Advanced Thermoforming, 2nd Edition

Chapter 27Automated Packaging

Written in cooperation with Laura Gascho, Gerhard Schubert GmbH, Germany

Many thermoform projects call for production rationalization, particularly packaging applications. Form, fill, and seal (FFS) machines have become established in the packaging sector and have gained a substantial share in the market. FFS machines are a very good basis for automated packaging. Over the years many advancements have been made to facilitate product flow and ensure a failure‐free packaging process. For example, machine stops can be avoided by an automatic change of the film roll. With continuous product flow, all good products can be packaged and scrap is reduced to a minimum.

Complete packaging lines are created using standard machine components; this presents enormous advantages for automated packaging. Such systems utilize robots for loading of thermoformed trays and for handling of packaging. Many packaging lines present the possibility of loading closed thermoform packaging directly into cartons or cases, and subsequently palletizing the cartons or cases. The machine suppliers also offer such additional functions as labeling and the tracing of products.

Automated packaging lines must conform to demands for greater efficiency and higher flexibility. Small batch sizes that are produced to fulfill the demands of particular customers call for frequent format changes. Today’s packaging lines must facilitate rapid format changes. A versatile use of the machine components ...