▌ Product Description
The Meatech MT-HFV thermoforming vacuum packaging machine forms the lower tray directly from a roll of barrier film on the machine itself — eliminating the need to purchase or store pre-formed rigid trays. The film is heated and drawn into a tray shape by vacuum pressure, product is placed in the formed tray, and the upper lidding film is then sealed under vacuum or modified atmosphere in a single continuous pass. The result is a tightly sealed retail-ready pack with consistent tray dimensions every cycle.
All three models run continuously and are designed for integration with upstream slicing and checkweighing equipment at speeds of 6–8 packs per minute. MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) capability — replacing the pack headspace with a nitrogen or CO₂/N₂ mixture — is available as an option on the MT-HFV-520C and is standard on the MT-HFV-550C and MT-HFV-1000C, extending the chilled shelf life of fresh meat to 14–21 days without freezing.
The MT-HFV series is the preferred packaging solution for fresh chilled meat slices, marinated ready-to-cook portions, and high-value cuts that are sold through supermarket fresh meat counters and online fresh food platforms, where tray presentation and shelf life both affect purchasing decisions.
▌ Technical Specifications
Parameter | MT-HFV-520C | MT-HFV-550C | MT-HFV-1000C |
Machine Type | Continuous thermoforming vacuum | Continuous thermoforming vacuum + MAP | Continuous thermoforming vacuum + MAP (wide-format) |
MAP Function | Optional add-on | Standard — vacuum + MAP dual mode | Standard — vacuum + MAP dual mode |
Lower Film Width (tray forming) | ~520 mm | ~550 mm | ~1,000 mm |
Upper Film Width | 496–497 mm | 496–497 mm | 496–497 mm (confirm for 1000C) |
Vacuum Level | ≤ 1,000 Pa | ≤ 1,000 Pa | ≤ 1,000 Pa |
Packaging Speed | 6–8 cycles/min | 6–8 cycles/min | 6–8 cycles/min (higher output due to wider format) |
Vacuum Pump | German ScH high-vacuum pump | German ScH high-vacuum pump | German ScH high-vacuum pump |
Photoelectric Sensor | US Bonner, high-precision | US Bonner | US Bonner |
Mould System | Hollow aluminium, water-cooled, modular quick-change | Same as 520C | Same as 520C |
Total Power | ~15 kW | ~15 kW | TBC with supplier (higher for 1000C) |
Power Supply | 380V / 50Hz, 3-phase, 5-wire | 380V / 50Hz, 3-phase, 5-wire | 380V / 50Hz, 3-phase, 5-wire |
Compressed Air | ≥ 0.6 MPa | ≥ 0.6 MPa | ≥ 0.6 MPa |
Cooling Water | ≥ 0.15 MPa | ≥ 0.15 MPa | ≥ 0.15 MPa |
Machine Dimensions | ~8,200×1,100×1,860 mm | ~8,200×1,100×1,860 mm | TBC (larger footprint) |
Machine Weight | ~2,700 kg | ~2,700 kg | TBC with supplier |
Control System | Mitsubishi PLC + servo + touchscreen + temp control module | Mitsubishi PLC + servo + touchscreen | Mitsubishi PLC + servo + touchscreen |
▌ Solution Applications
The MT-HFV series is the recommended packaging stage for the following Meatech processing line solutions:
Meatech Solution | Role of MT-HFV in the Line |
Fresh Meat Cutting & Packing | Primary packaging stage — receives portioned fresh meat slices from the checkweigher and forms, fills, and seals each retail tray in a continuous pass. MAP function extends fresh meat display life at the supermarket counter to 7–14 days without freezing. |
Marinated Meat Ready-to-Cook | Packages marinated chicken, pork, or beef portions into sealed retail trays after the tumbling and checkweighing stage. Tray presentation is appropriate for supermarket and premium food delivery channels where the product is displayed in the tray at the point of sale. |
Central Kitchen Pre-Processing | Where the central kitchen supplies supermarket or premium food-service clients, the MT-HFV-1000C provides the high-throughput tray sealing capacity to match the volume of the upstream portioning and checkweighing stages. |
▌ FAQ
Q: What is the difference between thermoforming packaging and standard tray sealing (MAP)?
A: A thermoforming machine (MT-HFV) forms the lower tray itself from a roll of barrier film — so you do not need to purchase or store pre-formed trays. A tray sealing machine (MT-MAP) uses pre-formed rigid CPET or APET trays that are fed into the machine separately. Thermoforming offers lower per-pack material cost and more flexibility in tray depth and shape; tray sealing offers faster changeover and is preferable where specific branded tray shapes are required.
Q: How does MAP function extend fresh meat shelf life?
A: MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) replaces the oxygen in the sealed pack with a mixture of CO₂ and N₂ gases before sealing. CO₂ inhibits bacterial growth; N₂ maintains pack shape. For fresh red meat, a 70% O₂ / 30% CO₂ mixture maintains bright red myoglobin colour. For cooked and processed meat, a CO₂/N₂ mixture without oxygen extends shelf life to 14–21 days chilled. Gas ratio is configurable per product on the MT-HFV-550C and MT-HFV-1000C.
Q: Can the tray mould dimensions be changed for different products?
A: Yes. The modular hollow-aluminium mould system on all MT-HFV models allows the tray depth, width, and length to be changed by swapping the mould set, which takes approximately 15 minutes with standard tools. Custom mould dimensions are available — submit your product dimensions and we will produce a mould specification drawing within 5 business days.
