Manufacturing

How to Choose Packaging Equipment for Manufacturing

Manufacturers pack a wide range of products: small parts in bags, kits in shrink film, long profiles, large machines and finished goods for retail. Choose the equipment by product size, volume and how the pack must protect the product.

Parts in bags

Impulse sealers close poly bags of screws, fittings and spare parts. The AIE A1 Series seals automatically on a timer; the AIE FL Series seals 32″ or 40″ in one stroke for large bags and sheeting. For thick or multi-layer bags, the AIE FD Series heats both jaws.

Long products

Profiles, tubes, panels and frames need long seals. The Maripak LMC-P 14065P has a 55″ × 26″ seal area. Side sealers such as the Maripak IMPACK PRO 80 seal along the product, so length is not limited by a seal bar.

Automatic shrink lines

For continuous production, side sealers such as the IMPACK PRO 20, PRO 100 and the continuous-motion PRO-MOTION 40 wrap products automatically and feed a shrink tunnel. They detect product length with a sensor and adjust the bag to each product.

Vacuum packing in production

For products that must be kept free of air and moisture, double chamber vacuum sealers such as the Turbovac L10-LL100 let one operator load one chamber while the other runs.

Large items

Machines, assemblies and large parts can be protected with shrink film and a propane heat gun such as the Ripack 3000, for transport or outdoor storage. The film is fitted around the item, seams are sealed with tape or heat, and the gun shrinks it into a tight, weather-resistant cover. Extension poles help to reach the top of tall machines.

Bag materials

PE bags seal on impulse sealers; foil and laminated bags often need constant heat such as the AIE-602CH; heavy gusseted bags need double heating.

Power and compressed air

Many sealers run on standard power. Automatic side sealers and tunnels need 220 V or 480 V power, single- or 3-phase depending on the model; some machines need compressed air. Each product page lists the requirements.

Line integration

Maripak SMART Sync conveyors connect sealers and tunnels, and options such as remote access and photo-eyes help integrate the machines into existing lines. Plan the transfer heights between machines so products move smoothly.

Common mistakes to avoid

A common mistake is sizing equipment for today's product only; check the largest product you plan to make in the next years. Another is underestimating utilities: automatic lines often need 3-phase power and compressed air that are not yet at the planned location. A third is forgetting the space for infeed, outfeed and the operator, which can be as large as the machine itself.

Planning checklist

Before requesting a quote, collect the product dimensions (largest and smallest), the packs per minute you need, the film or bag material, the available power and compressed air, and a sketch of the space. Send them with your request, and we will suggest equipment and, for Maripak machines, quote installation and training.

Trials and samples

For automatic lines, it helps to send product samples or photos with dimensions, so the configuration can be checked against your real products before the order is confirmed in writing.

Choosing by volume

Low volumes: foot or tabletop sealers. Medium volumes: semi-automatic sealers and L-bars. High volumes: automatic side sealers with tunnels and conveyors.

Delivery and installation

Large machines ship by LTL freight. Installation, start-up and operator training by Maripak technicians can be quoted with Maripak machines.

Compare the equipment

See also Side Sealers, Impulse & Heat Sealers and Shrink Packaging. Read Impulse vs. Constant Heat vs. Band Sealers.