Accumulation
Temporary conveyor capacity that lets adjacent machines continue through short stops.
Solve Production
Production and packaging glossary
Plain-English explanations of common filling, capping, labelling, packaging and automation terms.
Application torque
Torque applied while tightening a threaded closure.
ATEX
Framework concerning equipment intended for potentially explosive atmospheres.
Auger filler
Powder dosing system using controlled rotation of a screw.
Blocked
A machine state in which downstream equipment cannot accept product.
Bulk density
Mass of powder or granule per unit volume, including spaces between particles.
Cap chute
Track carrying correctly oriented closures to a capping point.
Change part
Component exchanged to suit a different product or pack format.
Changeover
Complete process of moving production from one product or format to another.
Checkweigher
System used to verify finished-pack mass and reject packs outside limits.
Counter-pressure filling
Filling into a pressurised container to control carbonation and foam.
Diving nozzle
Filling nozzle that moves into the container and may rise with the liquid.
Doypack
Stand-up flexible pouch, usually with a bottom gusset.
Factory acceptance test
Pre-delivery testing against agreed requirements.
Feeder
Equipment supplying products, components, caps or packs in a controlled orientation.
Fill tolerance
Permitted difference between target and measured quantity.
Flow wrapper
Horizontal machine forming film around a product and making longitudinal and end seals.
Form-fill-seal
Process that forms a pack from rollstock, fills it and seals it.
Good pack
Completed pack meeting all agreed quality and quantity requirements.
Headspace
Unfilled space between product and the top or closure of a container.
Induction sealing
Non-contact heating of a foil liner to seal it to a compatible container.
Interlock
Safeguard monitoring a condition such as guard position and affecting machine operation.
Label gap
Space between successive labels on the backing liner.
Line clearance
Controlled removal of previous product, packaging and records before a new run.
Net weight
Weight of the product excluding packaging.
No-product no-fill
Control that prevents filling when a pack is absent.
OEE
Overall equipment effectiveness: availability, performance and quality.
Peel plate
Edge around which label liner bends to separate the label for application.
Piston filler
Positive-displacement filler using a piston and cylinder to measure product.
Print-and-apply
Printing variable data on a label and automatically applying it.
Recipe
Stored machine settings for a product or pack format.
Release torque
Torque required to begin loosening an applied threaded closure.
Reject system
Mechanism used to remove failed products from a line.
ROPP
Roll-on pilfer-proof aluminium closure formed onto a compatible neck finish.
Sachet
Small sealed flexible pack, often for a single dose.
Site acceptance test
Testing after installation at the customer site.
Spindle capper
Continuous capper using rotating wheels or spindles to tighten threaded caps.
Starved
A machine state in which upstream equipment is not supplying product.
Sustained output
Good production rate maintained over a representative period.
T-cork
Closure with a plug or shank and a wider top, often used for spirits.
Tamper evidence
Pack feature providing visible evidence of opening or interference.
Thermal transfer overprinting
Printing onto flexible film using a heated printhead and ribbon.
User requirement specification
Customer document defining functions, performance and constraints.
Volumetric filling
Dosing based on a controlled volume.
Weigh filling
Dosing controlled by measured mass.
Wetted parts
Machine components that contact the product.
Wrap-around label
Label applied around the circumference of a cylindrical container.
Questions customers also ask
Useful questions before you compare machinery
Use the questions below to prepare the information needed for a useful recommendation.
What if I do not know the machinery term?
Use the search box or browse the glossary by letter. You can also search using the symptom you see rather than the machine name.
Are these definitions intended for customers?
Yes. The definitions explain common production and packaging terms in plain English.
Does one term always mean the same machine?
Not always. The correct equipment still depends on the product, pack, output and required result.
Can I send a term that is missing?
Yes. Send the term or customer question to sales@lancinguk.com so it can be reviewed.
Where do I go after finding the term?
Open the related product, problem or guide page, then follow the machinery option that matches your requirement.