Automation

Use of Automation Continues to Expand in Packaging Industry

Across several markets and stages of production, automation in packaging has become a major focus for suppliers.

Sidel CoboREEL being used for label creation — Courtesy of Sidel

Automation has taken hold in a variety packaging markets and contexts.

Throughout all areas of the packaging industry, embracing automation has become an increasingly important and necessary practice. For suppliers and manufacturers, automation allows for a more streamlined production process and more reliable quality assurance measures. In this month’s feature, we took a look at some of the packaging industry’s major advancements in automation.

Chef Robotics and Packline Partner for Automated Food Manufacturing Solution

Packline machinery on right and Chef machinery on left — The new solution features wireless integration that enables end-to-end communication between Chef’s and Packline’s equipment throughout the production line. *Courtesy of Chef Robotics*

Chef Robotics, a leader in AI-enabled robotic systems for food assembly, and Packline Solutions Group, announced a strategic partnership to offer an integrated food manufacturing automation solution for flexible meal assembly and packaging.

Sidel Launches Automated Reel Loading Solution for Beverage Packaging Labels

Sidel CoboREEL against black background — CoboREEL’s 18-reel capacity ensures 100% accuracy, optimizes efficiency, boosts productivity and increases profitability. *Courtesy of Sidel*

Sidel has presented CoboREEL, an automated reel loading solution for beverage packaging labels with three times the reel capacity of any other solution on the market.

Serpa Unveils Breakthrough Drop Packer at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

Serpa DP260 Drop Packer against white background — The DP260 offers single and tandem drop options and capable of achieving speeds of up to 60 cases per minute. *Courtesy of Serpa*

Serpa, a ProMach brand and a leading manufacturer of packaging technology and full line integrations, has expanded into new markets with the introduction of its breakthrough drop packer. The new DP260, part of the DP Series, is designed for the food, personal care, and household markets and was unveiled during PACK EXPO Las Vegas last September.

The DP260 is a cost-effective automated case packing solution that offers single and tandem drop options and capable of achieving speeds of up to 60 cases per minute. Serpa’s new drop packer is designed for efficiency and ease of use, making grid changeovers, lane and case size adjustments and maintenance operations quick and simple for the user.

The DP Series drop packer accommodates a variety of products of varying sizes that can be arranged in different packaging formats, from sauces, condiments and dressings to liquid detergents, disinfectants and household chemicals.

Key features and benefits of the drop packer:

Intuitive Design and Increased Productivity: The machine’s servo-driven case elevator ensures a gentle product drop into cases, reducing the risk of damage.
Rapid, Tool-less Changeovers: With a lightweight product grid mounted on a slide-out shelf, complete changeovers can be done in minutes without tools making the task fast, simple and repeatable for a single operator. This significantly reduces downtime and ensures production uptime.
Machine Durability and Low Total Cost of Ownership: Built with a robust and simpler design, the drop packer is made to last over 20 years with reduced short- and long-term maintenance costs.
Greater Functionality and Ease-of-Use: With a maintenance-friendly design, operators have complete access to all machine components for ease of operation, upkeep and service— ultimately minimizing downtime.
Easy Case Clear Out: With easy operator access for clearing out cases, the line can be kept running at peak efficiency and guaranteeing 98% machine uptime.

This marks Serpa's first entry into the drop packing segment, enabling the company to offer a more complete range of end-of-line packaging solutions from the filler through the stretch wrapper.

“Serpa has been providing customers with a wide range of case packers with different loading types to meet their product needs. Now we’re expanding our portfolio to add a standard drop application to accommodate even more packaging requirements,” said Justin Neece, Serpa’s Vice President and General Manager. “By incorporating our tried-and-true machine design concepts of rapid, consistent changeovers, we’re able to offer customers a new drop packer solution that’s easy to use with speed and flexibility in mind.”

To learn more about Serpa and its new DP Series drop packer, visit: www.serpapackaging.com/products/dp-series-drop-packer.

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Bobby Douglas is an Associate Editor of Packaging Strategies and Flexible Packaging. Having started this position in December 2022, Bobby is still new to the industry, but he’s excited to tackle important issues and topics within this dynamic field. He currently resides in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and he likes to stay active and watch basketball in his free time. Bobby graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2022, where he majored in Psychology with a minor in Business Economics.