How to Select a Vertical Packaging Machine (VFFS Selection Guide)

I .Confirm packaging material (Highest priority, determines dosing unit)

Material property directly decides the filling system and is the core of equipment selection:

1. Granules (rice crackers, nuts, sugar, seeds, pet food, beans)  Recommended: multi-head weigher with high weighing accuracy, ideal for irregular granules. For free-flow fine granules with limited budget: volumetric cup filler, high speed with slightly lower accuracy.
2. Powders (seasoning powder, flour, milk powder, additives)  Must adopt screw auger filler. Note: Fine powder tends to generate dust. Dust extraction, level sensor and agitator hopper are recommended to avoid bridging, unstable feeding and weight fluctuation.
3. Liquids & pastes (sauce, honey, edible oil, jam) Piston pump / liquid pump filler.
4. Irregular solids (candy, chocolate): multi-head weigher.

Key reminder: The main machine can be retrofitted with different dosing units later, but interfaces must be reserved in advance. Powder and granule dosing structures are completely different and cannot be mixed.

II. Confirm packaging specification: pouch type + pouch dimension + target filling weight

1. Pouch type (determines former)

• Pillow pouch: Lowest cost and most widely used, preferred for snacks and rice crackers
• Gusseted bag: More upright with larger capacity
• Quad seal bag: Premium appearance
• Stand-up pouch: Requires special former, higher cost

2. Filling weight

• Small dose 5g–500g: Mature standard VFFS, widely used for sandwich rice crackers and similar snacks
• 500g–2kg: Reinforced frame, larger screw or bigger multi-head weigher
• Heavy pouches over 2kg: VFFS is not recommended; HFFS horizontal FFS is preferred.

3. Pouch length & width: Provide unfolded finished pouch size for supplier to confirm machine frame specification.

Maikort supplies full-range VFFS packaging machines of various specifications, covering small, medium and large pouch applications. Our machines adapt to different pouch styles, filling weights, production capacities and various materials. Multiple dosing systems are optional to deliver customized packaging solutions.

III.Packaging film material & process requirements

Packaging film selection affects the sealing system:

• BOPP/PE composite film: standard longitudinal & horizontal sealing assembly
• Aluminium foil, high barrier film, nylon film: require upgraded sealing assembly with controllable temperature, pressure and dwell time
• Nitrogen flushing, vacuum or MAP: air pipeline must be reserved, nitrogen device as optional accessory

Tip: Supply film thickness and matte film information to supplier to prevent wrinkling and leaking seals.

IV. Capacity requirement (packing speed)

1. Low speed: 20–40 bags/min for powder products (slow feeding via screw)

2. Medium speed: 40–80 bags/min for granular snacks & sandwich rice cracker pillow pouches (industry mainstream)

3. High speed: 80–120 bags/min, requires reinforced frame, servo film pulling and servo horizontal sealing, higher cost.

V. Workshop conditions & other requirements

1. Workshop space: VFFS has a tall structure. Check floor area and ceiling height limit.
2. Power & air supply: VFFS normally requires compressed air (0.6~0.8MPa), prepare air compressor in advance.
3. Sanitation grade: Food industry: 304 stainless steel for product contact parts; pharmaceutical: 316L with GMP construction.
4. Ambient humidity: Heat preservation and anti-condensation hopper for moisture-absorbing powder.

1. Workshop space: VFFS has a tall structure. Check floor area and ceiling height limit.
2. Power & air supply: VFFS normally requires compressed air (0.6~0.8MPa), prepare air compressor in advance.
3. Sanitation grade: Food industry: 304 stainless steel for product contact parts; pharmaceutical: 316L with GMP construction.
4. Ambient humidity: Heat preservation and anti-condensation hopper for moisture-absorbing powder.

VI. Supplier & after-sales evaluation (Key for overseas buyers)

1. Whether material trial test & sample packaging available
2. Spare parts availability: ready stock for consumables including former, seal strip, screw and cutting blade
3. Remote commissioning, technical training, on-site service and warranty.

VII. Selection pitfalls to avoid

1. Do not only focus on machine price. Metering accuracy is critical. Mismatched dosing unit will cause many production problems.
2. Avoid overloading the machine: Small machine running large/heavy pouches leads to poor accuracy and high failure rate.
3. For poor-flow and bridging materials (some seasoning powder), select machine with agitator hopper.

If you are selecting vertical packaging machines, please contact us. We provide free customized solutions for your application.