I.DEA PACK installs thermoformers in Italian plant

By Joseph James Whitworth

- Last updated on GMT

I.DEA PACK's thermoforming machine COBRA 660
I.DEA PACK's thermoforming machine COBRA 660

Related tags Packaging Modified atmosphere Schneider electric

I.DEA PACK has installed its thermoforming packaging machine COBRA 660 into the plant of a packer in Southern Italy.

M & C have thermoforming lines each with an automatic slicer and an automatic thermoforming machine.

They are replacing four thermoforming machines with four of I.DEA PACK's COBRA660 machines.

With the productivity rate of the machines they will have one of the highest capacities of private label packers in Italy, said I.DEA PACK.

Machine specs

Top film width of the machine is 650mm, bottom film width is 660mm and the productivity rate is 14 cycles per minute with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) with a oxygen residual less than 0.1%.

Productivity increases if the client requires only vacuum packaging or sealing packaging, said the firm.

The machine is able to package around 150 trays/min with external dimensions 120x240mm with MAP (around 9,000 trays/hour).

It has a die set with bottom film width 660mm and cutoff length around 500mm.

i.dea pack cobra 660 3
I.DEA PACK's thermoforming packaging machine

Leonardo De Robertis, CEO, said the die set aligns I.DEA PACK with worldwide top tier manufacturers of thermoforming machines.

“This die set is very large compared with industry's standard size. With the COBRA660 I.DEA PACK has a thermoforming machine with both a large die set and a high productivity rate," ​he told FoodProductionDaily. 

“The new COBRA660 is suitable for almost every food industry (cheese, meat, cold cuts, fresh pasta).

“The new features increase the easy-of-use and reduce time wasted in die set changeover. In particular M & C packages slices of ham, salami, bacon and cheese.”

Collaboration points

The COBRA 660 works with rigid, flexible and paper-like film. For paper-like film, an illuminated surface has been developed in order to permit product loading.

It has a system for the telemetry of pressures within the sealing station, accessible through telephone assistance.

The machine is made of stainless steel AISI 304 and protection class IP65, the electrical components are from Schneider Electric and pneumatic elements from Festo – Airon.

“Due to our collaboration with Schneider Electric we have developed a system that permits to control in real time the pressure within the different zones of the vacuum chamber into the sealing station. This permits the manufacturer to be sure of what is happening within the vacuum chamber,” ​said de Robertis.

“The collaboration with Schneider Electric has been particularly fruitful. We have developed with Schneider technicians for the electric panel, choosing among the newest components available.

"They have also supported us during the first tests of electrical components.”​  

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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