Lancing Combiweigh logotype on white background Lancing Combiweigh Weigh filling & depositing systems
01494 623015 Enquire now
Integrated bagging

Vertical Form Fill and Seal

Plan the weigher and VFFS bagger as one controlled line. Define product feed, dose release, bag-ready signals, seal protection and recovery after a stop.

ProductRepresentative batch
PackFilm and bag
InterfaceDose and bag timing
EvidenceFull-line trial
Discuss vertical form fill and seal Review specification inputs
Specification inputs

Specification inputs for vertical form fill and seal.

Product sample
Representative product, piece-size variation and handling constraints.
Target weight
Target weights and acceptance limits for the intended product.
Output requirement
Finished-pack output with the actual film and line conditions.
Upstream feed
Product supply and distribution without surging or starving the weigher.
Timing hopper
Dose retention, discharge timing and the bagger-ready sequence to define.
Film and bag
Film construction, bag dimensions and sealing requirements.
Controls interface
Ready, request, complete, inhibit, alarm and reset signals.
Seal protection
Product drop, settling and a clear seal area before the jaws close.
Installation layout
Support, working height, access and upstream/downstream arrangement.
Utilities
Site utilities to confirm before installation and acceptance testing.
Fault recovery
Missing bag, delayed dose and downstream-stop responses to test.
Acceptance evidence
Weight, finished-bag quality, sustained output and restart records.
Application review

Application questions for vertical form fill and seal.

Product feed

Check distribution, feed consistency and product handling with the real batch.

Film and sealing

Use the intended film and bag dimensions to inspect the finished packs.

Control sequence

Agree one dose-release sequence and test normal stops and fault recovery.

Scope to confirm

  • Feed, weigher and timing-hopper boundaries
  • Bagger signals and discharge sequence
  • Layout, access and utilities
  • Factory and site acceptance checks
Sizing the solution

Information to include with your enquiry.

Send the product sample, target weight, film, bag dimensions, required output, layout and existing upstream or downstream equipment details.

  • Product sample and target weight
  • Film and finished-bag dimensions
  • Required output and control interfaces
  • Layout, access and site utilities
Related machines

Continue exploring the range.

Back to all machines
Freestanding machine with an upper hopper, front control panel and lower discharge outlet, beside product examples.

Combination weighing

Combi weighers

Multi-head and combination weighing solutions for accurate dry product portioning.

Machine with a round hopper and vertical support frame, beside container and product examples.

Powder dosing

Auger filling

Controlled screw filling for powders, spices, coffee and fine dry blends.

Upright machine on wheels with an upper assembly and front control panel, beside package examples.

Liquid sachet systems

Liquid form fill and seal

Compact sachet and stick-pack equipment for liquids, gels and flowable products.

Packaging machine with an upper hopper, front controls and blue guards, beside pouch examples.

Pre-made pouch handling

Pouch filling

Automatic pouch filling and sealing systems for stand-up and pre-made packs.

Tall framed machine on wheels with an upper control panel and horizontal working surface, beside packaged-product examples.

Final seal finishing

Pouch sealing

Dedicated pouch sealing equipment for finished packs and dependable final presentation.

Control questions

Questions about the multihead weigher and VFFS control handshake.

A reliable line needs an agreed sequence for bagger readiness, dose release, confirmation and fault recovery. The exact signals depend on the equipment, but the operating responsibility of each machine should be clear before the FAT.

What is a ready-to-discharge handshake?

It is the agreed exchange of control signals confirming that the bagger can accept a dose and that the weigher or timing hopper has completed the requested discharge. The sequence should prevent release into a missing or unready bag and should define how each machine behaves if the other machine stops during the cycle.

What should happen when the VFFS machine is not ready?

The weighing system should hold or inhibit the dose according to the agreed control design rather than discharging product into an unsafe or unsealed path. The permissible hold time, retained dose condition, restart sequence and operator reset authority should be tested because some products change while waiting.

How does discharge timing relate to the sealing jaws?

The dose must enter the formed bag during the available filling window and clear the seal area before the jaws close. Chute geometry, product fall time, bag length, product settling and line speed all affect that window. A clean dry-cycle test is not sufficient where the product falls slowly or rebounds.

What should be recorded during VFFS fault recovery?

Record the machine states, alarm, dose location, pack position, operator action and the first acceptable pack after restart. The test should confirm that a held dose is not duplicated or lost without detection and that product is not released into an absent or partly formed bag.

Related guidance

VFFS site readiness

Confirm height, access, product feed and control interfaces before the weigher and bagger arrive.

A multihead weigher and VFFS machine can be individually suitable but difficult to install or operate if the support, working height, film access, product-feed route, cleaning access or signal boundary is unresolved.

Which layout dimensions matter?

Confirm overall height, ceiling clearance, gantry/platform, hopper and tray removal, film-reel access, bagger maintenance, discharge chute and the route used to install major assemblies.

Which controls should be agreed?

Document product demand, bag ready, dose request, dose complete, inhibit, fault, emergency stop and safe recovery. The functional sequence should state what happens when either machine is unavailable.

What should the site acceptance test prove?

Use production-intent film and product to verify stable feeding, weight results, bag presentation, seal-area cleanliness, coding/inspection where fitted, fault recovery and good finished packs over a representative run.

Controls depth

Document the VFFS and multihead weigher state sequence before the FAT.

The weigher-ready, bagger-ready, dose-request and dose-complete logic must also define aborted bags, faults, product in the chute and safe restart. The dedicated controls guide provides a practical interface schedule.

Read the multihead weigher PLC and controls interface guide

Weigher-to-bagger interface

Plan the multihead weigher and VFFS machine as one controlled line.

The weighing head can only deliver repeatable production when the product feed, timing hopper, bagger cycle and finished-pack handling are coordinated.

Product feed and distribution

Define the elevator or feed conveyor, product-level control and starvation alarms. Product should reach the weigher consistently without excessive breakage or uncontrolled surges.

Timing and signal exchange

The bagger-ready and dose-ready signals, timing hopper, discharge gate and fault states must be agreed. A dose should not be released until the bag is formed and ready to receive product.

Film, bag and seal constraints

Bag width and length, film construction, print registration, seal format and product fall affect the practical output. Dust or product in the seal area can create leaks and should be addressed during trials.

Sample and acceptance testing

Use production product and the intended film where possible. Record weight variation, giveaway, bag presentation, seal integrity, product damage, stoppages, coding position and finished-pack discharge. Any speed figure should be tied to this complete test setup.

Where the project is primarily a bag-forming or film-handling enquiry, use the specialist Lancing Form Fill & Seal site.

Information required

Send the product, target weight, film and bag dimensions.

  • Product sample and piece-size range
  • Target weight and tolerance
  • Bag width, length and seal format
  • Film material, roll width and print registration
  • Required output, utilities and floor layout
  • Coding, inspection, reject and discharge requirements
Discuss a VFFS integration
Why use a timing hopper below a multihead weigher?

It can hold the completed dose until the VFFS machine signals that the formed bag is ready, helping coordinate the two machines.

What limits the output of a weigher and VFFS line?

Product feeding, combination time, bagger cycle, film handling, seal dwell, product fall and downstream discharge can all become the limiting stage.

How is seal contamination reduced?

Control the product drop, dust, filling height and bag timing so product is clear of the seal jaws before the seal cycle.

What should be checked for fragile snacks?

Review feed amplitude, hopper surfaces, discharge sequence and total fall height, then inspect breakage during the full-line trial.

Can the line include coding and inspection?

Yes. Plan coding, checkweighing, metal detection, reject handling and conveyors early so interfaces and floor layout are correct.

Weigher-to-bagger sequence

Define the control handshake and fault recovery before the factory acceptance trial.

The multihead weigher, timing hopper and VFFS machine should operate as one sequence. Each state needs a clear owner so a missing bag, delayed dose or downstream stop does not create a double discharge, unsealed product or an unexplained line reset.

1

Product feed stable

The upstream feed maintains the required product level without surging or starving the weighing head.

2

Dose available

The weigher confirms that a valid combination is ready and, where fitted, transfers it into the timing hopper.

3

Bag ready

The VFFS machine confirms that the film tube or formed bag is correctly positioned and able to receive product.

4

Dose released

The timing hopper or weigher discharges once, then confirms completion before another request can be accepted.

5

Seal zone clear

Product fall and settling allow the seal jaws to close without pieces, powder or dust contaminating the seal area.

6

Fault and recovery

Missing bag, no dose, hopper not empty, downstream stop and emergency-stop recovery are tested without losing track of a completed dose.

Record the interface in the functional specification.

List every ready, request, complete, inhibit, alarm and reset signal, including its normal state and the response to a lost signal. The agreed sequence should also cover recipe changes, start-up, product changeover and how residual doses are cleared.

Where the project is primarily about film, bag dimensions, seal systems or bagger format, use the specialist Lancing form fill and seal route. This page remains focused on the multihead-weigher interface.

Why use a timing hopper between the weigher and VFFS machine?

It can hold a completed dose until the bagger is ready, helping separate the combination cycle from the exact release window required by the bagger.

Which machine sets the line speed?

The limiting stage may be product feed, weighing, bag forming, sealing, coding, inspection or discharge. The complete line should be timed under the intended product and film conditions.

How is seal contamination checked?

Inspect the real finished bags at the agreed rate, including dusty or irregular product batches, and record contamination, leaks and rejected packs.

What should happen after a downstream stop?

The controls should inhibit further release, retain or safely clear any completed dose and restart without double filling or losing the relationship between dose and bag.

Line integration resources

Prove the weighing system and VFFS machine as one controlled process.

The weigher may be capable of a fast dose, but the finished-pack result depends on product feed, timing-hopper release, bagger-ready logic, seal protection, inspection and recovery after a stop.