Bagging Machines for Packaging

Bagging machines are used in many industries to automate the processes of inserting and sealing products inside a polyethylene bag. Systems are available in varying degrees of automation, from semi-automatic, manually loaded machines to high speed, fully automatic equipment capable of running continuously over three shift operations. For operations that fill and seal polyethylene bags manually, these systems generate enormous productivity gains – in addition to enhancing packaging consistency and appearance. Another attractive feature of automatic baggers is their compact size. Unlike many types of packaging equipment, such as cartoners, void fill systems, and stretch wrappers, these machines are often small enough to be placed on or next to a packing table with little or no disruption to the existing packing line layout.

Industries and Applications

Many industries use bagging machines to increase productivity and reduce labor expense. The equipment is frequently used for printed materials, medical and pharmaceutical packaging, many types of clothing and fashion accessories, small parts, kits, fresh and frozen foods, hardware, and mail order fulfillment. Rather than running flat polyethylene bags, machines work with a roll of polyethylene tubing which is cut to a predetermined or variable bag size, depending on application requirements. Bags can be loaded manually or with some type of automated feeding system. Feeding systems often include product counters, weight scales, or volume scales, which may be necessary for packages containing a fixed amount of product. Some bagging machines are equipped with thermal transfer imprinters, which eliminate the need for a secondary labeling operation further down the line. Typical printing includes product identification, company logos, and sales and branding messages. Equipment can also come with infeed and exit conveyor attachments for smooth integration into an existing packaging line.

Selecting Bagging Machines

Many factors must be considered when selecting any type of packaging automation. For this equipment, printing requirements can quickly rule in or rule out various options. Relevant printing specifications include whether the printing is variable, the degree of coverage, the number and type of colors, complexity and resolution of artwork, and the speed at which printing must be applied. Other determining factors include cycle speed, hours of operation, size, thickness, and formulation of film to be used, available space, and line configuration. Power requirements can sometimes be a factor as well. Some machinery runs on electric and compressed air, while other types are all electric. Companies who are purchasing baggers for the first time sometimes overlook power requirements. Machines are often available for demonstration or in house trials. As an experienced specialist in polyethylene films and automation, Heritage Pioneer can assist in the selection of equipment and related attachments. Link back to the Bagging Machines page for more information on packaging solutions. Link back to the top of this Bagging Machines article.