How to write a technical specification for a packaging machine

Section 1: Process and product description

The specification must begin with a detailed description of the product to be packaged: name, food category, net weight per pack (min-max), typical dimensions and shape, packaging temperature, presence of liquids/fats/moisture, abrasive or sharp characteristics that could damage film or machine parts.

• Product: name, food category, main ingredients
• Weight: min-max range per pack (e.g., 150-400 g)
• Product dimensions: L × W × H with tolerances
• Product temperature at machine inlet
• Product characteristics: wet, fatty, abrasive, sharp
• Required hourly output: packs/hour with service factor

Section 2: Packaging specifications

Precisely define the required packaging technology (vacuum, MAP, skin), MAP gas mixture with tolerances (e.g., CO₂ 20±2%, O₂ 5±1%, N₂ to balance), vacuum level for vacuum applications (e.g., 99.5% min), finished pack geometry (tray dimensions, depth, film type).

• Technology: vacuum / MAP / skin / combination
• MAP mixture: percentages with tolerances for each gas
• Vacuum level: % min achievable cold and at operating temperature
• Finished tray dimensions: L × W × H ±tolerances
• Top and bottom film type: structure, thickness, accepted supplier
• Target shelf life: days at defined temperature

Section 3: Required performance

Specify minimum acceptable performance: guaranteed production rate (e.g., min 800 net trays/hour), maximum allowable reject percentage (e.g., < 0.5%), minimum MTBF (e.g., > 500 production hours without blocking failure), warm-up and run-up time (e.g., < 15 minutes), format change time (e.g., < 30 minutes with one operator).

• Output rate: net packs/hour (excluding rejects and stoppages)
• Rejects: maximum % of total product (e.g., < 0.5%)
• MTBF: mean time between blocking failures (e.g., > 500 h)
• MTTR: mean time to repair (e.g., < 2 hours)
• Format change time: minutes with N specified operators
• Energy consumption: max kW at operating speed

Section 4: Hygiene, safety and acceptance testing requirements

Specify required hygiene standards: EHEDG grade, AISI 304 or 316L steel for product contact parts, IP rating for water cleaning (IP55 min, IP69K for wet areas). For safety: compliance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (or Machinery Regulation EU 2023/1230 for machines ordered from 2027), CE marking, risk analysis available.

Define the acceptance test plan (FAT - Factory Acceptance Test) with real product, minimum test duration (e.g., 8 continuous hours), performance values to be achieved before acceptance. The SAT (Site Acceptance Test) must be defined with the same metrics.

• Hygiene: EHEDG certified / EHEDG compliant
• Steel: AISI 304 min / AISI 316L for wet areas
• IP rating: IP55 min / IP69K for high-pressure cleaning
• CE marking: mandatory with declaration of conformity
• FAT: duration, real product, defined acceptance metrics
• SAT: FAT metrics repeated at customer site