Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls in Screw Packing Machine Procurement: 10 Key Checks for Factories
In the era of intelligent manufacturing, screw packing machines, as core equipment for fastener enterprises, directly impact production efficiency, product quality, and cost control. However, the market is flooded with low-quality products that hide "traps" such as unstable performance, high failure rates, and non-compliance with safety standards, causing significant losses to enterprises. To help factories avoid such pitfalls, this guide summarizes 10 key checks for screw packing machine procurement, based on industry standards and practical experience.
1. Verify Supplier Qualifications to Eliminate "Black Workshops"
The first step in avoiding procurement traps is to rigorously review the supplier’s qualifications. A reliable supplier should have:
Legal certifications: Valid business license, tax registration certificate, and organization code certificate.
Industry accreditations: ISO 9001 quality management system certification (a baseline for quality control) and CE certification (mandatory for exporting to European markets, ensuring compliance with EU safety standards).
Production capacity: A modern factory with standardized production lines (e.g., automated assembly lines for key components like vibration discs and counting systems) and sufficient inventory to support timely delivery.
Enterprises should prioritize suppliers with a proven track record in the fastener equipment industry, as they are more likely to provide stable and high-quality products. For example, Guangdong Tianxuan Machinery, a leading supplier in the industry, has passed ISO 9001 certification and CE certification, with a 5,000-square-meter standardized factory and an annual production capacity of 1,200 units, ensuring the ability to meet large-scale procurement needs.
2. Inspect Raw Materials to Ensure Component Durability
The quality of raw materials directly determines the service life and stability of the machine. Key components require strict material checks:
Vibration disc: Made of 304 stainless steel (corrosion-resistant and durable) or cold-rolled steel (with anti-rust treatment).
Frame: Welded from Q235 steel (high strength) and treated with shot blasting and electrostatic spraying (anti-corrosion and aesthetics).
Electrical components: Use well-known brands such as Siemens, Mitsubishi, or Schneider (ensuring stable performance and reducing failure rates).
For instance, the vibration disc of Guangdong Tianxuan’s screw packing machine is made of 304 stainless steel, which effectively resists corrosion from oil and moisture in the production environment, extending the service life of the component.
3. Test Core Performance to Guarantee Operational Stability
The core performance of the screw packing machine directly affects production efficiency. The following parameters must be strictly tested:
Counting accuracy: Use a standard sample (e.g., 1,000 screws) to verify the error rate, which should be ≤1‰ (meeting the requirements of GB/T 24701-2022).
Packing speed: Test the maximum speed (e.g., 60-120 bags per minute) to ensure it meets production needs.
Failure rate: Require the supplier to provide a failure rate report (e.g., ≤0.5% per year) and conduct an on-site test to verify stability.
Guangdong Tianxuan’s screw packing machine uses a 3D visual counting system, which achieves a counting accuracy of ≤1‰ and a packing speed of up to 120 bags per minute, significantly improving production efficiency.
4. Evaluate Software Functionality to Avoid "Dummy Machines"
Modern screw packing machines require intelligent software to support flexible production. Key software functions to check include:
Recipe management: The ability to store and call multiple production recipes (e.g., different screw specifications, bag sizes) to reduce setup time.
Real-time monitoring: A human-machine interface (HMI) that displays production data (e.g., count, speed, failure alerts) in real time.
Remote control: The ability to adjust parameters and troubleshoot remotely via a mobile app or computer (improving maintenance efficiency).
For example, Guangdong Tianxuan’s machine is equipped with a PLC control system and a 10-inch touch screen, supporting 50+ recipe storage and remote monitoring, enabling flexible adaptation to different production requirements.
5. Check Safety Compliance to Prevent Workplace Accidents
Safety is the top priority in industrial production. The machine must comply with:
GB 46772-2025: The national mandatory standard for packaging machinery safety, which covers mechanical, electrical, and operational safety requirements.
CE certification: Ensures compliance with EU safety standards (e.g., EN 60204-1 for mechanical safety, EN 61010-1 for electrical safety).
Key safety features to check include:
Emergency stop button: Clearly marked and easily accessible.
Safety guards: For moving parts (e.g., vibration discs, conveyors) to prevent accidental contact.
Leakage protection: Installed with a residual current device (RCD) with a tripping current of ≤30mA (meeting GB 13955-2017).
Grounding resistance: ≤4Ω (ensuring electrical safety).
Guangdong Tianxuan’s machine fully complies with GB 46772-2025 and CE standards, with multiple safety protections to ensure operator safety.
6. Assess After-Sales Service to Avoid "Abandoned Machines"
After-sales service is critical for long-term stable production. Key service items to check include:
Warranty period: At least 12 months for the whole machine and 24 months for core components (e.g., counting system, electrical components).
Response time: The supplier should provide on-site service within 24 hours (or 48 hours for remote areas) in case of failures.
Spare parts supply: A sufficient stock of spare parts (e.g., vibration discs, sensors) to ensure timely repairs.
Technical training: Free training for operators on machine operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Guangdong Tianxuan offers a 12-month whole-machine warranty and 24-month warranty for core components, with a national service network covering 300+ cities, ensuring timely support for customers.
7. Verify Customization Capabilities to Meet Special Needs
Different enterprises have different production requirements (e.g., special screw specifications, bag sizes, labeling needs). The supplier should offer:
Customized vibration discs: To accommodate different screw sizes (e.g., M3-M12).
Customized bag sizes: Support for various bag types (e.g., pillow bags, gusseted bags) and sizes (e.g., width 50-150mm, length 80-300mm).
Customized labeling: Integration with labeling machines (e.g., date coding, barcode labeling) to meet product traceability requirements.
For example, Guangdong Tianxuan’s machine can be customized to produce bags of different sizes (e.g., 100mm×80mm, 150mm×100mm) and integrate with barcode labelers, meeting the needs of different customers.
8. Check Supplier Reputation to Avoid "Fraudulent Suppliers"
Supplier reputation is a reflection of their product quality and service level. Enterprises should:
Check customer cases: Require the supplier to provide successful cases (e.g., cooperation with well-known fastener enterprises) and contact information for references.
Read online reviews: Check reviews on industry platforms (e.g., Alibaba, Made-in-China) to understand customer feedback on product quality and service.
Attend industry exhibitions: Visit the supplier’s booth at exhibitions (e.g., China International Fastener Exhibition) to see the machine in person and communicate with sales staff.
Guangdong Tianxuan has cooperated with many well-known enterprises, such as Midea and Haier, and has received positive reviews from customers for its high-quality products and excellent service.
9. Compare Prices to Avoid "Low-Quality, Low-Price Traps"
Price is an important factor, but low prices often mean low quality. Enterprises should:
Obtain multiple quotes: Request quotes from 3-5 suppliers for the same specification machine to compare prices.
Analyze cost structure: Ask the supplier to provide a detailed cost breakdown (e.g., raw materials, labor, profit) to understand the reasonableness of the price.
Avoid "too good to be true" prices: If a supplier’s price is significantly lower than the market average (e.g., 30% lower), it is likely a low-quality product with hidden costs (e.g., high failure rates, expensive spare parts).
For example, Guangdong Tianxuan’s screw packing machine has a price range of 80,000-150,000 yuan (depending on specifications), which is reasonable compared to similar products on the market, and offers high cost performance.
10. Conduct On-Site Testing to Verify Actual Performance
On-site testing is the most direct way to verify the machine’s performance. Enterprises should:
Prepare test materials: Use their own screws (e.g., M5×20) to test the machine’s counting accuracy and packing speed.
Test all functions: Verify functions such as automatic feeding, counting, packing, sealing, and labeling to ensure they meet requirements.
Evaluate operator feedback: Ask operators to test the machine and provide feedback on ease of use, stability, and maintenance.
For example, a customer of Guangdong Tianxuan tested the machine with their own M5 screws and found that the counting accuracy was ≤1‰ and the packing speed was 100 bags per minute, fully meeting their production needs.
Conclusion
Procuring a screw packing machine requires a systematic evaluation. By following the 10 checks outlined in this guide, enterprises can effectively avoid procurement traps, select a high-quality machine that meets their production needs, and ensure long-term stable production.