Tag: Machine

Comparing Yugos to Audis

Written on by frain-sales

In a recent conversation, a prospective customer asked us match the price of a pallet wrapper found online for $3,500.

After emailing the machine details to our engineer for review, we discovered that this particular unit was a basic, low-end machine not intended to be used very often. It was meant for mostly light-duty production, not adequate for what the customer was interested in producing. Furthermore, the lack of durability may cause issues in the long run for the customer, especially if the business continues to grow.

The engineer likened the machine to a Yugo, a new car introduced in the 80’s that went for just under $4,000. It quickly became a customer favorite and certainly beat the price tag of $9,000+ for a new compact car of the time.  The Yugo infamously fell short of customer’s expectations. And although it was a new car, it was not built to last very long.

Before buying packaging and processing machinery, our engineers recommend that you and your team consider the following:

  • Machine durability
  • High machine quality
  • Product specifications
  • Product support
  • Return warranty

As they say, “You get what you pay for.” Just like the Yugo, cheap machines are not meant to last long. They are temporary or popular items that typically function at the lowest capacity possible.

Click here to watch the affordable car in the 80’s video, featuring the infamous Yugo.

Whitepaper: Shrink Wrapping

Written on by John Henry

Strictly speaking, shrink wrapping is not considered “flexible packaging.” However, wrapping does use flexible film and foil of various materials and combinations. Many of the general considerations for films discussed in previous whitepapers on Form-Fill-Seal and pouching machines will apply to wrapping machines as well.

The film used in shrink wrapping is a typically a single layer polyethylene or polypropylene though other plastics and multi-layer films can be used. It is manufactured so that on exposure to heat, it shrinks by about 30 to 80%. If multiple layers of shrink film are to be used, for example to bundle several shrink wrapped trays, the films must be selected so that they do not bind to each other when heated.

Shrink wrapping is sometimes used as the primary packaging. Some individual foods, soaps and other products may be wrapped directly. More commonly shrink wrapping is used as a secondary or tertiary packaging. An example of secondary use is shrink wrapped six-packs of beverage cans or 24 pack bundles of water.

Wrapping is also commonly used as a tertiary packaging such as overwrapping an individual carton or bundle of cartons. In the past, appearance of the tertiary packaging has not been considered critical important as the customer never saw it. The rise of club stores like Costco and Sam’s Club has changed this. The 6 pack of canned corn is now the unit of sale in these stores and appearance has become critical to branding. Previously translucent grey film was fine since nobody outside of the stockroom was likely to see it. Now, glossy film with registered graphics is needed to catch the customer’s eye using bullseye or end seal wrapping. This affects the choices of machinery that can be used.

Download the complete Shrink Wrapping Whitepaper to continue learning about different types of wrappers.

5 Tips for a Successful Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)

Written on by frain-sales

At Frain, every project, machine or complete line of equipment is thoroughly inspected and put through Factory Acceptance Testing or FAT before it leaves our building.  Not only is this the customers opportunity to sign off on the equipment or machine that they purchased – it’s an opportunity for the customer to fine tune the machinery and learn any operating nuances before they take on the machinery themselves.

After successfully integrating over 25,000 packaging and processing equipment projects, Frain has developed the following tips to help ensure you get the most of your equipment with a successful Factory Acceptance Test.

  1. Bring the Right People
    The person paying for the machine is usually the person coming in for the FAT.  However, ask yourself – Who will install, operate and maintain the machine or packaging line?  It’s best to have all of those involved with the machinery to be present for a full day of training, fine tuning and hand off.  The devil is in the details as they say and this is a critical point to get sign off from all angles and people involved.
  2. Come Prepared and In Person 
    There’s a big difference between buying a running machine and one that you see running in person.  As important is seeing your machine running in person with your product. Make a plan to visit Frain to see your machine running with your product.  Take your time to validate that all your specifications and operational efficiency is addressed 100%.
  3. Plan for a Full Day
    Getting your machine to run the way you want it to run with your product is the ultimate goal.  The last thing you want to do is to waste time and resources at your facility in fine tuning the machine.  Fine tuning and ensuring every nuance of your operation is addressed prior to installation is key to successful machine installation, integration, and transition.
  4. Ask Questions
    Asking good questions is an art form and many times the difference between success and failure.  Take time to review your punch list, questions, specifications and ask the questions now, instead of later when it’s too late, bogging down your schedule, or putting the project or your career in jeopardy.
  5. Move Ahead with Confidence
    By default, Frain replaces all damaged, distressed, or worn machine parts and backs them with a 6-month replacement part warranty.  We also provide a two-week right of return to give you additional confidence in working with us.  If you’ve been due diligent in discussing the equipment with our engineers, all involved people from your company or client company, and dedicated a full day to the FAT – you can move forward with your project confidently.

Click here to see why the FAT is the most important step in the equipment purchase process or read more tips for a successful FAT.

Whitepaper: Managing Constraints

Written on by John Henry

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and a packaging line is only as fast as its slowest machine. The slowest machine is the constraint that determines the potential output of the line.

Buffers can be used to manage this constraint to improve total throughput. The terms buffer and accumulator are often used interchangeably. They are actually two similar but different things.

An accumulator amasses product for the next production step. A case packer will often have an accumulation section at the infeed where bottles are distributed from 1 lane to multiple lanes in a section that may be several feet long. The purpose of this accumulation is to provide sufficient backpressure to allow the  case packer to function smoothly.

The purpose of a buffer is to provide an up- or downstream buffer for a machine to smooth line flow.

As an example, let’s assume a 200ppm bottling line consisting of the following equipment, arranged sequentially and connected by 5’ lengths of conveyor.

Each machine runs reliably at 200ppm with no stoppages. Yeah, I know, but let’s pretend.

Download the complete Managing Constraints Whitepaper to continue learning about how to use buffers to increase production with minimal expense.

How do you define expense?

Written on by frain-sales

Paying different prices is a part of life.  Some prices are more obvious than others.  For example, the price of gas and time is not something you typically think about when you drive further to a certain grocery store to make a purchase.

Likewise, the price of a packaging or processing machine may not be apparent in the initial price tag of a given machine. The true price of the machine becomes clearer over time and many times too late.

For example, if you don’t get the machine on time, there’s likely an expense to your business in terms of market share, productivity, etc.

Furthermore, waiting months to receive a machine or replacement parts can also add to expenses in terms of downtime.  And, purchasing a machine that isn’t supported by an installation and/or servicing staff can also add time, frustration, loss of labor, and lost revenue.

In our 3rd Quarter 2016 Survey, 64% of our customers rated “time” as the number one factor for choosing Frain.  Our customers see time as an expense that Frain helps offset.  You’ve know the saying: time is money.  Our customers understand and appreciate this simple fact.

Frain is built to deliver our equipment faster than anyone else with the largest inventory of machines in North America.  Plus, we have over 40 engineers and technicians to ensure you get the right machine the first time.

Frain also has over two million parts to support our certified pre-owned machines and provide a 6-month warranty on all replaced components.  We back our equipment with 100% Guarantee.

All of our equipment goes thru Factory Acceptance Testing and approval from you before they ship.  And, if for whatever reason it doesn’t work for you – you may return it within two weeks from the order, no questions asked.

We like to think our machines and services are provided at a very fair price for what you ultimately get and avoid. Another saying you know: you get what pay for.

Contact a Frain Engineer today to get matched with the best packaging or processing equipment to match your project, timeline, and budget with flexible payment options.