When choosing a packaging machine, comparing technical specifications or production rates is not enough. A filling machine, capper or labelling machine must first and foremost be suited to the product, the container and the desired result. This is why product trials are an important step in validating a packaging project. They make it possible to test different technologies and machines with the product itself, in order to check that the solution being considered genuinely meets the requirements.
For our experts, these tests provide you with more concrete information on which to base your decision. This step is not compulsory, but we strongly recommend it: it helps ensure your complete satisfaction.
Testing your product before purchasing a machine
Two liquids that look similar may behave very differently. One product may foam, while another does not. A paste may behave differently depending on its temperature or formulation. Conductivity may also vary. These characteristics have a direct impact on the packaging process.
A trial therefore helps answer the following question: does the technology or machine being considered meet the stated requirements in terms of production rate and accuracy?
What can a filling trial actually determine?
Our filling machines are designed for different types of products and requirements. A technical data sheet cannot always answer every question that a trial can address by observing the product’s actual behaviour.
Checking the dosing technology
The first objective is to determine the most suitable dosing system for the product. Different technologies may be considered. Our K-One filling machine, for example, uses a peristaltic pump. The K-Net, on the other hand, can be equipped with an electromagnetic flow meter, mass flow meter or piston-based system.
The trial makes it possible to assess the product’s behaviour and the quality of the filling obtained with each technology. This also has an impact on the price of the machine: some dosing systems are more expensive than others. The customer can then choose the solution that best suits their budget and requirements in terms of accuracy, production rate, repeatability, and so on.
Identifying potential difficulties
A test may reveal issues that were not identified during the initial assessment: product behaviour, foam formation, flow characteristics, residual drips or the need to adjust certain parameters.
The purpose of the trial is precisely to identify these factors at an early stage. Our teams can then draw on their technical expertise to refine the project and ensure that it fully meets the stated requirements.
Testing labelling
The label must be compatible with the container. A cylindrical, square, rectangular or specially shaped container will not behave in the same way when a label is applied. Trials make it possible to check the required positioning and production rate.
Our range of labelling machines covers a wide variety of container configurations. Whether it is the Ninon Konic, Ninon Side or Ninon Down, studying the product and packaging is once again essential to determine the most appropriate solution.
Why should you provide the actual products for a trial?
To obtain representative results, our teams carry out trials using your products. A substitute product may behave differently in terms of viscosity, flow, adhesion and other characteristics. This can lead to incorrect conclusions. Whenever possible, it is therefore preferable to provide the “actual” products that will be packaged.
A change of supplier, and therefore a change in the quality of the cap, container or label, may have an impact on the quality of the final packaging. This is not always the case, but it is a possibility that our experience has demonstrated on numerous occasions. The closer the tested components are to those that will be used in future production, the more relevant the trial will be.
Can trials help determine the right production rate?
A trial helps provide a better understanding of actual production conditions. The objective is not simply to achieve the maximum possible production rate. An efficient packaging process must also take into account filling consistency, format changes, container feeding, capping quality, set-up times, and so on.
A production rate stated for a machine does not necessarily mean that the same rate will be achieved under the same conditions with every product and every container. For example, a filling machine will dose more litres per hour when handling 2-litre containers than when handling 100 ml containers. The same applies to label application: small products with small labels can be processed at a higher rate than larger containers requiring large labels. A trial therefore makes it possible to assess performance in the actual context of the project.
Before investing in a packaging machine, testing your product helps reduce uncertainties and allows you to make a decision based on concrete results. Trials make it possible to check the dosing principle, observe the product’s behaviour, test the container and identify any necessary adjustments before production begins.
This approach is relevant whatever the project. Validating the compatibility between your product and your future equipment helps eliminate uncertainties.
At CDA, we consider trials to be an important stage in the assessment of a packaging project. They allow us to better understand the product, determine the appropriate technology and develop a solution that is consistent with the customer’s actual requirements. It is often the key to ensuring your satisfaction!
Do you have a product to package and are unsure which machine or technology to choose? Contact us to discuss your product, containers and objectives. Depending on your project, we can work with you to assess the most suitable packaging solution and determine the trials required to validate it.
FAQ: Product trials and packaging machines
Why carry out a trial before purchasing a filling machine?
A trial makes it possible to check the proposed dosing technology and identify any potential constraints before making the investment.
Which products should be provided for a trial?
Ideally, you should provide the product that will actually be packaged (from the same manufacturer and the same model). The final containers, caps and labels will also provide the most representative results.
Can several dosing technologies be tested?
Depending on the project, several technologies can be assessed or tested in order to identify the one that best matches the product’s characteristics, production objectives and planned investment. Some technologies are considerably more expensive than others, but they are not necessarily justified by the required level of accuracy or production rate.
Can a trial determine the actual production rate of a machine?
A trial carried out under real production conditions helps provide an accurate view of the production rate that can be achieved once the machine is installed.
Can capping and labelling also be tested?
Yes. When required by the project, capping or labelling can also be practically validated using the final containers and components.
Is it useful to carry out another trial if a product changes?
Yes, if a change in formulation, container or cap is likely to affect the machine’s operation. A new trial makes it possible to check the compatibility of the new configuration.
Are trials only useful for large companies?
No. Trials are particularly useful for securing an investment and validating the selected solution, regardless of the size of the company.
A lire également :
Which Machine Should You Choose to Package Multiple Formats on the Same Production Line?
The Specific Requirements of Household Product Packaging
How to Integrate a Container Air Rinsing Machine into a Packaging Line?
How Does the Engineering Department Turn a Customer Requirement into a Solution?
How to Successfully Label Conical Containers
CFIA 2024
CDA, almost 10 years of filling
