Bosch Presents Packaging Solutions for Enhanced Flexibility

At Interpack 2014, Bosch Packaging Technology will showcase a number of highly flexible solutions enabling quick changeovers of pack styles, sizes and products. Bosch’s flexible solutions are designed to help manufacturers deal with shortened product life cycles and consumer demands becoming more versatile.

The company’s extensive portfolio of processing and packaging solutions offers food manufacturers the benefit of a single-source solution provider for their entire packaging line.

“The innovations Bosch will display at Interpack 2014 draw from extensive know-how and are created with maximum flexibility in mind. Our goal is to support manufacturers of all sizes, from small start-ups to large, globally established firms. Bosch’s complete solutions for processing, primary and secondary packaging are available as modular lines as well as seamless systems and fulfill numerous packaging needs,” says Martin Tanner, director business development and marketing, product division confectionery and food, Bosch Packaging Technology.

Flexible case packer to meet retailers’ wide-ranging demands
For the first time in Europe, Bosch will present its new CCM 3100 case packer, which handles up to 180 products per minute. Designed for shorter production runs and increased flexibility in secondary packaging, the new CCM 3100 enables quick and tool-less changeovers between vertical (stand-up) and horizontal (lay-flat) bag orientation. The case packer integrates easily with vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) and horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) machines and handles a wide range in both bag and case sizes and styles, including Regular Slotted Containers (RSC), Half Slotted Containers (HSC), and all common retail-ready packaging styles.

Robust entry-level VFFS technology for food manufacturers
Bosch’s entry-level SVI 2600 VFFS machine is now also available for European manufacturers. The SVI 2600 is suitable for a wide range of industries, including confectionery, snacks, grains and other food and non-food products. The machine caters the needs of small- and mid-sized companies seeking to automate their packaging processes, while providing large manufacturers with a cost-effective option for small-volume processing or for test marketing new products. It incorporates the same proven technology employed on higher-end baggers, such as servo-driven cross-sealing units, vacuum belts and Bosch/Beckhoff controls for reliable, high-efficiency packaging. The intermittent motion bagger can be easily combined with existing equipment and produces pillow, side-gusseted and block-bottom bags at rates up to 120 bags per minute.

New option for optimizing coffee packaging
Offering easy integration and superior product protection, Bosch’s PME 4161 BN is a VFFS package maker with a top closing unit tailor-made for coffee manufacturers looking for high flexibility. The modular design of the PME enables quick changeover of top closures and package styles, enhancing flexibility. Coffee producers can package whole bean or ground coffee in soft or vacuum brick bags with different top closure options - all on one machine. A highlight of the exhibit is the new FVS auger filler with hygienic execution, allowing for quick product changeovers for instance from decaffeinated to caffeinated coffee. This is achieved through improved cleanability of the auger filler for reduced downtime.

For increased product protection, the PME offers inert gas flushing and an integrated valve applicator for inside valves. Additionally, the integrated KWI 6000 checkweigher with tendency regulation ensures precisely filled bags reducing product waste and increasing operational efficiency.

The PME 4161 BN integrates all these functionalities on one line operated via a combined Human-Machine-Interface (HMI). Depending on the product processed, filling volume and packaging options, the PME achieves an output of up to 55 bags per minute with optional corner sealing. In addition to coffee, the PME 4161 BN is well-suited for packaging other dry food products, such as sugar, flour, salt and rice.

Premium wrapping for chocolate producers
Bosch is introducing new capabilities to its multi-format Sapal Starpac wrapping machine, which is ideal for small- and medium-sized products such as chocolate. The Starpac 600L wrapper now provides all three options for die-fold, brush-fold and double twist wrapping on the same machine, with changeovers accomplished in as little as 45 minutes. This enables a new level of packaging flexibility by allowing diverse wrapping of multiple products on a single packaging machine. Bosch can also offer its Starpac 600HL wrapper that gives manufacturers the unique option of switching hermetic sealing on and off for die-fold operations. The Starpac series offers symmetric folds and minimal consumption of wrapping material.

Tailor-made service portfolio for improved equipment efficiency
At Interpack, Bosch will also highlight its after-sales services portfolio with a focus on solutions that improve packaging flexibility, machine efficiency and productivity. Machine upgrades and modernizations enable customers to adapt their existing equipment to new market requirements. During live presentations at the booth, the audience will be given an opportunity to take part in the “OEE Challenge” – a contest that tests participants’ speed, feeding accuracy and productivity on a completely overhauled horizontal wrapper. Customers will also find out how training sessions enhance efficient machinery handling. Moreover, Bosch will demonstrate how tailor-made service packages support customers in achieving maximum output and minimum downtime, ultimately resulting in higher profitability of their Bosch packaging machines.

Bosch’s technologies will be on display at Interpack 2014, Duesseldorf, Germany from May 8 to 14 in hall 6, booth A31 - C58.