Briefly describe the development of packaging machinery towards digitalization

Packaging machinery develops toward digitalization

Digital packaging machinery not only provides greater output and more flexible equipment, but also adds many new features such as: remote maintenance, integration with the company's ERP system, and evaluation of production data.

Just a few years ago, no one would have expected a rapid speed of digitization of packaging machinery. With the speed of the electronic process getting faster, there is a need to increase the distribution box. However, when it is possible to significantly reduce the number of cables required for the bus system, coupled with the advent of decentralized computers, it means that there is no need to increase the size of the distribution box. Today, stand-alone distribution boxes are not required in the packaging industry. Digital packaging machines take up less space than previous mechanical or electromechanical packaging machines.

Automation brings change to packaging

The era of automation in the packaging industry began about 20 years ago. At the time, all-mechanical devices were equipped with a programmable logic controller PLC for controlling the logic functions and the mechanical power shaft of the drive. However, the flexibility of this first generation of automation equipment is not satisfactory. Consumer products, especially foods, have a shortened life cycle and the products tend to diversify, inspiring greater demand for equipment flexibility. In later developed second-generation automation equipment, more and more functions were transferred from the mechanical power shaft to the electronic drive system, and the logic function was still controlled by the PLC system.

Control and drive technology has proven to be a key technology in the field of packaging machinery structures. Today's fully electronic third-generation machines have all the advantages of servo technology while setting new industry standards. Digital packaging machinery not only provides greater output and more flexible equipment, but also adds many new features such as: remote maintenance, integration with the company's ERP system, and evaluation of production data.

The logic functions originally performed by the PLC are losing their importance, and now the electronic motion function is dominant. With the increase in the flexibility of the equipment, the number of servo motors is also increasing. This means that physical and logical interfaces are no longer needed due to different programming languages ​​and systems. Since the mid-1990s, some companies have driven the trend of integrated motion control and logic control solutions in the area of ​​packaging machinery.

Top loading devices are becoming more and more popular in carton packaging. Flexible cartoners load from above and are more flexible than horizontal machines. The robot arm can be equipped with different vacuum grips to accommodate a wide range of products. This solution is also effective for composite packaging. For example, in pharmaceuticals, blister packs, ampoules, medicine bottles, medicine instructions, and medicine spoons can all be packaged using top loading equipment. In the confectionary area, top loading equipment is used to place a wide variety of different shapes of chocolate in deep dishes. The flexibility of top loading equipment operation is also valid for larger packaging. The machine needs only minor adjustments to adapt to different container shapes. This means that new product types can meet future requirements.