In 2020, the global bagging equipment market reached a value of $12.8 billion. Automatic bagging systems are a modern solution to increase productivity in a number of environments, and they can be implemented in several ways.
If you are operating a production facility, you stand to reap many rewards by implementing an automated bagging system. For a rundown of how automated bagging systems work, and what the benefits are, keep reading.
What Is an Automated Bagging Machine?
A machine that uses automation to carry out the packaging process in a production environment. The product is automatically inserted into the bag or pouch, which is then sealed.
There are various types available, and the right one for you will depend on your needs. Whether it's high-speed bagging systems to get the job done fast, or bagging scales to fill bags based on weight, Bratney has you covered.
The most common products that are bagged using automated bagging systems include:
- Food
- Beverages
- Flour
- Animal feed
- Seeds
- Fertilizer
- Cosmetics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Mechanic parts
Automatic Bagging Machines are adjustable, so you can customize them to fit your production line. You can pack separate parts of a product, and you can use different packaging materials if desired.
This means you can match the packaging to fit your branding.
What Are They Best Suited For?
Automated bagging machines are a hygienic packing method, which is ideal for many of the applications above (food, pharmaceuticals, etc.). They can also work at a very high rate with incredible accuracy. This is beneficial when packaging large volumes of small products, such as seeds.
They can also be adjusted for different amounts and different packaging styles, making the packaging of small products more reliable.
Considerations When Choosing Automated Baggers
The main thing to think about is how much of the bagging process you need to be automated.
Form, fill, and seal bagging machines can produce bags in a variety of styles. Polyethylene reels feed into the machine and is a durable, weather-resistant material, providing bags that will last. Automated poly baggers are easy to use and offer a lot of customization.
Bagging scales allow you to accurately control the volumes of product going into bags. They are fast, accurate, and hygienic, suitable for all types of products. You can adjust for gross weight, net weight, and volume, making these very versatile.
An automated open-mouth bagger can fill all types of pre-made, open-mouth bags. These can be integrated with a variety of bag sealing machines. Bratney Companies can provide these different pieces of equipment individually, or even set up a whole packaging line for you, depending on what you are looking for.
What Are the Benefits of Implementing This Process?
There are several advantages of automatic bagging machines. The overall running of a production facility can be greatly improved by implementing one or more components of an automated bagging system.
Quality Control
Older automated production systems were not capable of overseeing quality control, and staff were needed to carry this out. Modern machines use advanced computing technology to do this.
Many designers even claim that their systems can catch up to 100% of errors, making them more efficient than human workers. The fact that computers don't tire the same way humans do means that this rate doesn't drop, giving consistent results.
Speed
A fully automated bagger can work at speeds significantly faster than humans on a production line.
Bratney companies provide a number of different automated bagging machines, the speed of which vary depending on the type of machine, and the parameters you set. Some of our machines are capable of filling up to 2,400 bags per hour.
Beyond this, you can have your production line set up to carry out multiple processes, and some machines are capable of multi-tasking. This means that in a single step, a machine can fill, seal, and label bags, giving maximum efficiency.
Safety
In all production environments, there is always a risk of injury. Sometimes this is through an accident, or it could be due to repetitive tasks for long durations.
Automated processes reduce the risk of this greatly, as the repetitive tasks are handled by machines, and safety measures are easier to implement to prevent accidental injury.
Costs
Unemployment rates are currently very low in the US. While this is not in itself a bad thing, the competitive market drives up wages, increasing labor costs. As automated machines replace humans on production lines, this becomes a non-factor.
In terms of materials, bags themselves can add a significant cost when buying from an external supplier. Using an automated bagging system to produce bags in-house can reduce costs greatly. On top of that, it allows you to make bags to your exact specifications.
Information Access
Most automated machines are made with a strong focus on human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Being able to easily access information from machines can be very helpful for a company.
Workers can use data and analytics from automated bagging machines to make better-informed decisions. Such interfaces also make automated machines more user-friendly and easier to operate. Training for these machines is essential, but HMIs can help reduce the duration and difficulty of any training.
Sustainability
While automated bagging machines require an initial investment, they immediately improve productivity and reduce costs. The ROI (return on investment) can be quite significant, meaning it won't be long before your machine has saved you more money than it cost.
They are also designed to work efficiently, keeping greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum.
Finding Automatic Bagging Systems
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to automatic bagging systems, from an automated open mouth bagger to an automated poly bagger, and more. However, the best choice for you might be quite hard to determine.
The team at Bratney Company has over 50 years of experience in the industry. We are happy to help find the perfect solution to meet your needs. Click here to contact us today.
