Vertical Bagmakers
APS VFFS Machines
An APS VFFS machine turns a single reel of packaging film into finished, filled and sealed bags in one continuous process. From snack foods and coffee to powders, hardware and frozen goods, it is the fastest and most economical way to bag free-flowing products at scale.
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APS VFFS machines from Autopac Systems
An APS VFFS machine turns a single reel of packaging film into finished, filled and sealed bags in one continuous process. From snack foods and coffee to powders, hardware and frozen goods, it is the fastest and most economical way to bag free-flowing products at scale.
You may also hear them called vertical form fill seal machines, vertical baggers, bagging machines or vertical packaging machines. Autopac Systems supplies, installs and services the full APS VFFS range across Australia, from compact entry-level baggers to high-speed and multi-lane production lines.
How a VFFS machine works
Every bag is made, filled and closed in a single repeating cycle:
Unwind – film is drawn off the reel and kept under steady tension, with print registration keeping graphics aligned on every bag.
Form – the film passes over a forming shoulder that wraps it into a tube around the product fill tube.
Back seal – a vertical sealing jaw bonds the overlapping edges to close the tube.
Fill – the bottom of the bag is sealed and your weigher, auger, cup filler or pump drops a measured dose into it.
Seal and cut – the horizontal jaws seal the top of the filled bag and the base of the next one in a single stroke, and a knife separates them.
VFFS bagging cycle · 5 steps
Depending on the model, bag size and product, output ranges from a handful of bags per minute up to 120 bags per minute on high-speed servo models.
Bag styles
APS VFFS machines can be configured to produce a wide range of bag formats:
| Bag style | What it is | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Pillow bag | Simple flat bag sealed top and bottom, the most economical format | Chips, snacks, frozen vegetables |
| Gusseted bag | Side folds that expand to hold more product | Coffee, flour, bulk foods |
| Block-bottom / quad seal bag | Four sealed corners and a flat, square base | Pet food, premium coffee, heavier fills |
| Stand-up pouch style | Bottom gusset so the bag stands on shelf | Retail display products |
| Three-side seal | Sealed on three edges | Samples and single serves |
| Sachets and stick packs | Small single-dose packs, often multi-lane | Sugar, sauces, powders, supplements |
| Hang-hole bags | Euro slot or round hole for peg display | Confectionery, hardware, retail |
Filling and dosing options
The filler is matched to your product, so the same VFFS platform can pack anything from fine powder to sauce:
| Filler | Best for |
|---|---|
| Multihead weigher | Snacks, confectionery, frozen foods and other irregular pieces that need accurate weight |
| Linear weigher | Free-flowing granules at moderate speeds, at a lower cost than a multihead |
| Auger filler | Fine or dusty powders such as flour, milk powder, protein and spices |
| Volumetric cup filler | Uniform, free-flowing granules such as sugar, rice, salt and seeds |
| Liquid or paste pump | Sauces, dressings, soups and drinks |
| Piston filler | Thick or viscous products |
| Counter | Tablets, capsules, fasteners and other countable items |
All fillers integrate with the bagger's controls, so dosing, bag length and sealing run as one synchronised system.
What you can pack
APS VFFS machines are used across food, beverage, agricultural, pharmaceutical and industrial packing, including:
Snacks and confectionery – chips, popcorn, lollies, nuts and trail mix
Pantry staples – rice, pasta, legumes, sugar, flour and cereals
Coffee and tea – beans, ground coffee and loose-leaf tea
Powders – milk powder, protein, supplements, spices and premixes
Frozen foods – vegetables, chips, seafood and dumplings
Fresh produce – salad leaves, cut vegetables and fruit
Pet food and treats
Agricultural products – seeds, fertiliser and potting mix
Hardware – screws, fasteners and small parts
Liquids – sauces, condiments and drinks in sachets or pouches
Is VFFS the right machine for you?
VFFS is usually the best choice when your product pours or flows and you want the lowest cost per bag, because the machine makes its own bags from roll stock.
Choose VFFS for loose, free-flowing or bulk products where cost per pack and speed matter most.
Choose a premade pouch filler for premium pouches with spouts or complex zippers, or for shorter runs where the look of the pack outweighs the cost of each bag.
Not sure which suits your product? Our team will assess your product and recommend the right system.
Packaging film
APS VFFS machines run most heat-sealable films supplied on reels, including PE, OPP and CPP mono-films, PET/PE laminates, metallised and foil barrier laminates, and recyclable mono-material and paper-based films. Sealing jaws can be specified with constant heat or impulse sealing to suit your material.
The APS VFFS range
The APS series covers five frame sizes, from compact baggers for small retail packs up to wide-format machines for bulk bags. Every model has a 304 stainless steel frame, tool-free removal of product-contact parts for cleaning, and runs on single-phase power. Every model can also be optioned for washdown, for wet, high-hygiene environments such as meat, seafood, dairy and fresh produce.
| Model | Bag length (mm) | Bag width (mm) | Film width (mm) | Speed (bags/min) | Power (kW) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS420 | 70–300 | 60–200 | 120–420 | 10–70 | 2.2 | Small retail packs, snacks, coffee, spices |
| APS520 | 80–350 | 100–250 | 220–520 | 15–60 | 2.5 | Mid-size retail bags, rice, sugar, pet treats |
| APS620 | 80–380 | 100–300 | 220–620 | 15–60 | 4.0 | Larger family packs and frozen foods |
| APS730 | 200–400 | 140–350 | 300–720 | 10–50 | 4.5 | Bulk bags, flour, pet food |
| APS800 | 150–500 | 250–400 | 340–800 | 10–30 | 4.5 | Large-format and heavy bags |
For high-volume lines, a high-speed version with four servo motors reaches up to 120 bags per minute when paired with an 18- or 20-head multihead weigher. Sachet and stick pack machines are also available for small single-dose packs.
Options available across the range:
Gusset device for gusseted and block-bottom bags
Automatic film tracking to keep the film aligned
Date and batch coder (up to two lines)
Air expeller to remove excess air before sealing
Hole punch for handle or hang holes
Bag support for heavier fills
Lead times, installation and support
Lead time: Standard machines typically ship within 8 weeks of order, and custom or integrated lines within 10 weeks, plus freight and installation. Every system is quoted to your product, bag format and target output.
Installation: Our technicians install and commission your machine on site in all regions, and train your operators before handover.
Ongoing support: We back every APS machine we supply with:
Phone and video support to resolve problems fast
On-site service technicians.
Preventive maintenance programs to keep your line running
Locally stocked spare parts
Warranty terms are confirmed in your quotation.
Get a quote
Tell us what you're packing, your bag size and how many bags per minute you need, and we'll recommend the right APS VFFS machine for your line. Contact us for a quote or to arrange a product trial.
