Packaging Equipment Key Terms

Know packaging equipment key terms to make sound purchases and business expansions
By Trish Popovitch Knowing packaging equipment key terms is the best way to ensure sound decision making when delving into the industry. Awareness of the key terms of packaging equipment manufacturers, packaging machine providers and industrial packaging allows you to communicate needs and wishes with confidence and knowledge.

Whether you wish to buy a replacement machine for your small business or expand your businesses to include packaging equipment, industry lingo is a must. When researching packaging equipment key terms:

1. Grasp the basic terminology associated with packaging machinery.
2. Know the definitions for different parts of the industrial packaging machine.
3. Understand what industrial packaging machinery best suits your needs.
   

Focus initial research on the basic packaging equipment industry key terms

Before making any new purchase (or even replacement) of industrial packaging machinery, a firm understanding of the general language of the sector is important. Knowing the processes of packaging as well as machines and materials will provide a solid foundation for communication or purchase.
Try:  Amcor Limited has a very basic list of packaging industry terminology to get you started. BaggingGuys provides an easy to read glossary of key terms associated with the basic types of packaging equipment. Hughes Enterprises provides detailed lists of the supplies and parts necessary for the running of packaging equipment.

Save time and money through familiarity with packaging equipment parts and types

It is good to know the technical terms associated with your particular packaging equipment for replacement parts or when consulting a repair person for assistance. Being able to both label and describe a part makes communicating a problem much easier.
Try:  Flxtite® Shrink Films Division has a detailed glossary of packaging equipment terms that concentrates on the different components and parts of a packaging machine. Packaging Machines Trade Marketplace offers a similar glossary with a focus on the different types of packaging machines and their function.

Know the specific types of machinery for areas of the packaging industry

There is a wide assortment of industrial packaging machines on the market today. Many are better suited to different types of the packaging world. Most common are those in the shrink wrapping, protecting or sealing machinery business (such as capping machines and filling machines) and the ever growing flexible packaging industry.
Try:  Pierce Packaging Equipment offers a detailed list of shrink wrapping terminology as well as a comprehensive product list. Catty is a supplier of packaging machinery and offers a dictionary of terms associated with the wide ranging flexible packaging industry.

• Consider comparing the websites of several suppliers of packaging machines to see if they use different terminology for the same piece of equipment. Just because a piece of equipment is standard, doesn't mean it is known by more than one term.