A Tech Bite from Greener Vice-President & co-owner Matt Wojtech
This Greener Tech Bite, in partnership with Kenray Forming, provides QUICK TIPS for troubleshooting three common forming problems on vertical baggers: torn or broken packaging material, wrinkled and scored packages, and open back seals.
Former Design and Precision
Both proper design and consistently precise fabrication of formers are critical to their proper function.
Shoulder Geometry
Incorrect shoulder geometry can tear or break the packaging material, create wrinkles, and cause open back seals.
Crossover Point
Tearing and breakage are also caused by sharp edges or by inadequate clearance at the crossover point on the former.
If the crossover point is mispositioned, open back seals can result.
Clearance Between the Tube and Shoulder
The clearance between the forming tube and forming shoulder must be the proper dimension and must remain consistent around this intersection.
Improper clearance, often created by imprecise former geometry and misalignment between the tube and shoulder, is a common cause of chronic forming issues.
Pinch points where this clearance is too narrow create excess tension that can tear or break the packaging material.
These pinch points also create score marks that degrade package appearance and can reduce the material’s barrier capacity.
Kenray’s unique manufacturing process allows them to fabricate formers with precise, constant clearance between the shoulder and the tube, so they can provide narrower clearance widths, without pinch points, that produce more accurate, consistent bag sizes.
Formers without Kenray’s unique level of precision must have wider clearance between the tube and shoulder to avoid pinch points, which can result in more variable bag sizes, wrinkles, and other issues.
Former Condition
Former condition is also important. Over time, the packaging material wears the lip of the forming shoulder as it moves across it and can eventually create an uneven edge, often referred to as shark’s teeth.
This rough edge creases the material and creates jagged score marks down the outside surface of the package.
Formers should be regularly inspected and replaced or refurbished when the shoulder begins to wear.
Former Adjustment
Former misadjustments are another cause of forming problems.
Rollers that are adjusted too far back can cause score marks on the inside and outside of the bag.
Formers that are not correctly positioned can cause open back seals.
Troubleshooting Forming Problems on Vertical FFS Baggers
The design, precision, condition, and adjustment of the formers on your vertical baggers—even the seemingly smallest details—can have a big impact on package quality and productivity.
Do you need to troubleshoot forming problems on your vertical baggers? Contact Greener Corporation and Kenray Forming. We provide integrated parts and technical service solutions worldwide.
