Pre-Manufacturing Communication Key in Packaging Machinery Design

Of course much discussion on the Liquid Packaging Solutions webpage surrounds the building of various pieces of packaging equipment, from simple conveyors to complete turnkey lines consisting of rinsing machines, bottle fillers, capping machines and more. A large part of what we do at LPS consists of building the equipment. However, in order to build the correct machinery for each project, the process must start long before the first piece of stainless steel (or other material) is welded or the cut.

Each packaging project will truly be unlike the one before it. Each project brings unique products, containers, closures, labels or some combination of the same. Before the Packaging Specialists at LPS can even begin to recommend a specific machine, some amount of information must first be gathered. For instance, different products work better on different filling machines. A very thick product may not flow well through an overflow filler, and while a less viscous product may be handled by an overflow filling machine, it will not always be the best choice. In other cases, a range of products may be used, and a bottle filler must be manufactured to handle all products, from the thinnest to the thickest. In these cases, the machine may be a truly custom design.

While product plays a large part in deciding which pieces of packaging equipment are best suited to a particular project, the analysis will likely never stop there. Other equipment, such as rinsing machines, will be built to handle the container, rather than the product. For this reason, the best solution cannot be reached without understanding the sizes and shapes of the containers that will be run. While many lines will use an inverting rinsing machine, large, tall or unusually shaped containers may be difficult to flip. In these cases, alternatives to inverting, such as bottle vacuums, may be necessary. Understanding the components that will be used in the project, from bottles to caps to labels and more, make the design process that much easier.

Finally, the space allocated for the equipment is also a major factor in building the best solution for any given packager. LPS builds equipment that can be used on a tabletop as well as complete inline systems connected by power conveyors to create a turnkey solution. The design and production of the packaging equipment must take in to account the space available for the machines to do their job! Small spaces don't necessarily mean less efficiency, but more creative designs may be necessary to achieve the necessary efficiency when space is restricted.

Of course, as noted above, each project comes with its own set of unique guidelines, restrictions and needs. There are many other factors that may play a part in the design of the equipment, from environment to labor to production demand and more! LPS doesn't just build equipment, we work with the customer to ensure that we build the best equipment for each and every project. To discuss your own packaging needs with a Packaging Specialist from Liquid Packaging Solutions, drop us a line using the Quick Connect box on the website or call toll-free to speak with a representative today.