Centrifugal vs Vibration Pre-Roll Packing

Interested in starting a preroll business? Before you get started, one of the first steps is deciding on what type of production hardware you will use to make your prerolls at scale. While there are many system manufacturers to choose from (ie. KungTech, Futurola, STM, etc), one of the biggest deciding factors will actually come down to whether or not you want to pack your prerolls with a system that uses centrifuge packing or vibration packing. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the differences of the two common methods of packing prerolls and provide some insights on which might be better for you and your business. 

The Vibration Method

One of the most common methods of packing a preroll is through the means of using gravity and vibration to settle the flower into place. These systems provide a holding tray for the prerolled cones, and once flower is poured into the cones, the tray will vibrate for a period of time until the flower settles into place. Systems that utilize this method come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for small scale production or high volume. 

The Centrifuge Method

The most well-known system that utilizes centrifugal force to pack prerolled cones is the GPC designed by KungTech, which is actually the first ever system designed to use this method. At the time of its release, all other available manufacturing systems used the vibration method. This centrifuge method simply spins pods that hold the prerolled cones at a speed fast enough that the flower is forced outward and therefore compacts into place. If you have ever visited a county fair or carnival, you may have seen a ride commonly known as a “Gravitron”, where the riders cling to the walls as it spins, making it feel like you’re getting sucked against the wall. This is the exact same effect that happens when packing prerolls with a centrifuge. 

Advantages and Trade-offs

Vibration Advantages

1. Very widely used and simple to implement, and can be effective at achieving high volumes of packed prerolls. 

2. More affordable overall and easier to obtain quickly. Most of these systems can be bought ready-made without having to wait on lengthy lead times. 

3. Offered in a wide range of systems from small tabletop systems for those just starting their preroll business, while also used in larger high capacity systems. 

Vibration Trade-offs

1. Quality of the pack is more dependent on how the flower is initially processed into fine particles, such as through a trimmer, shredder, or grinder. The more consistent the particles are, then the better the pack will be with the vibration method.

2. More room for error or imperfections such as air pockets or an uneven pack. Because the pack relies solely on gravity, some of the particles may not settle perfectly into place. While it may look good from the outside, once a consumer smokes the joint they might deal with the canoeing effect. 

3. Durability and reliability are more of a concern with systems that use the vibration method, simply due to the fact that the constant vibration can cause various components of the machine to get damaged. 

4. Noise is one of the biggest issues with these systems, especially if a facility has multiple systems running simultaneously. The sound decibels create noise pollution within the work environment, therefore in some locations operators are required to wear more safety gear. 

Centrifuge Advantages

1. Provides a more consistent pack that is not as dependent on having better flower.

2. Allows for density control and more customization to achieve better results regardless of strain. 

3. Eliminates air pockets and provides a better smoking experience for the end users.

4. Much more reliable and durable systems that last longer which makes these systems a better overall investment. 

5. Easy to scale up with higher production volumes without having to buy additional systems.

6. Very quiet operation, significantly reducing noise pollution in the work environment.

Centrifuge Trade-offs

1. Limited in system availability and usually requires a lead-time. It is best to pre-order your system in advance to ensure that you have it ready for your business. 

2. Usually higher price points, and not available in an all-in-one package. 

Industry Feedback

For the most part, the success of your preroll business will rely heavily on how optimized and efficient your SOPs are regardless of what systems you use for preroll production. Additionally, having a higher quality grinder/shredder that provides more consistent results will always help greatly in setting you up for success. However, when comparing the two methods for packing prerolls at scale, both vibration and centrifuge style packing have their advantages and limitations. Overall, vibration systems are more widely available and affordable, offering a quick start for anyone looking to get going quickly, but if it comes down to overall product quality the centrifuge method always wins.

Our Conclusion: