Heavy Duty Bag Sewing Systems
HS Automation supplies Fischbein heavy duty bag sewing systems for in-line bag closing at production speeds. These are stand-mounted sewing heads with automated infeed that close filled open-mouth bags as they travel past on a conveyor, at rates from 40 to 75 linear feet per minute.
There are two closure types, and four machines. Plain sew stitches the bag top directly. Tape sew folds crepe tape over the bag top and stitches through both, producing a sealed, sift-resistant and better-looking closure. We supply, install and service all four across North America, and we stock the parts, thread and tape that keep them running.
Closing lower volumes, or need a hand-held unit? See the portable Fischbein Model F.
See the Heavy Duty Sewing System in Action
Watch a filled open-mouth bag travel through the sewing head and come out closed. From there a bag kicker lays it flat and squares it, and a Fuji robot stacks it onto the pallet — heavy-duty bag closing feeding straight into automated palletizing.
Plain Sew or Tape Sew — Which Do You Need?
This is the first decision, and it is driven by your product and your bag rather than by your line speed.
| Plain Sew | Tape Sew | |
| What it does | Stitches the bag top closed directly | Trims the bag top, folds crepe tape over it, then stitches through tape and bag |
| Closure quality | Secure mechanical closure | Sealed closure with the stitch line running through tape |
| Sifting | Product can sift through the needle holes | Tape covers the stitch line and substantially reduces sifting |
| Appearance | Functional | Clean, finished edge — preferred on retail and branded bags |
| Best for | Granular products, agricultural and industrial bags, cost-sensitive lines | Powders and fine products, food and retail bags, anything where sifting or presentation matters |
| Models | 400 NS, 501 P | 400 TNS, 501 T |
If your product is fine enough to find its way through a needle hole, or your bag carries a customer’s brand on it, go tape sew. Otherwise plain sew is the simpler and more economical machine.
Fischbein Model 400 NS
The 400 NS sets the industry standard for cost-effective bag sewing, and it is the most versatile machine on this page in terms of what it will close.
- Speed: adjustable from 35 to 55 linear feet per minute
- Empress 100 sewing head: self-lubricating, low vibration, smooth running
- Air thread-pusher: automatically directs the thread into the cutting knife with no operator assistance
- Automated infeed: the leading edge of the bag feeds in and the system guides the bag top through the whole sewing process
- Swing feature: Fischbein’s exclusive swing-out sewing head makes threading straightforward and gives full access for cleaning and head removal
The 400 NS closes jute and non-laminated woven polypropylene, as well as multi-wall paper and laminated woven poly, in both pillow-style and gusseted bags. If you run a mixed bag schedule that includes jute or loose woven-poly, this is your machine. Made in the USA.
Fischbein 501 P
The 501 P is the current top of the Fischbein plain sew range and the fastest machine on this page. Where the 400 NS uses conventional v-belt drive, the 501 P is built around a PLC and servo motor.
- Speed: up to 75 linear feet per minute
- Empress 201 sewing head: self-lubricating, low vibration
- PLC and servo drive: eliminates the clutch and brake entirely — fewer wear parts and one less thing to adjust
- HMI control: sewing head and infeed speeds are both set from the HMI screen
- Easy-adjust infeed and improved thread control come as standard
The 501 P closes flat and gusseted multi-wall paper and laminated woven polypropylene open-mouth bags.
Fischbein Model 400 TNS
The 400 TNS is a tape-over-sew system that produces an attractive crepe tape sewn closure on multi-wall paper and laminated woven polypropylene open-mouth bags. It runs the complete closure sequence automatically:
- Trims the top of the bag square
- Applies the crepe tape over the trimmed edge
- Sews the bag closed through tape and bag
- Cuts the tape and thread at the end of each cycle
- Speed: up to 55 linear feet per minute
- Empress 101 sewing head: self-lubricating, low vibration
- Bag top trimmer: quick-change, long-life blades rated for thousands of hours on both paper and laminated woven poly
- Tape and thread cutter: a pneumatic cutter triggered by a PLC-controlled photoelectric eye, so the cut happens at the right point of every cycle without operator input
A filler cord option is available for fine powder applications — the cord reduces sifting further.
Fischbein 501 T
The 501 T is the tape sew version of the 501 platform — the same PLC and servo architecture as the 501 P, with a powered crepe tape feed system added.
- Speed: up to 75 linear feet per minute, the fastest tape sew machine in the range
- Empress 201 sewing head: self-lubricating, low vibration
- Powered crepe tape feed: driven rather than drag-fed — driving the tape reduces the load on the Model 201 sewing head, which is necessary for high-speed applications
- PLC and servo drive: no clutch or brake, speeds set through the HMI
- Timing belt drive between head and motor for consistent, drift-free control
- Bag top trimmer, easy-adjust infeed and improved thread control as standard
The 501 T closes flat and gusseted multi-wall paper and laminated woven polypropylene open-mouth bags.
Specification Comparison
| 400 NS | 501 P | 400 TNS | 501 T | |
| Closure | Plain sew | Plain sew | Tape sew | Tape sew |
| Speed (linear ft/min) | 35–55 | Up to 75 | Up to 55 | Up to 75 |
| Sewing head | Empress 100 | Empress 201 | Empress 101 | Empress 201 |
| Drive | Adjustable speed | PLC + servo | Adjustable speed | PLC + servo |
| Control | Inside cabinet | HMI | Inside cabinet | HMI |
| Length | 46 in (117 cm) | 58 in (147 cm) | 49 in (124 cm) | 58 in (147 cm) |
| Depth | 41 in (104 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) |
| Height | 78 in (198 cm) | 78 in (198 cm) | 78 in (198 cm) | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Air @ 90 PSI | 1 cfm | 15 cfm | 10 cfm | 15 cfm |
| Electrical | 230/380/460/575 VAC, 3 PH, 50/60 Hz (NEMA 12) — all models | |||
| Free bag top | Minimum 6 in (15.2 cm) — all models | |||
| Max bag thickness | 12.5 mils — all models | |||
Options
400 NS and 400 TNS: direct drive VFD package for synchronous sewing, motor starter and contactor for conveyor, tagger infeed, sensor packages for thread break and oil, 575 VAC, corrosion resistant package with NEMA 4 rated electrics. The 400 TNS adds a tape contact coder, filler cord and a high performance tape and thread cutter; the 400 NS adds a rotary knife thread cutter.
501 P and 501 T: tagger infeed, tape contact coder, motor starter and contactor for conveyor.
Applications
These machines close bags across the same industries you already serve:
- Fertilizers and minerals
- Agricultural seed
- Animal feed and feed additives
- Pet food and cat litter
- Bakery mixes and powdered dairy products
- Flour
- Chemicals
Parts and Service from HS Automation
A sewing system that stops closing bags stops the line behind it. That is why the machine matters less than who supports it.
HS Automation is Canada’s largest authorized distributor of Fischbein (an nVenia brand).
- Genuine Fischbein parts in stock — needles, loopers, knives, feed dogs and wear components ship from our inventory. See our Fischbein Parts page.
- Thread and crepe tape supply — consistent consumables mean consistent closures. See Thread & Tape.
- Installation and commissioning — including integration with your existing conveyor and bagging line.
- Service and repair — our technicians work on Fischbein machines every week.
- Manuals and documentation — on our Fischbein Manuals page.
- Operator training — threading, adjustment and routine maintenance.
We are a family-run company with over 100 combined years in bag filling, bag closing and grain and seed processing. If you are not sure whether you need plain sew or tape sew, or whether a 400 or a 501 suits your line, send us your bag and your rate and we will tell you. Contact us today or call 519-245-2310 to discuss the right sewing system for your line.
These systems are built to order rather than held in stock, with typical lead times of two to six weeks depending on configuration. Contact us early in your planning and we will confirm the current lead time for the model and options you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between plain sew and tape sew?
Plain sew stitches the bag top closed directly. Tape sew trims the bag top, folds crepe tape over it and stitches through both. Tape sew gives a sealed closure that resists sifting through the needle holes and looks cleaner, which matters on powders and on retail or branded bags.
How fast are Fischbein heavy duty sewing systems?
The 400 NS runs 35 to 55 linear feet per minute and the 400 TNS up to 55. The 501 P and 501 T both run up to 75 linear feet per minute.
What is the difference between the Fischbein 400 and 501 series?
The 501 machines are faster, at up to 75 linear feet per minute against 55, and are built around a PLC and servo motor that eliminates the clutch and brake. Speeds are set through an HMI rather than at the machine. The 400 series is the more economical option and the 400 NS handles a wider range of bag materials.
Which machine closes jute bags?
The Model 400 NS. It is the only system in this range that closes jute and non-laminated woven polypropylene, as well as multi-wall paper and laminated woven poly.
What bag materials can these machines close?
Multi-wall paper and laminated woven polypropylene across all four models. The 400 NS additionally handles non-laminated woven polypropylene and jute. Both pillow-style and gusseted bags are supported.
How much compressed air do they need?
The 400 NS needs 1 cfm at 90 PSI, the 400 TNS 10 cfm, and both 501 models 15 cfm. Check your air supply before upgrading from a 400 NS to a 501.
What is the minimum free bag top required?
6 inches (15.2 cm) on all four models.
Do you supply the crepe tape and thread?
Yes. HS Automation stocks Fischbein thread and crepe tape, along with genuine replacement parts.
Are Fischbein sewing systems made in the USA?
Yes. Fischbein bag closing equipment is manufactured in the United States.
Can these be integrated with an existing conveyor?
Yes. All four mount over a bag conveyor, and a motor starter and contactor for the conveyor is available as an option on every model.
Contact Us
Phone
519-245-2310