Wine & Packaging
Why not combine my two favorite things: wine & packaging!
Winemaking is as much an art as it is a science, the same can be said for manufacturing packaging equipment. Winemakers need an OEM that has in-depth knowledge and experience in packaging products as high-end and fragile as wine bottles. At Universal Systems, we work with several large wineries to help them utilize the most cost-effective and capable line of hot melt equipment to seal their most valuable assets.
When wineries look to an OEM for their packaging needs, below are 5 things they need to focus on.
- QUALITY: All Universal Systems SE equipment is compliant with all international standards in addition to offering OSHA compliance.
- RELIABILITY: At USSE, we work with all wineries to make sure their hot melt equipment is optimized and running smoothly, and we have since 1981. We focus on matching the packaging needs with the tank capacity of the melter and the ease of operation on all machines for line workers. The easier the operation, the less potential for downtime. All of our hot melt tanks have the same components, this allows for you to streamline your inventory as well. We also provide you with advanced engineering and design with expert tech support.
- FLEXIBILITY: Your wine-making facility and process is unique, and you need an OEM that works with you to provide flexible solutions that support your business goals. Whether you need just a single machine or a full hot melt system, Universal System has a multitude of products that you can use for different glue applications.
- AFFORDABILITY: When you invest in new equipment, working directly with the equipment manufacturer eliminates the increased costs charged by a 3rd party representative of an OEM. Such investments should readily produce improved efficiencies that positively impact your bottom line. Our clients can attest to the fact that their investment in USSE equipment results in proven, accelerated ROI and a lower total cost of ownership. Plus, all of our equipment is proudly made in the USA.
- SUPPORT: Avoid frustrations of unanswered questions and unsolved problems by choosing to work with an OEM that provides excellent US-based customer service. That way, your operation can quickly get the assistance they need. Universal Systems is a US company who only has offices in the USA. We are proud to offer made in the USA products to our favorite US winemakers!
Call (561) 272-5442 today to speak with a sales rep to see how Universal Systems can help with your packaging needs.
Utilizing Key Features of the ProBilt™ Hot Glue System
There are a few brands to consider when shopping for a hot melt system for your packaging line. Universal Systems SE’s ProBilt™ product line has been around for over 40 years and has several key features that can help influence purchasing agents, as well as line operators, on why it is the best in the industry.
4 Hose / 4 Gun Standard Capability
Unlike any other hot melt tank option on the market, the ProBilt™ line of melters all come equipped with 4 hose and 4 gun capability. This is a standard option that is usually an add on from other manufacturers, like Nordson®. Nordson® has both the 2 hose/ 2 gun and 4 hose/ 4 gun melters, each differing in price. The ProBilt™ melters all come with 4 hose/ 4 gun capability at a lower price point than any Nordson®. This allows our customers versatility and the option to grow.
Easy to Program Control Board
One of the many benefits to owning a ProBilt™ system is the easy to operate, AccuScan™ Control Board. If you are plugging in a brand new tank, the board will be programmed to our factory settings. The line operator, can scan through the hose, gun and tank settings and set them to the temperatures needed. There are also a few fail safes installed in the machine. For example, if it is a cold start set up, the hoses and tank will heat first, then the guns will start to heat once the hose and tank are within 35 degrees of the set point. The reason for this is so that the gun doesn’t char, since the gun heats up faster than the hose and tank. Once temperature is reached, the “Heat On” light will blink and you are ready to use. The control board also comes equipped with alarm settings and a set back functionality, our next two key features.
Set Back Functionality
The set back functionality is one of the most important features that comes standard on all ProBilt™ tanks. Essentially, when the shift is over and you no longer need to run your packaging line, you push the set back button. This will “set back” the temperature of the tank, hoses and guns to 165 degrees. Allowing the glue already in the system to sit overnight without charring. When the morning comes, or the next shift starts, simply hit the set back button again, and all previous temperature settings will re-engage. This will decrease the start up time on the hot melt system significantly and allow your lines to be fully operational within minutes.
Alarm Options
Another key feature to the AccuScan™ Control Board are the alarm options it provides. The first alarm option allows for the panel to tie to an alarm light in your facility. In case anything happens that stops the system from running effectively, an alarm light can go off, alerting the line operator immediately. Another feature is the ability to tie it to the packaging line itself, called PMI or Parent Machine Interface. Parent Machine Interface will signal the packaging line when the glue is at full temperature thus preventing the line to start up until it receives the signal.
Please watch our video on how to set the ProBilt™ melter temperatures. For more information on our ProBilt™ systems please call today (561) 272-5442 or email sales@ussefl.com
CPGs Wrestle with Workforce
If you follow the packaging industry, whether through news articles, industry periodicals or first hand through direct buyers at CPG companies, one of the largest drivers in packaging is the stress on workforce demands. This can include how difficult it is to find reliable workers that are dedicated to the success of the company. It can also be in the aspect that most of the line operators working the packaging line equipment are not trained properly on that piece of equipment and all of its capabilities.
As the packaging industry tries to modernize technology, not all of their workforce can keep up. As a hot melt equipment manufacturer, one of our core competencies is our knowledgeable technical support. If you have any Universal Systems SE equipment or ProBilt™ machines on your packaging lines, you can rest assured that you will get speedy, knowledgeable sales and technical support. However, in many instances, line operators do not have that type of experience or knowledge base. That can lead to “on the fly” fixes, which usually equates to weakened product and voided warranties. At Universal Systems SE we understand that knowledge is power, and we want to make line operators jobs easier, not harder. With that in mind, we have kept all of the ProBilt™ hot melt application systems uniform and easy to operate. We also try to make our clients smarter when they call with issues, asking questions to help them learn or giving them some simple troubleshooting tips to follow for the future.
In addition to being able to help line operators with questions and knowledge, we also make sure to include in every shipment all of the pertinent manuals and information guidelines needed. For example, if your company is ordering ClearFlow™ heated hoses (Universal Systems SE’s proprietary line of heated hot melt hoses), each shipment will include installation and care instructions. The same goes for our ProBilt™ applicator guns. With the purchase of any ProBilt™ application gun, we include a list of maintenance recommendations on the gun, modules and nozzles.
So, as CPGs continue to have concerns with their workforce, we here at Universal Systems SE we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that we keep them knowledgeable on our equipment.
To learn more about our ClearFlow™ hoses or any other ProBilt™ products, please reach out to sales@ussefl.com or call (561) 272-5442.
What Hot Melt System is Best for Your Company
Hot melt adhesive can be used as a sealant solution for several different types of businesses. The most common use is with case packer systems, but it can also be used on product containers such as protein shake cartons, frozen pizza boxes, and so much more. There are several key elements that you need to take into consideration when choosing the perfect hot melt system such as efficiency, glue distribution, glue usage, and limiting downtime.
The first step in identifying what type of hot melt system is best for your company is to evaluate how much adhesive your packaging lines use in a day. If you are running a continuous packaging line with a large diameter glue nozzle, then you should research fill on-demand systems. A fill on-demand system, like Universal Systems’ ProBilt™ Phoenix, has a vacuum hose that continuously fills the melter tank with adhesive pellets from an adhesive storage container. Your line operators will only have to worry about filling up the adhesive storage container, which holds up to 6107 cui, allowing them to free up their time to tend to other tasks on the floor. If you are only running your packaging line for certain products, then you might want to look into limiting your tank capacity to either a 12 lb., 15 lb. or 20 lb. tank. The most commonly utilized tank size on today’s packaging lines is the 20 lb. tank, such as Universal Systems’ ProBilt 20.
Another topic to consider when choosing a melter system is how you will be distributing the adhesive onto the packages. Will you be laying down a line, spraying on the glue, or laying dots? This will be determined by the type of nozzle you are running on your modules. If you have a spray or swirl nozzle, then you will be using more glue than if you are using a straight small diameter nozzle. This knowledge will also help you choose the correct tank capacity melter needed.
To learn more about the different types of melters Universal Systems manufactures and which is right for you, please call us at (561) 272-5442 or email us at sales@ussefl.com.