Accumulation
Controlled buffer capacity between machines that allows short stops to be isolated without immediately stopping the complete line.
Clear technical definitions
Packaging machinery and production glossary
64 clear definitions for packaging machinery, production performance, project delivery, quality, controls and compliance.
ATEX
Common shorthand for equipment and workplace requirements associated with potentially explosive atmospheres; suitability depends on the classified environment and complete installation.
Availability
The OEE component calculated from run time divided by planned production time.
Average quantity system
A packaged-goods control system based on the declared nominal quantity, batch average and tolerable negative error requirements.
Barcode verification
Measurement of barcode print quality against the relevant standard, distinct from simply scanning and decoding the data.
Bottle neck finish
The controlled geometry at the bottle opening that interfaces with the closure, liner, thread, tamper feature and capping tooling.
Bottleneck
The process constraint that limits the sustained output of the complete production system.
Buffer time
The period for which accumulation can isolate one part of a line from a short upstream or downstream disturbance.
Cap torque
Rotational force associated with applying or removing a threaded closure; the test method, timing, unit and pack components must be controlled.
Change-parts matrix
A controlled record linking each product or format to required tooling, guides, recipes, sensors, cleaning and first-off checks.
Checkweigher
A dynamic weighing machine that checks packs while they move through a production line and can signal or reject results outside defined limits.
Chuck capper
A capping method that engages one closure with a shaped or friction chuck before tightening or seating it.
CIJ
Continuous inkjet coding, a non-contact marking technology commonly used for dates, batches and variable text.
CIP
Clean-in-place: cleaning a defined product path without dismantling the normal circuit.
Compressed-air specific power
The electrical power required per unit of compressed-air flow under defined compressor and operating conditions.
Controls obsolescence
Lifecycle risk created when PLC, HMI, drive, safety or communication components become unsupported or difficult to replace.
Cp
A process-capability index comparing specification width with six process standard deviations, without considering process centring.
Cpk
A process-capability index that considers both process spread and the mean position relative to the nearest specification limit.
Deposit Return Scheme
A system applying a refundable deposit to specified drinks containers to support collection and recycling.
DSEAR
The UK Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, covering workplace fire and explosion risks from dangerous substances.
Extended producer responsibility
A policy framework in which producers may have obligations and costs associated with packaging placed on a market.
FAT
Factory acceptance test: agreed testing before machinery is dispatched from the supplier or integration site.
Filling tolerance
The agreed permissible variation around the target quantity, defined with a measurement method and sampling rule.
Giveaway
Product supplied above the intended target quantity, usually expressed per pack, batch or year.
HMI
Human-machine interface used by operators to view status, select recipes and interact with machine controls.
Induction sealing
A process that heats a compatible foil liner through electromagnetic induction to bond it to the container land.
Label unwind direction
The orientation in which labels leave a roll, defined by print face, leading edge and position relative to the web core.
Line clearance
A controlled check that previous product, packaging, labels, codes and documents have been removed before the next run.
Machine vision
Camera, illumination, optics and software used to inspect product, pack, position, presence, code or defect characteristics.
Metal detector
An inspection system designed to detect specified metal contaminants under validated product and pack conditions.
MTBF
Mean time between failures, a reliability measure based on operating time between repairable failures.
MTTR
Mean time to repair, a maintainability measure based on time needed to restore equipment after failure.
OCR
Optical character recognition: interpreting printed characters so their content can be compared with an expected value.
OCV
Optical character verification: checking that printed characters match an expected known string or pattern.
OEE
Overall equipment effectiveness, calculated as availability × performance × quality.
OPC UA
A platform-independent industrial interoperability framework used to model and exchange machine and production information securely.
Operational technology
Hardware and software that monitors or controls physical industrial processes, machinery and production infrastructure.
PackML
An industry machine-state and data model used to improve consistency of packaging-machine control and line integration.
Peel plate
The edge around which label backing web changes direction so a pressure-sensitive label separates and transfers to the pack.
Performance
The OEE component comparing actual output with output at the defined ideal cycle time.
PLC
Programmable logic controller used to execute machine-control logic.
PPWR
The European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
Pressure-decay leak test
A non-destructive test that assesses leakage from the change in pressure over a controlled time and test volume.
Product pitch
The occupied distance or timed spacing between successive products on a conveyor or through a machine.
PUWER
The UK Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, covering suitability, maintenance, inspection, information, training and safe use of work equipment.
Release torque
Torque measured when removing a closure after application and a defined delay under defined conditions.
Remote access
A controlled method of connecting to machinery or operational technology from outside the local trusted environment.
Retrofit
A controlled modification that adds or replaces equipment, controls, guarding or functionality on an existing machine.
ROPP
Roll-on pilfer-proof closure, formed onto a compatible bottle neck using dedicated capping rollers.
SAT
Site acceptance test: agreed testing after installation to verify site-dependent performance and interfaces.
Site readiness
Confirmed preparation of access, floor, utilities, interfaces, materials, people and acceptance arrangements before installation.
SMED
Single-Minute Exchange of Die, a method used to reduce setup and changeover time.
Spindle capper
A continuous capping method using opposing belts or wheels to tighten threaded closures.
Takt time
The rate at which finished units need to be produced to meet customer demand.
TIJ
Thermal inkjet coding using replaceable cartridges and controlled printhead-to-substrate distance.
Tolerable negative error
The permitted shortfall used within the applicable average-quantity rules; the correct value depends on the nominal quantity and current legal framework.
Trade-approved weighing equipment
Weighing equipment approved and used in accordance with applicable legal-metrology requirements for regulated quantity determination.
TTO
Thermal transfer overprinting, typically used for variable data on flexible packaging film.
URS
User requirement specification: a controlled statement of what the user needs and how important requirements will be verified.
Vacuum-decay leak test
A non-destructive test that assesses leakage by monitoring vacuum change under controlled conditions.
VFFS
Vertical form-fill-seal, where rollstock film is formed into a pack, dosed and sealed in line.
Web tension
Controlled force in label, film or other continuous material that affects tracking, registration, forming and sealing.
Weigh filling
Dosing controlled by measured mass, either directly into the final pack or through a weigh hopper.
X-ray inspection
An inspection method that uses differences in X-ray attenuation to identify contaminants or product/pack defects under validated conditions.