Used Packing Equipment Blogs - Packaging Industry Information

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

What Industries Can Utilize Used Packaging Machinery?

Chances are, if you’re in an industry that uses packaging machinery, you already know it. But if you’re a small business, or are looking for a way to optimize your packaging process, you may not be aware that there are options available to you at a cost that might fit your budget better than brand new machines. Many different industries can benefit from used packaging machines—can yours?

What Industries Benefit from Packaging Machines?

One of the main industries that use packaging machinery is the food industry. Without machines, the packaging process would not only be inconsistent, but it would be much slower. With machines, companies are able to package consistent weights of their product, which is not only good for aesthetic reasons, but it also ensures no money is lost either from overfilling the product or underfilling—which may result in unhappy customers. Aside from weighing, used packaging machines can be used to seal products like frozen pizza, individual condiment packets, and much more.

Other industries that use packaging machines include:
• Automotive
• Cosmetics
• Toys
• Retail

These are just a few of the industries that can use packaging machines to advance their business and productivity. If you’re interested in optimizing your packaging line, but are working with a tight budget, buying used packaging machinery is a great way to do so. We offer high quality machines that will fit into your budget and are restored to be fully functional for years to come.

What Kind of Machines Can These Businesses Use?

Within these industries, different companies can benefit from different types of packaging machines. For instance, combination weighers can be used for weighing out multiple bags of product quickly and easily, which is ideal for the food industry. Shrink bundling machinery, including form fill and seal machines, is ideal for packages that need to be airtight, or need to be sealed with no airspace between the package and product, such as automotive parts. Many industries can benefit from using conveyers, as well – these help speed up the packaging process for virtually any item you’re packaging. No matter what sort of packaging machine you’re interested in, buying refurbished is a great way to build up your line without breaking the bank.

For more information about the different types of machines that High Performance Packaging offers, contact us today—we’re happy to help you find whatever you need to make your business work better.

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Which is More Useful for Your Business: HFFS or VFFS Machines?

The benefits of the horizontal and vertical fill machines depend on the products themselves

If you’re in the business of packaging products into containers and shipping them off, you know that it’s important to make sure your machines are working at optimal levels of efficiency. When it comes to choosing the machines your company uses, one of the choices you might have to make is between a horizontal form fill and seal machine and a vertical form fill and seal machine. Of course, the benefits of each will depend on the actual product you need to package, such as whether you’re in the food industry or you’re packaging non-food items.

Why Are VFFS Machines Better for Food Industry Products?

Because so many food products are sold by weight, packaging them horizontally isn’t often the most efficient way of doing so. Instead, vertical form fill and seal machines allow the product to be sorted out and weighed into the container easily, partially thanks to gravity. Horizontal form fill and seal machines are typically better suited for products that are heavier, as they rely on a conveyer belt rather than a feeding spout. Vertical FFS machines are used for things like candy, condiment packets, and loose products that may be difficult to handle manually, such as sugar.

Should You Choose an HFFS Machine?

If you’re in a business that packages products such as vacuum packed products, including some food products such as frozen pizzas or hot dogs, as well as other, non-food products like magazines, electrical or hardware products, plastic silverware packages, and much, much more. When your product is heavier or needs to be vacuum-sealed, laying it on a flat surface to be packaged tends to be more efficient. This type of packaging is typically also better suited to products that have a limited amount of pieces – things like sugar, as previously mentioned, would not fare well if they were packaged with a horizontal form fill and seal machine.

Depending on the business you’re in, one machine may be the clear winner. However, if you’re still unsure of whether you would benefit more from a horizontal or a vertical form fill and seal machine, feel free to contact High Performance Packaging. We can give you more information and help you come to the best decision for your particular product and business.

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Optimizing Your Packaging Line for Maximum Efficiency

Maintain productivity by routinely checking equipment status for breaks in need of repair

When your goal for your business is to optimize your packaging line for maximum efficiency and output, there are a few ways to go about doing this. Maintaining efficiency is key for ensuring that your business is doing all it can with its budget, and when your packaging process involves using multiple machines, it’s important to make sure each machine is working its best.

Operator Training

The first step toward making sure each machine is being used to its full capacity is providing operator training to your employees. At High Performance Packaging, we are proud to offer our clients operator and maintenance training to increase the skills of your staff. We are fully versed in all the machines we sell, which means we’ll be able to pass that information on to you.

Preventative Maintenance

In order to maintain the highest level of productivity, it’s also essential to schedule preventative maintenance for the machines in your packaging line. Much like you bring you car in for oil changes and tune-ups, preventative maintenance for packaging machinery can help ward off bigger problems or necessary repairs down the line. Maintaining machinery is the best way to ensure efficiency—when the machines are running smoothly, there’s no worry of unnecessary downtime that can cause your business to lose money.

Performance Improvement

Another way to boost your packaging line’s efficiency and productivity is to make sure that the machines you’re using are the best ones you can use – whether you need to upgrade or not. You may think that your budget doesn’t allow for purchasing new machinery, but when you have the option to purchase used and refurbished machines, that may change everything. Refurbished machines are the same quality you need to rely on, yet cost less than new machinery. But because they’ve been checked, repaired, and brought back to life, they’ll still last you many years.

Troubleshooting

Finally, knowing what to do should machines malfunction is important. This can save you a lot of time because if you know how to check various systems and parts for things going wrong, you won’t have to spend hours or days waiting for a repair man to come in and fix the machine. Knowing just the basics can significantly speed up your troubleshooting skills—and again, High Performance Packaging is proud to offer troubleshooting training on our machines.

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

What to Do When You Have Problems With Your Packaging Machinery

When you work in a packaging plant, productivity relies on the machinery within the space working smoothly and without issue. As many business owners know, however, that’s not always the situation. When there are problems with machines, work can all but come to a halt—so what do you do when you have a problem and need answers now?

Contact Your Machine Supplier

When you have a problem or need troubleshooting help, a great first step is to contact the company you purchased the machinery from. Whether you need help with used Combi scales, Yamato scales, or any other brand, the packaging equipment company you purchased machinery from should be able to help you with any issues that come up. After all, they likely want to keep you satisfied as a customer, and helping you with troubleshooting, repairs, or even further training with something they sold you. Making sure you purchase equipment from vendors who provide great customer support and who will be willing to help you with problems, repairs, training, or any other questions you might have about a product after your purchase.

Purchase Better Packaging Machines or Consider Refurbished Parts and Machines

If your packaging machinery isn’t doing what you need it to, it may be time to upgrade. Think that’s impossible? It may not be as out of reach as you think. Considering used replacement packaging machinery can save your business a lot of money while still allowing you to purchase newer and more efficient machines.

Refurbished machinery has been used, yes, but the company selling it has also taken the time to clean, fix, and restore it to excellent quality. So, even though the price is lower and it has been pre-owned, you’ll still get a reliable, top-quality piece of machinery. What’s better, companies that specialize in selling refurbished packaging machinery are usually invested in their products, since they spent the time refurbishing them, as well as their customers’ satisfaction and thus will want to help you out if you have any questions about the purchase.

Repair the Machines You Already Have

On the other hand, if you don’t need new machinery, but your existing packaging equipment isn’t working quite right, it may need to be repaired or need routine maintenance. Bringing in a repair service is an easy thing to do and can get your machinery back in working order faster than you think. To prevent problems from arising before it’s too late, consider scheduling preventative maintenance services. You wouldn’t let your car go for too long without an oil change, and packaging machinery should be treated with the same care. Maintain it, and it’ll last you for years to come.

Call in Training Specialists

If the issue is that your employees aren’t well versed in how to use the machines, that’s an easy fix. At High Performance Packaging, we’re glad to offer training services for all of our machinery, so that you and your employees can get the most out of your investment. We offer training for machines including:

Combination Weighers
Auger Fillers
Liquid Filling Equipment
Vertical and Horizontal FFS
Tray Packing
Cartoners
Blister Packs
Overwrappers
Case Erecting/Case Packing
Depalletizers/Palletizers

For improving your packaging line, contact High Performance Packaging.

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Essential Machinery for an Efficient Packaging Line

When you’re building up a packaging line, you probably already have some idea of what machines you might need. However, if you’re new to the industry, it can help to have a bit of a crash course to learn about some of the more common machines used in packaging lines so that you have some idea where to start looking.

Conveyers

Of course, conveyers are used in all types of packaging lines, simply because they are ideal from taking a product or package from one place to the next. Some conveyers only take pieces of a package down the line, such as bucket conveyers or bucket elevators, while others are simply tasked with moving product along a line, like takeaway conveyers. Most packaging lines will require the use of a conveyer belt in one way or another.

Fillers

Different types of filling machines may also be included in many lines. Filling machines such as auger fillers are used for products including powders, granules, and liquids, and are ideal for filling containers without wasting and product. If your company works with fine powders like talc or flour, which tend to become airborne with some packaging systems, look into using auger fillers in your packaging line to help avoid this.

Form Fill & Seal Machines

Form fill and seal machines are also used in many companies’ packaging lines. Should you need one of these, you can choose between vertical and horizontal form fill and seal machines, which are each used for different products, generally speaking. Vertical form fill and seal machines are used for products that are packaged in multiples—candies, snack products, for example—as well as product that are not ideal for horizontal filling—like sugar. These machines can be used for non-food products as well, though the food industry does use them a lot. Horizontal form fill and seal machines are better suited for heavier items and items that are packaged either one to a container or need to be vacuum-sealed –think frozen pizza or a package of hot dogs. Those products are vacuum-sealed before being shipped off, so horizontal packaging machinery is the better choice.

Weighers

One more machine that is often used in packaging lines is the weigher. Weighers are what keep your packages consistent in weight, of course—this ensures not only product quality control, but also that your company doesn’t lose out by accidentally putting too much product the packages it sells.

If you’re not sure which machines you should purchase to build your packaging line, the knowledgeable staff at High Performance Packaging is happy to help – contact us anytime.

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Why Use Ilapak Machinery?

When you’re looking for packaging machinery for your production line, plenty of manufacturers make the machinery you need, so it can be difficult to make a decision when it seems like all of the machines are the same. It can help to know a little bit about some of the common brands in order to start narrowing down your decision, though. Let’s learn a bit more about Ilapak today.

About Ilapak

Ilapak was founded in 1970, with a dedication to customer satisfaction. Since then, the company has grown to 450 professionals, selling more than 650 machines every year—both individual machines and complete packaging lines. The company is headquartered in Switzerland, but has five production sites in Switzerland, Italy, China, Arkansas, and North Carolina. Each site is dedicated to creating industry-leading packaging machinery. The company focuses on meeting the needs of various industries, and with plenty of satisfied customers, 70% of the company’s sales are from existing customers. Their developments are in tune with current needs of packaging companies, so when you’re in need of packaging machinery, you can rely on Ilapak machines.

What Do They Specialize In?

Ilapak machines cover a range of packaging needs, such as feeders, weighers, and horizontal and vertical form fill seal machines. Packaging and filling machines from Ilapak are designed to package products with durable seals, hermetic seals for MAP applications, three- and four-side seals, sachets, block-bottom bags, and more. Ilapak supplies entire packaging lines as well as singular machines. Whether you need automatic feeders, horizontal form fill and seal machines, or other packaging equipment, Ilapak may have just what you’re looking for. That’s why at High Performance Packaging, we’re proud to offer used and refurbished Ilapak machines.

What Industries Are Their Packaging Machines Ideal For?

Ilapak machines are ideal for food industry packaging needs, including:

Bakery products
Biscuits and cookies
Cheese
Chocolate and candy
Coffee, sugar, and tea
Meat and poultry
Pasta
Pizza and tortillas
Produce

These machines are good for other industries as well, including wet wipes (baby care or household use); non-food packages including single- or multi-packs, shrink-wrapped items, and more; liquids and pastes (both food and non-food); dry pet food; and cards—including 4-sided seals.

Ilapak machinery is known to be durable and high quality. If you have any questions about the brand or any of the machinery High Performance Packaging offers, contact us today.

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Brand Profile: Kliklok-Woodman Machinery

When considering different manufacturers of packaging machinery, it can be overwhelming to sort them all out and determine which are among the best. One name you may have heard in the business is Kliklok-Woodman. They’ve been in the industry for nearly 70 years, and focus on serving a variety of industries with their machinery, including food packaging industries as well as industries requiring top-notch packaging machines. Learn more about Kliklok-Woodman and their machines.

About Kliklok-Woodman

Founded in the 1940s, Kliklok-Woodman began as a promise between a food producer, a machinist, and a vendor selling basic packaging materials. Together, they worked to create the solution to packaging problems – needing the technology that would allow businesses to be more efficient. [M1] Since then, they have built the reliable, high-quality machinery that High Performance Packaging is proud to offer today. Kliklok-Woodman’s focus has always been versatility, speed and innovation, with solutions made for new and emerging packaging needs. Since many consumer decisions are based on the packaging presented, it’s essential for companies to use a package that is appealing and durable, as well as packaging that improves shelf life when possible.

What Types of Machinery Do They Offer?

Kliklok-Woodman offers several different types of machinery. Perhaps most well known are their vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machines, which include bagmakers and filling systems to create great packages for the snack food, bakery, confectionery, and frozen food industries. Kliklok-Woodman also offers cartooning machines, including topload machines, endload machines, and wraparound machines. Carton formers are available for a range of different carton styles, perfect for many products and industries. The company also manufactures special-applications products, such as multi-bag balers, pie wedge lines, trolly loaders, DCLs, and more. Whether the industry you need packaging for is a food industry or a non-food application, there are solutions available that can be tailored to your needs.

If you’re interested in learning more about Kliklok-Woodman machinery or would like to find out more about any of the brands we carry, the professionals at High Performance Packaging are ready and waiting to discuss our catalog of used and refurbished machinery with you. Our used Kliklok-Woodman equipment is held to a high standard of quality and is available to you in excellent condition.

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

What to Look for in Vacuum Packers

If you’re looking for a vacuum packing machine to add to your lineup of equipment, it’s important to know what to look for in order to ensure you don’t end up with a machine that is low quality. Finding a machine that has both a high power vacuum pump and efficient heat sealing capabilities is essential. Since the main function of a vacuum packer is to seal the product inside an oxygen-free bag in order to increase shelf life, it’s important for the machine to be tailored to the specific product you are attempting to seal. There are different types of vacuum packers, and if you are looking to purchase one, it’s important to know what will work best for your needs so that you can plan the investment well.

Nozzle Sealer Vs. Chamber Sealer

Both types of vacuum sealers should be able to seal a solid product with ease; however, each type has benefits for certain types of other products. For instance, nozzle sealers will provide a faster vacuum seal, and provide a great amount of control over the bag; however, chamber sealers work more slowly but are capable of removing enough oxygen to achieve an oxygen level of .02% within the package. Depending on what type of product you are sealing, one machine or the other may be a better choice for your particular application.

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Vacuum Packer

Some of the things you’ll need to take into consideration when you’re purchasing a vacuum packing machine include:

How many packages you need to seal per shift
How large the packages you need to seal are
What the packaging material is made of
The type of product you’re packaging
Whether you’ll need to increase production anytime soon

The type of machine that will be best for your specific use may vary from industry to industry or even from product to product. If you’re unsure of what type of machine your business will benefit from, contact us at High Performance Packaging. Our specialists will be able to advise you on what types of machinery will best suit your business’ needs.

Purchasing used vacuum packers is a great way to expand your line’s efficiency without breaking the bank; even better, you may be able to purchase multiple machines since you’ll be saving money. Contact us today for more information about the products we currently have available.

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Packaging Equipment Training Programs

Packaging machinery is complicated—there’s no way around that. Purchasing new machinery has the potential to slow down your production, particularly if your employees are not well versed in how to use it. Training can take some time, but if you don’t know how to train the employees on the new machinery, you may be stuck. Thankfully, when you purchase used packaging equipment from High Performance Packaging, you get the additional benefit of our training programs.

Helpful, Time-Saving Programs

At High Performance Packaging, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best service we can, and that includes offering used packaging equipment training courses. That means that in addition to simply selling the machinery like other suppliers, we also understand how all of the machines work and can help our customers learn how to use them efficiently. We offer programs for on-site training which help your machine operators and other personnel learn how to maintain, operate, and troubleshoot used packaging equipment. Some of the machinery we offer training for includes:

Combination weighers
Tray packing
Blister packing
Auger filling & liquid filling equipment
Cartoners
Depalletizers and palletizers
Vertical and Horizontal FFS

Learning how to use and troubleshoot equipment can not only decrease the downtime between implementing new equipment, but can also shorten the time spent on maintenance or repairs. If your staff has a firm grasp of how to use and maintain the machinery on your line, they will be able to quickly identify issues that arise.

Why Buy Used Packaging Equipment?

If you’ve been looking to add machinery to your packaging line, purchasing used equipment is a savvy, beneficial way of doing so. Not only are you able to add efficiency by way of having more machinery in your setup, but also you can save money by purchasing used or refurbished machines. At High Performance Packaging, we offer our clients a wide range of refurbished machines that are repaired and brought to industry standards, so even though you’re saving a lot of money, you’re still getting the high quality, reliable machines you need. When you need to increase production or replace machines, consider buying used from HP Packaging, where you’ll get the added bonus of available training programs.

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Ron Crews — Leave a comment

Reduce Downtime By Implementing Preventative Maintenance on Used Machines

Once you’ve gotten your packaging line set up, it’s important not to simply churn through the work every day and ignore any sort of maintenance routine for the equipment. Of course, not every machine is going to need the same schedule of maintenance to keep it working the best it can, so it’s ideal to have an organized set-up of when certain maintenance jobs should be done.

Reducing Downtime and Extending Machine Life

When your company takes pride in efficiency and consistency in production, one machine being nonfunctional for even a few days can really jam up the workflow. And when you have multiple machines, there’s the chance that multiple machines can fail at the same time. Planning regular maintenance, regardless of whether your machinery is new or used/refurbished, is highly important when it comes to prolonging the life of the machine. When machines and moving parts are not tended to regularly, issues can pile up resulting in major repairs being necessary. When you purchase used packaging equipment from a supplier, that supplier should be able to help you learn how to properly maintain it, and at High Performance packaging, we do just that.

Customized Maintenance Plans

Few problems within your company can cause as much inconvenience as surprise machine failures and unscheduled downtime for your production line. With a regularly scheduled tune-up and maintenance routine, you can stay on top of potential issues and monitor anything that looks like it may cause problems down the road every time you do your maintenance. High Performance Packaging offers a customized service plan for all of our clients, which means we will work with you to design a customized plan tailored to your specific production line and machines. Because our technicians have decades of experience, they have a thorough understanding of all the machines we sell. When you want to ensure that your packaging line won’t have to shut down because of a simple problem that could have been prevented, implementing a preventative maintenance schedule is key.