AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
F
or many equipment builders, the challenge lies in achieving this level of robustness while maintaining high production speeds and working with increasingly delicate, sustainable
materials. Rollon supports machinery builders
throughout the UK and European markets by providing engineering solutions designed to withstand extreme mechanical loads without compromising precision. GIC, a manufacturer of vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machines, relied on Rollon’s Durbal Classic Line heavy-duty stainless-steel rod ends to overcome persistent durability issues in its sealing systems.
CHALLENGING CONDITIONS IN MODERN PACKAGING At a glance, a vertical packaging machine may seem straightforward. A roll of film unwinds, forms a vertical tube, fills with product and seals to create the finished bag. But behind this apparently simple sequence lies complex engineering. “Our machines typically produce around 70
bags per minute,” explains Andy Beal, Managing Director at GIC. “The sealing phase is where most of the stress accumulates. When the machine enters what we call ‘lockout,’ all the motion translates into axial force, and if you’re working with thick or multilayer film or sealing liquids that require a hermetic or gas-tight seal, the forces involved are massive.” Conventional rod ends couldn’t cope with
ENGINEERING RELIABILITY
By Adam Hoxey Technical Sales Engineer, Rollon
As manufacturers within the UK and across Europe continue to modernise their packaging lines to meet Industry 4.0 principles, the need for mechanical components that combine reliability, hygiene and long service life has never been greater
these conditions. “All the rod ends we had tried up until that point eventually broke down,” adds Robert Webster, Operations and Technical Manager at GIC. “Our machines need to deliver a long, reliable service life for our customers and these failures were putting that at risk.”
ENGINEERING COLLABORATION FOR A ROBUST, LONG-TERM SOLUTION Searching for an alternative, GIC’s engineers began exploring high-performance options and discovered Durbal, a respected brand known for its precision-engineered rod ends and part of the Rollon Group.
12 NOVEMBER 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS Durbal was already recognised in the market
for high-performance rod ends and rotational components. Rollon proposed using its Classic Line heavy-duty stainless-steel rod ends, designed for high-stress and high-speed applications. These combine low maintenance with high static load capacity, offering the balance of performance and reliability GIC was seeking. “The difference was immediate,” says Andy
Beal. “Over the years, we’ve tested various products, but the Durbal Classic rod ends were the only ones that delivered the combination of durability, hygienic design and performance we
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
