Introduction: Repeatedly, people who are looking to acquire vertical packaging machines fall victim to the same kind of purchasing error. When it comes to choosing vertical packaging equipment, this is something that cannot be overlooked. You are about to get into a significant financial commitment to purchase equipment that will have an impact on the profitability of your company for years, if not decades.
As a result, we’ll go through several critical difficulties that often hinder companies from reaping the full advantages of their packaging automation investments.
1) Alterations Or Updates Implemented After The Initial Purchase
Most of the time and money spent on constructing a packing machine is wasted due to last-minute changes in the machine’s layout.
This kind of thing often occurs when important details of a project are either left vague or changed at the last minute. Cost overruns on packing machine projects are often attributable to unforeseen configuration changes and redesigns (and delays). Almost all vertical packaging machines are custom-built to order to meet your exact specifications. After the construction of the equipment has started, you may be charged for any changes you request, no matter how little. If the scope of the requested change requires major reprogramming, reengineering, or reconfiguration of key components, it might dramatically increase project costs and prolong the timetable by a number of weeks or months. Everything about it is terrible news.
That being said, what should be done? Early on, preferably before seeking a price from a vertical packing machine manufacturer, it is essential to define the project’s scope and goals. Important aspects including bag sizes, types, required machine speeds, and system configuration are best discussed and agreed upon early in the process. When it comes to specifying, developing, and installing your packing equipment, it’s generally advantageous to engage with a packaging machinery integrator.
2) No Precise Metric Exists
One of the best ways to make a complex decision, like purchasing a packaging machine, more clear cut is to reduce it to figures. In particular, through calculating the return on investment of equipment (ROI).
Profitability may be measured as a measure of an investment’s worth. Since purchasing an automated packaging machine is a large financial commitment, it is essential to determine the system’s payback period. It’s typically a good idea, but there are several cases when it wouldn’t be. This is the case when the required throughput is low, or when the complexity of the operation makes expensive automation impractical. The machines can readily figure out all of this data.
3) Ignoring The Importance Of Preparing Required Apparatus
Your packaging machine has been completed and is ready for shipment. Still, do you think you’re prepared? You may think this is correct, but there are other factors to think about. When installing new machinery at a customer location, we often run into the following problems, all of which raise the client’s direct and indirect costs:
1. Overall insufficient packing preparation planning
It’s important to stop and ask yourself a few questions before you go in. How much of the feeding and unloading process will use conveyors? Do you know whether your product will be used in any subsequent processes? Next, it will be necessary to define the function of the new packaging system throughout the process and the roles of all parties. In addition, it is important to plan the installation and coordinate it with other professionals to eliminate any potential issues.
2. Forgetting about the need of integrating devices
For a price, manufacturers of packing machines may also offer to handle this integration. In such a scenario, it’s important to collect references and ask plenty of questions.
If you want to save money by doing it yourself, you should check that the power circuit for the packing machine is dedicated and that the film, boxes, and bags you want to use are compatible with the equipment.
3. Inadequate facilities for transporting and connecting equipment
It would be beneficial to have a crew of professionals that are well-versed in operating the packing machinery. Can you say that you own one? How will you get the equipment from your dock to the new site?
The answers to these and other similar queries should be ready before the packing equipment arrives.
4. Inadequate planning for future maintenance and repairs
It is crucial to account for the cost of servicing packing equipment in the overall budget.
But it doesn’t mean there is nothing there. Keeping a supply of high-wear parts on hand and planning frequent maintenance are both essential.
4) Failing to Take Full Features of Packaging Machines
It is possible to save both time and money by taking use of the many time- and labor-saving features and functionalities offered by many modern packaging machines. But you won’t get your money’s worth if you don’t put them to use. As a result, before purchasing a packing machine, make sure you understand all of its capabilities by asking about them and, if necessary, seeing a demonstration.
It’s possible that streamlining your packing process is simpler and more efficient than you think. Do not waste your money on packing equipment whose full potential is not being used. When shopping for a packing machine, it’s important to learn as much as possible about its capabilities; don’t be shy about asking for demos. One’s packing line may be simpler and more effective than one expects.
5) Disregarding the Need of Regular Machine Check-Ups
When it comes to packaging machines, preventative maintenance is the key to keeping them in tip-top shape even after they’ve begun production. Quality machinery means fewer visits to the mechanic and longer periods between servicing. However, it has to be maintained twice yearly, much like a car, to ensure its long life and proper operation.
As part of the yearly or biannual preventive maintenance packages they provide, several manufacturers of packaging machines perform on-site inspections by a licensed technician. Though insurance may cost more upfront, if having this peace of mind helps you to plan ahead for maintenance costs and avoid any unpleasant surprises, it might be well worth it. The fact is that not all packing machines are created equal. Each model’s set of skills is unique, and each model is tailored to a certain form factor of packaging. This is why it’s so crucial to get advice from a professional before buying anything.
Conclusion
When you’re considering a packaging machine purchase, be sure to consult with an expert first, like Vtops Machinery. VTOPS is a custom manufacturer of packaging machines certified by TÜV Rheinland and has a production workshop of more than 40,000 square meters. It will be able to guide you to the perfect machine for your packaging needs and provide you with information about the different types of packaging machines that are available on the market. With helps to avoid making costly mistakes when purchasing packing equipment.
