Happy 710 Day from Vape-Jet! We’re excited to celebrate the second biggest cannabis holiday of the year with a special partnership featuring one of our own crew members, Patrick Thaler, who also happens to be the owner of Stone Age Guitars.
On 4/20, we launched a giveaway for all Vape-Jet machine operators. To participate, you had to create a 15-second video showcasing your Vape-Jet, Dab Dispenser, Jet Fueler, or Squish-o-Matic equipment in action. The grand prize? A custom-built, Vape-Jet branded guitar crafted by Patrick himself. We were blown away by your creative submissions, making it a tough decision, but congratulations to our first place winner, Alex!
Alex had the opportunity to visit Vape-Jet headquarters, where they were warmly welcomed by the team and received their one-of-a-kind, Vape-Jet x Stone Age guitar.
Our second and third place winners were also in for a treat. Each winner received a comprehensive Vape-Jet x Stone Age merchandise package that perfectly encapsulated the essence of both brands. A big congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated with their incredible submissions!
Vape-Jet x Stone Age Guitars
To kick off 710, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Patrick to discuss his passion for cannabis and his commitment to supporting small businesses.
— Patrick, tell us how the Vape-Jet x Stone Age contest came about.
“The guitar giveaway came about when our CFO, Brian Kuo, mentioned that a VJ guitar could be a really cool idea. I got to designing and after presenting that design to the team, it was decided that one guitar would be built for the office and another to give back to our community.”
— How did Stone Age Guitars get started and how long has it been around?
“I started Stone Age in 2013 as I was beginning my journey into guitar repair and modification. In 2020 I got the itch to start building my own instruments and today, I make my own bodies with my CNC router and 3D printer. The guitar market is pretty insane right now and there are a lot of very talented builders doing new and innovative things every day. It’s been very exciting to be a part of that developing world and start to make my mark on it as well. Keep an eye out on the Stone Age Guitars Instagram and Facebook pages, we’re going to be launching an Indiegogo campaign very soon and appreciate all the support we can get!”
— How did you come to work at Vape-Jet and what do you do here?
“A good friend, who I worked with in the past, joined VJ first and spoke highly of my work ethic. At VJ, I’m what they call, the final-mile guy. I take the machines when they are still just a frame, a bundle of wires, have only been booted once or twice and complete the nice package that our customers receive. I install panels, accessories, clean up all the wiring and complete final testing before the machines go out the door.
— How does the work you do support the success of Vape-Jet machine operators?
“In my mind, the foundation of any project is the most important part that everything else is built upon. In my position, I provide our customers with that foundation to build their success with the machine and I take great pride in producing the best product I can to set them up for that success. In the same way, when I’m building a guitar for someone, my goal is to make not only a visually interesting product, but I want the instrument to play effortlessly. Creativity is easiest when you don’t have extra barriers in the way to hamper it.”
— How do you handle the hustle between Vape-Jet and running your business?
“Carefully, and it’s not without its sacrifices. I work hard every day to put my all into everything that I do, and I don’t give myself many days off. It can be a difficult balance at times to support a team that is counting on you and also step into a world full of unknowns. However, in our world today, I believe that you have to really chase your dreams and not be afraid to get knocked down at times. Success feels good because of the fight to get there.”
— What Inspires you as an entrepreneur?
“Innovation and putting my mark on the world. I don’t aspire to be an industry giant, but I have a great respect for mom-and-pop style businesses. I like the idea of building a community and following around a brand and I think that we see less and less of that today with big companies like Amazon. Buy local, support small businesses!”
— For funsies, sativa or indica? Or does it depend on the occasion?
“Indica, haha, I’ve got a very high tolerance, and that couch-lock weed is what I reach for every time!”
The Vape-Jet crew invites you to celebrate 710 this holiday by uplifting the remarkable small businesses that enrich our community. Discover the exceptional craftsmanship of Stone Age Guitars and show your support for Patrick’s incredible work. Visit StoneAgeGuitars.com to learn more about his unique creations and follow his inspiring journey on Instagram @Stone_Age_Guitars. By supporting artisans like Patrick, we contribute to a vibrant and thriving community.
Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly Re:Fill newsletter to get early access to company updates, product releases, and other exciting announcements. Follow us on the essentials, too: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
This month, we’re talking about an important and necessary process at Vape-Jet, vape cartridge and all-in-one device compatibility testing. Whether you’re a prospective customer or already operate a Vape-Jet machine, testing is beneficial. Compatibility testing confirms whether you can start filling your hardware straight out the box, or if additional Vape-Jet product support is needed. We’ll show you what this process looks like, step-by-step, so you can stay informed and prepared.
We’re also announcing the official launch of a Vape-Jet resource, the Vape Hardware Compatibility List. This resource page is a free tool to see if your vape cartridge or all-in-one device has been previously tested. If your hardware is listed as fully compatible on the resource page, then you are ready to start filling as soon as it lands. Our crew built this tool so you can avoid delays, launch new products ahead of the competition, and reach your production goals ahead of schedule.
What is Vape-Jet Compatibility Testing and Why is it Necessary?
Compatibility testing is the process in which the Vape-Jet support team calibrates and dry runs a sample set of hardware through the Vape-Jet fully automatic filling machine and Jet Fueler semi-automatic filling machine. We use this process to determine whether the hardware is out-of-the-box compatible with our products, and to identify any accommodations needed to make the filling process as efficient as possible. We also run capping tests for the Squish-o-Matic if requested on the initial compatibility request ticket. (Note: Once we run a Squish test, your sample hardware will be fully capped and we are unable to return it.)
If the hardware is natively incompatible with our machine vision system, our support team will work with you to custom engineer an occlusion jig to make the filling process run smoothly. This ensures your operators get the most out of your Vape-Jet filling machine and is the first step on your journey to fully automated production. (Note: If your hardware requires a jig for the Vape-Jet, we cannot test for Squish-o-Matic compatibility until that process is complete.)
How Does the Compatibility Testing Process Work?
The testing process starts at the Vape-Jet Help Desk where you will open a ticket to initiate a compatibility request. Under the “what can we help you with?” dropdown menu, select ‘Compatibility Request.’ Fill out the provided fields and include photos. (This ensures accurate identification of your hardware once it lands at our facility.)
After you hit submit, you will receive a ticket number in the form of ‘VJSD-####.’ Your support ticket gives you direct access to a messaging portal with the Vape-Jet product support and engineering team.
Once you receive your VJSD number, prep your hardware for shipping to our facility. Make sure to write your VJSD number on the box and include it on your shipping label. After shipping, share your tracking number in the Help Desk messaging thread.
Once the package lands at our facility, the testing process begins. Keep in mind, the Vape-Jet facility does not have a cleanroom. For sanitary reasons, sample hardware used for testing is not returned to the customer.
If the support team determines your hardware is out-of-the-box compatible, you’ll receive a message in the VJSD portal giving you the green light. If your hardware requires accommodations to make it compatible, the Vape-Jet team will custom design, manufacture, and deliver the necessary jig to ensure it works seamlessly with our machines. (The cost of engineering the jig specific to your hardware depends on the type of jig needed.)
The most common jigs we provide are:
Occlusion Jig—sits on top of your hardware to streamline the Vape-Jet machine vision system by simplifying needle placement. (This is most often used to accommodate hardware with same sized vapor posts and oil tank openings.)
Stabilization—securely reinforces the spacing and alignment of your hardware to prevent unnecessary movement while filling, particularly if the manufacturers foam is loose or inconsistent between trays.
Loading Jig—a grid bottom plate to vertically align hardware that comes individually or flat packed from the manufacturer.
510 Booster—our standard 5×10 occlusion jig precision machined from Delrin and designed to super charge the Vape-Jet machine vision system for lightning speed calibration and filling of standard 510 style cartridges.
And while the thought of engineering a jig sounds daunting, the Vape-Jet support team walks you through every step needed to get you closer to filling. The brand Sessions had a positive experience after they worked with the support team to engineer a jig for their hardware.
“Your team got that new jig out to us within 24 hours,” Dario remembers. “He came and dropped it off first thing in the morning, and we tested it right there to make sure it worked one hundred percent. We had one of the fastest runs that I’ve ever seen. Like just over two minutes to fill fifty carts.”
Jump the Queue!
It can take up to three weeks to run a full test and provide compatibility results in your VJSD ticket. But there are a few ways you can move the process along and expedite your results.
First, ensure you have properly submitted the ticket. If you are submitting multiple hardware types and sizes for testing, you must submit separate requests for each one. That means a 1mL disposable would have a different VJSD ticket number than the 0.5mL 510 cartridge because they are tested separately.
Another way you can expedite your compatibility results is by ensuring the proper samples are shipped. That means sending a full tray of cartridges or all-in-one devices in the foam exactly as it comes from the hardware manufacturer. Our machines and testing procedures are not designed to test individual hardware, unless you are looking for Jet Fueler results only.
Lastly, check the Vape Hardware Compatibility List before you submit a compatibility request. We add new results regularly and if your hardware is listed as compatible, then you are ready to roll. (Note: Be sure to compare the hardware samples you have with the photos included with the results. Manufacturers change foam packaging and update hardware designs periodically, which may impact compatibility. If you are unsure, open a ticket with the HelpDesk.)
Now Live: The Vape Hardware Compatibility List
We understand how important it is to prevent interruptions in the packaging process. The Vape Hardware Compatibility List is a living resource, complete with photos and video. Refer to it first and keep it on hand for when your product line evolves. Check this list for pre-tested hardware, before submitting a new compatibility request.
What are the benefits of pre-tested hardware? For starters, it is a guarantee that the hardware you are purchasing will pair well with the Vape-Jet fully automatic filling machine. This ensures you don’t end up with a backstock of hardware that can’t be filled with the equipment you have invested in. You also have greater insight into the filling workflow and can proactively prepare for and minimize the effects of common challenges, potentially saving a ton of time and labor cost. Pre-tested hardware also allows for a smoother calibration process with the support team. If a jig is needed, you won’t be sitting on your new hardware before you can start filling.
Streamline Your Filling Workflow with Vape-Jet
We’ve partnered with several industry trusted hardware manufacturers, including a thorough vetting of the most popular styles from Active (AVD), BOLD, Cilicon, Greentank, and iKrusher. By partnering with these companies, we can work together to ensure success for our customers. Here’s what they had to say:
“CILICON and Vape-Jet have both supported Fernway with excellent customer service by being responsive to issues and proactively working with us to improve our product and processes.”
— Fernway
“Every [iKrusher] product is packaged precisely making it easy to replicate and allows the Vape-Jet to quickly move from cart to cart. Vape-Jet support has been fantastic in dialing in so many different hardware types and an ever-changing product list with different concentrate types. Truly an amazing product is going into an amazing machine.”
— Waypoint Processing
“[Combining AVD and Vape-Jet products] allow us to fill with precision and provide our customers with an end product that expresses all the qualities we are trying to preserve. I recommend Vape-Jet and AVD hardware for anyone serious about keeping the quality of their product intact, volume filling, and having the best support in the market.”
— Punch Edibles
For a full list of our hardware partners, check out our partner directory.
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As vape cartridge markets mature and consumers develop more discerning tastes, manufacturers are switching from botanical terpene flavored distillate to true-to-strain cannabis-derived terpene, “live resin” formulations. While this might seem like an easy switch, producing live resin is a complex process that demands, like everything cannabis, we follow best practices.
Are you here because you’re wondering how to make live resin more efficiently? Perfect! Making vape cartridges has never been easier or more efficient than with our Vape-Jet 4.0; I’m here to share my expertise to ease the switch to or level-up your existing live resin vape cartridge process. If you want to produce some pure, Walter White-esque cannabis cartridges with your Vape-Jet, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready for the ultimate guide on how to produce live resin vape carts more efficiently, predictably, and with higher quality than the competition.
Speaking of Walter White, here’s a shot of Devon on the set of Breaking Bad from Walter’s brother-in-law Hank’s backyard.
If a manufacturer already produces dabbable live-resin extracts in-house—via hydrocarbon (BHO) or rosin extraction—using these extracts as a feedstock for vape cartridges may seem simple.. However, the unrefined (i.e. not purified via distillation) nature of live resin extract presents some unique challenges when preparing it to produce vape cartridges. These nuances make efficient live resin vape cartridge production even harder to achieve than efficient distillate vape cartridge production.
Why are pure distillate operations easier than live resin formulations?
Filling vape cartridges with distillate-based formulations is a breeze with Vape-Jet. Since THC distillate is incredibly pure (typically over 90%), it performs reliably from batch to batch, especially when formulated with known quantities of isolated, botanical terpene blends. Why? Because THC distillate contains few extraction byproducts, making it thermally and chemically stable.
In short, when we mix distillate with isolated terpenes, there is not much else in the formulation that can change how it behaves under heat and pressure. As a result, the formulation is chemically simple, which is why distillate performs so well during filling.
Because of chemical simplicity and process predictability, Vape-Jet operators can use as little as 50C of heat and 50 to 60PSI of nitrogen pressure when filling distillate cartridges. This is almost half as much heat as other vape cartridge fillers, which cannot operate under pressure. With the ideal filling conditions made possible by a Vape-Jet, cannabinoids and terpenes are preserved from thermal degradation and oxidation, ensuring consistent product quality and filling speed.
Unlike simple distillate, live resin and rosin extracts are unrefined, containing a complex mixture of extraction byproducts like lipids, phospholipids, chlorophyll, and carotenoids (in addition to cannabinoids and terpenes). These extraction byproducts result in a highly variable mixture depending on batch, strain, growing conditions, and extraction variables—never a good thing for quality control or scaling your production process.
How to decarb live resin for carts: can I just start filling?
First, we’ll start with the basics. Decarboxylation is the process of removing a carboxyl group from the cannabinoid, converting THCa to THC. Removal typically takes place before or during the distillation process, during which vacuum conditions efficiently remove the carboxyl group, in the form of carbon dioxide gas, from the oil.
If you simply decarboxylate bulk extract in an oven, you can make vape cartridges with the resulting oil, but the optimal filling parameters will vary wildly from batch-to-batch and your overall efficiency will suffer as a result. Some cons of bulk decarbing in open air could be degraded terpenes (burnt taste), degraded cannabinoids (appearance), not to mention reduced filling throughput. In the extreme case, several critical dispensing errors—from pump stalling to bubbly cartridges and lost product—can result.
Can I decarboxylate bulk, unrefined extract without vacuum pressure?
Not a great idea. Without a vacuum, you’ll need a very long stirring and heating process to remove CO2. This usually means a substantial loss of terpenes to evaporation and oxidation, muting the flavor and darkening the color of the vape cartridges.
Because cannabinoids are degraded and terpenes are lost, increased oil viscosity results in slower fill times. Furthermore, if this “no-vacuum decarboxylation process” is rushed, CO2 left in the solution will be agitated during the filling process, potentially leaving cartridges riddled with bubbles in the best case and spilling out of the cartridge in the worst case.
Up next? The unpredictability of the live resin process vs. distillate.
The Solution: Upstream Changes
The complexity of live resin formulations, especially rosin, makes them less predictable than distillate and isolated terpene formulations. For example, live resin formulations with terpene concentrations over 10% are more susceptible to nitrogen absorption under pressure, potentially resulting in bubbly cartridges. As such, it is crucial to implement some upstream processes to prepare unrefined extracts for filling. Such processes control the formulation constituents and reduce variability, resulting in high-quality cartridges with a premium taste and better customer experiences.
Live Resin Process Production Changes: Hydrocarbon Workflows
Since hydrocarbon producers usually have all the equipment for traditional wax, shatter, or diamonds-in-sauce extract production, they are well prepared to implement upstream changes to gain control over their live resin vape cartridge process. Yet some of our customers who produce hydrocarbon extract might not be familiar with the “liquid diamonds” approach to preparing extracts for vape cartridge filling machines, a multi-step solution with profound benefits.
So next, we’ll go step-by-step on how to decarb THCA diamonds for vape cartridges (getting back into our yellow hazmat suit, Breaking Bad references again!).
Winterize during extraction to reduce lipids present in the bulk extract. A bit of color remediation media (such as carbon or silica) aids in reducing unwanted compounds in the bulk extract.
Purge the extract of solvent as usual in a warm vacuum oven and let crystals form.
PRO TIP: place a cold trap between the oven and vacuum to reserve the evaporated terpenes for use later. These terpenes will be almost 100% pure.
Separate the crystals from the sauce with gravity or assistance from a centrifuge.
Decarboxylate the crystals in an open container under vacuum in an oven. Processed in this way, the resulting THC will be greater than 95% pure (CC: Walter White).
Obtain Certificates of Analysis (COA) for both portions, sauce and liquid diamonds, then do some math to mix up a formulation with a consistent content of terpenes and cannabinoids; use some of the cold trap terpenes too to get the full-spectrum of terpenes. Aim for a cannabinoid to terpene ratio of 95:5 to 90:10.
A quick note on vacuum purging: as with all vacuum purging processes, when purging hydrocarbons from the separated sauce and decarboxylating isolated diamonds, closely monitor heat and vacuum to prevent foaming and loss of product.
My suggestion: when decarboxylating the diamonds, start at a lower temperature and vacuum pressure until carbon dioxide begins to bubble. Once you have bubbling, slowly increase the temperature and vacuum pressure; the bubbling will start to subside until it ceases entirely.
What is the live resin filling process like?
When loaded into a Vape-Jet, this formulation behaves much more like a refined distillate and botanical terpene formulation. Why? Because when we separate the sauce and process the diamonds separately, we gain control of terpene content; we reduce batch and strain variability.
The filling parameters on your Vape-Jet can be milder as well, resulting in a more flavorful and true-to-strain vape cartridge for connoisseur cannabis consumers. The leftover sauce can even be used to flavor more easily sourced cannabis distillates, generating options for a value-oriented SKU targeted toward more budget-conscious consumers.
Distillate-with-sauce cartridges offer huge flavor improvements over botanically flavored distillate vape cartridges and are cheaper to produce than liquid-diamond-with-sauce vape carts. You can also use the leftover sauce in an MCT or coconut oil mixture to make strain-specific, precision-filled edible capsules with your Vape-Jet.
Rosin Workflows
Unlike hydrocarbon producers, rosin producers may have to obtain equipment that is not common to their process, like a precision oven (a toaster oven won’t cut it!). Since rosin is so valuable and usually has smaller batch sizes, the separate-decarboxylate-mix process might not be as appropriate due to the complexity and time needed to produce rosin diamonds.
Are there other differences between hydrocarbon and rosin workflows?
Since there are no added solvents in rosin (only terpenes), the primary difference is the time needed to crystallize THCa; typically rosin requires partially decarbing the THCa so that the resulting THC and terpenes can act as a solvent that allow the remaining THCa to crystalize. Therefore, decarbing rosin in bulk, without separating cannabinoids and terpenes, is generally advised.
Okay, we have our equipment. Now what?
Generally speaking, you should heat bulk rosin in a sealed jar (Rosin Jar Tech) until it begins to liquify, separate, and decarboxylate. The first key to success here is to burp the jar frequently until the decarboxylation is complete, perhaps 24 hours at 70C (decarboxylation can happen hotter or colder, with less or more time accordingly; use your COAs to determine good times and temperatures!). To burp, simply loosen the lid until gas is heard rushing out, then tighten the lid; burp the jars at least 4-6 times while decarbing. Keeping the burps short with the lid still “on” will minimize terpene loss, minimize oxygen ingress, and maximize CO2 expulsion. If done correctly, the terpene content will actually increase at the end of the decarb, since CO2 is most of what leaves the extract.
Once the decarb is complete, the second key to success is to degas the warm rosin. Gently stirring by hand will release the rest of the dissolved CO2 from solution; the rosin should look nice and flat with few bubbles after a few minutes of stirring. PRO TIP: schedule your production schedule so that the rosin can be filled into vape cartridges immediately after the decarb and degas are complete to avoid multiple hot/cold/hot swings on the rosin and help reduce degradation.
Now, you can start filling with precision and confidence on your Vape-Jet, knowing your customers will receive a reliable, quality product that will satisfy all cannabis connoisseurs.
Start Filling: The Live Resin Process Finale
Coupled with our Vape-Jet, fully-automatic vape cartridge-filling machine, you can easily fill a variety of high-quality, great-tasting, and highly efficacious cannabis-derived vape cartridges, capsules, Dablicators, and precision-sauce-dosed diamond extracts.
Sound good? I think so too, so why not contact us and optimize your vape cartridge production with the best filling machine in the game. I mean, you’ve already learned how to make live resin more efficiently than your competitors… So put the information to good use.
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In cannabis production, innovation isn’t a choice but a necessity. With a company like Oregon’s Sugar Tree Farm, finding a way to bring sun-grown cannabis from farm-to-nail in the most local and sustainable way requires innovation throughout the production process.
Luckily, ensuring product integrity through seamless filling operations is critical to our crew at Vape-Jet. That’s why Sugar Tree Farm reached out to us for assistance with their mission: maintaining product quality from seed to dab.
Now, with Dab Factory and Sessions, their distinguished Butane Hash Oil (BHO) brands, Sugar Tree Farm is leading the charge for smaller mom-and-pop shops with the most well-cultivated, high-quality products available.
We sat down with General Manager Joy Kintz, and two of their extraction experts Jeremiah Kintz and Dario Flynn to discuss their cannabis automation journey from carts to dabs and to see how they harness the power of Vape-Jet to grow their production processes.
Launching with Vape-Jet
Before
Dario, Joy, and Jeremiah reflect on starting their business and realizing quickly that automation was the only way to compete.
“It’s 2024, carts have been around for a while,” Dario says. “There’s a lot of companies that are absolutely destroying it, and they make fantastic products.”
“If we want to even try to compete with [other cannabis companies] we have to use all the tools in our arsenal to bring the highest-quality options to people,” Dario says.
Knowing they would need to invest in automated equipment for cartridge production to compete in a saturated market, Sugar Tree embarked on an extensive research phase, dedicating close to a year to refine their processes and select the best equipment.
The turning point came when a neighboring facility upgraded to a Vape-Jet fully automated cartridge-filling machine, allowing Sessions’ crew to test the waters by borrowing their semi-automatic Jet Fueler. “We were like, ‘this is really awesome,’” Joy explains. “We realized we needed to go bigger and faster because we were launching whole new brands. So, we got in contact with Vape-Jet,” Joy says.
Investing in a Vape-Jet fully automated cartridge filler was the only practical way to scale operations. “Manual filling methods or semi-automated solutions wouldn’t cut it given our growth projections,” Dario explains.
Joy emphasized the importance of efficiency from the outset. “We understood that starting small wasn’t an option in today’s competitive market. By investing in advanced equipment like the Vape-Jet, we could ensure consistent quality and meet consumer expectations.”
“We thought, ‘we’re going to launch something new, we need to shoot for the stars.’ So in our mind, we thought, well, we might as well just pull the trigger and go for the big boy. We went straight to the Vape-Jet and just ran from there.”
Growing with Vape-Jet
After
Sessions’ production capacity grew precipitously. Growing at such an accelerated rate was remarkable for a new product line. Their new Vape-Jet matched Sessions’ mission: achieving a sustainable product workflow that matched their customers’ desire for fresher, more local, and additive-free cannabis products.
In recent weeks, they’ve added a second Vape-Jet, and are expecting to fill double their current filling rates, a still-massive 2,500 vape cartridges every four hours (with four hours of labor dedicated to labeling and preparing for distribution). With two machines, Sugar Tree expects to produce 8,000-9,000 vape carts per day.
Their production speed will improve further because, as Joy explains, with a seamless workflow of two Vape-Jets, one running disposables, and one running 510s, “we can run the same strain and get two products at the same time,” Joy explains. That’s less changeover, less waste, and, especially at scale, a great way of reducing production costs.
What do they fill?
Sugar Tree Farm specializes in sun-grown cannabis, integrating their Dab Factory and Sessions brands as the core of their full-spectrum hash oil offerings.
Vape-Jet Partner equipment works seamlessly with our automated filling machines.
Vape-Jet partners are vetted by our crew and represent some of the top brands in cannabis production. We precision calibrate our equipment for partners like AVD and iKrusher to ensure seamless, efficient cartridge-filling.
Butane Hash Oil from 100% cannabis (strain-specific terpenes from cannabis only)
The Dab Dispenser Semi-Auto helps keep each strain fresh from source to customer. “As the extractor, it’s not my job to be some kind of magician and turn [extracts] into something fantastic,” Dario explains. “It’s my job to showcase what these awesome growers have been working their butts off to bring us.”
Collaborating with Vape-Jet
At Vape-Jet, we work closely with brands like AVD and iKrusher to ensure our filling machines work seamlessly with our customers’ hardware.
“That’s one of the things I’ve been super impressed about, not only have you guys had our back with our facility, but you’ve gone above and beyond to communicate with AVD,” Dario says.
Vape-Jet’s in-house engineering team worked with AVD to create custom-designed occlusion jigs for both the AVD and iKrusher hardware to maximize the efficiency of our machine vision system and boost throughput rates while filling.
“In the few months that we’ve been working with you, I’ve personally seen changes from AVD and from [Vape-Jet] to meet in the middle and make some really kick-ass stuff,” Dario says.
“The occlusion jig you guys created for us has made it hands-down, almost seamless,” Joy explains. “We did experience issues filling [510s] before, but since we’ve gotten the jigs you’ve made, it’s been night and day.”
“With the [AVD] jig, we cut the time it took to fill 50 carts in half,” Dario says. “It was about six, seven minutes before. Right now, I’m filling 50 cartridges in under three minutes. I almost can’t take them out and put lids on any faster than that.”
“Ryan Hoitt got that [jig] out to us within 24 hours,” Dario remembers. “He came and dropped it off first thing in the morning, and we tested it right there to make sure it worked one hundred percent. We had one of the fastest runs that I’ve ever seen. Like just over two minutes to fill fifty carts.”
Piloting the Dab Dispenser
The newest member of the filling fleet, our Dab Dispenser Semi-Auto, is the result of countless hours of R&D both in our facility and in our partner labs. Sessions was one of the first test pilots to join our Pilot Program, collaborating with us by providing data and feedback to improve the design of our products.
As a witness to the evolution of the Dab Dispenser, Dario recalls changes to the machine based on feedback from their lab team. “I’ve been super impressed about [the Pilot Program] every step of the way. We’ve seen several different variations and modifications.”
“It seems like every single day, you guys came in here and tweaked the [Dab Dispenser] a little bit,” Dario says. “You might have had a new piece of hardware, a software update, cutting down fill times, cutting down load times—just adding new things.”
“I was actually very happy with the product that you all brought to us two, three months ago, but Ryan and Devon said, ‘We’re not even close to done there’ and they’ve kept going.”
How did the Dab Dispenser do?
Speed
By hand, their team can fill and package 400 to 600 jars a day, a number dependent on operator experience and a host of other variables in a very manual process. With the initial prototype of the Dab Dispenser Semi-Auto? They are gramming 300-350jars an hour. “Right now, my extraction teams are making 5,000-7,000 grams a day,” Dario says.
Labor
“[The Dab Dispenser] helps reduce the amount of burnout that the packagers feel from sitting there and repetitively gramming by hand,” Joy explains.
Simplifying production and saving on labor is also a huge competitive advantage. “[Vape-Jet] gives us the opportunity to compete with larger corporations or companies that have [more] money to spend on labor. For us to be a small company and be able to, put out that much product in such a short amount of time is a game-changer.”
Preserving Product Quality
Sessions’ extracts consists of outdoor-grown flower, varying in viscosity and thickness, meaning their semi-auto machine is dialed in for each strain. Producing less terpene-heavy strains, the Dab Dispenser is a perfect platform to nail that batter, budder and sauce consistency.
“For the good majority of our strains, [the Dab Dispenser] is freakin’ perfect,” Dario says.
Accounting for the ideal filling variables of each strain, the Dab Dispenser can preserve strain-specific characteristics while weight-checking each individual jar, allowing operators to package products quickly, preserving flavor and quality.
Every gram looks good, too: “The gram presentation is fantastic,” Dario says. “You get a nice little gram right in the center of the jar. There’s nothing on the sidewalls, nothing on the lids.”
“We haven’t really had any issues with jamming, blowing motors, or putting too much pressure—[the Dab Dispenser is] a pretty seamless process,” Dario says.
The Sugar Tree Farm team has also been test piloting our Fuel Injector pre-roll infusion kit.
Vape-Jet Support
Communication
When it comes to getting the support you need, quick communication is the best way to limit downtime. “[Vape-Jet] support has been great on any questions we asked,” Jeremiah says.
Support Tickets
“I really liked how you can access tickets and support requests right from the machine,” Dario says. “Throughout the day, I’ve had questions and reached out to the Vape-Jet team, and while I’m doing my workflow without having to stop, I’ll get a notification and message right on the screen. So that’s really cool—just because it’s so instant.”
Technical Support Professionals
“Everybody is so respectful,” Joy says. “You never get the feeling that like you’re bothering them, or they think they’re above you.”
“You guys have given us the opportunity to grow as a company, given us the ability to survive as a small mom-and-pop operation. And, in my opinion, I think some of the mom-and-pop operations have some of the highest quality products in this industry.”
“For consumers as a whole, the opportunity to try products from all kinds of companies and not just big conglomerates—you’ve really saved the little guy by creating products that streamline our business and help us to compete on the same level as bigger companies.”
“Another company might see us as not that big of a deal. Or like we don’t deserve as much attention as somebody else because we’re smaller, butyou never get that feeling with Vape-Jet. You always feel like [Vape-Jet] really care about their customers genuinely.”
Elevating Production with Vape-Jet
Was the team at Sessions able to exceed their production goals and expand operations?
“Tenfold,” Joy confirms. “We had no idea what we were going to be capable of. And now that we have two Vape-Jets and a Dab Dispenser…”
“It took us about a month to realize that one Vape-Jet wasn’t going to be enough,” Dario says.
“Joy can tell you that she gets phone calls every single day, asking, ‘When are more carts going to be on the menu? Do we have more? How many more do we have?’”
“We’re pumping out almost double the amount of units that we were doing six months ago. And we thought we were doing pretty good six months ago, and we’re not even at full speed yet.”
Looking Ahead with Sugar Tree Farm
By harnessing the power of automated vape-filling and dab dispensing technology, Sugar Tree Farm, Sessions, and Dab Factory have elevated their production processes and set new standards in quality and scalability. We look forward to seeing what the future has in store for this amazing team.
March 22-23 marks a significant weekend for cannabis connoisseurs and industry leaders as the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA, prepares to host the prestigious New England Cannabis Convention – NECANN Boston. As an integral part of this evolving market, Vape-Jet is excited to announce we’ll be exhibiting at the event (booth #1215), ready to showcase the pinnacle of cannabis packaging technology and innovation.
Since its inception in 2014, NECANN has been meticulously crafting conventions that serve the cannabis industry by fostering growth and providing platforms for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, patients, advocates, and consumers to collaborate and expand. NECANN’s commitment to focusing on local market potential makes its conventions a crossroads of progress and opportunity.
What’s in Store
Commencing with the Green Market Report Finance Summit on Friday and concluding with the NECANN Cup Awards Show (which is free with admission) on Saturday, the convention promises to pack a plethora of activities and experiences into two enlightening days. Over 350 exhibitors will grace the convention this year, along with five full programming tracks, multiple workshops, and a day-long financial/investor summit. View the full programming schedule and get your tickets here.
Vape-Jet at NECANN
At Vape-Jet, we know that with swiftly changing technologies and trends, staying updated is the key to staying ahead. We’re bringing our A-game to NECANN Boston, with interactive demonstrations and educational resources. Come by booth #1215 to discover our innovative approach to cannabis product packaging, and learn how our machines provide unparalleled precision and reliability including:
With the lowest labor inputs of any fully automatic machine on the market, this machine can fill between 5,000 and 10,000 cartridges per shift with unlimited saved hardware and oil configuration profiles.
Streamline your filling operation with this ergonomic, easy-to-clean machine, capable of filling between 5,000 and 9,000 cartridges per shift with a single operator.
The newest addition to our product line-up, this machine is perfect for dispensing badder, butter, sauce, jam/jelly and more into jars accurately and efficiently.
We’re proud to be exhibiting alongside leading companies in the industry, including some of our customers! Make sure to visit these booths at the show: C3 Industries #606, Cilicon #523, Dablicator #1414, Fernway #500, Greentank Technologies #506, iKrusher #1214, Media Bros #1122, O2VAPE #110, RollPros #410, Tessie International #1219, and Vertical Supply Company #1419.
Join Us for Two Days of Expansion and Innovation
Whether you’re fine-tuning your craft, scaling operations, or simply have an undying curiosity for the latest in cannabis technology, NECANN Boston is a can’t-miss event. Prepare to be inspired, look forward to learning, and brace for exploration.
Don’t miss out on a chance to experience Vape-Jet’s tech firsthand. Come find us at booth #1215, meet our crew, and discover why Vape-Jet is the future of cannabis packaging automation!
Episode 18: Cartridge Filling Innovation, Automation, and Customer-Centric Design
We had the honor of being featured on SciPhy Systems’“Plants to Plants” interview series, where we delved deep into the evolution and impact of our cartridge filling automation technology.
Vape-Jet’s Journey
Our inception is a story of innovation born from necessity. Witnessing firsthand the labor-intensive process of manual cartridge filling, our CEO, Developer and Founder Ryan Hoitt recognized a glaring need for efficiency and precision. This led to the creation of Vape-Jet, our answer to the industry’s need for flexible automated solutions. Through our development, we have stayed laser-focused on continually evolving our cartridge filling machines, making significant strides in reducing labor while increasing output.
Revolutionizing the Industry with Machine Vision
The main differentiator of our fully automatic cartridge filling machine is the integration of advanced camera and machine vision systems. This technology has been a game-changer, eliminating major manual labor steps and streamlining the entire process. Our approach allows for real-time adjustments and ensures unparalleled accuracy, setting a new standard in the industry.
“What really was the key differentiator was that camera and machine vision system, which eliminated a major labor step, even though it’s an automated machine. If you have to spend two to three minutes per tray transferring everything over, you’re just shifting your labor from one place to another. So what really differentiated us from the competition was the ability to get the box from UPS dropping off the box, opening up the box, slicing it open, grabbing the tray, putting it directly on the machine, and not have that be pre-programmed in. Have that be figured out on the fly by the system.” – Ryan Hoitt
Navigating Industry Shifts
The cannabis landscape is ever-evolving, with consumer preferences shifting towards more sophisticated products like live resins and rosin. Vape-Jet’s cartridge filling automation systems are designed with adaptability in mind, allowing us to swiftly respond to changing market demands and maintain our position at the forefront of the industry.
“We do see the live resin market really picking up and doing well, especially in the established states. You’re seeing the distillate carts do really well in new markets. People are discovering, people are finding out the brands they like, they’re discovering the product. But over time, what we do see–the California’s, the Oregon’s, the Washington’s, the Colorado’s–definitely see more of a focus on craft and live and not taking stuff all the way down to distillate.” – Ryan Hoitt
Automation: A Solution to Customer Challenges
In facing labor shortages and high turnover, our automated solutions have proven invaluable. By reducing dependency on manual labor, Vape-Jet’s cartridge filling automation not only addresses immediate operational challenges but also sets the stage for sustainable growth and scalability within the cannabis sector.
“The key thing for us when we look at companies that have adopted automation versus companies that rely on the brute force of labor hours, is labor shortage. Turnover is a big risk; you might have somebody that could fill a lot of cartridges very quickly and is highly skilled. But your chances of losing that person and then losing their expertise, and falling behind on your production targets, is always a higher risk. And when you have a machine that has great support that’s fully automated and just requires a person to supervise it, and to change out trays and can do something else at the same time–packaging probably–then you’ve greatly reduced your risk. So not onl are you actually saving money because you’re no longer paying for a person, but you’re also dramatically reduce the chance of turnover and the costs of re-skilling, a huge, huge factor for a lot of companies either makes the business or breaks the business.” – Emmett McGregor
Looking Ahead: The Future of Automation in Cannabis
As we continue to evolve and adapt, our focus remains on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this industry. The insights shared during our discussion on “Plants to Plants” are just a glimpse into the future we envision—a future where efficiency, precision, and customer-centric design lead the way.
Vape-Jet’s filling solutions, alongside other forward-thinking companies like SciPhy Systems, are shaping a more efficient, sustainable, and profitable future. For a closer look at how SciPhy Systems can transform your cannabis processing capabilities, visit their website and join us in embracing the next wave of cannabis industry evolution.
We’re committed to not only meeting but exceeding the needs of today’s producers and consumers. Stay ahead of the curve with Vape-Jet’s fully automatic and semi-automatic vape filling machines. Explore how our innovative solutions can streamline your operations and elevate your product offerings.
Looking back at 2023, I am happy to reflect on the incredible journey Vape-Jet has undertaken over the past year. Despite the challenges faced by the cannabis industry, Vape-Jet has not only persevered but thrived. Our commitment to innovation, customer-focused solutions, and strategic growth have propelled us to new heights. Join me as we revisit the key milestones and achievements that defined our success in 2023.
A Year of Innovation: Key Achievements
Jet Fueler 3.0 Machine Upgrade
In early 2023, we unveiled the Jet Fueler 3.0, a testament to our dedication to continuous improvement. The new high-force pump resulted in an average 20% boost to throughput, along with a sleeker interface, multi-dose dispensing, and LED indicator—making operators’ work smoother.
Dab Dispenser Pilot Program
Breaking new ground, we announced the Vape-Jet Dab Dispenser, revolutionizing extract production. Designed to automate the processes of dispensing concentrates into jars, the Dab Dispenser offers customers the same Vape-Jet standard of innovation to replace another traditionally manual process.
What sets us apart is our commitment to involving customers in the final testing phase. Our exclusive Pilot Program, where five hand selected participants collaborate with our engineers, reflects our belief in co-creating the future of cannabis automation. Most importantly, “the Test Pilots love the Dab Dispenser!” CSO Devon Reid says. “People can’t express how happy they are that this machine exists; it finally makes concentrate packaging a scalable business. Expect improved employee retention plus better margins.”
Unified Software and Product Enhancements
Focusing on user convenience, we unified software across all our products, ensuring future enhancements benefit all filling machines and any additional products. Notable product enhancements include improved operator views with LED lighting for Vape-Jet syringes, and separated formulation and hardware configuration profiles.
“One key to our success is listening,” CFO Brian Kuo explains. “We’re not about one-time releases. We evolve with your feedback, pushing out improvements seamlessly. It’s not just about the product; it’s about a continuous partnership with our clients.”
Creative Response to Challenges
In true Vape-Jet fashion, we faced challenges head-on, responding to our first cease-and-desist letter with a touch of humor—a cat meme! Our ability to navigate challenges creatively reflects the resilient spirit of our crew.
State of the Industry
The state of the cannabis industry in 2023 is a nuanced panorama, revealing a sector marked by challenges and resilience. The financial landscape has undergone a notable shift, with 34% of participants reporting revenue decreases, surpassing the 20% reporting revenue increases. A significant 53% admitted to being unprofitable in the most recent fiscal year. However, amidst these challenges, 39% reported profitability, showcasing the industry’s capacity to adapt. The diverse nature of U.S. state-legal cannabis markets contribute to distinct outlooks for companies in various regions. Insights from various states, such as accounts of the stress faced by permitted farms in California and oversupply’s impact in Arizona, underscore the diverse challenges encountered.
Collectively, these insights depict an industry in flux, contending with financial challenges, oversupply issues, and evolving regulatory landscapes. However, the resilience and adaptability of cannabis businesses, coupled with ongoing legislative efforts, set the stage for a transformative 2024. As the industry steps into this new year, it stands at a crossroads, embodying both progress and persisting challenges, with legislative efforts, evolving regulations, and public support shaping its trajectory.
In 2023, our theme was growth and expansion. We moved to a 9,000+ sq ft facility, introduced new products to the market, and grew our team. 2023 was still a tumultuous year for the cannabis industry, and the economy as a whole with the interest rate environment making it challenging for Companies to find funding. Luckily, we were “default alive” and cash flow positive/profitable and continued the trend from 2022 by having its best year ever in 2023, including several company record-breaking months throughout the year.
Our continued mission of innovation (in a space that often grows stale with retrofits and dated equipment) continues to build value for our clients and pushes us to innovate to pass even more benefits to our customers. This mission emphasizes growth alongside our customers, crew diversity and experience, heavy investments in R&D, and local manufacturing, assembly, and support of our filling machines.
As we look to the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of our accomplishments:
In 2023, our YoY (year-over-year) revenue grew by almost 53%*
We have been profitable and cash flow positive since 2020, with an approximate 236% growth in profitability YoY in 2023*
We have simultaneously increased our total assets by more than 22% with no new long-term debt while also rewarding our stakeholders
Our crew crushed it this year, so we rewarded their hard work by increasing our employee profit share bonus by approximately 63% from the prior year
*Financial data included in this blog is unaudited and not to be relied upon for investment decisions. 2023 has not been closed at the time this blog was written. Some figures are estimates.
2023 Operational Growth with CSO Devon Reid and Operations Manager Chuck Rouse
In 2023, Vape-Jet experienced significant operational growth. First, we increased production capacity substantially, reflecting our commitment to meeting the escalating demand for our products. This expansion allowed us to shatter previous records, achieving a noteworthy milestone—ZERO lead time on Jet Fueler and Vape-Jet filling machines for the first time in company history.
The move to a larger warehouse marked a pivotal moment in our journey. Formerly scattered across three separate two-story units, our entire team now operates cohesively under one expansive roof, boasting over 9,000 square feet of space. “Our new warehouse accommodates virtually all of manufacturing, shipping, receiving, technical support, and research and development functions,” Devon says. “The reduction in wasted steps and touch points enabled the R&D process to transfer two new products into manufacturing, launching the Flight Deck accessory for Vape-Jet and the Dab Dispenser for extract packaging.”
“The operational efficiencies of the single-roof-facility are born out in the numbers,” Operations Manager Chuck Rouse says. “Year over year we produced 41% more Vape-Jets, 11% more Jet-Fuelers, and saw total units completed (including Squish-O-Matic, Flight Deck, and the new Dab Dispenser) rise13%.”
Moreover, our local team has grown over 30%, with expansion across our on site manufacturing and product support departments. This infusion of new talent not only reflects our dedication to bolstering internal capabilities but also underscores our pursuit of excellence in every aspect of our operation.
2023 Customer Support and Engagement
At Vape-Jet, our commitment to customer satisfaction goes beyond delivering cutting-edge products; it extends to the ongoing support and engagement we provide to our customers. In 2023, we continued to elevate our customer support initiatives, ensuring that our clients experience seamless post-sales service.
Updates to Documentation and Self-Guided Resources
We updated our documentation and introduced self-guided resources on our HelpDesk.
Expansion of Product Support Team
We expanded our product support team to provide timely assistance and troubleshooting.
Product support also means assisting our customers with ramping up their production. “We were a 3000-4000 package a week lab, now, we’re a 12,000-15,000 package a week lab,” Larry Decristofaro, Proper Brands’ Director of Processing says. “[Vape-Jet] is not just helping us grow by the numbers, it’s helping us grow in our thought processes.”
Rapid Response Times
We maintained our same-day response commitment, with response times as little as 15 minutes.
“I’ve had nothing but good experiences,” Bobby from ElevatedRX says, “[The support team has] always been there for us any time we need anything. I’ve never encountered someone where I’ve felt like they were having a ‘bad day.’”
Automation for Faster Responses
We implemented automation in our internal systems not only to expedite product support response times but also to streamline scheduling processes.
Refined Hardware Compatibility Testing
We refined our hardware compatibility testing process, assuring that our products work harmoniously with various hardware setups.
Coming Soon: As part of our ongoing commitment to customer support, we’re excited to announce a new hardware compatibility resource set to be released in Q1 2024. This comprehensive resource aims to provide customers and potential clients with valuable insights into hardware compatibility and usage optimization. Stay informed about this upcoming release by signing up for our newsletter and joining us on our journey of continuous improvement and innovation at Vape-Jet.
2023 Community and Industry Engagement with Creative Director Carly Hoitt
At Vape-Jet, we don’t just create cutting-edge automation solutions; we actively engage with the cannabis industry, forming partnerships, participating in events, and collaborating with like-minded innovators. Here’s a glimpse into our involvement in 2023:
“We’re not about chasing the hype,’” adds Ryan Hoitt. “Our collaborations are all about genuine connections. It’s not about appearances; it’s about building real relationships.”
New Partners and an Expanded Partner Program
We are proud to announce the addition of new partners to our growing network. As part of our commitment to collaboration, we’ve expanded our partner program, welcoming brands that share our vision for excellence in cannabis production.
“In 2023, our Partner Program and participation in several collaborative events demonstrated the undeniable power of social proof,” Carly says. “Working collaboratively with our partner brands has not only fortified our industry relationships but has also significantly enhanced our ability to serve and support our existing customers, cementing our role as leaders in innovation and customer satisfaction.”
2023 Partners:
Greentank – provides high-quality, reliable vaporizers that surpass industry standards.
iKrusher – a trailblazer in disposable vapes, 510 thread batteries, cartridges, vape pod systems, and portable vaporizers.
N.N. Analytics – built to serve the rapidly developing vaping industry with honest and effective consulting, N.N. Analytics supports their customer’s efforts in achieving national and international regulation standards.
Abstrax – the only U.S. licensed company for in-house study, extraction, and formulation of botanical terpene profiles. With proprietary GCxGC technology, Abstrax tests for over 400 compounds, surpassing industry standards.
Media Bros – bring a scientifically engineered approach to improve extraction technologies, focusing on quality and throughput.
Luna Tech – introduces patented automated systems for easier extraction and better extracts.
2 Bridges Cannabis Design – provides expert advice for new and existing cannabis companies in facility design and operation.
If you’re interested in joining our program, apply here!
Coming Up: NECANN Boston 2024
Looking ahead, Vape-Jet is gearing up for NECANN Boston March 22-23, 2024. This event is another exciting opportunity to engage with our customers, share our industry insights, and explore potential collaborations. Stay tuned for updates and stop by booth #1215 to meet the crew and see our tech for yourself.
2024 Growth Goals and Vision
Reflecting on 2023
Entering 2024, we recognize the importance of establishing clear benchmarks to sustain our growth and keep our crew accountable. Before we dive into our goals for 2024, let’s look at how we did with our goals for 2023.
Major Product Upgrade – Achieved with Jet Fueler 3.0 The release of Jet Fueler 3.0 in the first quarter showcased our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
New Product Launch – Achieved with Dab Dispenser The unveiling of the Vape-Jet Dab Dispenser, in tandem with our exclusive Pilot Program, allowed customers to actively participate in product testing.
International Certifications – Achieved with CSA Certification Obtaining CSA certification for both Vape-Jet and Jet Fueler was a crucial milestone. Now, we can enter new international markets, particularly in Canada.
Enhanced Support – Achieved with Improved Response Times Our commitment to customer support reached new heights in 2023. Achieving our goal of increased support hours and improved response times ensures that our customers receive prompt and effective assistance whenever needed.
Looking Ahead to 2024
As we embark on our journey in 2024, Vape-Jet remains committed to innovation, customer satisfaction, and collaborative ventures that will shape the future of cannabis automation.
Continued Software Innovation Vape-Jet is poised to continue innovating on the software front. With a dedicated focus on refining and expanding our software capabilities, we aim to provide our customers with cutting-edge solutions that enhance the performance of our machines.
Customer Support Excellence Our dedication to customer support remains a cornerstone of our ethos. In the coming year, we will further our efforts to ensure that every customer receives unparalleled assistance.
Leveraging AI for Efficiency Vape-Jet is set to leverage additional artificial intelligence (AI) tools to optimize internal processes and increase efficiency. Customers can anticipate encountering these AI features within our machine software, representing a seamless integration of advanced technology into our offerings.
Collaborative Ventures with IoT Technology Looking beyond our immediate sphere, Vape-Jet is eager to collaborate with other companies interested in implementing our IoT technology and product support processes into their cannabis automation offerings. If you’re developing something groundbreaking, reach out to us, and let’s explore the possibilities together.
Onward and Upward!
As the crew embarks on another exciting year, we express our deepest gratitude to our partners, customers, and the entire Vape-Jet community for their unwavering support in 2023. “This year our growth at Vape-Jet has been nothing short of outstanding, and this is thanks to our partners, customers, and incredible operators in the field,” Sales Lead Sawyer Sheppard says. “We can’t wait to continue to innovate, support, and create better tools for our partners in 2024!”
MJBizCon 2023 has wrapped, and it’s clear that this year’s event was more than just a gathering – it was a testament to the resilience and progress of the cannabis industry. The Vape-Jet team was excited to return, showcasing our latest innovations and reconnecting with our community.
This year’s booth set up.
Carol and Jonathan from the Inferno team dropped by the booth.
This year, we observed a shift in the atmosphere. Despite a strong presence of exhibitors, overall attendance was noticeably lower than in previous years. However, this didn’t detract from the experience; it seemed to enhance the quality of interactions. The attendees who were present appeared more invested and established in the industry. Unlike past years, where curiosity led many to explore, this year’s crowd was distinctly serious and committed to the business.
A look at our crew in action on the 2023 show floor.
Vape-Jet’s Showcase Highlights
This year at MJBizCon, Vape-Jet showcased our latest technological advancements. Our booth featured the latest iterations of our Vape-Jet fully automatic and Jet Fueler semi-automatic vape cartridge and device filling machines, prototypes of our Fuel Injector pre-roll infusion solution, and the sleek new Flight Deck base cabinets. But what truly stole the show was the first iteration of our Dab Dispenser – a glimpse into the future of cannabis processing and packaging efficiency.
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the hard work and dedication we’ve poured into these products. As Sawyer Sheppard, our Sales Lead, aptly put it, “MJBiz 2023 was the culmination of a year of hard work. It was a moment to celebrate what we as an industry have done this year.“
Vape-Jet 4.0 fully automatic cartridge and device filling machine.
Dab Dispenser semi-automatic jar filling machine.
Networking and Partnerships
Networking at MJBizCon 2023 was a highlight, with the Vape-Jet team forging new relationships and reconnecting with valued clients. The power of customer satisfaction was evident, as our loyal clients enthusiastically introduced us to potential partners. Brian Kuo, our CFO and Co-Founder, reflected, “We had a fantastic time reconnecting with our valued clients and forging new relationships within the industry.“
After hours at this year’s convention was prime networking time. Vape-Jet brought a one of a kind experience to the Good Life Gang’s much-anticipated annual event. Embracing our innovative spirit, our CEO and Founder Ryan Hoitt (along with several members of our manufacturing crew) transformed our latest product, the Dab Dispenser, into a one-of-a-kind attraction: the first-ever dab dispensing slot machine. This endeavor involved retrofitting the design with a 1960s era slot machine arm, custom coding, all complemented by an e-nail and a bespoke dab rig, ingeniously designed by John Mark from the Sci Phy Systems team using extraction equipment parts.
This invention was not just a showpiece but became a focal point for interaction, drawing in both extractors and consumers. It offered a novel way for attendees to engage and connect, embodying the inventive and collaborative spirit of the cannabis industry. The dab dispensing slot machine, a blend of technology and fun, resonated with the Vegas vibe, making it a crowd favorite and a topic of conversation throughout the rest of the week.
Reflections on Growth and Community
Looking back at our journey since our first MJBizCon in 2020, the evolution of Vape-Jet has been remarkable. Devon Reid, our CSO and Co-Founder, reminisced, “The first time we attended MjBizCon in 2020, we easily blended into the crowd. Three exhibitions later in 2023, some of the most doubtful people we met in 2020 have become some of our best customers.” This transformation from newcomers to recognized industry leaders is a testament to the quality of our products and the strength of our community.
Elena from Cilicon talking tech with Vape-Jet brand rep Demetre.
Vape-Jet Sales Lead Sawyer showing an attendee the software side of our Jet Fueler semi-automatic filling machine.
MJBizCon 2023 was a testament to the spirit of innovation and collaboration that drives us at Vape-Jet. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with our industry peers, celebrate our customers’ achievements, and look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of cannabis technology.
Stay tuned for more updates from Vape-Jet, and if you missed us at MJBizCon, reach out to learn more about our cutting-edge cannabis processing solutions or sign up to receive our monthly newsletter of industry news and company updates.
It’s that time of the year again! MJBizCon 2023 is just around the corner, and the Vape-Jet crew will be exhibiting for the third year in a row. From November 28th to December 1st, the Las Vegas Convention Center will become the epicenter of the industry, hosting the largest cannabis conference and expo. Prepare to be part of a one-of-a-kind experience filled with insights, networking, and the market’s most innovative products and technology
What to Expect at MJBizCon
MJBizCon 2023 promises a comprehensive agenda, covering everything from finance and marketing to science and psychedelics. The event kicks off with pre-show forums on November 28th. The re-designed expo is open November 29th through December 1st, and will feature four segmented pavilions – Cultivation Products & Services, Retail & Dispensary, Business Services, and Processing, Packaging & Lab Services where you’ll find us!
The conference, curated by MJBizDaily editors, will span three days, filled with actionable insights to help you navigate the industry’s current challenges.
VJ at MJ
We’re excited to showcase our latest innovations at booth #2222, located in the Central Hall, just inside from the registration area. From November 29th to December 1st, visit us to see our state-of-the-art equipment including:
With the lowest labor inputs of any fully automatic machine on the market, this machine can fill between 5,000 and 10,000 cartridges per shift with unlimited saved hardware and oil configuration profiles.
Streamline your filling operation with this ergonomic, easy-to-clean machine, capable of filling between 5,000 and 9,000 cartridges per shift with a single operator.
The newest addition to our product line-up, this machine is perfect for dispensing badder, butter, sauce, jam/jelly and more into jars accurately and efficiently.
We’re excited to have some of our valued customers join us again this year. You’ll meet Jonathan Winn (Director of Manufacturing at Inferno), Larry Decristofaro (Director of Processing at Proper Brands), and Demetre Janness (Cannabis Consultant and the founder of Terp Logic). They’re not just industry experts; they’re machine operators who understand the day-to-day advantages of our Vape-Jet technology.
Events and After Hours at MJBizCon
Grab your tickets for Good Life Gang events! This year’s theme is “The Path to Profitability,” focusing on the best in the business for extraction. Vape-Jet is excited to be a sponsor of the GLG after hours party on Wednesday, November 29th. This annual event is a highlight for extractors, processors, and manufacturers, offering a perfect mix of great food, hash, and networking opportunities.
We’re also participating in the GLG MJBizCon Expo Passport event on the show floor, guiding attendees through a curated path of extraction-related products, technologies, and services. And be sure to check out the Path to Profitability Symposium on Thursday, November 30th, featuring industry leaders discussing success strategies in the current extraction market.
Say Hello to Our Partners and Friends
We’re proud to be exhibiting alongside leading companies in the industry. Make sure to visit these booths at the show: AVD #6413, Cilicon #5129, iKrusher #7618, Greentank #2419, CCELL #4418, BOLD #5333, RollPros #2224, Abstrax #6311, Good Life Gang #3844, Luna Technologies #4147, Sci Phy Systems #2936, and Dablicator #5608.
See You in Vegas!
Come by booth #2222 to meet the crew, grab some brand new merch items, and find out about our exclusive show floor specials available only at MJBizCon.
Here’s a look at last year to get you hyped, we can’t wait to catch up!
Where do cultivation, manufacturing, and retail intertwine to create a comprehensive cannabis experience? Proper Brands, a fully vertical marijuana company in Missouri, handles all three, offering a diverse product range that few can match. With product variety, quality, and volume being the most important, Proper trusted Vape-Jet filling machines to do what they do best—fill vape cartridges with industry-leading accuracy.
Before they switched to Vape-Jet, Proper used an A10-Hotshot semi-auto filler. As they began manufacturing live resin and rosin, Larry recognized they would have to increase volume.
“On a good day, during an 8-hour shift, we were doing around 2,000 pens for a distillate product,” Larry says. As far as capping, Larry recalls using screw tops for a short time, but switching to AVD Eazy Press has made everything easier. “AVD has really changed the game with the Eazy Press,” he says.
Switching to Vape-Jet
After switching to Vape-Jet,Proper fills and caps up to 7,500 vape cartridges per shift, with a single operator. That’s right, one person using a Vape-Jet (for distillate or live resin SKUs) and a Jet Fueler (for rosin) more than tripled their daily throughput.“The Vape-Jet has been a huge asset in our lab, it’s almost like a team member.”
What is Proper currently filling?
Distillate with botanical terpene blends
100% live resin blends
Distillate live resin hybrids
100% rosin blends
Distillate and isolate hybrids
What has improved?
“Everything from volume to overall quality, to shot size,” Larry says. “Our workers are happier working with [your] machinery. It’s also an easier piece of equipment to learn, so I can have more people using it.”
“We have really high fill volumes, in my opinion; our shot sizes are super accurate. And our batches are always within 2-3% of what we’re reflecting, which is great.”
What are Larry’s favorite features?
“You can clean the machine with a solvent easily.” And the reservoir size, Larry mentions—compared to their last filler, ”it’s huge by comparison.” Larry also notes the nitrogen-pressurized fluid path is helpful for limiting oxidation and assisting with temperature control.
“The amount of work that goes unnoticed on the Vape-Jet vs. the competition is unmatched. Especially being able to hot swap reservoirs on the Vape-Jet; you can fly,” Larry says. “We have the Drop Tank, and it’s well worth it if you’re a high-volume producer.”
Growing with Vape-Jet Filling Machines
As Proper transitioned from strictly medical markets to recreational cannabis markets, Vape-Jet emerged as the ultimate growth catalyst for expanding production capacity. “We were a 3000-4000 package a week lab,” Larry reflects. “Now, we’re a 12,000-15,000 packagea week lab.”
This transition wasn’t just about increased production volume; it also empowered Proper with precise control over their vape cartridge automation, allowing for fine-tuned formulations and improved operational procedures. “It’s really interesting how [Vape-Jet] has helped us grow. And it’s not just helping us grow by the numbers, it’s helping us grow in our thought processes,” Larry says. “The Vape-Jet really helped put us over the top.”
Vape-Jet Support
Vape-Jet’s commitment to technical support is critical for bolstering production volume, especially as companies transition to recreational markets. The accessibility of Vape-Jet Support played a crucial role in getting Proper up-to-speed, from machine training to rapid troubleshooting.
Accessible Support
“[With Vape-Jet] you get this incredible support team, which is very valuable,” Larry says. “Our whole lab has interacted with most of your team when we were getting trained on the machine.”
“So many of these companies are huge one day, then they’re not answering phones the next. Vape-Jet’s service has been phenomenal. They’re going to overnight a part, and they’re going to work through it with you.”
Remote Installation
“[Vape-Jet] sends you all the tools, stays on the phone the entire time, and has techs that will go out and physically show what you’re trying to do.”
Improved Uptime
“The other fillers I’ve had, you had to ship back to the manufacturer if you wanted anything done,” Larry says. “You could be out for weeks if they were backed up or if something got messed up in the mail. Vape-Jet overnights you parts, gets you a technician immediately, and you’re able to do it yourself.”
The Vape-Jet crew understands the potential loss that comes when your vape cartridge filler is down. For example, if you’re filling 7,500 vape pens a day and you’re down for two weeks, that’s 75,000 pens worth of profit lost. Vape-Jet gets you back up and running in no time.
Feedback, Tips, & Tricks from ProperBrands
Since repeatability is at the core of Vape-Jet filling machines, we turn to the expertise of experienced operators like Larry to share insights and time-tested strategies that can be universally applied to elevate your vape cartridge production.
Bubbling
“A lot of people blame their fillers [for] bubbling,” Larry begins. “[The issue] often lies in the processes before getting to the filler. The Vape-Jet comes with the nitrogen boost, that’s going to kill a lot of those bubbles for you if your oil is right and it’s been exposed to temperatures similar to what you’re filling at.”
Heating
Temperature control plays a pivotal role in the oil filling process, and different oil types require precise temperature controls for premium quality.
In general, the longer your oil is exposed to heat, the more variability.
Distillate, on the other hand, maintains a more consistent viscosity across a range of temperatures.
Vape-Jet Tips
“Our rosin gets put into the Jet Fueler at a higher temperature than we produce the rosin pens at. We’ve realized that if we put the hopper below the 350g mark, we’re able to fill [carts] fast enough that it does not decarb more in the hopper.”
“Listen to the people that are teaching you how to use this equipment. A great example I have is on the Vape-Jet when we were first getting started,” Larry explains. “One of our techs was using the machine, and we had to take the oil out of the machine for whatever reason. That person disconnected the fluid line before the nitrogen. If you listen, you won’t run into major issues.”
Optimize Your Filling Operations
Whether it’s improving from 10,000 vape carts a week to 37,500 or the consistent quality of Vape-Jet filling machines, Larry is excited for what the future holds. “We’ve only started optimizing processes over the last two weeks,” he says. “We haven’t fully utilized the Vape-Jet to its fullest extent.”
How likely are you to recommend Vape-Jet? “I have always recommended Vape-Jet and will continue to do so,” Larry says.
If you want to ramp up production and maintain premium quality products, reach out to our crew, and we’ll find the best solution for your business.
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