Step-By-Step Guide to Purchasing a New VFFS Packaging Machine
December 19, 2016
So what's involved in getting your hands on a Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) packaging machine for higher productivity and better business capabilities in 2017?If you're considering this kind of innovation for your business, here are some of the steps to take to effectively add this type of functionality to your company’s production.
Assess Current Workflows
Before you make any kind of investment, take a look at what's currently going on in-house. Are the workflows as efficient as they could be? Are there opportunities to change current layout and processes to enhance output? Consider where there may be risk for repetitive motion injuries, or where labor problems can bottleneck systems.
Research Potential Changes
One of the next steps is to do the math on what a VFFS packaging machine can accomplish. How many pieces per minute will be produced? What type of margin does this offer over the existing volume of production?
What Can You Drop?
VFFS machines work on the principle of “bagging” or vertically filling containers with materials. Look at your product line and see how many kinds of products you can package this way. You might be surprised at which workflows can be switched over from processes like manual boxing or bagging.
Examine Workspace and Ergonomics Issues
As another research step, it’s important to figure out how the VFFS machine will fit into the physical workspace. Where will it be located, and how will it be accessed?
Ergonomics plays a big role in modern business – because it truly impacts efficiency in physical processes. This guide from CalOSHA goes through some important aspects of evaluating ergonomics in a workplace.
You’ll want to evaluate exactly how and where workers will come in contact with the machine, to minimize any issues over time and make sure that the machine will be used in the right way. You'll also want to make sure people have adequate space to bring materials in, package them and take them out. Putting too much equipment in too small of a space can impose serious risk and liability on the business. Work floor planning should be part of any equipment acquisition process.
Talk to the Vendor
In the process of integrating one of these helpful assets, it can be good to talk to a vendor about what these packaging machines can do, and the total value and cost of ownership over time. Talk frankly about maintenance, and about what will be required to support this machine through months and years of production.
Downtime and Support
Another part of the modern research project for investment involves downtime. Ask a packaging machinery vendor how these modern machines offer minimal downtime, through improved efficiency and better design. Remember that downtime can be incredibly important to outcomes, and try to predict the amount of planned and unplanned downtime that could happen.
You’ll also want to find out about support for these machines to make sure you will have the right channels of communication on hand to troubleshoot and adjust as necessary and work through any speed bumps that may occur.
Want an expert to help walk you through the sometimes overwhelming process of acquiring packaging machinery? Contact us today to get started:
