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A Packaging System Floor Plan

A Packaging System Floor Plan

Setting up a packaging system obviously requires choosing the correct equipment - from liquid fillers and capping machines to labeling equipment and pallet wrappers - but there are steps to be taken even before choosing the equipment.  One of these steps is to ensure that you have sufficient floor space for all of the packaging equipment to be used on your line.  Liquid Packaging Solutions can provide line layouts where necessary to assist in this task.
 
The first step in comparing your available space with your desired packaging line is to find out exactly how much space you have available.  Keep in mind that the square footage is the important number in taking measurements.  Packaging systems do not necessarily have to be set up in a straight line to effectively complete the packaging process.  In fact, horseshoe packaging systems and racetrack systems may often be more efficient than a straight line packaging system.  For example, a belt conveyor system might run in a horseshoe pattern to save space for a storage area for product, containers, caps and other necessities on the back end of the line.  Additionally, always keep in mind chores not related to the packaging system itself.  When setting up the conveyor system and the packaging machinery, leave room for forklifts or fork trucks if they will be used for loading and unloading shipments and allow space for routine maintenance and cleanup of the packaging machinery.  
 
Once you know your square footage, you can begin to choose your packaging equipment and design your line.  Remember again that automatic conveyor systems may use curved sections or transfer turntables to move around objects and allow for horseshoe or other shaped packaging lines.  Automatic rinsing machines, filling equipment, capping machines, labeling equipment and conveyors can be used to quickly and easily package large numbers of products per day.  However, this machinery will take up a significant amount of space.  In addition, some companies may need only a fraction of the total production possible on an automated packaging line.  Semi-automatic and tabletop packaging machines can help to tweak a line to meet individual needs where space is limited or production is at a low to medium level.  Of course, automatic and semi-automatic machinery can be combined as well.  An automatic liquid filler and capping machine may be combined with a semi-automatic labeler to save space while still remaining an efficient packaging system.  
When setting up a packaging line, it is better to plan ahead and condsider all of the factors involved before purchasing space and equipment.  If you are planning a packaging system for your facility, feel free to contact a Packaging Specialist at Liquid Packaging Solutions with questions regarding line layouts and efficiency. 
 
 To see a simple line layout sample, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.