Quick guide: components for industrial packaging machines
The quality of the components you choose will play an important part in the life of your packaging equipment.
Your packaging machine parts might rely on everything from cable ties and PCB mounting hardware to clamping levers and screw-on rubber bumper feet. Choose your components wisely and you can deliver a semi-automated or automated packaging machine that performs for years.
This guide is designed to help you make those choices. We’ll focus on three types of packaging machines, but most of the components shown for each can be used on all machines, such as can packing machines, cardboard box packing machines, carton wrapping machines, and sheet packing machines.
Free samples and CAD downloads
To make your job easier, we’ve made available free samples on most of our solutions, so you can try before you buy. You can also download free CADs of our solutions to help with designing your project.
Strapping machines
Sometimes called banding strapping machines, they tension, seal and cut the strapping in one motion. Your design will depend on the strapping demand. Whether your application will be a pallet strapping machine, box strapping machine or another type, consider the recommendations below, which are ideal for semi-automatic or automatic strapping machines.
Where relevant, the components you use should not only help the machine’s performance but contribute to health and safety, so consider insert glides and recessed handles.
Your strapping machine also needs protecting. Use caps and plugs to protect critical profiles from damage during handling and transportation. You can also get a professional finish by using high-temperature masking for holes and contact points with easy-to-fit caps and plugs.
Masking pull plugs mask threaded and plain through-holes. To apply, simply pull the thinner end of the plug through the hole until it stretches the larger end through the hole. Release so it will compress and make a tight seal. Available in a premium high-temperature silicone or in economical reduced-temperature EPDM. Applications include Powder Coating, E-Coating, Plating and Anodizing.
Typically used: during manufacturing
Rectangular tube inserts protect the user from snagging clothes and skin. Available in both ribbed and straight wall designs. Choose between black or white, in LDPE or ABS.
Typically used: external fabrication
Recessed pull handles come in different styles and snap easily into place. Ideal for safety concerns by avoiding sharp edges. These plastic recessed handles are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
Typically used: external fabrication
Designed for superior sealing and strain relief. Cord grips are used to pass cables into the strapping machine, controlling the bend or stopping a cable from being pulled out of the system. IP68 rating for excellent protection against the environment. Also available as a right-angle cord grip. Nylon with TPE inner sealing gland and CR/ NBR outer sealing gland. UL94 V-2.
Add extra security with cord grip locknuts.
Typically used: external fabrication
Stud mount leveling feet – plastic rigid base
Industrial leveling feet are ideal for uneven surfaces. The plastic base provides a smooth non-abrasive surface that protects floors. Available in a variety of materials: PP, LDPE, PE and nylon, all with low-carbon steel, steel or a mix of plastics. Also available: leveling feet with articulated swivel base.
Typically used: external fabrication
Tough, high-quality plastic cable ties with a built-in locking system to prevent accidental removal. Available in impact-modified nylon 6/6 and natural nylon 6/6. UL94 V-2.
Typically used: external fabrication and internally
Castor wheels
Our full range of castor wheels includes heavy-duty castor wheels, stainless steel castor wheels, nylon castor wheels, rubber castors and so much more. We also carry swivel castor wheels and rigid. To see our entire range, download our catalog.
Typically used: external fabrication
Protection and mounting for small DC and AC fans. The metal fan guard prevents dust and debris from falling into the fan blades, creating obstruction, while also protecting user from bodily harm. Ideal for cooling electronic applications with a protection solution. Simple to install with screw mount application. Made of steel.
Typically used: external fabrication
Protects wires, cables, tubing, and hoses. Installs instantly by simply snapping into hole. Excellent adhesion, designed to fit standard sheet-metal holes. Available in TPR, styrene-butadiene rubber, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TBV), PVC and EPDM.
Typically used: external fabrication
Works as an anti-vibration fan mount, providing shock and vibration protection. Helps secure your fan in place so that your electronics are kept cool. Made of ABS. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 203˚F.
Typically used: control panel and electronics
Designed for attaching parts to rods, tubes, or curved contours. Fits a variety of tube diameters, screw sizes and screw-head types. Available in different spacer lengths. Made of nylon 6/6. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 185˚F
Typically used: control panel and electronics
Cable tie mounts – four-way adhesive/screw mount
Use as adhesive cable-tie mounts or as a screw-mount cable-tie base. The adhesive tie mounts offer strong adhesion for quick and easy installation and are ideal for lightweight wire bungles. They also include a panel hole for optional screw fastening. Screw mount available in nylon. Adhesive mount available in nylon with either rubber adhesive or acrylic adhesive. Also, PPE/PS with acrylic adhesive.
Typically used: internally
PCB standoffs – hexagonal/insulator
Installed by hand without the need for assembly equipment. Hexagon standoffs are ideal for use when high mechanical strength is required. Also perform as a standoff insulator, providing sturdy, insulated spacing for high-power strapping machines. Made of nylon with brass inserts. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 185˚F. UL94 V-2.
Typically used: control panel and electronics
Food packaging machines
Food and liquid packaging machine manufacturers need components that contribute to hygiene standards, which makes metal a good choice for external fabrication. Your customer also needs peak performance from their packing machine for food products to improve productivity, so choose components with ergonomic features where relevant and high quality to avoid downtimes due to mechanical failures.
Female right-angle metal pull handles are rounded with a shoulder and two-threaded mounting holes. Strong and durable one-piece design for a high-quality rear mounted industrial pull handle with a neat appearance. Made of aluminum.
Typically used: external fabrication
Also known as a leaf butt hinge, this metal leaf hinge is ideal for food packaging equipment with flush-mounted doors with threaded-stud installations. Maximum rotation of 270˚. Available in different styles with either a chrome-plated or black powder-coated finish.
Typically used: external fabrication
Sealing gaskets create a compression seal for the doors of your food product packing machine. It clips onto the panel edges to provide additional sealing to fill the space where surfaces mate. Opt for EPDM or PVC material. Both are outstanding as protection against the shock of vibrations.
Typically used: internally
Folding lid stays hold open lids, electric panels and inspection covers. The range offers left- and right-hand versions. Available in stainless steel or steel with a zinc-alloy body. Folding lid stays also available.
Typically used: internally
Adjustable handles – female, flared
Also known as an adjustable clamping lever. Operated by a simple lift-and-rotate action with a push button for releasing and adjustment. The tapered handle allows for convenient positioning for maximum leverage when mounted onto male threaded applications. Made of PP with glass-reinforced fibers. Also available: adjustable handles – male flared.
Typically used: external fabrication
Hook and latch clamps – vertical
Vertical manual hook & latch clamps operate on a horizontal plane allowing two faces to be fastened together on the same plane or at 90˚. These clamps have a low profile for applications with a height restriction. Made of high-grade stainless steel with cushioned PVC ergonomic grip for comfort.
Typically used: external fabrication
Interlocked back prevents shearing and can be used to secure any of the hose-protection sleeves in our hydraulic hose protection range. Sized to SAE standards and available in carbon steel or corrosion-resistant stainless steel.
Typically used: external fabrication
Removes dust from the fan’s airflow so that the air can move freely, cooling electronic components. Also protects the fan from damage. Made of aluminum and stainless steel.
Typically used: control panel
PCB edge locking supports – snap in
Locking PCB supports provide a secure hold on the side of your PCB. Snap-in fitting and locating nose are ideal for quick assembly. Enable the PCB to easily be removed for service. Made of nylon. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 185˚F. UL94 V-2.
Typically used: control panel
Fits a standard T-1-3/4 LED, spacing the LED from the surface of the board. They also minimize shifting and height variation, ensuring product uniformity and production ease. and made of UL94 V-2 rated Nylon. Made of nylon. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 185˚F. UL94 V-2.
Typically used: control panel
Quarter-turn latches with wing knob
Quarter-turn latches with wing knobs are supplied with a rubber gasket for a good seal. There are three different types available, offering different material and grip range options. Choose a stainless steel wing knob latch for food packaging machines.
Typically used: external fabrication
Pouch filling machines
Whatever product bagging machines are designed to handle, whether it’s animal feed, food, beverage, dry powder – you name it – pouch-sealing-machine manufacturers will need multiple and varied components. If you're designing a semi-automatic pouch-filling machine or auto pouch-filling machine, a paper or plastic-pouch-packing machine, consider these critical components:
Low-profile swing handle stows away when not in use. With a 90˚ rotation, these are simple to install, using either a bracket or snap-in fastener. Also consists of a slam-action spring-loaded handle. Available with a choice of keyed alike, key to differ, or a button to press. Made of die-cast zinc alloy and nylon 6 with 30% GF glass fill. Seal material: PE.
Typically used: external fabrication
Designed with an internally rib that provides a quick and tight fit on packaging tube containers. Used on packaging tube I.D.'s 1/4" through 1-3/4" with .045" wall thickness. Made of LDPE.
Typically used: During handling, transportation and storage
Designed to mask holes without masking the surrounding surface area. This tapered plug protects multiple-hole diameters. Ergonomically friendly profile has a pull-tab for easy installation and removal. Available in premium high-temperature silicone or economical reduced-temperature EPDM material. Applications include Powder Coating, E-Coating, Plating and Anodizing.
Typically used: during manufacturing
All tapes can be cleanly removed and the adhesive will not leave a residue.
Available in white, tan, amber, green and red. Materials:
- Crepe for low-temperature painting and powder coating
- Polyester for powder coating, E-Coating, Plating, and Anodizing
- Polyimide for high-temperature processes, soldering, electrical, insulation, and PC Boards
- Silicone, which has no adhesive and is self-bonding (sticks to itself)
Can be used in high-temperature cures, all coating applications and Plating, Anodizing and wire harness wrapping
Typically used: during manufacturing
Push rivets with flat, beveled head eases assembly and disassembly. Easily pushed in by hand. As the pin is inserted into the grommet, the legs expand, locking it in place. Made of nylon 6. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 239˚F. UL94 V-2.
Typically used: control panel, external fabrication
Fan filter sets include one each of fan guard to protect fingers, fan filter cover, fan filter mesh sheet and felt filter. IP30 rated for protection from tools and wires greater than 1 inch.
Typically used: control panel
Spiralguard, or spiral hose wrap, protects most types of industrial hose assemblies against cuts, abrasion, crushing or UV damage. Maintains high-abrasion resistance, proven in harsh conditions. Ideal for wrapping single hoses or multiple hose bundles. Made of HDPE.
Typically used: external fabrication
Offer secure, ergonomic grip with multi-prong design for controlling, positioning and tightening. Flexible mounting options include studded, threaded insert and through-hole. Our complete range of clamping knobs, also known as lobe knobs, provide an economical, lighter weight alternative to steel with good impact strength, resistance to oil, grease and solvents. Made of PP.
Typically used: external fabrication
PCB support pillars – dual locking/snap lock
Available in different locking options for both ends and in different body types to suit your needs. Our most popular style. Made of nylon 6/6. Operating temperature range: -40˚F to 185˚F. UL94 V-2.
Typically used: control panel
Non-threaded spacers – ceramic
Ceramic spacers resist extreme heat. Installed by hand without the need for tools, which speeds up assembly. Operating temperature range: -40°F to 3092°F.
Typically used: control panel
Pouch filling machines, like any other machine, naturally vibrate, which can cause components to loosen. These vibration mount standoffs act as a buffer by absorbing vibrations. They also help reduce noise. Made of neoprene rubber and steel with an operating temperature range of -40°F to 176°F.
Typically used: internally and external fabrication
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.