One Packaging System for Two Coffee Products
Whole coffee beans and ground coffee behave very differently during
filling.
Whole beans flow relatively freely and need to be weighed without
unnecessary breakage. Ground coffee behaves like a powder and requires
controlled volumetric dosing to achieve repeatable filling results.
The AF-VFFS520-X solves this problem by integrating two dedicated filling
systems with one VFFS packaging machine:
- A 10-head multihead weigher for whole coffee beans
- A servo auger filler for ground coffee
- A Z-type elevator for feeding coffee beans
- A screw conveyor for feeding ground coffee
- One VFFS520 bag-forming and sealing machine
- A movable guide track for changing between the two fillers
- A finished-bag discharge conveyor
This configuration allows coffee companies to produce different products
while sharing the same bag-forming, sealing and control platform.
Why Choose One Machine for Whole Beans and Ground Coffee?
1. Two Dedicated Filling Methods
The multihead weigher is used for whole coffee beans, while the servo
auger filler is used for ground coffee.
Each filling system is selected according to the flow characteristics of
the product instead of forcing two very different materials through the
same dosing device.
2. Higher Equipment Utilization
A dedicated whole-bean line and a separate ground-coffee line may remain
idle when demand for one product is low.
The AF-VFFS520-X allows both products to share the same packaging machine,
helping growing coffee companies make better use of their equipment
investment.
3. Save Production Space
The integrated system requires approximately 20 m² of production space,
subject to the final layout and auxiliary equipment.
It is particularly suitable for coffee companies that need multiple
product formats but do not have enough floor space for two complete
packaging lines.
4. Straightforward Product Changeover
When changing from whole beans to ground coffee, the operator moves the
VFFS machine along its guide track to the corresponding filling station,
completes the required electrical and signal connections, and selects the
stored product recipe from the touchscreen.
Final parameters should be verified with several test bags before normal
production begins.
5. Flexible Coffee Bag Sizes
The system is designed for retail and food-service coffee bags from
approximately 100g to 1000g.
The VFFS520 supports:
- Bag widths below 250 mm
- Film widths below 520 mm
- One forming set supplied for the confirmed bag width
- Additional forming sets available for other bag widths
6. Coffee Freshness Options
Optional degassing-valve application and nitrogen flushing functions can
be added according to the coffee type, roasting process, bag structure
and required shelf life.
Final valve position, sealing temperature, gas consumption and residual
oxygen target should be confirmed through product and film testing.
How the AF-VFFS520-X Works
Whole Coffee Bean Packaging Process
- Whole coffee beans are loaded into the Z-type elevator.
- The elevator transfers the beans to the 10-head multihead weigher.
- The weigher calculates the required combination of weigh hoppers.
- The measured beans are discharged into the formed coffee bag.
- The VFFS machine seals and cuts the bag.
- The completed bag is transferred by the finished-product conveyor.
Ground Coffee Packaging Process
- Ground coffee is loaded into the screw-conveyor hopper.
-
The screw conveyor maintains the product level in the auger-filler
hopper. - The servo-driven auger measures the selected coffee dose.
- The measured ground coffee is discharged into the formed bag.
- The bag is sealed, cut and transported to the discharge area.
Changing Between Products
- Stop production and clean the relevant product-contact parts.
- Move the VFFS machine along the guide track.
- Align it under the multihead weigher or auger filler.
- Complete the required power and signal connections.
- Select the corresponding touchscreen recipe.
- Run test bags and confirm weight, bag length and sealing quality.
- Start normal production.
Quick Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Machine model | AF-VFFS520-X |
| Applications | Whole coffee beans and ground coffee |
| Filling systems | 10-head multihead weigher and servo auger filler |
| Recommended filling range | 100–1000g |
| Reference production speed | Approximately 30–50 bags/min |
| Standard bag type | Pillow bag |
| Maximum bag width | Below 250 mm |
| Maximum film width | Below 520 mm |
| Control system | Siemens PLC with touchscreen control |
| Film-pulling system | Servo controlled |
| Horizontal sealing | Servo controlled |
| Product-contact materials | 304 stainless steel or food-grade material |
| Ground-coffee hopper | Approximately 45 L |
| Multihead-weigher bucket capacity | 1.3 L per bucket |
| Approximate system footprint | Around 20 m² |
| Finished-bag discharge | Inclined finished-product conveyor |
| Optional functions |
Degassing valve, nitrogen flushing, date coding and additional forming sets |
| Final output | Depends on coffee, weight, bag size, film and optional functions |
Main System Configuration
VFFS520 Bagging Machine
The central VFFS machine automatically performs:
- Film unwinding
- Bag forming
- Product receiving
- Vertical sealing
- Horizontal sealing
- Bag cutting
- Production counting
- Alarm monitoring
- Finished-bag discharge
The servo-controlled film-pulling and horizontal-sealing systems help
maintain more consistent bag lengths and sealing motion.
10-Head Multihead Weigher
Designed for the controlled weighing of whole coffee beans.
Main features include:
- Ten weighing heads
- 304 stainless-steel construction
- 1.3 L weighing buckets
- Individual amplitude adjustment
- Staggered discharge to reduce product blockage
- Touchscreen operation
- Real-time display of the weight in each hopper
Servo Auger Filler
Designed for ground coffee and other powder products with different flow
characteristics.
Main features include:
- Servo-driven auger screw
- Approximately 45 L hopper
- Tool-free hopper access for cleaning
- Stainless-steel construction
- Adjustable filling parameters
- Replaceable auger tooling for different products and filling weights
Feeding Systems
The complete system uses different feeding equipment for each coffee
format:
- Z-type elevator for whole coffee beans
- Screw conveyor for ground coffee
The feeding systems maintain the appropriate product supply to the
selected measuring unit.
Optional Functions
Degassing Valve Application
Freshly roasted coffee can continue releasing gas after packaging. A
one-way degassing valve allows internal gas to escape while helping
reduce external air entry.
The valve-feeding and application unit can be integrated according to the
valve type, film structure and required valve position.
Nitrogen Flushing
Nitrogen flushing can be added to reduce the amount of oxygen remaining
inside the coffee bag before final sealing.
The final result depends on bag volume, coffee type, flushing time, gas
flow, film barrier properties and sealing quality.
Additional Bag Forming Sets
One forming set is supplied for the confirmed bag width. Additional
forming sets are required when producing substantially different bag
widths.
Coding System
A date coder or batch-coding system can be integrated for printing
production dates, expiry information or batch numbers.
Who Is This Machine Suitable For?
The AF-VFFS520-X is particularly suitable for:
- Coffee roasters selling both whole bean and ground coffee
- Growing coffee brands expanding their retail bag range
- Private-label coffee manufacturers
- Coffee contract packers
- Regional coffee factories
- Specialty coffee companies
- Producers with limited factory floor space
- Companies with moderate output and multiple coffee products
This system is especially valuable when the production volume does not
justify purchasing two independent packaging lines.
Installation and Operation
The system is delivered as a coordinated packaging solution consisting
of the main VFFS machine, filling systems, product conveyors, supporting
platform and discharge conveyor.
Before delivery, AFPAK confirms:
- Customer power supply
- Factory ceiling height
- Available floor space
- Bag dimensions
- Film specifications
- Filling weights
- Coffee characteristics
- Degassing-valve requirements
- Nitrogen availability
- Upstream and downstream equipment
Operation is managed through the touchscreen interface. Product recipes
can store the main operating parameters for different coffee products and
bag sizes.
Operator training should cover product changeover, cleaning,
sealing-temperature adjustment, film alignment, weight verification and
routine maintenance.
Electrical and Control Components
According to the current configuration, key components may include:
| Component | Brand |
|---|---|
| PLC control system | Siemens |
| Servo motor and servo drive | Siemens |
| Touchscreen | WEINVIEW |
| Sealing cylinders | SMC |
| Pneumatic valve | Festo |
| Intermediate relay | Weidmüller |
| Power components | Schneider |
| Temperature controller | Autonics |
Final component brands and electrical specifications should be confirmed
in the signed technical agreement.
Service and Support
AFPAK provides:
- Machine configuration based on coffee and bag samples
- Pre-shipment machine testing
- Operating manuals and maintenance guidance
- Remote technical support
- Spare-parts support
- Optional on-site installation and training
- One-year standard warranty according to the confirmed sales agreement
- Ongoing technical and spare-parts support
Final delivery time, installation scope and service terms are confirmed
in the commercial quotation.
Why AFPAK?
The AF-VFFS520-X is not simply a general-purpose bagging machine with an
interchangeable filler.
It is configured around the actual production needs of coffee companies
that sell both whole beans and ground coffee. The separate weighing and
auger-filling systems allow each coffee format to use a more appropriate
dosing method while sharing the central VFFS packaging platform.
The result is a practical solution for companies that want to:
- Expand their coffee product range
- Improve factory-space utilization
- Avoid purchasing two complete packaging machines
- Simplify operator training
- Increase the working time of their main packaging equipment
-
Add valve and nitrogen functions as their freshness requirements
develop
Information Required for a Proposal
To recommend the correct configuration, please provide:
- Do you pack whole beans, ground coffee or both?
- What are the required filling weights?
- What are the bag width and bag length?
- What bag style do you currently use?
- Can you provide your packaging-film specification?
- Do you need a one-way degassing valve?
- Do you require nitrogen flushing?
- What production speed do you expect?
- What is the bulk density of your ground coffee?
- What power supply and compressed air are available?
- What factory floor area and ceiling height are available?
- Can you send coffee, film and valve samples for testing?
Send Your Coffee and Bag Specifications
AFPAK will evaluate the product, filling method, bag dimensions, valve
requirements and expected speed before preparing the final solution.
Get a Machine Recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one AF-VFFS520-X package both whole beans and ground coffee?
Yes. The system combines a 10-head multihead weigher for whole beans and
a servo auger filler for ground coffee with one VFFS520 packaging
machine.
The VFFS machine is moved to the selected filling station, and the
operator chooses the corresponding product recipe from the touchscreen.
Why are two filling systems required?
Whole coffee beans and ground coffee have different flow
characteristics.
A multihead weigher calculates weight combinations for whole beans,
while an auger filler uses a controlled screw rotation to dose ground
coffee. Using the appropriate filling method helps achieve more stable
production.
What coffee bag weights can the machine produce?
The recommended range is approximately 100g to 1000g. Common
applications include 250g, 340g, 500g and 1kg coffee bags.
The final range depends on the coffee, bag dimensions, film and
filling-system tooling.
How fast is the machine?
The expected production speed is approximately 30–50 bags per minute.
Actual speed depends on the target weight, coffee type, bag size, film
structure, sealing time, nitrogen flushing and degassing-valve
application.
Can it apply a one-way degassing valve?
Yes. An optional valve-feeding and application system can be integrated.
Valve type, valve position and compatibility with the packaging film
must be confirmed before production.
Can the machine flush nitrogen into the coffee bag?
Yes. Nitrogen flushing can be included as an optional function.
The achievable residual oxygen level depends on the bag volume, coffee,
gas flow, flushing time and sealing conditions and should be verified
through testing.
What bag style does the standard machine produce?
The quotation currently specifies pillow bags with a bag width below
250 mm and film width below 520 mm.
Other coffee bag formats must be evaluated according to the required
forming and sealing structure.
How long does it take to change from beans to ground coffee?
The changeover involves cleaning, moving and aligning the VFFS machine,
connecting the selected filling system, loading the stored recipe and
verifying several test bags.
The exact time depends on the cleaning requirement, coffee type and
bag-size change.
Do you need samples before manufacturing the machine?
Yes. Coffee, packaging film, bags and degassing-valve samples help AFPAK
verify filling behavior, sealing temperature, valve compatibility, bag
dimensions and expected production speed.
