Vacuum Technology Along the Logistics Process Chain

30.03.2010

From individual product packaging to the handling of complete product layers – innovative vacuum solutions provide for efficient and economic handling in all packaging and logistics processes.

Packaging affects our lives every day. There is a long way to go before the packaged product reaches the customer’s hands. Before that, a number of complex logistical processes occur, which set high requirements for the packaging handling:

• Different packaging types, such as cardboard boxes, bags, blister packs, trays, cans, bottles, and multipacks


• Different packaging materials, such as paper, cardboard boxes, wood, metal, glass, plastic/PET and composite materials


• Different packaging levels, such as the primary packaging process, secondary packaging processes and palletizing/depalletizing processes

Handling of products, packing material, packages, and outer packaging

The handling method of vacuum packing enables to move products and packages in all process steps safely, quickly, and economically. Schmalz offers suitable automation and handling solutions for each individual process step. In the primary packaging process, the bare product that comes from the production line is first packed into its casing. In combination with fast SCARA or hexapod robots, vacuum suction pads from Schmalz provide for lightning-fast pick up, secure holding, swift transport to the drop position, and lightning-fast release of the products to be packaged. Food-safe suction pads made of silicone allow for the safe, hygienic and uninterrupted filling of trays with pralines or cookies. Another example of initial packaging is the filling of blister packs with sensitive memory chips without damaging them.

The secondary packaging process is concerned with safe and reliable supplying, erecting, filling and closing of pre-cut cardboard boxes. Vacuum suction pads made of the extra wear-resistant material, ELASTODUR from Schmalz are used here. With their reinforced basic body and adaptable sealing lip, they are particularly suited for cardboard boxes and rigid products. The perfect choice for unstable products, such as foil packs, are special foil suction pads, made of natural rubber.

Streamlined palletizing/depalletizing of packages during order picking

Both manual and robot-assisted systems can be used for the subsequent stacking/re-stacking and palletizing/depalletizing of outer boxes, crates and containers. For manual palletizing/depalletizing, Schmalz offers vacuum-tube lifters from the JumboErgo and JumboFlex series. They allow for the ergonomic, safe and fast movement of many different types of goods. Different gripper versions are available and can be changed quickly without the need for additional tools.

Multifunctional vacuum gripping systems from Schmalz are used in automated palletizing stations, which are mainly found in large storage and distribution centers. Individual gripping systems can be cost-effectively implemented from the flexibly designed FXC large-area vacuum grippers and the rigidly built SSP vacuum spiders. On the other hand, the SPZ vacuum layer gripping system is the perfect choice for palletizing/depalletizing layers of products and packages. It is capable of picking various product layers on one single pallet.

More information about the products

More information about the industries

Questions regarding usage:
J. Schmalz GmbH Customer Centre Aacher Strasse 29 D-72293 Glatten	Tel.: +49 (0)7443 2403-105 Fax: +49 (0)7443 2403-9105 kundencenter@schmalz.de

Further information:

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