Forum -> Machinery related discussions -> Packaging Machines ->Intermittent issues of Product in seal on VFFS machine

[vijay]

Getting frustrated as the product in seal issue comes suddenly, the machine works good for many shifts and then intermittently starts giving product in seal problem.
The machine timings remain same, product type, quality, density, weight, pouch size everything is constant and within the limits.
Please note that the products are salty snacks and this problem usually happens for few hours only and the wastage because of product in seal can go up to 10 to 15% during that short period.
After a few hours of bad run, everything comes back to normal by itself. The various efforts to resolve the issues during those few hours has caused more grief than any benefit up till now.
Our normal wastage out of this machine is less than 1% and we have faced this sporadic incidents of machine behaving badly for 5 times in last 1 month.
Running out of options, suggestions please. What factor I am missing?

[greyhair]

What is the make of the machine?

At what speed are you running the line?

What exact products you are running?

Are you purging any gas or air into the pouches before / during product filling?

[Ash]

There could be a number of factors causing this issue. The most prevalent ones being:

Bulk density of the product being packed (this may explain why its happening suddenly as when the BD is dropping that is causing the product to go in the seal)
The dump timing of the product
The timing of the air blow
The jaws not cleaned properly
Temp of jaws
Alignment of jaws (this may cause the intermittent issues as explained in your query)

I can certainly give you more clarity if you can provide more details regarding the type of laminate being used, speed of machine, any operational parameters changes from shift to shift or any trend which can link this issue to some problem in the processing area.
Hope it helps

[vijay]

Thanks, Ash and greyhair.

The machine is Woodman make Clipper model and we are running potato chips and salted snacks on it. The speed of the machine is 50 to 55 BPM.

Type of laminate is BOPP or LLDPE.

Ash product density and machine timing is correct and within the range. I will check other variables as well, when we have the issue again and let you know.

[Ash1]

Hi Vijay,
How have you been travelling with the product in the seal issue. I've just finished a CI project related to this so can share a lot of info on this, in case you still having the problem.
Cheers