A vacuum packer’s hourly output is set by two things you can estimate before you buy: the cycle time and the bags per cycle. Size the machine from those, then let the film/web width follow the seal-bar length. This is the same first-principles approach we use in the dryer energy calculation — start from the load you actually have, not from a catalogue number. For the DZ family this feeds the selection guide.
The core relationship
throughput (bags/h) ≈ (3600 / cycle_time_s) × bags_per_cycle
Cycle time is the full evacuate–seal–vent time for one chamber (double-chamber and continuous-rolling builds overlap cycles, so use the effective cycle, not the raw one). Bags per cycle is how many seal-bar positions your pouch occupies. Multiply and you have a first estimate of bags per hour.
Step-by-step
- Find your cycle time. From pouch size, fill weight and target vacuum. A larger chamber and deeper vacuum take longer; a busy-hour pack sets the number to hit.
- Count bags per cycle. How many pouches fit on the seal bar with clearance? One wide pouch = 1; several small pouches side by side = more.
- Multiply. (3600 / cycle_time) × bags_per_cycle = bags/h for that chamber.
- Apply the build factor. A double-chamber build overlaps loading, so effective output is closer to one chamber’s rate than to two separate machines’; a continuous-rolling build sustains the belt rate. Estimate the build from your pouch uniformity.
Sizing the film / web width
The seal-bar length sets the maximum bag (and therefore roll/web) width the machine can take. A simple rule:
web_width ≈ seal_bar_length − clearance
If you run twin pouches, the combined width must clear the bar with a small gap each side. Because DZ machines are built to order, the chamber and seal-bar dimensions are confirmed against your pouch — we just need the pouch size and fill weight to size them. For the model split see the model comparison.
Worked example (illustrative)
Suppose a pouch needs a 25–30 s effective cycle and fits two per seal bar. One chamber gives roughly (3600 / 28) × 2 ≈ 257 bags/h; a double-chamber build that overlaps loading lands closer to that rate sustained than two isolated machines would. A continuous-rolling build at the same pouch would target the belt rate instead. These are planning numbers — we confirm the real cycle on a written quotation once we see your pouch.
Frequently asked
Does a bigger chamber always mean more output? Not directly — a bigger chamber can lengthen the cycle. Output is cycle × bags per cycle, so match chamber size to your largest pouch with clearance, then add bags per cycle.
How do I know the cycle time? From pouch size, fill weight and target vacuum. Send us the pouch and we estimate the effective cycle for the build you are considering.
What film width do I need? Roughly the seal-bar length minus clearance; for twin pouches, the combined width must clear the bar. We confirm exact dimensions on the quotation.
Request a quote
Send your pouch size, fill weight and target bags per hour and we size the chamber, seal bar and film width — request a quote.