A thermoforming machine is also known as a blister machine. It is said that this machine sucks thermoplastic plastic rolls such as PVC, PE, PP, PET, HIPS, etc., into different shapes of high-quality packaging decoration boxes, frames etc.   

At present, the common products on the market include blister packaging for daily necessities such as blister packaging for hardware, blister packaging for auto supplies, blister packing for electronic products, blister packing for food, cosmetics, computer peripherals, for toys, sports goods, stationery, etc. 

The common products of thick blister include the following; household appliances, inner shell, luggage, car interiors, bumpers, mudguard, beauty equipment, light box shells, toy car shells, and other blister machines are used in the plastic packaging industries.   

The application of thermoforming machines is said to be very wide. After understanding the principle of the blister machines, we understand their use. Many common items in our daily life can be manufactured with it. 

The industrial blister moulding machine has many benefits such as it has strong specification adaptability, easy mould manufacturing, and high production efficiency. The machine saves a lot of manpower and resources. It is a great deal of help for industrial manufacturing process.   

Defining Thermoforming

Thermoforming is a plastic manufacturing process in which the plastic is heated to convert it into different shapes. The converted plastic then gets cooled down and is trimmed to give it a finishing touch. Thermoforming machines are used to heat and stretch the pliable thermoplastic sheet on the mold. New thermoforming machines are equipped at handling trimming and cutting processes and for more conventional machines, trimming and cooling may be done externally. 

Materials such as thermoplastics are used for thermoforming processes. Other materials such as ABS, polystyrene, polycarbonate, PETG, etc., are also used in the process. The choice of materials also depends on the manufacturing project and on the characteristics of the produced item.  

Thermoforming is used in the manufacturing packaging for various other industries such as agricultural products, pharmaceutical products, consumer goods, domestic appliances etc. Besides, it is also used in manufacturing durable end-use parts like aircraft components, material handling equipment, automobiles, and medical equipment.  

If we compare it to other conventional manufacturing processes, thermoforming enables manufacturers to produce small to large volumes of packaging at an affordable range. The ability to use almost all types of thermoplastics to produce good quality, end-use items are another big benefit of the process.  

However, the disadvantages of thermoforming are as follows:  

• It is restricted to producing thin-walled designs, uneven thickness, and limited versatility for manufacturing parts with complex designs. 
• Manufacturers interested in leveraging thermoforming can use this guide to gain insight into amplifying the benefits, limiting the disadvantages to reduce cost and improve productivity.  

Properties  

The thermoforming polymer has the following; 

• High-density polythene (HDPE) – Strong, lightweight and good plasticity. 
• Polypropylene (PP) – Also strong and lightweight. 
• Good heat chemical resistance and high oxygen barrier. 

Applications 

The modern food supply chain uses different thermoformed articles like meat trays, microwaves, ice-cream, margarine tubs, deep freeze containers, snack tubs, delicatessen tubs, bakery, and sandwich packs, vending drink cups, etc. are just a few of the food-related applications of thermoforming.  

A lot of times people get confused about the working of a vacuum chamber machine. What happens inside the chamber is not what you experience in front of the eyes. The air is pumped out of the chamber and the vacuum bag to see the product getting compressed. In this blog, we will show you this through an example. Quite often a vacuum chamber machine is used to vacuum pack food products. But even the non-food products can be vacuum-packed.   

It involves three steps such as: 

Vacuum Extraction 

Put the product in a vacuum bag and position the end of the bag on the seal bar. If your product does not have height, use the ins, use the insert plates for the correct positioning of the bag on the seal bar and a faster vacuum cycle. When your vacuum chamber machine loses the lid of the machine, the pump starts to extract the air out of the vacuum chamber. The entire chamber will get under vacuum, so the pressure inside the vacuum bag and in the chamber remains equal. Vacumatic offers different systems to control the vacuum percentage you would need for specific items.  

Sealing of Vacuum Bag 

In this step, you can see that the sealing bar and the contra bar are being closed. When they are closed, the sealing wires are heated to melt the layers of the bag. After a few seconds, the bars reopen again. Multiple seal configurations are possible for various sizes and types of bags. Our machines are equipped with double seal wires which we use to close the bags. Cut-off seal and wide seal are free options on our vacuum chamber machines. 

Aeration of the Chamber 

The last step is the decompression of a vacuum chamber. You can use soft air for a slow decompression of fragile or sharp products. The full decompression goes fast. Lastly, you can see the vacuum with your eyes as the pressure in the chamber and inside the bag is different. 

How to Choose Vacuum Chamber Machine? 

If you are in the market for a vacuum sealer, you may be asking yourself questions such as – Do I need a chamber sealer? What is the difference between dry pumps and oil pumps? What kind of vacuum bags do I require? and What features are important? In this blog, we will break everything down for your convenience.  

Edge Sealers Vs Chamber Sealers 

Vacuum chamber machines fall into two main categories such as:  

• Edge Sealers  
• Chamber Sealers  

Edge sealers can be a good choice for beginners who want to vacuum seal at home. These are simple to use and more affordable than a chamber vacuum sealer. Be aware. Even though the upfront cost is significantly less than that of a chamber vacuum sealer, the units require special bags with air channels that are expensive than the chamber bags.  

It is not possible to use chamber vacuum bags with edge sealers. The air channels allow the sealer to pull air out around the bag, squeezing the air out. The challenge is that such action squeezes out liquids in the bag as well as any surface moisture on the food. This can make a poor seal. The best practice to avoid is to use a bag that is longer than you think you have to give the moisture some extra space and ensure a good seal.   

The vacuum chamber sealers come in different shapes and sizes, fit all kinds of use cases, and are also priced across a wide range of price points.  

While considering a chamber vacuum sealer, it is most important to decide the type of pump that will prove to be right for you.  

Chamber vacuum sealers with a dry piston pump make an excellent choice for the weekend warriors. If you are considering vacuum sealing moist foods and liquids with some frequency, but you are not ready for the regular maintenance tasks that are involved with owning an oil pump, this is the unit that is right. If you are a professional or you are finding yourself sealing multiple packages back-to-back such as sausage makers, hunters, bulk buyers, then an oil-based system will be right for you. An oil pump offers faster vacuum cycles, getting the job done almost 50% faster, quieter operations, enhanced vacuum capabilities like soft air return, infusion, extraction, marination, and greater longevity of the appliance with regular maintenance and care.  

Maintenance of Vacuum Sealer  

This is where edge sealers and dry pump chambers shine brightly. Both require almost no regular maintenance except surface-level cleaning.  

Occasionally you may wear out a gasket or burn through seal bar tape. With dry pump vacuum sealers, these consumables can be replaced easily without the help of tools.  

Just swap the new part for the old part and you will be good to go.  

Oil pumps require regular oil changes to flush out the contaminants that might have been sucked into the pump during vacuum. This will also help in removing moisture which might have accumulated in the pump over time. As the pressure in the vacuum chamber falls, so does the boiling point of the liquids in the chamber, even surface moisture.  

The moisture will evaporate and re-condense in the pump. Just because oil floats on water, the moisture will collect in the bottom of the pump and finally corrode it. The vacuum infusion chamber features a unique pump that has been internally coated to resist corrosion. This even has an auto-sensing oil health system which will prompt the user to run a regular cleansing cycle. It will also alert them when changing oil becomes important. This will evaporate off the moisture in the pump, therefore, extending the life of the oil. If your unit does not have the above-mentioned feature, we recommend changing the oil on a monthly basis and the oil filter in 6 months. Oil pumps usually have a sight glass which allows you to see the condition of the oil. Whenever it looks murky, just change it. 

The number one failure of oil pump vacuum sealers is due to insufficient oil maintenance.  

The seal bar of a chamber vacuum machine comprises a number of consumables such as seal wire, possibly trimming wire, and heat resistant Teflon tape.  

It is important to replace the wire when it gets dark or discolored or when the seal performance declines. If the seal bar timing sets too high, you can even burn through the tape.  

The wires and tape will get worn out over time and must be replaced.  

Whether you need a vacuum chamber machine for domestic use or you need it for a large-scale commercial purpose, reach out to Vacumatic. We deal in manufacturing custom-built vacuum chamber machines. For any query related to the machines, contact us.  

Vacuum packaging machines have existed since the early 1960s. Even though the very first vacuum packaging machines were used in large-scale operations such as grocery stores, these have recently surged in popularity amongst consumers and restaurateurs alike.  

Commercial vacuum packaging machines are now usually used at restaurants and related establishments. Depending on the usage, you will determine the kind of vacuum packaging machine you should purchase. To buy any machine type, contact Vacumatic, the best Vacuum Packaging Machines Manufactures.  

The vacuum packaging machines take the air out of packaged food and deprive any microorganisms that may be present in the food of oxygen. This process makes the food last longer and the food stays fresh. But, here’s one thing and that is – the food needs to be sealed in bags with appropriate sizes.  

Commercial vacuum sealers for food save restaurants time and money by keeping food fresh for long time span. It also reduces the need for regular deliveries of supplies.  

To say, this also saves you about 20-40% in operating cost.   

The best part is that vacuum sealed foods can also be directly cooked in their packaging by methods like sous-vide, which involves cooking food in hot water baths by controlling the temperature.  

Purpose of Vacuum Packaging Machines 

Vacuum packaging machines are used for a plethora of purposes like: 

Marinating: Traditional marinating includes coating the food in the marinade and letting the flavors slowly seep into it. Chefs may also place cut marks on meats such as chicken and steak before marinating to help flavors go down deeper. With vacuum-sealed foods, there is no need to cut the food. When air is taken out of the bag with the marinated meat in it, the protein fibers expand, letting the aroma of the marinade infuse into the food without damaging the meat.  

Hydro Shocking Herbs and Vegetables: It is quite a challenge to keep herbs and vegetables fresh once they are picked. Hydro shocking is a process in which the fresh-picked herbs are put on ice and doused with cold water. These are then placed in vacuum bags and all the air is removed by running the machine a couple of times. This allows the herbs to stay fresh and crisp without the need for any refrigeration.  

Food Preservation: Vacuum packaging food is used to preserve it for longer time by extending the shelf life. This depends on the kind of food being preserved such as: Frozen foods can last anywhere from 2-3 years, while they last 6-12 months when preserved conventionally. Similarly, sealed and refrigerated foods last somewhere around 1-2 weeks, extending their shelf life from 1-3 days. They get this when they use conventional methods of preservation.  

Sanitation: When the food gets mouldy, the mold can spread through the refrigerator to other products through spores and spoiling the rest food items.   

Vacuum-sealing gets rid of this mould problem just by containing each package in its own atmosphere, eliminating the chance of food spoilage.  

It can also be used to store meats and vegetables together by preventing cross-contamination. Cross-contamination takes place when the juices and microorganisms from meats get in touch with other foods, taints them in the process.  

This problem is solved by putting the meats and vegetables in separate vacuum-sealed bags. After that, the bags can be stored.   

Types and Features of Commercial Vacuum Sealers 

Pistol-type Vacuum-Sealers: These are light in weight, compact handheld appliances. These are used for operations where taking the sealer to the package makes more sense than just bringing the bags to the sealer. Pistol-type vacuum packaging machines work by using special bags with a valve built into them. After you seal the bags manually by using the handheld sealer tool, the air is taken out of the bag through the valve. The cordless sealer takes the air out of the bag in short bursts and seals it. 

External Vacuum-Sealers: These are also known as out-of-chamber sealers or suction sealers, external vacuum-sealers use perforated bags. Such bags are kept outside the sealer while their open mouths are put inside. Due to their use and perforated bags, external vacuum-sealers cannot be used to pack liquids. Instead, it is used to freeze the liquids first and then seal them. These vacuum packaging machines employ dry pumps and have limited usability compared to chamber-sealing counterparts. These are a great choice for occasional usage and these are the best suited for light-duty tasks. 

Chamber Vacuum-Sealers: The vacuum-sealers are primarily meant for commercial purposes. These are used to seal liquids as well as solids. The bag is sealed and placed inside the chamber, where the sealer equalizes air pressure inside the chamber, bag. Such appliances are preferred for commercial duties because of their heavy-duty oil pumps which can seal both liquids and solids and also last longer.  

Factors to Consider When Buying a Commercial Vacuum Machine 

Frequency of Use: The most important factor to consider when choosing a commercial vacuum packaging machine is how frequently your establishment is going to use it. If it is for the occasional product and price is a factor, an external vacuum sealer may suit and for heavy-duty use, chamber vacuum-sealers can offer better value.  

Sealing Liquids: External vacuum packaging machines are not meant to seal liquids due to the nature of their operation. If you intend to use the sealer to package liquids and solids, a chamber-style sealer will suit the best. Still the external vacuum-sealers have a workaround for sealing liquids just by freezing them first and then using the appliance.  

Upfront Costs: Chamber sealers are an expensive purchase as compared to other counterparts. The price, however, is justified in the long run just by saving time and money, if you intend to seal products on a regular basis. External sealers are used for light-duty use and cost less than chamber-sealers.  

Automatic Vacuum-Sealers vs Manual Sealers 

Manual Vacuum-Sealers come equipped with timers that can be set manually. Through these, the amount of time can be determined which would require a seal soft and delicate products such as dry cakes and muffins.  

Such products can get damaged by a hard seal if all the air is sucked out of the sealer package. Instead of using the pulse feature every time to seal products, it gets easier to set the timer to a predetermined number for hassle-free operation. 

Automatic Vacuum-Sealers: These sealers work by sucking out all air from the package until vacuum is created in the bag. This process usually takes less time than setting a timer or using the pulse setting. These suit the best for packing durable items which would not get damaged with a hard seal. Commercial vacuum sealers that offer both manual and automatic selections combine the best features of both.  

Whether you have a small business or an established, Vacumatic has got your needs covered. We manufacture as well as export custom-built commercial vacuum packaging machines. Irrespective of the industry you deal in, contact us. We have everything to meet your individual business needs. Drop us a call! We are here to help your business grow.

It is possible with the help of vacuum packaging food machine to extract up to 99.8% of the air from a food product, vacuum chamber and food package.  

Vacumatic is the top manufacturer in Australia and it has strived to make its mark in the market. Vacumatic builds custom-made commercial vacuum packaging machines in Australia. The machine is used to seal edible items such as fish, meat, sauces and other products.   

By sealing, the shelf life of the edible items increases. This is not just the one, there are more factors too that play an important part in saving food.  

The way people consume food today has changed. Infact, we would say that it has evolved over the period of time. This has led to a change in services being provided by the industries that are connected to food. 

The lives of people are fast-paced. People prefer consuming food on the go. This rapid increase in demand has led to the birth of the food packaging industry. But with the increase in demand, myths have also risen with time. So, this blog is written primarily to burst out all the myths you have and educate you about the advantages.  

In this blog, we will tell you everything about vacuum packaging machines, their types, uses, its working and so on. But before jumping onto the main subject, let us understand the basics of commercial vacuum packaging machines.    

What Does Commercial Mean? 

Commercial means the product is more durable than those products made for the consumer market. Compared to a residential setting, a commercial setting is more in demand. Products or machines tend to get more in use continuously. Therefore, commercial grade appliances are said to be more durable, and consequently more expensive than the appliances that are made for the consumer market.  

Vacuum chamber machines are machines that seal edible items of food in a plastic bag for preservation. These machines have strong vacuuming power which helps in removing the air from food in the plastic bag. Vacuum chamber machines are often used in commercial kitchens. However, there are benchtop models like single double chamber machines used in homes.  

The food preservation process is quite simple. Through vacuum chamber machines excellent food preservation rates are achieved which minimizes wastage and spoilage.  

As thermoforming machine manufacturers, the team of experts at Vacumatic, vacuum packaging machines consistently gets questions from people asking what is a thermoforming process, how to use it to create a custom packaging design? If you also have any such queries, then this blog is for you.Keep reading! In this blog, we have outlined some of the basics behind the thermoforming process. Also, we have described different forming methods that you can use for packing of your products: vacuum, plug assist, and plug assist pressure. First, let’s get to the basics.  

Through this blog, we are going to answer all your queries that concern thermoforming machines. Thermoforming is the process of heating a plastic sheet to a certain temperature that it gets heated enough to form a mold or shape. This process ensures that the product is converted into a useful item.When the plastic sheet is subjected to high temperature, it gets easier to mold or even stretch into a particular shape. The best part of thermoforming is that the process can be carried through both plastics and polycarbonate sheet materials.