In many plastic manufacturing plants, raw materials arrive in two common packaging formats: big bags (ton bags) and small 25 kg bags. Traditionally, factories install separate machines for each task—a big bag unloading station and a small bag emptying machine.

However, with limited material room space and increasing automation demands, more factories are now choosing a combined discharge station, which integrates both functions into one structure.

This guide compares both systems to help you understand which solution fits your factory best.

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What Is a Combined Discharge Station?

A combined discharge station integrates:

• Big bag unloading function
• Small bag dumping function

…into one shared structure and one discharge outlet.

Core Advantages

• One footprint instead of two
• Shared dust-collection system
• Shared discharge port for easier conveying
• Lower installation cost
• Flexible material handling for different batch sizes

This design is especially suitable for feeding rooms connected to central conveying system.

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What Are Single-Function Systems?

Single-function systems include:

1. Big Bag Unloading Station

For unloading ton bags (500–1500 kg per bag).

2. Small Bag Emptying Machine

For manual dumping of 25 kg bags with dust control.

Factories usually install both machines when they handle mixed types of materials.

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Key Comparison: Combined Discharge Station vs Single-Function

1. Space Requirement

Single-Function Systems

• Big bag station + small bag dumping station
• Two independent footprints
• More installation space needed
• Pipeline layout becomes longer

Combined Discharge Station

• Only one installation footprint
• Ideal for small or crowded feeding rooms
• Reduces footprint by 30–50%
• Shorter piping to the central conveying line

Winner: Combined discharge station

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2. Feeding Efficiency

Single-Function

• Both machines can run independently
• Good for extremely high-volume production

Combined Station

• One operator area
• One discharge port
• Switching between small and big bags is simple
• Smoother integration with automatic conveying

Winner: Tie — depends on production scale

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3. Installation Complexity

Single-Function Systems

• Two sets of electrical wiring
• Two dust-collection interfaces
• Two discharge ports to the conveying line
• More valves and pipes

Combined Station

• One dust-collection point
• One control system
• One discharge to the next conveying equipment
• Faster installation and easier planning

Winner: Combined discharge station

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4. Operating Cost

Single-Function

• Larger material room needed
• Higher air conditioning & dust collector load
• More maintenance points

Combined Station

• Lower energy consumption
• Lower maintenance cost
• Reduces operator walking distance
• Fewer spare parts required

Winner: Combined discharge station

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5. Material Handling Flexibility

Single-Function

• Suitable for factories that always handle fixed formats
• Not ideal for frequent production changes

Combined Station

• Instantly switch between small bags and big bags
• Perfect for factories using mixed materials
• Better for multi-product or seasonal-production factories

Winner: Combined discharge station

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Which System Should You Choose?

Choose Single-Function Systems if you:

• Have a very large material room
• Need two operators working independently
• Handle extremely high material consumption

Choose a Combined Discharge Station if you:

• Have a small or medium feeding room
• Want to reduce installation space
• Plan to integrate with a central feeding system
• Want lower long-term operating cost
• Handle both big bags and small bags regularly

➡ In modern plastic factories, the combined discharge station is becoming the preferred choice because of its space-saving design and automation-friendly structure.

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How the Combined System Improves Central Feeding Integration

Because both small bags and big bags share one discharge outlet, the pipeline to the central feeding system becomes:

• shorter
• simpler
• easier to control
• more stable during conveying

This significantly reduces negative pressure loss and improves overall feeding efficiency.

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Conclusion

A combined discharge station offers clear advantages over traditional single-function equipment in terms of:

• space efficiency
• installation cost
• operational flexibility
• material handling versatility

For factories with limited space or complex production needs, upgrading to a combined system is usually the best long-term strategy.

👉 Learn more about the integrated solution here: big bag unloading station