VFFS packaging machine working process
Introduction to VFFS Machines
In the packaging industry, vertical packaging machines automate the entire process, from forming, filling, sealing, and cutting film rolls to bagging. Their speed, affordability, and compact footprint make them a standout among packaging machines, finding widespread use in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and daily necessities. Today, we’ll demystify vertical packaging machines and provide a comprehensive guide to choosing one.
Working Process- How VFFS Machine actually works
1. Film Pulling & Unwinding
Usually, the packaging film can be made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), composite film or aluminum foil layer. It is installed on the film roll holder at the rear of the packaging machine. Through a set of film pulling systems that cooperate with each other, the packaging film is evenly pulled into the machine:
Dancer Roller System: ensure that the packaging film always maintains constant tension during operation to prevent the film from being stretched, deformed or broken due to excessive tension, or from being loose, deviated or wrinkled due to insufficient tension
Edge correction system (EPC): detects the left and right deviation of the film through photoelectric sensors, and uses automatic control technology to adjust the alignment of the film, effectively improving packaging accuracy, reducing material waste, and avoiding poor sealing or printing misalignment
2. Bag forming
The packaging film is evenly pulled into the forming collar through the film pulling system. Note that the forming collar here is a precision-polished stainless steel structure, which effectively prevents film jams and ensures that the film passes through its own guide surface, folding the two sides (edges) of the film inward to the rear of the forming tube, initially forming a cylindrical bag shape. In addition, the forming tube with a special coating on the inner wall provides convenience for subsequent filling of materials into the bag and continuous smooth bag making. Since the size of the bag is different, the forming tube can also be tailored according to the size of the bag.
3. Vertical Sealing
After the packaging film enters the sealing area, the vertical sealing bar is heated with PID temperature control technology (to ensure constant sealing temperature). Then the sealing bar applies pressure to the seam of the film and bonds it. The pressure wheel cooled by air or water cooling system, performs secondary sealing to ensure a firm and beautiful seal.
4. Material: Feeding & Weighing & Dosing
The raw materials are transported from the ground to the weighing hopper above the packaging machine. They can be divided into granular, powdered, and liquid/paste.
Granular materials: Z-type elevator, large inclined elevator, single bucket elevator, bucket elevator
Powdered materials: spiral elevator, vacuum elevator
Liquid/paste materials: Gravity flow feeding: for low-viscosity liquids with good fluidity, such as water, juice, vinegar, etc. Flow into the metering system by gravity
Pump feeding: Gear pump: suitable for low to medium viscosity liquids, such as cooking oil, syrup.
Screw pump: suitable for high viscosity liquids, such as pastes and creams.
Piston pump: suitable for precisely quantitative liquids, such as liquid medicine and detergent.
The weighing system measures the weight of each bag of product to ensure that the product is filled accurately and avoids waste or shortage. According to the characteristics of the material, it is roughly divided into:
– Multi-head Weigher: used for granular products of different shapes (such as nuts, candies, potato chips).
– Auger Filler: suitable for powders (such as milk powder, coffee powder, protein powder).
– Piston Filler: used for fluids (such as sauces, juices, detergents).
– Volumetric Cup Filler: used for particles with good fluidity and regular shapes, such as rice, seasoning powder, etc.
The material enters the weighing system through the feeding system. After metering, the product smoothly enters the filling tube through another vibrating feeder. The material is guided into the formed packaging bag, waiting to enter the final sealing process.
5. Horizontal sealing
The bag enters the horizontal sealing area, where both sides of the bag are clamped and fixed. After the horizontal sealing bar is heated to a constant temperature, pressure is applied to the bag opening or bottom to bond the bag. The sealing bar can be equipped with a patterned sealing mold or a smooth sealing mold to ensure a beautiful seal. Finally, the cooling pressure wheel performs a secondary seal to improve the sealing strength and ensure the airtightness of the product.
6. Discharge and cutting
The sealed bags are cut independently by cutting system and output different kinds of bags for further processing or packaging. Based on cutting method,we could make the following distinction:
1. Straight Knife Cutting: used for conventional pillow bags and 3/4 sided sealing bags.
2. Serrated Knife Cutting: used for easy-tear bags
3. Perforation Cutting: used for stick pack or sachet bag
Types of VFFS machine
Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) machines are designed for meet different kinds of packing requirements across the industry. Depending on the product type, bag type, and packing speeds, we offer various machines:
By product type:
Granule Vffs Machine: Suitable for snacks, coffee beans, pet food.Measuring by multi-head weighers or volumetric cup fillers
Powder Vffs Machine: Designed for milk powder, flour, or protein powder with auger fillers to ensure high accuracy and dust control.
Liquid Vffs Machine: Idealed for sauce, paste, shampoo,detergent with piston pump to metering the filling volume.
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