Key takeaways

What this guide helps you decide

  • Product and pack data are more useful than a model request
  • List every mandatory fill size and container
  • State output across a shift, not only a peak target
  • Make safety, cleaning and integration needs explicit

Product information

Provide the product name, ingredients or formulation category, viscosity or flow description, temperature, foaming, particles, aeration and whether it settles or separates. Include SDS information for chemical or hazardous products.

For powders and granules, provide bulk density, particle size, dust, flowability and a representative sample.

Fill requirement

List the minimum, maximum and normal fill volumes or weights, target tolerance and how the fill will be checked. State headspace, fill level and any product giveaway concern.

Include the number of products and recipes, batch sizes, changeover frequency and whether one machine must cover future formats.

Container and closure

Send bottle, jar, pouch, tub, can, pail or drum dimensions and samples. Include material, neck opening, base stability, tare variation and any orientation requirement.

Provide caps, lids, plugs, pumps, triggers, droppers, foils and labels where line integration is required.

Production and site

State required packs per hour, shifts, labour, current process and growth target. Include available footprint, access, electrical supply, compressed air, extraction, water and drainage.

Explain upstream product supply and downstream capping, sealing, labelling, coding, inspection and packing requirements.

Commercial and acceptance scope

State required timing, budget stage and whether the project needs trials, layout, installation, training, FAT, SAT, spares or service support.

Define success criteria early: output, accuracy, changeover, reject rate, finish quality and the products or packs to be tested.

Project checklist

  • Product sample and safety data
  • Fill-volume/weight and tolerance table
  • Container, closure and label samples
  • Target output and shift pattern
  • SKU and changeover matrix
  • Utilities, footprint and access
  • Existing equipment and interfaces
  • Trial and acceptance criteria
  • Installation, training and spares scope
  • Project timing and commercial contact