All business owners know that automation can increase productivity and output. This also applies to companies that work with bulk bags. Automating the process of filling and discharging bulk bags will not only boost efficiency but it can also make the entire operation safer for employees.
At Custom Bulk Bags, we understand the importance of automation for efficiency and speed, but more importantly, employees need to have a safe working environment. We manufacture world-class bulk bags from high-quality polypropylene. These materials give our bags a minimum safety factor of 5:1, which means that they can carry at least five times their intended loads.
Our bulk bags can be fully customised and made to order. If your facility already has automated machinery, let us know and we will ensure that your bulk bags are compatible with your equipment. This includes conveyors, automatic filling machinery, forklifts and hooks.
Facility automation will allow a company to quickly and safely move products within bulk bags. There are many types of machines that enable businesses to do this but some are more beneficial and affordable than others. Finding the right automation strategy and equipment will require some research and budgeting.
Automated filling systems
Turning to automation for filling bulk bags is one of the best strategies for minimising time and increasing output. These machines are incredibly precise and speedy, which is ideal for a conveyor line process. Automated filling machines can fill up to 40 bulk bags per hour and eliminate the proximity of staff members to the bags when being loaded with materials.
Similarly, automated discharge systems have time-saving and safety benefits over manual processes. Businesses that use these machines have noted significant improvements in efficiency and work-related incidents. Automation is precise, so the bulk bags will never be overloaded accidentally or discharged incorrectly.
Consider conveyor systems
Many facilities use forklifts to pick up and move loaded bulk bags around the premises. While this is a cost-effective solution, companies that want to increase their efficiency should consider conveyor systems. There are many types of conveyors, including belts, rollers and pneumatic systems. These can be used to transport loaded bulk bags around the factory without the need for a forklift or operator.
Invest in pallet equipment
Since bulk bags are often stored on top of wooden pallets, it makes sense for companies to invest in automated palletising machinery. This ensures that the bulk bags are secured to the pallets properly, which improves safety and integrity during transport and storage. Palletising bulk bags manually is time-consuming, so automated systems with integrated plastic wrappers will speed up the process and cut down on wasted materials.
Combining automation with bulk bags
Manual processes of filling, moving and discharging bulk bags are fine for companies that operate on a relatively small scale. However, as your business grows, you need to consider investing in machinery to improve efficiency and safety. Automation doesn’t have to happen at one time; it can be implemented in stages.
Each step will bring improvements, so even though automation can be an expense, the actual cost-saving from increased output and reduced employee injuries will benefit your business in the long run. It’s an investment in growth. For more information about our bulk bags, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in-stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.
Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 3 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and industry insights.
