With the demand for professionally produced pre-roll products, many cannabis businesses are looking to find ways to improve their production. As production increases, it can become a lengthy, difficult to scale and tough to consistently produce items manually. A Pre Roll Machine
Can improve the production process.
A modern Pre Roll Machine can help improve your workflow, production and less reliance on manual processes. However there are many different types to choose from. Some will fill pre-made cones, others will use rolling technology.
The type you choose will depend on your production needs, quality, space and long-term goals. Understanding how the equipment works and what features are important can help manufacturers make a smarter decision.
What is a Pre Roll Machine is a piece of specialist equipment used to create pre-rolls in a more efficient way. These are commonly used by licensed cannabis manufacturers that need consistent production.
Depending on the type of machine you choose, it may have several features:
- Prepares and places materials for rolling.
- Fills pre-made cones made from paper.
- Measures or controls materials.
- Rolls final product.
- Places filters or tips.
- Improves consistency of production.
If you’re creating products in large amounts then this type of equipment can help create a more predictable production.
How does a Pre Roll Machine Work?
Depending on the type of equipment you choose, most will fall under one of two categories: cone fillers or automatic rollers.
- Cone Fillers
These machines will use pre-made paper cones. They will place them and fill them with your pre-prepared materials.
Some machines will use vibrations to help distribute the materials evenly. Depending on the machine you can also measure, tamp and finish.
These are commonly used by manufacturers who already use standard cones and want to increase their filling capacity.
- Automatic Rollers
Automatic rollers will use rolling technology to produce your final product.
An example would be RollPros Blackbird machine. This uses their patented TruRoll technology to produce joints using mechanical rolling.
This can affect how the final product is structured and how consistent it is.
Benefits of using a Pre Roll Machine
Using automated equipment can have many benefits to your production. Especially if you’re regularly producing products.
Improved Efficiency
Creating products manually can be very time consuming due to the repeat nature. As your order volumes increase this can cause issues with production.
Using a Pre Roll Machine can help automate parts of your production to create a more organised workflow. This means your employees can concentrate on checking for quality, monitoring the equipment and packing.
How much this can improve your production will depend on the type of machine you choose, how well prepared your materials are, how experienced your staff are and your production needs.
More Consistency
Consistency is key for any established manufacturing. Customers will generally want products from the same brand to be consistent.
Using automated equipment can help you deliver products in a more consistent way. You can control how much material goes in, the size of your product and how it is rolled/ filled.
However it is vital you have the correct settings on your equipment, using the right materials and keeping the equipment maintained.
Less Repeat Manual Work
Producing products in large amounts manually can be very demanding.
Automating your production can help reduce the manual repeat work. This can create a more organised workforce.
Better Production Planning
Understanding how much your equipment can do can create more realistic production schedules.
This can help you plan how many staff you need, how much stock you need, how much you need to pack and how much you can fulfill.
Having an organised production can also help you identify where delays are occurring.
Features to consider
Not all machines will be suitable for your production. Before purchasing you should compare the following features:
Production Capacity
One of the first things you should consider is your production capacity. If you’re not producing very much then you may not need the same equipment
Check what the manufacturer says their production capacity is per hour. Compare this to your needs. How long will it take to set up? Will it need cleaning and changing materials? How much maintenance will it need? All of this can affect how much you can produce each day.
For example the RollPros Blackbird has a production capacity of up to 900 pre rolls per hour however this can vary depending on the circumstances.
Consistency
Look for a machine that produces consistent results.
Choose a machine that allows you to have good control over the size, density and distribution of your product.
Using Quality Control features can help you identify any inconsistencies.
Ease of Use
Using complicated equipment can create unnecessary issues. Make sure your equipment is easy to use by checking how easy it is to control, adjust, and how easy the instructions are to follow. Easy to use equipment can help keep your staff trained and running smoothly.
Maintenance
Keeping your equipment well-maintained is important when using it for commercial purposes.
Ask your supplier how easy it is to clean. Are there any parts that need replacing? What is the recommended maintenance schedule? And will they have technical support?
Knowing this will help avoid any unexpected issues and make owning the equipment easier in the long run.
Space and Power
Make sure your equipment will fit well into your production area.
Check the size, Power Requirements, ventilation and space requirements. You should also ensure there is enough space for your staff to use and maintain.
Why Automation is important for Growing Cannabis Businesses
As your cannabis manufacturing business grows you may notice more issues with production.
Processes that were fine for smaller batches may now be causing issues. You may notice longer production times, needing more staff and struggles with consistency.
By automating your processes you can help improve them
If you’re regularly receiving larger wholesale orders then having equipment that can reduce repeat manual work and give a more organised schedule can be beneficial.
Automating your production can also help create a better schedule by making it easier to see how much your equipment can produce.
However it is important to make sure you’re making an investment that will actually be useful to your business. Consider the cost of the equipment, running costs, demand and how much you will be producing.
Understanding the RollPros Blackbird
If you’re looking into automated pre-roll manufacturing equipment then you should look into this company.
Their Blackbird machine uses a different method of manufacturing. Instead of filling pre-made cones they use their patented TruRoll technology to produce joints using mechanical rolling.
This can give manufacturers more options.
The Blackbird has a production capacity of up to 900 pre rolls per hour. On their product page they list out the size, Power Requirements and recommended materials.
By looking at what the manufacturer has to say about their equipment and asking for a demonstration you can get a better idea of if it will be suitable for your production.
It is important to look at how the whole process works.
Common Mistakes
Purchasing manufacturing equipment can be a big decision for your business. Rushing into it can cause unnecessary costs and issues.
Avoid the following mistakes:
- Choosing equipment based on speed. Whilst having a high production capacity is great, you also need to think about consistency, reliability and maintenance.
- Not looking at running costs. Think about what parts will need replacing, servicing, training and other costs.
- Not considering your product. Different manufacturing methods can create different products. Ensure the equipment can help you achieve the product you want.
- No technical support. Having reliable support from your manufacturer can make a big difference.
- Not considering future demand. If you purchase equipment that can’t cope with your future demand then you may have extra investment to do.
How to Get the Most from your Investment
To get the most from your Pre Roll Machine, you should have an organised method of managing your production. Start by deciding what your realistic production targets are. Check that they match up with what the equipment can do. Train your staff based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Have regular checks and maintenance.
Manufacturers should also have good Quality Control documents. Ensure you’re following any local regulations, licensing, safety, and testing requirements.
Checking how your production is going can help identify any inefficiencies and if you need to change how many staff you have, how you schedule and how you set your equipment.
Taking a thoughtful approach to managing your equipment can help create a more predictable workflow.
Conclusion
A Pre Roll Machine can be a great investment for licensed cannabis manufacturers. It can help improve your production, reduce repeat manual work and ensure your production is consistent.
There are various types of equipment available from traditional cone fillers to advanced automatic rolling equipment. Choose the one that fits your production, product, space, running costs and long-term goals.
Carefully consider the specifications, maintenance, technical support and actual production of the equipment.
If you’re looking to use automatic rolling technology then RollPros can provide more information on the Blackbird and other manufacturing solutions. By comparing the equipment available and understanding what it can do you can make a more informed decision and create a production that will help you grow sustainably.