What Methods/Techniques Are Available For Filling Big Bags?
What Methods/Techniques Are Available For Filling Big Bags?
Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers
FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) bags store large volumes of product in a single unit. Their strength and protective qualities means they can store a diverse range of products.
While this makes it versatile, it impacts how FIBC bags are filled — which is according to weight or volume. Knowing which option would best suit your business will shape what machinery you invest in. Not sure how to decide? Here’s what you should know.
Weight Versus Volume Based Filling
FIBC filling machinery fills bags based on a product’s volume or weight. Your product’s characteristics might make the choice obvious — for instance, if you’re selling a solid or liquid. It can also depend on if you’re selling to end users (like consumers) or selling raw materials to manufacturers.
Your country’s packaging laws could inform your choice. Packaged products that weigh less than advertised could result in legal action or fines. However, accurate weighing is important, even if it isn’t legally required. Miscalculations can lead to you giving away your product for free — or cheating customers out of what they’ve paid for.
When you have more accurate dispensing, your product flows more consistently. Most machines use an algorithm that learns how and when to stop and start product flow — which means that acute filling will help the machine itself become quicker and more accurate over time.
How Weight & Volume-based Filling Machinery Works
Most weight-based filling machines work as gravimetric dischargers or hoppers. Their electronic load weighing cells automatically detect a product’s weight as it’s discharged. The filled bag is vibrated, compacting the product and any trapped air is removed.
Some weight-based machines support bags on a pallet while others suspend them using machine arms. Both have built-in scales that will automatically close the outlet valve or stop the conveyor belt. Suspended bag machines tend to be more accurate as they don’t need to adjust for the pallet and platform support structure during weighing.
Volume filling machines have sensors that detect how much product passes through its conveyor or filling spout. A frame supports the bag on a pallet or suspends it, much like in a weight-based machine.
Product is discharged into a vessel via a filling head with a mechanism to release displaced air and collect any dust generated. Once the amount of product in the vessel reaches the required level, the bag is filled and the sensor will automatically close the valve and stop the conveyor belt from feeding the product in.
Making Your Decision
If you need an affordable but efficient FIBC bag filling system — that operates by weight or volume — you should work with a big bag filling specialist. Webster Griffin can design a system that accurately fills bags of any size, weight or dimension.
Our machines are equipped to work with light and heavyweight products. They’re also compact, easy to clean, ergonomically designed, and built for 24/7 operation.
Some can even be upgraded to work in an integrated system with pallet handling conveyors if required. Contact us today to find out how we can create a FIBC filling solution that meets your needs.
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Big Bag Filling Machines