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Description
This project aims to improve process efficiency and minimise the material usage in the vertical formfill-seal operation. More specifically, the overarching scientific challenge is to obtain a fundamental
understanding of machine-material interaction and the design rules necessary for the creation of
form-fill-seal operations that minimise the consumption of packaging films. In the case of the
vertical form-fill-seal operation there are two key areas to be investigated: material flow over the
forming shoulder and the sealing of the material.
Objectives
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Investigate the influence of material properties on material flow through a VFFS and identify
the critical material properties and values associated with a range of common and emerging
materials
Characterise the influence of forming shoulder geometry on material flow through a VFFS.
Investigate the influence of material properties and process settings on the success of the
sealing process and identify the critical material properties and values associated with a
range of common and emerging material.
Characterise the influence of sealing jaw geometry on the success of the sealing process.
Form mathematical models relating material properties, process settings and tooling design
(geometry) to successful material flow and sealing.
Establish design rules for the creation of change parts, including the forming shoulder and
the sealing jaws, based on the material properties.
Disseminate the results (to industry) to encourage a reduction in the amount of material
used and the use of more environmentally friendly packaging materials.