Packaging can be described as science and technology from the preparation of goods for transportation and marketing to the final consumer in good condition at the cheapest possible price. Packaging should always be of good quality and ensure brand identity.
The main function of packaging in processed food production is to protect the product (food) so that the condition and shape of the product are the same as when it left the production site or factory. Apart from that, packaging is very important in keeping food safe during the transportation and distribution process.
Packaging that meets the appropriate requirements and qualifications will certainly provide comfort for SME producers and consumers. Where buyers are more interested in attractive packaging, as well as security which is of course maintained during the delivery process.
One of the UKM Partners of the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program located in Semarang district reported that they had problems related to the packaging process, where they did not have a way to carry out packaging automatically, quickly and efficiently, especially for powder products. Seeing this problem, the Community Service Team for the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program at Undip Vocational School provided assistance to UKM Gendhis Manis in Ungaran, Semarang district, Monday (20/11/2023).
The service team led by Susastro, ST, MT and Bambang Setyoko, S.T., M.Eng as team leader together with lecturers and students tried to solve problems at UKM Gendhis Manis by providing equipment in the form of packaging sealers. In this activity, the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program provided assistance to Gendhis UKM in the form of a continuous sealer machine. The automatic sealer machine works by heating both sides of the plastic packaging to be glued. The plastic will melt due to heat and then be put together by pressing. This process can be carried out automatically and continuously because the tool is equipped with a small conveyor on the bottom side.
In this activity, the Mechanical Design Engineering Study Program provided assistance to Gendhis UKM in the form of a continuous sealer machine. The automatic sealer machine works by heating both sides of the plastic packaging to be glued. The plastic will melt due to heat and then be put together by pressing. This process can be carried out automatically and continuously because the tool is equipped with a small conveyor on the bottom side. In general, there are several packaging techniques that can be used by food producers throughout the world. Starting from vacuum packaging techniques, aluminum foil packaging, to nitrogen flushing packaging. The description of each tool commonly used for packaging by SMEs is explained as follows:
A. Hand Sealer
Hand sealer is a plastic and aluminum foil packaging adhesive tool that is often used to package various food and beverage products. This plastic and aluminum foil adhesive is often used for standing pouch packaging, sachet packaging and others.
Picture 4. Hand sealer
B. Vacuum Sealer
This tool functions to package various products such as meat, fish and other frozen food. With a vacuum sealer machine, products in plastic packaging will last longer and be stored for a longer time.
Picture 5. Vacuum sealer
C. Vacuum Packaging
Packaging functions to remove air from the plastic packaging containing the product and then seal it. The same as the vacuum sealer, the purpose of this packaging namely so that packaged products can last longer, because bacteria or fungi will find it difficult to grow.
Picture 6. Vacum sealer
D. Laminating Machine
Often also called a lamination machine, it is a machine used to coat various products or documents in the form of sheets. One example of the function of using laminating packaging is to protect documents so they are not easily soiled and damaged.
Picture 7. Mesin Laminating
E. Sachet Packaging Machine
One type of packaging machine specifically for products in sachet packaging. This machine is usually used to package various types of powder products such as sugar, coffee, tea, liquid and various snacks.
Picture 8. Mesin Pengemas Sachet
F. Continous Sealer Machine
It is a machine that functions to package products using plastic packaging continuously. This machine is suitable for products packaged using standing pouches, sachets and other types of flexible plastic packaging.
Picture 9. Continuous sealer
- Bibliography:
- Billy Budi Wijaya, Ekadewi Anggraini Handoyo, (2017), Perancangan Cold Showcase Vertika Berkapasitas 100L dengan Menggunakan 2 Lapis Kaca, Jurnal Mechanova Vol 6, Universitas Petra, Surabaya
- https://disperindag.jogjaprov.go.id/fungsi-dan-teknik-kemasan-pada–industri-olahan-makanan-artikel-c51ce410c124a10e0db5e4b97fc2af39#:~:text=Fungsi%20utama%20kemasan%20dalam%20produksi,dalam%20proses%20transportasi%20dan%20distribusi.
- https://radarsemarang.jawapos.com/edukasi/723345888/sekolah-vokasi-undip-bantu-peralatan-kepada-ukm-gendhis-manis-
- https://flexypack.com/news/6-jenis-alat-dan-mesin-pengemas-produk