GBPI GF-1600B Fully Automatic Tube-in-Bag Sealing Machine

Overview

The GBPI GF-1600B Fully Automatic Tube-in-Bag Sealing Machine is an industrial-grade packaging automation system engineered for high-precision, continuous insertion and thermal sealing of flexible tubes (e.g., drinking straws, dispensing tubes) into pre-formed pouches. It operates on a rotary indexing principle, integrating synchronized motion control across six functional subsystems—tube feeding, bag feeding, tube insertion, multi-stage thermal sealing, cooling, and ejection—to achieve repeatable, contamination-controlled packaging under regulated production conditions. Unlike semi-automatic or manual alternatives, the GF-1600B eliminates operator-dependent variability in tube alignment, seal temperature consistency, and positional registration—critical parameters affecting package integrity, shelf life, and regulatory compliance in food, beverage, personal care, and over-the-counter pharmaceutical applications.

Key Features

• Modular rotary architecture with a compact circular footprint (Φ2120 mm), optimized for space-constrained cleanroom or GMP-compliant packaging lines.
• Independent servo-driven control of tube feed, dual-station bag feed, and precision indexing via cam-driven分割器 (indexing cam mechanism), enabling stable cycle timing across variable bag geometries.
• Multi-zone thermal management: one preheating station, four independent hot-seal stations with adjustable dwell time, and one forced-air cooling station—ensuring uniform melt viscosity, minimal thermal distortion, and optimal peel strength for PE/PP-based laminates.
• Interchangeable sealing dies and vacuum suction nozzles accommodate tube diameters of 8.5 mm and 10 mm, with customizable tooling available for non-standard tube profiles.
• Industrial-grade control layer built around a Mitsubishi micro-PLC, interfaced with Omron digital temperature controllers (10 units), SMC pneumatic actuators, solid-state relays, and fiber-optic position sensors for real-time fault detection and closed-loop thermal regulation.
• Integrated safety and diagnostics: distributed alarm logic monitors all subsystems; any deviation from operational thresholds triggers immediate shutdown, visual HMI alert, and event-logged fault code (e.g., “Bag misfeed,” “Seal temp deviation > ±5°C,” “Vacuum loss”)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The GF-1600B supports a broad spectrum of pouch formats—including stand-up pouches, three-side sealed bags, gusseted (pleated) bags, and custom-shaped packages (e.g., penguin-style, tapered, or asymmetrical designs)—with dimensional flexibility up to 230 mm in length and 120 mm in width. Compatible tube materials include LDPE, HDPE, and PP; compatible pouch structures feature PE or PP inner sealant layers. All product-contact components are fabricated from electropolished stainless steel (AISI 304) and anodized aluminum, meeting surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm) and corrosion resistance benchmarks specified in ISO 22000 and FDA 21 CFR Part 117 for food-contact equipment. The machine’s design facilitates cleaning-in-place (CIP) protocols and aligns with GMP documentation requirements for equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), including traceable calibration of temperature sensors per ASTM E2847.

Software & Data Management

Operation is managed via a 7-inch resistive LCD touchscreen HMI with password-protected access levels (operator, technician, administrator). Parameter sets—including sealing temperature profiles per station, indexing angle, vacuum delay, and cycle time—are stored as named recipes with version timestamps. The PLC logs all critical events (start/stop, alarms, temperature excursions, manual overrides) with date/time stamps and retains the last 1,000 entries locally. Optional RS-485/Modbus RTU or Ethernet/IP interface enables integration with MES platforms (e.g., Siemens SIMATIC IT, Rockwell FactoryTalk) for batch-level data traceability, OEE calculation, and electronic audit trails compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 Annex 11 requirements.

Applications

This system is deployed in contract packaging facilities and brand-owner manufacturing sites where validated, low-particulate tube-in-bag assembly is required at scale. Typical use cases include: single-serve beverage straw kits for bottled water and juice brands; viscous personal care dispensers (e.g., toothpaste, hand sanitizer tubes) inserted into retail pouches; unit-dose oral care or topical pharmaceutical products packaged for hospital distribution; and portion-controlled food additives (e.g., sauce packets, seasoning sachets) requiring hermetic seal integrity and visual tamper evidence. Its adaptability to both standard and irregular bag shapes makes it suitable for private-label and seasonal SKU transitions without mechanical retooling.

FAQ

What pouch types can the GF-1600B process?
It handles stand-up pouches, three-side sealed bags, gusseted (accordion) bags, and custom-shaped formats—including asymmetric and contoured designs—with length up to 230 mm and width up to 120 mm.
Is the machine compliant with food-grade hygiene standards?
Yes. All wetted parts are constructed from food-grade stainless steel (AISI 304) and anodized aluminum, with surface finishes meeting ISO 22000 and FDA 21 CFR Part 117 requirements for cleanability and non-shedding performance.
Can sealing parameters be saved and recalled for different products?
Yes. Up to 99 recipe profiles—including zone-specific temperatures, indexing angles, and vacuum timing—can be stored, versioned, and loaded via the HMI with full audit trail logging.
What level of operator training is required?
Basic operation requires under 2 hours of supervised instruction. Advanced functions (recipe creation, alarm diagnostics, calibration verification) are accessible only to authorized technicians with PLC and thermal instrumentation familiarity.
Does the system support integration with factory-wide MES or SCADA networks?
Standard Modbus RTU (RS-485) is included; optional Ethernet/IP or OPC UA gateways are available for seamless connection to enterprise-level manufacturing execution systems.