CPULD receives new vacuum sealing equipment donated by PAC Machinery and PMMI!

CPULD is excited to continue expanding and upgrading our labs! A big thank you goes to PAC Machinery and PMMI: The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies who have recently donated an industrial vacuum sealer for our students! This equipment will enhance our ability to conduct research and provide a first-class education! With the growing demand for innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, it is important that our students gain hands-on experience with all technologies used in the industry. Undergraduate students Jiyu Niu, and Gavin Dominguez have already begun learning how to use this new equipment!

This vacuum sealer will serve as a valuable tool for our students to learn the intricacies of using this technology in the design and development of packaging solutions. Through practical experimentation, they can gain a deep understanding of how vacuum sealing affects product preservation and volume optimization. Furthermore, they will be able to explore key considerations in materials selection, such as barrier properties, puncture resistance, and compatibility with the vacuum sealing process. In order to implement the use of this equipment for transportation packaging, they will analyze how volume can be optimized using vacuum-sealed packaging and its effects on the product.

This new equipment helps our program in several ways. First, it enables practical learning, allowing students to engage in hands-on activities simulating real-world packaging scenarios. Second, this vacuum sealer opens up research opportunities focusing on optimizing packaging design, developing innovative materials, and exploring sustainable alternatives; such endeavors contribute to the advancement of packaging science and environmental sustainability. Third and last, this vacuum sealing technology is widely used in industries like food and pharmaceuticals, where product integrity and extended shelf life are crucial. By familiarizing students with this technology, we ensure they are well-prepared to address industry challenges and meet market demands upon graduation.

This new equipment will be utilized for CPULD's Distribution Packaging testing services and research projects well as in our Packaging Design and Prototyping Lab.