Bosch delivers next generation flow wrapper targeting Europe and Asian markets
German-based Bosch Packaging Technology has launched its latest generation of flow wrappers designed for European and Asian markets – the Pack 403.
Developed as the successor to the Pack 401, the fully-automated horizontal flow wrapper for medium to high speed operations.
The narrow machine is said to be ideal for wrapping bars and biscuits, as well as chocolate, cookies and crackers. It features a removable discharge belt, upgrades to the cross-seal and fin seal units, and an intuitive, user-friendly design.
“Our new Pack 403 offers mid- to large-sized manufacturers a fully-automated packaging solution that is exceptionally easy to operate, clean and maintain. This minimises downtime and increases Overall Equipment Effectiveness,” says Fransien de Ruijter, product manager at Bosch Packaging Technology in Schiedam, Netherlands.
The Pack 403 is designed to produce up to 800 packages per minute at a film speed of 90 meter. Supported pack styles include pillow, gusseted and easy-to-open packs. User-friendly design for easy handling User-friendly and easy operation was in focus for the Pack 403`s design.
Clear signage, instructive decals and setting scales on each component facilitate changeovers between products and minimise waste and downtime caused by “trial-and-error” adjustments. The cantilevered discharge belt is one of the Pack 403’s key features: being removable, it is exceptionally easy to clean.
Its detection function rejects faulty packages and automatically ejects them using compressed air. For even more user-friendliness, the film tower has an easy-to-adjust pivot arm and sequentially numbered film rollers for easy film threading have been added.
The Pack 403 also comprises an automatic film splicer with clear instructions to secure fast and smooth film changes without having to stop the machine. Page 2 of 3 Improved film control and sealing units Compared to the previous machine series, several updates were made to improve process efficiency and film control, including as standard the servo-driven power feed roller to optimise film tension and tracking.
The new fin seal unit consists of pressure-controlled fin wheels to easily adjust the machine when running a variety of products with different films.
Due to the cut-out deckplates each package now passes over the fin wheels more closely, which results in even tighter packages. “Operators are now able to remove the fin fold-over unit without tools and have full access to the cutting head area for cleaning and maintenance, which increases OEE,” says de Ruijter. The cross-seal unit in turn stands out for its narrow cutting head, which operators can manually open up for cleaning and clearing using a hand wheel.
Air and fork gusseting is available for gusseted packages. In a final step, the mechanically driven overhead roller tightens the package seals on the discharge belt station.
Fully-automated packaging solutions in high demand on Asian market The Asian biscuit and bars markets in particular are booming. “According to our research, the biscuit market is growing by 5.3 percent, while the bar and chocolate market records a 3 percent growth rate.
Manufacturers throughout the region are turning to fully-automated processing and packaging equipment in order to increase productivity and keep up with consumer demand,” de Ruijter explains. As a global provider, Bosch Packaging Technology understands the different regional market trends and customer requirements. The new Pack 403 not only offers a high level of quality, performance and reliability, but also provides access to global comprehensive customer services, e.g. the regional service hub in Thailand.
Bosch is exhibiting the Pack at ProPak Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, June 12 to 15, 2019 and at FachPack in Nuremberg, Germany, September 24 to 26, 2019.
