FEATURE Robotics
Feature sponsored by
Schmalz UK is getting to grips with
T
he packaging industry is one of the largest growing markets in the world. Packaging is part of our everyday lives, and it’s
essential in maintaining product quality, packaging types and formats used by the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors are ultimately based on consumer demands, as we seek more convenience and continue the trend for greater numbers of products packaged in pouches and bags. Alongside these trends, the products packaging materials, which in turn means that the technologies used to handle these varying materials and packaging formats must also evolve.
Schmalz UK’s Sales Director, Neil
Turnbull, explains how the company provides direct technical support, products and solutions to equipment manufacturers in this challenging sector: “There are particular challenges surrounding the handling of bags and pouches, which can that may be in solid or liquid form. An increasing number of products such as detergents, beverages, soup, ice cream, frozen vegetables and chips, etc., are being packaged in this way. The weight of these products, combined with the fact that they are generally unstable, packed inside that the vacuum cups used to handle
Schmalz’s PSPF Suction Cups are just one of a range of products specifically designed for handling highly-flexible and unstable bags and pouches
these items must be durable and provide extraordinary sealing characteristics. Vacuum cups must also handle commonly used materials such as low- and high- density PE, PVC and poly-propylene.” “With expertise across all areas of the packaging sector, including primary and secondary packaging, we have developed a comprehensive range of products and solutions to cater for, not only the wide range of products and applications associated with the packaging sector, but also for the dynamic nature of the industry. For instance, our PSPF Suction Cups are just one of a range of products we have says Turnbull.
The PSPF Suction Cups (left) are round bellows type, with 3.5 folds, and are perfect for handling pouches and Featuring a high-strength 2C connection between the bellows and sealing lip, they combine sophisticated material properties in one suction cup. Their design ensures process-reliable gripping and handling, especially
32 May 2024 | Automation
well as pouches containing liquid, solid or powders.
He continues: “These are manufactured
from FDA-compliant silicone, which means that they can also be used for applications where direct contact with an integrated bag stabiliser, which being sucked into the cup, and their reinforced main body and folds deliver secure gripping even under high lateral sealing lip provides optimum sealing on pouches where there’s a high degree of wrinkling.”
product ranges for the packaging industry sector are designed to handle high-speed packaging processes, such as those associated with delta robots, case packers and other pick-and-place applications. We have trialled several high-speed applications with outstanding success. Our UK-based test facility tests these products
CONTACT:
Schmalz
www.schmalz.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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