Should I source a case packer together with the primary packaging machine?

• Source together if case packer and primary machine share cycle time; one vendor owns line synchronization and interlocks.
• Prefer same vendor to unify PLC/HMI protocols and communication interfaces, cutting integration and blame risk.
• Source separately when packing is a standalone station with no synchronized cycle time, lowering unit price and MOQ.
• If separate, contract must specify interface dimensions, cycle time, signal point list, and FAT responsibility.
• Decision rule: same source if changeover needs line-wide linkage; otherwise split and lock lead time and acceptance terms.