Procurement guide

How to specify and buy a flow-wrapping machine

Turn a broad request for “a flow wrapper” into a testable project specification covering product handling, pack quality, output, integration, safety and support.

Information reviewed 16 July 2026 by Lancing Ltd.

Machine selection support Flow wrapping machinery buyer guide

1. Define the product envelope

Record the minimum, nominal and maximum product length, width, height and weight. Include shape, centre of gravity, fragility, surface friction, temperature, residue and whether the product can roll, bounce or deform.

Provide actual production samples rather than only perfect laboratory examples. A wrapper must handle normal process variation.

2. Define the finished pack

Set the required bag length and width, longitudinal seal position, end-seal appearance, film transparency, artwork registration, coding, opening features and any barrier or shelf-life target.

Distinguish mandatory requirements from preferences. That helps engineering focus on pack quality and production reliability.

3. Set a sustained output target

Specify packs per minute over a defined run, not only an instantaneous peak. Include expected stoppages, film changes, product changeovers, quality checks and upstream availability.

The LUZB350X is listed at 30–120 bags per minute, while the LU-WP550A wet-wipes line is listed at 30–80 packs per minute. These are reference ranges, not guarantees for every format.

4. Choose the feeding concept

Manual loading may suit lower-volume or variable applications. Lugged, flighted or automatic feeding supports higher output when product arrives in a predictable orientation. Random products may require a feeder, vision system, robot or collator.

5. Supply the real film specification

Provide the technical data sheet, reel dimensions, unwind direction, print repeat and eye-mark details. A generic label such as “OPP” does not describe the sealant layer, friction, stiffness or operating window.

6. Map every interface

Define upstream transfers, accumulation, code verification, checkweighing, metal detection, reject confirmation, downstream conveying, case packing and production-data signals. Mechanical and control interfaces should be documented together.

7. Agree acceptance criteria

Create a factory and site acceptance plan using representative products and film. Include sustained rate, seal and cut position, pack appearance, code quality, alarm handling and agreed changeovers.

8. Confirm the support scope

Clarify delivery, offloading, positioning, utilities, installation, commissioning, training, documentation, spare parts and response arrangements. Lancing’s service pages describe installation and commissioning support for packaging machinery projects.

Quotation checklist

Minimum information to send

Product

Dimensions and weight range
Photos, drawings and samples
Surface and handling risks
Required orientation

Pack

Bag dimensions
Film data sheet and reel
Printed repeat and eye mark
Code and label requirements

Line

Sustained packs per minute
Upstream/downstream equipment
Utilities and floor space
Site and documentation standards

Common specification mistake: quoting only the product name

“Biscuits”, “soap” or “wet wipes” does not define a machine. Two products in the same category can need different infeeds, films, jaw sizes, hygienic provisions and output strategies.

Next actions

Build a complete project brief

Use the supporting pages to define film, integration and technology choice.

Film specification

Capture structure, reel and registration data.

Film and seal guide

Flow wrap or shrink wrap?

Choose the process before selecting a model.

Technology comparison

Line interfaces

Plan transfers, controls and acceptance.

Integration guide

Frequently asked

Flow-wrapper buying questions

What information is needed to quote a flow wrapper?

Supply product dimensions and samples, required pack dimensions, film specification, target sustained output, feeding method, coding needs, available utilities and details of adjacent machinery.

Should I choose the fastest machine available?

Not automatically. A machine should have enough reserve for the sustained line rate without adding unnecessary complexity. Feeding, seal dwell, film changes and upstream availability usually set the practical output.

How much changeover range should be specified?

Define the real commercial format range and likely future products. Excessive range can increase change parts, setup time and compromise optimisation for the core product.

When are product trials worthwhile?

Trials are especially valuable for fragile, sticky, irregular, crumbly, wet, dusty, sharp or high-barrier applications, and whenever a new film structure is being introduced.

What should be included in acceptance testing?

Agree representative products and films, sustained run duration, output, pack quality, code quality, reject conditions, changeover checks and the method for recording results.

Compare proposals fairly

Normalise the scope before comparing price or speed

Two proposals can describe different equipment, interfaces and acceptance conditions. Build one requirement schedule and ask each supplier to state compliance, exclusions and assumptions against the same points.

Machine and format scope

List the product and pack range, film reels, formers, jaw sizes, format parts, infeed, discharge, coding and inspection equipment included in the proposal.

Controls and integration

Define signal exchange, line speed control, stop and recovery logic, alarms, recipes, data, guarding interfaces and responsibility for upstream and downstream equipment.

Delivery and support

Compare drawings, documentation, factory testing, packing, freight, offloading, installation, commissioning, training, spares, warranty and aftercare on a like-for-like basis.

Acceptance plan

Write measurable checks before the machine is built

Acceptance criteria should use representative product and film and should distinguish machine capability from upstream shortages or downstream restrictions.

Factory and site acceptance evidence
Check	Define in advance	Record at test
Sustained output	Good packs per minute, run duration, product mix and permitted planned stops.	Total input, good packs, rejects, downtime and reason codes.
Pack dimensions	Bag length, width, seal widths and any permitted variation.	Measured sample set at the start, during and end of the run.
Seal and cut quality	Visual standard and any agreed integrity or strength method.	Results for longitudinal and end seals using production film.
Print and code position	Artwork-to-cut tolerance, code content, legibility and reject rule.	Measured alignment, code samples and challenge-test results.
Changeover	Formats, starting condition, permitted tools and target outcome.	Elapsed time, settings, parts used and accepted first-off pack.
Fault recovery	Selected product, film, guarding, upstream and downstream fault scenarios.	Alarm, safe stop, product disposition and controlled restart.

Whole-life decision

Include changeover, waste and support in the buying decision

The lowest purchase price is not always the lowest production cost. Review film waste during setup, labour at the infeed, change-part handling, cleaning access, planned maintenance, critical spares and the effect of downtime on the wider line.

Format flexibility

Confirm the real product range, how often it changes and which settings or parts are required for a repeatable changeover.

Operational evidence

Ask for the trial record, accepted settings, pack samples, fault tests and clear boundaries around the demonstrated output.

Support readiness

Agree operator training, maintenance tasks, documentation, initial spares and the route for technical help after handover.

Send a quotation brief Review support planning

Speed tests and representative samples

How should a flow-wrapper speed test be defined?

Define good packs per minute over a timed run using representative product and production film. State the pack format, infeed method, allowed planned stops, reject rules and how downtime caused by external equipment will be recorded.

What is a good product sample set?

Include the smallest, largest, nominal and most difficult production variants, plus normal dimensional and surface variation. Supply enough samples for setup, adjustment, a sustained run and repeat checks after a changeover.

Control the decision through the project

Use the same evidence gates from quotation to site acceptance

Requirements often become diluted as a project moves from enquiry to design, build and installation. Keep one controlled brief and require each stage to close the assumptions that belong to it.

Flow-wrapper project gates and evidence
Project gate	Decisions to close	Evidence to retain
Enquiry and quotation	Product range, finished pack, production film, sustained output, infeed concept, line boundary, options and exclusions.	Product and pack brief, drawings or samples, film data, line information and a quotation that separates standard scope from assumptions.
Design approval	Machine limits, product path, former and guides, change parts, film and reel data, coding, inspection, interfaces, access and guarding boundary.	Approved layout, interface schedule, functional description, format list and responsibility matrix.
Product trial or factory acceptance	Good-pack standard, sustained-rate test, changeover, rejects, fault recovery and evidence for every critical option.	Named materials, recorded settings, measured results, accepted pack samples, open points and agreed corrective actions.
Site readiness and installation	Delivery access, position, utilities, upstream and downstream equipment, data, safe interfaces, product and film availability.	Site-readiness record, final layout, utility checks and confirmation of the material needed for commissioning.
Site acceptance and handover	Integrated running, operator tasks, maintenance, recipe control, training, documentation, spares and support route.	Site test record, trained personnel, approved settings, maintenance schedule, parts list and outstanding-item ownership.

Separate facts from assumptions

Keep a decision record that shows what has been proven

A proposal can contain correct engineering assumptions, but they should not be mistaken for demonstrated performance. Record the source and status of each critical requirement so commercial comparison and acceptance remain clear.

Verified input

Information confirmed by product samples, production film, drawings, supplier data or the existing line. Identify the version and range used.

Supplier assumption

A temporary basis used because final information is unavailable. State who must confirm it and what changes if it proves wrong.

Acceptance test

A measurable check with named materials, conditions, duration, sample method and pass result. Avoid broad statements such as “runs well”.

Project exclusion

An item outside the quoted boundary, such as upstream feeding, gas validation, coding consumables or downstream handling. State the interface responsibility.

Normalise price only after scope is normalised

Use the machine comparison, film specification and line interface schedule to place proposals on the same technical basis before comparing total project cost.

What should be fixed before a flow-wrapper order is placed?

Fix the product and pack range, machine envelope, production film basis, required sustained output, infeed and line boundary, critical options, utilities, acceptance method, documentation, training and clear exclusions. Mark any remaining assumptions and their owner.

What can remain project-specific after order?

Detailed settings and final format tuning may be completed during design and trials, but the permitted product range, film basis, output test, pack-quality requirement and consequences of a change should already be controlled by the order scope.

How should a low-cost machine quote be compared with an integrated proposal?

Separate the base wrapper from product feeding, change parts, coding, inspection, rejects, guarding interfaces, conveyors, controls, installation, testing, training, spares and support. Compare the total duty and evidence, not only the machine price or maximum speed.

When is a site survey useful for a flow-wrapper project?

A survey is useful when the wrapper must connect to existing equipment or when access, floor space, conveyor heights, utilities, guarding boundaries, operator routes or downstream capacity cannot be confirmed accurately from current drawings and photographs.

Close the remaining procurement risks

Compare cost, architecture, acceptance and lifetime support on one basis

The technical brief should identify not only the product and pack but also the machine architecture, site boundary, acceptance evidence and operating controls needed after handover.

Commercial scope

Understand how feeding, film, options, integration, testing and support change the total quotation.

Flow-wrapper cost factors

Machine architecture

Compare feeding, top-reel or inverted handling, and rotary or box-motion sealing without assuming every option is available on every model.

Architecture guides

Acceptance and site

Define product trials, FAT, SAT, installation readiness and the safety boundary before dispatch.

Acceptance-testing guide

Installation readiness

Confirm access, space, utilities, interfaces, materials and responsible people.

Site-preparation guide

Operational control

Plan changeover, maintenance, spares and evidence for recurring faults.

Maintenance guide

UK safety planning

Clarify supply and use duties, guarding, routine access, line integration and project evidence.

Safety and compliance guide

Dimensional release gate

Do not compare machine envelopes until the product, pack and film measurements use the same definitions

A quotation can appear compatible while using an average product size, a finished bag width, a film web width or a product pitch as though they were the same measurement. Record each item separately and state the orientation.

Dimensional information for a comparable flow-wrapper proposal
Item	Record	Evidence
Product envelope	Minimum, nominal and maximum length, width and height in the infeed orientation.	Representative samples, drawing and description of normal variation.
Finished bag	Bag length and width, longitudinal-seal position, end-seal width and acceptable headspace.	Approved pack, drawing or measurable acceptance standard.
Film reel	Web width, structure, thickness, core, outside diameter, unwind, print side and repeat.	Converter specification and production reel.
Product pitch	Repeating infeed distance, product clearance and the method used to create and recover pitch.	Infeed sequence, layout and representative arrival pattern.

Use the dimensional guide Send the product brief

Close three common specification gaps

Fix process direction, sealing evidence and multipack scope before order

Additional flow-wrapper decisions to include in the buying specification
Decision	Question to answer	Guide
Packaging process	Does the product travel horizontally as a discrete item or need dosing downwards into a vertical bag?	HFFS versus VFFS
Seal qualification	Which film, recipe range and acceptance test prove the longitudinal and end seals at production speed?	Flow-wrap sealing window
Multipack formation	Who counts, groups, stabilises and verifies the products before the wrapper?	Multipack and collation guide