Consulting machinery manufacturer early in packaging projects is wise, expert explains

A consumer goods producer looking for automation of its packing processes should talk to machinery suppliers before finalising packaging materials and formats, argues Schubert.

No matter what the packaging type, what product and what automation is involved, it always makes sense to get not only the packaging manufacturer but also the machine manufacturer onboard right at the outset of the project, says the company. Efficiencies can be built in and potential problems or limitations avoided with early intervention. 

With its focus on flow-wrap and cartoning, Gerhard Schubert says it has expanded in-house expertise in packaging consulting and development. So, while the customer’s flow-wrap function will, of necessity, already be automated to a greater or lesser extent, efficiencies can usually be improved.

The company’s flow-wrap lines use pick-and-place robots to load the infeed to its Flowmodul machine. But, as it explains, the properties of the films used have an impact on the wrapping operation. They determine how the forming shoulders of the flow-wrapping unit need to be designed, for instance, and what sealing temperature and dwell-time need to be applied.

Plastics engineer at the company Laura Gascho emphasises the importance of early consultation. “If the type of film has not yet been determined, we work closely with the customer to find a packaging material that combines product protection, barrier properties and machinability on the planned line – in such a way that the efficiency and quality of the automation are guaranteed for every single flowpack,” she says.

The supplier brings its expertise together in a sample book dubbed the Comfort Package. “With its help, we can provide our customers with the best possible advice on finding a film that meets their specific product requirements while best supporting fully automated packaging,” Gascho says. 

Early design adaptations can also make a significant difference to line efficiencies when it comes to cartoning. If, for example, different quantities have to be packed per box, it makes sense to change the dimensions of the carton packaging as little as possible across all formats. This means that ideally only one of the three dimensions – length, width or height – will change.

Meanwhile, Schubert has joined Berlin packaging consultancy Berndt+Partner to create the Packaging Competence Center (PCC). This can offer regulatory advice (for example, on the requirements of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), packaging development and machine feasibility – all from a single source.

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www.schubert.group/en