Key Questions to Ask When Ordering food packaging bag manufacturer
5 Questions to Ask Your Poly Packaging Supplier - Versa Pak
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If you’re a customer researching custom plastic packaging manufacturers, choosing the right supplier — or distributor — can be a daunting task.
Here are five essential questions to ask when reviewing suppliers to ensure they’re a high-quality, reputable vendor.
5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Poly Packaging Supplier
When choosing a plastic packaging supplier, you may wonder where to start. These questions can give you a list to ask to make sure the poly supplier you’re choosing to do business with has the same end goals as you.
1. What certifications do you have?
Your plastic manufacturer should have certain certifications depending on the industries they serve. For example, Versa Pak is SQF-certified, and FDA-approved.
Custom plastic packaging manufacturers should remain up-to-date on any certifications they may have on a regular basis.
Learn more about our certifications.
2. What quality measures are you taking in your custom plastic products manufacturing process?
In addition to holding updated certifications, manufacturers have proof of their internal quality measures.
For example, at Versa Pak, all of the bags and films we manufacture use resins that comply with FDA regulations in 21 CFR 177., (c) (3.1a), subject to conditions of use and food type limitations. We also have non-allergen, RoHS and Interstate Milk Shippers statements.
And if you have any questions like this one about the manufacturing process, your supplier should be happy to help.
Related: Inside the Versa Pak Manufacturing Process [Video]
3. What research and development options do you have in place to ensure high-quality products?
Your plastics manufacturer should have quality measures and a research and development lab to test their products for your end-use.
Some common machines you may see are a coefficient of friction (COF) testing machine, which tests slip level, and impact strength testing machines, such as a DART machine or a Spencer Impact machine.
Other instruments may include a Haze Guard to test poly film clarity, a universal tester to measure elongation and tensile strength, or a precision micrometer to measure the polyethylene film’s gauge level.
You’ll find all these tools at Versa Pak’s on-site research and development lab. To take a closer look, watch this video featuring Versa Pak Quality Manager Keith Koverman demonstrating a few of our lab’s capabilities.
One of our core values here at Versa Pak is innovation. We’re always looking for ways to improve our products at the highest level. If you have any questions about our lab’s abilities or quality measures, contact us at 419-586- or fill out our Request a Quote form.
Goto Renhe to know more.
4. Can I get a sample made for custom packaging?
Maybe you have a unique application where standard just won’t cut it, or you want to be sure your custom product is made just right. A high-quality plastics manufacturer that specializes in custom products will provide handmade samples.
At Versa Pak, we can custom-create a piece and show you the exact look and feel before you place an order. We’ll work with you to ensure your product meets every requirement. All you need to do is contact us for a custom product sample.
5. Are you a sustainable custom polyethylene packaging supplier?
Sustainability is a much-discussed topic in the plastics manufacturing industry. At Versa Pak, we’ve incorporated sustainability into our custom manufacturing process in a variety of ways, including by incorporating post-consumer recycled materials into products, creating reusable products and converting scrap from production back into resin.
In addition, industrial post-consumer resins (PCR) and biodegradable options are available.
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4 key questions to ask before buying a pouch filling and sealing ...
Purchasing a pouch filling and sealing machine is a substantial investment.
It's important to ask your packaging equipment manufacturer the right questions to determine whether their machinery is the right fit for your business. Here are 4 key questions to ask your OEM before signing that purchase order:
Short on time? Download our free guide for 10 questions to ask when considering pouch packing machines. >>
1. What is the layout of the packaging machine?
There are two main layouts for pouch fill and seal machines: Rotary and Inline. An inline machine is designed with the beginning and ending points of the process at opposite ends of the equipment and as such requires more floor space. Rotary pouch filling and sealing machines are designed to carry out their operations in a circular fashion, with the start and endpoints of the process right next to each another. A rotary design requires minimal floor space and maximizes operator efficiency and ergonomics, and as a result is our top choice for this type of equipment.
2. How long does it take to change over to different bag sizes?
When a pouch packing machine is adjusted to accommodate different bags, the machine is down and not producing. Excessive time spent on changeovers is one of the chief operational complaints from manufacturers and contract packagers, as it eats into their productivity and bottom line.
So how long should it take to change over an automatic pouch fill and seal machine? For a rotary machine, 5 minutes or less. A changeover should be tool-free and uncomplicated so an entry-level operator can complete it easily. Preparing the machine for new bags should be as straightforward as adjusting a few knobs and pushing a button.
3. How durable are critical machine components?
It's what's 'under the hood' that counts, both for cars and packaging machines. A pouch fill and seal machine can look great from the outside, but if key components and wear parts are built from cheap materials, the equipment can end up costing you more money over the long term, both in parts and downtime for maintenance. Watch for an overabundance of plastic or degradable building materials as this can be an indication of future trouble.
As an example, bag gripper arms are a key pouch packing machine component that should be designed with durability and strength top-of-mind. Gripper arms are responsible for steadily holding the bag as it moves through different stages of the pouch packaging process. They should be constructed of stainless steel and have the ability to continuously support heavier fills of over 20 pounds without sagging.
4. Where is the machine’s HMI located?
The HMI, or Human Machine Interface, provides a text and graphics-based visualization of the packaging system. An HMI is the main interface between an operator and the packaging machine and provides monitoring, controls, error reporting, and other functions. Modern HMIs are touch screen and intuitive to use.
An important but often overlooked design issue with HMIs is their location in reference to the pouch fill and seal machine. HMIs can be stationary, mounted directly onto the machine and immovable. They can also be separate from the packaging machine on their own stand or pedestal. Or, HMIs can be located on a swivel arm attached to the pouch fill and seal machine, which is our recommendation for the most flexibility. This type of HMI does not require any extra floor space and can be moved to the most convenient height and location for the current user. It can also easily be manipulated when cleaning the packaging machine.
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