging machines constitute a vital stage in production processes.
Before purchasing a filling machine, or an entire filling and packaging line, a meticulous inspection of the machine’s features is imperative, regarding both automatic or semi-automatic filling machinery.

When considering the purchase of a filling machine for fillings suitable for bottles, jars, jerrycans, bags or any other package, the ultimate aim of the filling line, the capping machine or labeling machine is to increase yield and decrease production expense. In other words, to increase the machine’s cost-effectiveness.

Below are a number of crucial parameters that will aid in characterizing the filling machine’s features that are most suitable for your production needs:

1. Working speed of the filling machine:
     There is a wide range of filling and packaging machines with different levels of automation.
     The main parameter that differentiates between them is work rate.
     Therefore, before purchasing a filling machine, it is recommended to determine what the desired output
     of the filling machine is -output is measured by the number of parcels packaged per minute/hour/day
     of work.

2. Type of packaging:
      While a semi-automatic filling machine is suitable for almost every
      type of packaging, when characterizing an automatic filling machine,
      defining the desired packages to work with the machine is of greater
      importance; for example, there is a difference between filling machines
      for bottles, jerrycans or jars, filling machines suitable for trays or cups,
      or even bags filling machines.
      An automatic filling line can operate with a number of packages,
      but it is advisable to coordinate expectations with the machine’s
      manufacturer before purchasing it.

3. Filling material:
     There are many filling methods and few ways of applying the
     filling system.
     To do this, one must define what products the machine will be filling.
     Liquids? Creams? Powders?
     Only after all the information is gathered regarding the type of product the
     machine will be filling can you assess the features of the most
     suitable filling unit configuration for your product.
     For example:  A filling machine for nuts and seeds
     (like pumpkin and sunflower seeds) will differ  from that for filling powders
     or salads (hummus, tahini, and the like) or liquid food additives.

4. Desired weight / volume:
     In order to make the production as efficient as possible and reach
     the required rate of work at the most precise level possible,
     it is vital to determine what the filling range is.
     To this end, one must check what the smallest packaging is
     that is needed to be filled, as well as the largest – this will help us assess
     the situation and provide the soundest advice regarding filling range.

5. Work stations required:
     Work stations that are included in the filling machines have a direct
     impact on production efficiency.     
     Precise correspondence between the work station and the product,
     production features, packaging and budget are conducted by highly
     experienced our expert engineers.

     Possible work stations are: automatic feeding and filling;
     capping; wrap-around, vertical, two-sided, and top labeling;
     arranging; palletizing, etc.

6. Means of quality control:
     Means of quality control for filling and packaging machines will ensure that the final product
     will indeed be supplied to the customer according to the highest standard possible and will
     meet the required criteria. These means can include computerized vision systems, as well as
     electronic check-weight systems to determine the weight of the final product.
     It is advisable to confer with an experienced professional vis-à-vis the most suitable
     quality control systems for your product.

7. Machine operation:
     It is advisable to choose a filling machine with a user-friendly, intuitive interface. An easy-to-clean
     and easy-to-operate filling machine can save a great deal of precious time and thus increase
     the level and efficiency of production.

Impac’s expert engineers have been designing and manufacturing filling and packaging machines for almost 50 years, including automated manufacturing plants with proven expertise in various fields.
We are at your service to assist you in selecting the right machine, provide the best and most dependable solutions for your needs.

If you have reached this point, we are sure that you know what features are important for you to address for your next filling-machine purchase.
We are here to help, whatever you choose.