Questions to Ask Before Buying a Flow-Pack Machine

One of the most critical decisions when investing in a production line is selecting the right packaging machine. Particularly on lines requiring high speed, continuous production and aesthetically pleasing packaging, if the right questions are not identified before purchasing a flow-pack machine, the investment may prove both inefficient and costly. As flow-pack machines are widely used in the food, cosmetics, medical and industrial sectors, the selection process must be analysed with technical care.

What is a Flowpack Machine?

A flow-wrap machine is an automatic packaging system in which products are wrapped and packaged horizontally using a continuously moving film. The products are fed into the machine via a conveyor, wrapped in film, and the ends are sealed either thermally or mechanically.

These systems enable the production of high-speed, hygienic and aesthetically pleasing packaging, particularly thanks to flowpack packaging technology.

Why Should You Ask Questions Before Buying a Flowpack Machine?

Choosing the wrong machine can lead to production line stoppages, high maintenance costs, product wastage and loss of capacity. It is therefore crucial to ask the right technical questions before making an investment, in order to ensure long-term efficiency.

Investing in an industrial flow-pack machine, in particular, involves not just purchasing the machine, but optimising the entire production line.

1. Which products are to be packed?

This is the most fundamental question when choosing a flow-pack machine.

Is the product hard or soft?
Is it fragile?
Are they standard sizes?
Is it spilt or scattered?

For example:

Products such as biscuits, chocolate and Turkish delight
Soap and cosmetic products
Hardware and technical components

The product structure directly determines the machine’s feeding system and speed capacity.

2. What will the production capacity be?

Hourly or minute-by-minute production targets must be clearly defined.

Questions to ask:

How many items will be packed per hour?
What is the daily production target?
Are there any plans to increase capacity in the future?

These questions highlight the difference between high-speed flow-pack machines and standard machines.

3. What will the product feeding system be like?

Flowpack machines do not operate on their own; the feeding system plays a critical role.

Will it be manual feeding?
Will an automatic conveyor system be used?
Will the products be delivered intermittently or continuously?

Conveyor-integrated flow-pack systems, in particular, significantly increase production efficiency.

4. Is the packaging material (film) compatible?

Not every machine is compatible with every type of film.

Questions to ask:

Will OPP, CPP or PE film be used?
Do you have any laminated film?
Will a printed film be used?

Choosing the wrong film:

Source errors
Adhesion problems
It may cause the packaging to become misshapen

5. Do the product dimensions vary?

Will the products being packed be of a single type or in different sizes?

Are different moulds required?
Is there an automatic adjustment system?
How long does the format change take?

This is a particularly critical factor for multi-format flow-pack packaging lines.

6. How flexible is the machine?

Flexibility is crucial in modern production lines.

Can it pack different products?
Can the speed be adjusted?
Is it a modular design?

Flexible machines reduce investment costs in the long term.

7. Is there a maintenance and service support programme?

When buying a machine, you’re not just buying the product, but the service as well.

Are spare parts available?
How long does the service take?
Is technical support provided locally?

Preference should be given to manufacturers with a strong service network, particularly within Turkey.

8. What is the level of energy consumption?

Flowpack machines are continuous-operation systems.

What is the engine power?
What is an energy efficiency class?
What is the long-term cost of electricity?

9. Is the Level of Automation Sufficient?

Automation is of critical importance in modern production lines.

Is there a PLC control system?
Can faults be detected using sensors?
Can production data be monitored?

Smart flow-pack machines increase production efficiency and reduce the error rate.

10. Is the machine manufacturer reliable?

Perhaps this is the most crucial question.

Do they have any references?
Which sectors has it served in the past?
Is it produced locally?
Does it offer project-based solutions?

How to Make the Right Decision When Investing in a Flow-Pack Machine?

The right choice of machinery should be made by taking into account product analysis, production capacity, the level of automation and long-term objectives. In particular, the process of purchasing a flow-pack machine is not merely a technical decision but also a strategic investment.

Choose the Right Flowpack Solution with Arpack Makine

At Arpack Makine, we design and manufacture flow-pack packaging machines, conveyor-integrated systems and fully automatic packaging lines tailored to various sectors.

At our production facility in Esenyurt, Istanbul, we develop bespoke solutions for the food, cosmetics, medical, hardware and industrial manufacturing sectors. We provide production, installation and delivery services not only to Istanbul but to all cities across Turkey.

To identify the flowpack machine best suited to your business and make your production line more efficient, please get in touch with Arpack Makine’s team of experts.