Flexible bags or pouches have become increasingly popular packaging options for a wide variety of products, from food and beverages to personal care and household items. While these packages offer many benefits, such as portability, convenience, and shelf stability, they also present several unique manufacturing challenges.
Here are some of the primary manufacturing challenges caused by products that come in flexible bags or pouches:
- Package shape and size: Flexible bags and pouches come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, making it challenging to design boxes and cases that can accommodate them all. Some packages may be too tall or too wide for standard boxes, while others may be too irregular in shape to stack efficiently.
- Package fragility: Flexible packaging is often more fragile than rigid packaging, which can make it more susceptible to damage during case packing. The packages may be easily crushed or torn if they are not handled carefully, which can compromise product quality and increase the risk of leaks or spills.
- Package orientation: Unlike rigid containers, which can be easily oriented and aligned during case packing, flexible packages can be more challenging to position correctly. They may twist or shift during the packing process, leading to misaligned boxes or cases and potential damage to the products inside.
- Speed and efficiency: Case packing flexible bags and pouches can also be a slower and less efficient process than packing rigid containers. The packages may need to be oriented and aligned manually, which can increase labor costs and reduce overall productivity.
To address these challenges, manufacturers need to invest in specialized case packing equipment designed specifically for flexible packaging. For these applications, the Quest Quik Pack QP200 robotic casepacker is the perfect solution.
Not only is the QP200 capable of handling flexible packaging, it is designed specifically to pack hard-to-handle products. Each system’s End-of-Arm-Tool (EOAT) is customized to handle the specific product size, weight, and geometry. These EOATs are designed to be changed out quickly and easily, making product changeovers simple and easy. Learn more about the QP200 here!
See the QP200 in action in our YouTube video below!