Trends in Packaging Machine Development for the 21st Century
2025-09
Vacuum packaging technology originated in the 1940s. Since 1950, when polyester and polyethylene plastic films were successfully introduced for product packaging, vacuum packing machines have rapidly advanced. Today, the key technological trends in this field are primarily focused on five areas: higher productivity, increased automation, versatile single-machine functionality, integration into production lines, and the adoption of cutting-edge, related technologies.
1. High productivity: Vacuum packaging machines have seen their output rise from just a few units per minute to tens of units, while thermoforming-filling-sealing machines can now achieve production rates exceeding 500 units per minute.
2. Automation: The fully automatic vacuum packaging machine features integrated functions for vacuuming, sealing, printing, and cooling—all performed in a single step. It is primarily used for packaging foods such as tea, peanuts, shrimp meat, corn, and more.
3. Multi-functionality in a single machine. By integrating multiple functions into one compact unit, the machine can easily expand its range of applications. Achieving multi-functionality in a single device requires a modular design approach—allowing users to adapt and combine functional modules to create vacuum packaging machines tailored for various packaging materials, products, and requirements.
4. Assemble a production line. When the number of required functions increases, integrating all functionalities into a single machine would lead to an overly complex structure and inconvenient operation and maintenance. In such cases, you can combine several machines with different functions but matching efficiency into a more comprehensive production line.
5. Adopting advanced new technologies: - In packaging methods, significantly increasing the use of inflatable packaging as a replacement for vacuum packaging, while closely integrating research across three key areas—packaging materials, inflation components, and inflatable packaging machinery. - In control technology, increasingly leveraging computer and microelectronics advancements. - For sealing applications, implementing heat-sealing and cold-sealing techniques; additionally, cutting-edge equipment can be directly integrated into existing vacuum packaging machines, such as equipping them with computer-controlled, high-precision combination scales tailored for coarse-grained materials. - On rotary or vacuum packaging machines, incorporating state-of-the-art, high-speed arc-cam indexing mechanisms.
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