Flexible Packaging
Automation: Driving Smart Productivity in Flexible Packaging
ByJordi Prat – Technical Sales Director – BU Slitting.
he world is changing, evolving, and it is normal for trends to change as well, seeking similarities in other markets where certain processes have worked. The car industry, together with others, has been transformed through plant automation, and our customers expect something similar is going to happen in the flexible packaging sector. Comexi, always focusing on the sector needs, is aware that nowadays the trend is to automate all processes, among other things, in order to not depend on operator knowledge. Therefore, we are automating everything related to the slitter, making everything easier, organised, functional, and ergonomic. Comexi already offers automatic solutions for automatic blade positioning, automating the automatic closure of final reels, automatic core placement, and machine tension selection, among others. This extends to pallet finishing, including processes such as traceability, weighing, interior and exterior labelling, bagging, palletising, pallet wrapping, and pallet labelling. All this is also saved in files that allow for job repetition and even sharing between plants.
T
THE NEW GENERATIONS AND THE LABOUR TRANSFORMATION
This trend is primarily evident due to the labour transformation taking place worldwide. Repetitive jobs, such as those that involve handling reels, are not attractive to the new generations. They lean more towards new forms of working that offer added value and are less physically demanding. Neither can we ignore factors that affect flexible packaging plants, such as, for example:
• Having holistic and harmonious systems that provide continuous productivity, total control of traceability, and real-time material quality, all connected to the ERP used in each plant.
• Ensuring the safety of the operators and the material itself. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of an automated system that prevents anyone from touching the material, thus avoiding human contact and the
potential transmission of viruses. Ultimately, prioritising the safety of the final product.
• Workforce reduction. The number of operators present today represents a significant cost in terms of salaries, and at the same time, it is increasingly challenging to find workers for these types of jobs, as we discussed earlier.
• Eliminate or drastically reduce work absences by eliminating repetitive tasks and heavy lifting, the latter becoming increasingly restricted due to government regulations.
• Promote gender equality. Increase the hiring of female personnel, striving for gender equality in the workforce, as there are plants where men and women can perform the same tasks thanks to automation.
• Sustainability and productivity. In terms of sustainability, we can reduce the number of machines per plant and increase the plant’s productivity by transitioning from double shafts to turrets and automating the entire outgoing process. This results in a 50% reduction in machine energy cost, leading to lower production costs for companies and a reduced use of natural resources.
• Bespoke projects. At Comexi, we customise projects to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our capabilities include analysing and assessing optimal solutions, calculating the return on investment (ROI) for our clients, and making informed decisions. Our system, which is supported by CE, UL, and CSA certifications, provides high- quality technical service and a dedicated point of contact for unique solutions.
34
March 2024
www.convertermag.com
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