Bagging Machines

When selecting a bagging machine, it is important to do an evaluation of the raw material, the throughput rates and bag weights.

To start with, select a suitable feeder to feed the raw material between the storage hopper and the bagging system. The possibilities include gravity feeding by means of gates, vibratory feeders, screw feeders, belt feeders or rotary vane feeders as well as pneumatic conveying.

In case of open-mouth bagging machines, which use pillow or open top bags, there is a selection of gross weighers and net weighers. A net weigher bagging system weighs off the product in a weigh hopper which is then discharged to a chute with a bag clamp at the bottom. A gross weigher bagging system weighs the product as it is being filled into the bag. The benefit of the net weigher is increased bagging speed and the fact that the bag can be manipulated without affecting the weighing accuracy.

Open top bags are presented to the bag filling system manually, in the case of a semi-automated bag filling system, and by bag placer in case of a fully automated bag filling station.

Valve bag filling machines usually require a screw feeder, pneumatic feeder or a type of impeller feeder to transfer the product into the bag. Valve bags are fitted with a so called internal “valve” that automatically closes when the bag is laid flat. This means that secondary bag closing, stitching or heat sealing is not required.

Bulk bags is another form of bag filling which is highly efficient and which is frequently used for fertilizers, plastics, sugar, animal feeds and so forth. Bulk bag filling can be done by means of a gross weigher process i.e. the bag is being weighed while filling, or a net weigher where the product is weighed off first before discharging into the bulk bag. A net weight bag filler will have a higher throughput rate because weighing takes place during the same time as the previous bag is being removed and the new one is being placed in position.

Bulk bags or flexible intermediate bulk containers can also be used as storage units or as feed hoppers in some secondary process. The built in lifting loops make it easy to handle bulk bags by mechanical means such as fork lifts without the need to use pallets.

After filling, the bag passes through a bag closing station which can be a stitching machine or some form of heat sealer, in the case of film bags. The bag closing station comprises a short bag handling conveyor belt of around 3 300 mm and sealing machine.

Our standard M-CON 2000 Microprocessor control system is normally used on bag filling machine applications. This unit comes with all the logic control functions required and the ability to do data logging for management reporting purposes. Reports can be generated reflecting hourly, shift, daily and monthly totalisers. The management information is useful to determine the efficiency and yield of the bagging machine. It is furthermore possible to interface the bagging unit to a supervisory computer and SCADA system for ease of reporting.