Form fill and seal machines are go-to packaging machines for numerous products including liquids, powders, granular materials, and more. However, you have to make a choice when deciding which type of form fill seal machine to use: vertical form fill seal machines (VFFS) or horizontal form fill seal machines (HFFS). These two types of fillers each have similar, yet separate uses. Ahead we’ll break down the benefits and applications of each machine type to help you decide when you should use a VFFS instead of an HFFS or vice versa.
Differences Between HFFS vs. VFFS
The key difference between horizontal form fill seal machines and vertical form fill seal machines is the physical orientation of the machinery. The horizontal form fill and seal machines construct the pouch in a horizontal configuration while vertical form fill seal machines do the pouch forming vertically. Both styles feed the product vertically into the pouch. From a space perspective, VFFS can maximize floor space if the room is tall enough since the machine is positioned to do its work vertically.
While these machines have similar purposes, VFFS and HFFS machines often excel at packaging different types of products based on texture, weight, and size. There is some crossover in the types of products that both machines can package. Both can package powdered, granular, and liquid products, but there are clear advantages to using one piece of machinery over the other in certain cases.
Vertical Form Fill Seal Packaging Applications
Vertical form fill seal machines create the pouches or bags vertically and are known to make a Pillow Pack, similar to a potato chip bag, or a four-sided seal, similar to freeze pops or condiment packages. Since the machine uses gravity to do the work, it works best with products that flow easily. Some examples are:
- Granular Products: Snacks (i.e. chips), cereal, candies, pet food, bath salts, fertilizer
- Powdered Products: Coffee, tea, flour, sugar, dry shampoos, pesticides, detergents
- Solid Products: Screws, nuts, bolts, razors, ready-to-eat salads.
- Liquid or Semi-Liquid Products: Salad dressings, sauces (i.e. Ketchup packets), syrup
Horizontal Form Fill Seal Packaging Applications
Horizontal form fill and seal machines excel in packaging similar products as a vertical form fill and seal except the pouches are created horizontally. This allows for different styles of bags such as a three-sided seal used to package products like a cocoa packet, or a gusseted, stand-up, pouch that can package bags that hold candy or granola. Gusseted pouches often have a resealable zipper attachment for holding in freshness.
- Granular Products: Tablets, capsules, nuts, dried fruit, granola
- Powdered Products: Whey protein, cocoa packets, coffee
- Solid Products: Chocolate bars, candy bars, shredded cheese, small toys, medical devices such as syringes
An important note: seal bags can often work interchangeably between each type of form fill and seal machine. While some are preferred for one over the other that doesn’t mean it can’t work with the other machinery. These machines often have the ability and flexibility to package nearly all kinds of sealed bags.
HFFS vs. VFFS Speed
While both HFFS and VFFS machines can package similar products efficiently in a streamlined way, vertical form fill seal machines are often slower than horizontal form fill and seal machines. Because HFFS and VFFS both feed the products by use of gravity assist and create their own bags from a flat stock film, they fill the products intermittently. That means the machine allows the product to flow into the created bag, and it then cycles to the next bag to allow for the next filling cycle.
However, speed isn’t everything. Horizontal form fill machines are often known for being more accurate and are known for better handling more complex, customizable packaging over vertical form fill seal machines, helping to create higher-end products when it comes to branding and visual aesthetics.
Cost of an VFFS vs. HFFS
Vertical form fill machines are generally cheaper than horizontal form fill machines. VFFS machines often take up less space and have a simpler mechanical design in comparison to HFFS machines. Buying used equipment can help save money when purchasing packaging machines. Used VFFS machines range in price from over $200,000 for more advanced equipment to as little as $5,000 or less for simpler models. As for HFFS machines, they can sell for over $400,000 to $15,000 or less.
Where to Buy a Vertical Form Fill Seal or Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine
If you’re looking to buy a form fill seal machine, we recommend buying it used. Bid-on-Equipment provides a platform for equipment sellers and buyers to connect. We help coordinate the sale of equipment from well-known form fill seal manufacturers including Matrix Packaging Machinery, Triangle Package Machinery Company, Hayssen, Ulma Packaging, Circle Package Machinery, and Rovema.
If you’re debating which type of form fill seal machine you need for your business, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are experts in this machinery and all types of packaging machinery would be happy to talk with you more about it and answer your questions so you can get the packaging machinery that’s best for you.
