Bosch: ‘Smaller batch sizes will lead to a generational change in the field of packaging machines’

The company highlighted machines from its portfolio at Hispack 2015 in Barcelona last week (April 21-24) including its platform for hygienic vertical packaging of fresh and frozen food, its Module++ line for primary and secondary packaging of biscuits and its redesigned Rapidsolver BLK for dissolving jelly masses.

'A generational change in the field of packaging machines'

Hans Michael Krause, head of business development, Processing & Packaging, Bosch Rexroth, spoke about the next generation of automation of packaging machines at the Packaging and Optimization and Sustainability session 2 on April 23.

He told FoodProductionDaily, during the last few years, manufacturers of packaging machines have been able to increase the productivity and flexibility for even smaller batch sizes.

“This continuing trend will eventually lead to a generational change in the field of packaging machines​,” he said.

“The packaging machines of the next generation are cabinet-free, adaptive, simple, efficient and ready for Connected Industry. What appeared unfeasible only a few years ago, has come into reach through progress in automation technology​.

He added products and their packaging are becoming increasingly individualized and packaging machine engineers have to adapt to this trend.

“This allows machine manufacturers to create for the first time self-sufficient modules without a control cabinet and network them together. This increases flexibility in the production of increasingly smaller batch sizes, and saves space in the production hall​.

Cabinet-free drives

“Cabinet-free drives with distributed installation of all components in the machine saves up to 90% on cable length and installation time. For retrofit projects of existing machines already existing control cabinets don’t need to be heavily modified if the customer wants to add more servo drives to increase the flexibility of their machines​.

“At the same time, it also makes it easier to integrate into flexible Connected Industry (Industry 4.0) production environments​.”

For producers of fresh and frozen food, Bosch exhibited its SVC 4020 vertical form, fill and seal machine for flexible bagging of wet and frozen products in pillow bags.

For the flexible packaging of dry free-flowing products such as coffee or tea, it promoted its vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) machines and mandrel-wheel package makers.

Rapidsolver BLK for dissolving jelly masses

Martin Tanner, director, business development and marketing, product division Confectionery and Food, Bosch Packaging Technology, said the SVC platform has been tailored to meet a range of industry needs and offers tool-less changeovers for multiple bag styles and sizes.

Part of the exhibited Module++ production line on display at Hispack was the low-pressure Pack Feeder 4 infeed system that handles delicate items such as biscuits, chocolate, cakes and bar-type products.

The system was displayed with the Pack 401 horizontal flow wrapper, and Paloma D3 feed placer and top loader.

Bosch also showcased its redesigned Rapidsolver BLK for dissolving jelly masses with less counter pressure. The machine was presented with Allen Bradley/Rockwell controls for the first time at Hispack.