To be effective, technology frequently depends on precision, which in turn depends on calibration. The modern world abounds with examples of calibration in action, from blood pressure monitors and other life-saving technology, to industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles and smart wearables. Likewise, vacuum sealing machine calibration ensures that the machine operates to industry standards, keeping the product safe, reliable, and high-quality time and time again.
Calibration is the process of fine-tuning your vacuum packaging equipment to meet a predetermined standard deemed effective. Calibration can involve adjusting and proving sealing and forming temperature settings, proving vacuum pressures are accurate, calibration of MAP gas pressures, and sealing forces.
Consistency, repeatability, predictability, efficiency and performance are key elements in vacuum packaging. With over 20 years of experience in the field, VACPAC has seen the difference that consistent quality can make. Here is the VACPAC guide to vacuum sealing machine calibration and how it can benefit your brand.
The Importance of Vacuum Packaging Machine Calibration
Ensuring that your vacuum packaging equipment is accurate is critical and is often overlooked. Here are some of the most significant benefits of calibrating your vacuum packaging machine properly:
Ensuring production consistency
Consistency is extremely important in the food industry. Packaging food with precision leads to safer standards, decreased spoilage and bacterial growth and better maintained texture and flavour. It also helps you get the portion size right every time. Consistency also helps maintain product quality and minimises wastage in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and electronics.
Compliance
Food safety standards apply to every stage of the food production process, from manufacturing and packaging through to sale. Vacuum packaging equipment calibration facilitates compliance with legal food safety standards by maintaining the optimal level of vacuum (pressure) and inhibiting microbial growth.
Safety
Being precise in product packaging is not just a matter of legal compliance and product quality, but a matter of safety, too. Calibration helps protect consumers from risks associated with activities like consuming spoiled food or using oxidised or contaminated pharmaceuticals.
Cost savings
Packaging consistency makes for a more efficient use of resources, which in turn cuts down on waste. By using only the amount of product and packaging you need, you can avoid unnecessary spending.
Preventative maintenance
Calibration is also a critical element of a vacuum packaging maintenance schedule that helps you to identify and address potential problems early.
Better worker safety
Poorly calibrated vacuum packaging equipment can behave erratically. Like other maintenance measures, calibration helps create a safer working environment.
How to Calibrate Your Vacuum Sealing Machine
The process of calibrating a vacuum packaging machine can vary by model, depending on factors such as system complexity. Some machines require a waiting period before you can safely calibrate them. It’s always best to refer to your owner’s manual or VACPAC for the specific information.
Other Tips for Improving Packing Consistency
Although machine calibration is necessary, it isn’t the only method to improve vacuum packaging consistency. Other tips to take on board in your business include:
Use the right vacuum bags
Always use high-quality, purpose-fit vacuum bags specifically designed for your vacuum packaging equipment. Choose the right bags for your particular product (e.g. bags with barrier protection for moisture-rich food) and avoid reusing bags, as that leads to contamination.
Keep a clean, tight seal
Avoid placing too much food inside the bag. Using the correctly sized bag with respect to the product being packed is important. Always allow enough of the bag to comfortably go over the sealing bar(s); we refer to this as headroom. Likewise, keep the seal free from food particles, moisture or folds.
Check the vacuum pump
A well-maintained vacuum pump delivers consistent quality, while a damaged one can fail to remove the full amount of gas (air) necessary. Oil quality and regular services are key to a healthy vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is the heart of your packaging machine; however, it operates with very fine tolerances. Due to this and their demand for performance, it is crucial to ensure that vacuum pumps are regularly serviced by VACPAC.
Keep product load consistent
Place products in bags in a flat, uniform way to ensure even vacuuming. Leave 5-8 centimetres of space at the top of each bag to avoid overfilling it.
Prefreeze moist or soft items
Prefreeze delicate items or those with high moisture content to prevent vacuum pressure from crushing them.
Freeze liquids
Some vacuum packaging machines (specifically external or non-chamber machines) are unsuitable for liquids because they can draw them into the machine’s sealing mechanism, preventing the bag from closing correctly. For best results, freeze liquids until they solidify before you put them through the machine.
Provide staff with comprehensive training
Staff should be trained on aspects such as proper loading technique, monitoring seal quality, and the maintenance and troubleshooting of vacuum packaging machines.
Keep Your Vacuum Sealing Machine in Top Condition with VACPAC
Hiring a professional to calibrate your vacuum packing machine keeps it functioning at its optimal level. VACPAC’s vacuum packaging services cover the most requested areas of vacuum packaging care, which include preventative maintenance.
VACPAC conducts services on a regular scheduled basis in order to increase your machine’s operating time, optimise output, prevent faults in advance and reduce unplanned downtime. We can offer you a client and asset-specific Preventive Maintenance Agreement (PMA) with discounted rates and guarantees.
VACPAC provides purpose-built vacuum packaging solutions for all kinds of markets, products, demands and applications. With advanced technology and first-rate construction quality and design, we provide customised solutions to suit all kinds of business needs. Our services include everything from consultation to design, fabricating custom machine builds to addressing breakdowns.
To find out more about the VACPAC approach or invest in some exceptional vacuum packaging equipment, call (07) 3806 5972 or reach out to VACPAC online.