Is 2023 the Year to Add Packaging Automation?

There are many benefits to automating packaging processes, from rinsing, filling and capping to loading and packing bottles and other containers. This has become more clear as the pandemic of the past couple years starts to wind down. When talking about automation, many people envision complete packaging lines that take up a lot of floor space as well as a lot of budget space. While some packagers will use a complete inline packaging system for all packaging processes, there are many different combinations of machinery, both large and small, that can add efficiency and consistency to a packaging system.

While both automatic and semi-automatic packaging machines are manufactured at Liquid Packaging Solutions, they do not need to be mutually exclusive on a packaging line. The two types of machinery can co-exist to create the ideal solution for both a packagers' demand and budget. In fact, many new packagers will automate one process at a time, as well as upgrade from semi-automatic to automatic to build a complete packaging system over time. The existence of the two levels of automation along with the ability to upgrade allows a packaging system to grow with the company as the need arises.

For a company that is preparing product by hand, and depending on a number of factors, one aspect of packaging may be much more time consuming than others. For instance, if a liquid needs to be filled to an exact volume, the process of filling by hand may include checking and re-checking to make sure volumes are correct. On the other hand, another company may use a unique closure requiring extra time and effort to seal bottles once product is filled. And of course, hand applying labels in a wrinkle-free, consistent manner is a tough job for anyone! Each of these packagers may automate the process that takes the longest, while continuing to use labor to complete the other tasks by hand.

Similarly, one packager may start with a simple, semi-automatic filling machine built on a full-frame, using an operator to place bottles, start the fill and remove bottles once filled, achieving the consistent and accurate fill that is necessary in an efficient manner. Over time, as the product generates more demand, an indexing system and PLC can be added to create an automatic machine, adapting and growing with the needs of the company.

As 2023 begins, LPS wants all packagers to understand that a solution exists to make packaging just about any product more reliable, more consistent and more efficient, whether packaging a few hundred bottles a month or thousands of bottles a day. Machinery can range from simple tabletop machines to fully automatic and complete systems.

LPS does not charge for consultation, and our Packaging Specialists are happy to answer questions, make suggestions, explain machinery or just help out in any way possible. Though LPS does not package a product at our LaPorte, Indiana plant, our equipment prepares products from Food and Beverage to Chemicals, Household Goods, Oils, Lubricants and more across the United States and around the world! With an already impressive family of packagers utilizing LPS equipment, we are always eager to hear from new and veteran packagers alike and learn about innovative and unique products, packages and processes.

To speak with a Packaging Specialist at LPS, with no obligation, simply fill out the contact forms found on the website, or call direct at 219-393-3600 today!