In short
One Vertical Form-Fill-Seal (VFFS) machine Forms pouches from a flat film roll, dispenses the product into them, and seals the pouches—all in a single continuous operation. It is the most widely used machine design for granules, snacks, powders, and certain liquids because it achieves high cycle rates at low material costs: typically 40 to 80 cycles per minute in the industry, and even higher for small pillow-shaped formats and multi-lane systems.
Those who manufacture bags from roll stock essentially pay for the film per bag—not for ready-made bags. This is the key economic difference compared to a bag packaging machine for pre-made bags, which purchases ready-made bags, fills them, and seals them.
How does a VFFS machine work?
The process can be broken down into eight steps:
- Rolling off: The film dispenser pulls film from the roll. A dancer roller system maintains a constant tension so that the film does not tear or warp.
- Feed: A step feed advances the film by exactly one bag image—controlled by embossed registration marks or a length measurement system.
- Shapes: The flat film runs over the forming shoulder and is formed into a continuous tube. The forming shoulder determines the bag width.
- Longitudinal seam: A longitudinal sealing station seals the film tube along its side—either thermally using heated jaws or continuously using rotating sealing wheels.
- Cross-stitch at the bottom: Cross-seal jaws seal the tube to the bottom of the bag.
- Dosing: The dosing device dispenses the product onto the newly formed bag bottom: screw feeders for powders, multihead weighers for bulk goods, and piston or pump dispensers for liquids and pastes.
- Cross-stitch at the top: The cross-seal jaws seal the top of the bag. This seal also forms the bottom of the next bag.
- Separate: A knife cuts off the finished bag. Optionally, date printing, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), or in-line labeling follow.
What components make up the machine?
Key components include the film unwinding unit with a dancer, the forming shoulder, the longitudinal and transverse sealing stations, the dosing device, and the control system. In industrial machinery manufacturing, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with operator terminals (HMIs) from manufacturers such as Siemens or Omron are commonly used; the pneumatic components are often supplied by Festo or SMC. The frame and parts that come into contact with the product are usually made of SS304 stainless steel; for higher hygiene or corrosion resistance requirements, SS316 is used.
The dosing device is selected based on the product:
| Dosing System | Suitable for | Typical dosing accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Screw Feeder | Powder, fine granules | ±0.5 to 2 % |
| Multi-head scale | Snacks, coffee beans, frozen foods | ±0.3 to 1 g |
| Piston Dispenser | Liquids, pastes, oils | ±1 % |
| Cup Dispenser (volumetric) | uniform granules, rice | ±1 to 2 % |
What bag sizes are available?
Standard formats for the VFFS machine are the Pillow Case and the Bag with a seal on the back. With additional molded parts, you can 3-sided sealed pouch and Block-bottom bags manufactured using a folding mechanism. For individual-serving sizes, multiple webs run in parallel—this produces stick packs, such as those used by the Stitch-sewing packaging machine produced in series.
Overview of Key Metrics
| Key figure | Industry-standard range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clock speed | 40 to 80 beats per minute. | depending on the product and format |
| Film width | 200 to 800 mm | determines the maximum bag width |
| Dosing accuracy | ±0.5 to 2 % | depending on the dosing system |
| Bag size | 50 × 80 mm to 350 × 500 mm | machine-dependent |
| Power Consumption | approx. 3 to 7 kW | without peripherals |
| Frame Material | SS304 stainless steel, SS316 optional | parts that come into contact with the product |
Who is a VFFS machine suitable for?
This concept is well-suited for businesses with medium to high production volumes and products in highly competitive price segments: rice and grains, sugar, snacks, coffee, pet food, laundry detergent, or screws. The film costs per bag are significantly lower than those of pre-made bags, and the line operates at a cycle rate that pre-made bag lines in the premium segment typically cannot match.
A VFFS machine is less suitable if your sales channel requires high-quality retail packaging—stand-up pouches with a spout, quad-seal edges, or a matte film finish. You can produce these formats using a Bag-Filling Machine for Pre-Made Bags more economical. The comparison provides a detailed decision-making framework VFFS or pre-made bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is a vertical form-fill-seal machine?
For granules and snacks, 40 to 80 cycles per minute is standard in the industry. Small formats with multiple lanes—such as stick packs with 8 to 12 strands—can collectively reach 200 or more bags per minute.
What types of film does a VFFS machine process?
Any heat-sealable laminated film: PE monolayer films, PET/PE, OPP/PE, PET/AL/PE for aroma protection, and paper laminates. This requires a sealing temperature and sealing time tailored to the film material—both of which are managed in the HMI based on the recipe.
How much does a vertical form-fill-seal machine cost?
The price depends on the dosing system, cycle rate, stainless steel construction, and level of automation. A reliable quote can only be provided once we have the product specifications, bag size, and target output.
How long does the format change take?
Typically 20 to 45 minutes, as the molding shoulders, sealing jaws, and dosing sizes are changed. Details and influencing factors are described Format Change on Packaging Machines.
Related pages: What is a multihead weigher? | VFFS or pre-made bags? | Vertical Filling and Sealing Machine | Packaging Solutions for VFFS Machines
Request technical specifications and a quote for your production line. Please specify the product, bag size, and target output (bags/min.) – Request Technical Specifications and a Quote.
English 
German