Packaging system for pet food in various formats

In this article we will discuss a very large packaging system, consisting of 4 complete packaging lines, ranging from weighing to secondary packaging.

Our client's goal was to package dry pet food in different formats, thus managing to be present in the market with all the formats most purchased by consumers.

The packaging lines in this plant are for small and large formats, with open-mouth and vertical bagging machines.

As MF TECNO, we have supplied the packaging machinery involved in weighing, packaging, secondary packaging, palletizing and pallet wrapping.

In each and every part of this complete packaging system, we will evaluate how we have supported our customer in meeting all their packaging needs.

Weighing System

All the lines that make up this plant are equipped with multi-head weighers, the most suitable weighing system for pet food. This type of scale adapts perfectly to any format of pet food, guaranteeing high productions on both small and large formats.

The multi-head model chosen is the 14-head model made of stainless steel to ensure the high hygienic standards required by the industry. The weigher consists of a central hopper with a cone-shaped design to facilitate product distribution to each individual head.

The heads are equipped with a vibrating channel, pre-dosing, dosing and product release system.

All electronic parts are controlled by PLC. The weighing machines use exclusive software programmed in-house by MF TECNO's team of developers.

Packaging lines

1. Plant for small formats from 200 gr to 1 kg with MF POUCH 1000 bagging machine, secondary packaging with Pick and Place and cartoning machine, MF PCA SMART palletizer.
2. Packaging line for medium and large formats and high productions in UNIVERSAL 1200 open-mouth bags from 3 to 20 Kg, MF PRC 1000 layer palletizer.
3. Double MF 52 continuous motion vertical packaging machine for bags from 200 gr to one Kg, with secondary packaging system "Bags in Bag." Bags in bag is created by a second VFFS, model MF 58 and layer palletizing by MF PRC 1000.
4. Vertical VFFS packaging machine for pillow or four-seal bags from 2 to 12 kg and MF PRC 1000 layer palletizer.

1) Small-format pet food packaging plant

The first plant consists of a multi-head weigher, the MF POUCH 1000 carousel petfood packaging machine, and an MF PCA SMART automatic boxing machine and box palletizer.

The MF POUCH 1000 packaging machine is perfect for small-format packaging of granular products, such as dog and cat food. In this machine, the carousel plays a key role, making sure that packaging can take place simultaneously on more than one bag.

It is also particularly suitable for food products, such as ice cream premixes, chocolate chips and the like.

This bagging machine reaches production levels of up to 1,000 ara bags.

The machine's various stations take care of opening the bag, filling it, sealing the ends and then leading it to the cartoning machine, through the use of automatic conveyor belts.

The MF CUBE cartoning machine forms, fills, and closes American-style, top-loading (top loading) boxes. Closing can be done with glue (hot melt), tape, or both methods.

2) Packaging line for medium and large formats

The second packaging line is dedicated to filling and palletizing preformed bags from 3 to 20 kg. The UNIVERSAL 1200 bagging machine was chosen for its versatility and high production output. The possibility of reaching up to 1200 bags/hour and the ability to handle a wide range of bags make it an excellent solution for pet food packaging.

The great mechanical peculiarity of this machine is the bag filling mode. In fact, UNIVERSAL 1200 differs from the other bagging machines in the IABA range because the bag is filled either during translation, thus reducing packaging time.

Once filled, the bags are transported to the topping and sealing stations.

Then automatic belts lead them to the six-column MF PRC 1000 palletizer, the ideal choice for the production levels required by the customer. Once palletized, the bags are wrapped with film to secure them on the pallet, protecting them from impact and weather. The wrapping process is done using the MF WRAP 60 rotary arm pallet wrapper. A top sheet is also added for additional protection.

3) Line for small formats with bags-in-bag secondary packaging

This third line consists of 2 continuous VFFS MF 52 vertical packaging machines. The continuous motion means that the parts operating them slit the reel and weld accompanying the bags during the filling phase, saving time. Once the bags are formed and filled, they are conveyed by automatic belts to a second MF 58 large-format packaging machine that generates the bag-in-bag.

In the bag-in-bag, several bags are grouped inside a larger one. The number of bags inserted varies according to the format selected at the time, while the outer bag format remains fixed.

After being grouped, the bags are directed to the automatic palletizing, pallet wrapping, and top-sheet system.

4) Coil bag packaging system for large formats

The MF 58 packaging machine is a very versatile machine that can handle a wide range of formats and two types of bags. In fact, this packaging machine can handle formats ranging from 2 to 12 kg pillow or four-seal. By using this machinery, we were able to meet the needs of our customer, who required format change and different types of bags, while having a small space.

In fact, the strength of our company is that we design and manufacture all the machinery in-house, managing to guarantee a maximum level of customization.

Once the bags are packed, they are transported to the MF PRC 1000 6-column palletizer, which can handle an output of 1200 cycles per hour. This palletizer was chosen for the compactness it can return to the finished pallet. Its special feature is that it is able to organize and compact one layer at a time, making the pallet have a regular, square shape.