HORIZONTAL packaging solutions manufacturer Hugo Beck has revealed how it helped an instant noodle meal producer enhance its operation through the implementation of its servo X packaging line.
Recognising that its previous side sealer packaging line had become ‘increasingly unreliable’, the food production facility sought a solution that could better its high-volume demands. The new packaging line would be fed by an automatic pot filler and would need to maintain the ‘rapid’ output demanded by the technical environment.
After approaching Hugo Beck’s UK sales partner, Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS), the company was supplied with a servo-driven side sealer, the servo X, along with a double chamber shrink tunnel.
The machine is said to offer a potential throughput of up to 10,000 cycles per hour to ‘comfortably’ handle the desired number of instant meals. Hugo Beck explained such output speed is achieved by a combination of the servo-driven motor and the continuous motion transverse sealing bar, which moves with the product, ensuring there is no stop/start action that would slow the process down.
Vacuum belts also play a role in enhancing overall process speed while also helping to create a tighter pack around the product. The servo X is designed to create the side seal before the transverse seal. Hugo Beck added that this packaging improves the overall aesthetic as less film needs to be shrunk, and also results in ‘significant’ material savings.
The servo X is now running an ultra-thin film, recommended and supplied by YPS. The material is described as the thinnest available on the market and can be supplied with 30% recycled content. This change has reduced material thickness for the customer from 35 microns to 12.5 microns with ‘no loss of performance’.
With the new packaging line, the instant meal producer has reported a tripling of its packaging capacity.
“This collaborative project with our sales partner YPS highlights our commitment to delivering cutting-edge packaging solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability in the food sector – more specifically in the competitive world of instant meals where speed is essential,” said Timo Kollmann, MD at Hugo Beck.
“Working with this food production company has been an exciting project, as we’ve been able to help them achieve a significant step forward in their packaging,” stated Glyn Johnson, MD of YPS. “Coupling the latest in machine and materials technology has delivered speed and efficiency to our customer, while contributing to their environmental aims.”
