Equipment

Walkers Crisps has placed orders for more Schubert TLM-F44 machines, which will be installed this autumn, following the successful application of the system to the packing of multi-bags.

The TLM-F44 can handle up to 480 packs a minute, which are placed into bags of six or 12 units, after passing through optical devices that verify the quality of the packs and supply information to guide the pick and place robots. Any unidentified or incorrectly positioned bags are discarded.

The machine can deal with up to three different varieties of packs, in any type of flexible film, including metallised products. Schubert said the machine could also deal with paper bags and even unwrapped products.

“While not the cheapest, the International Packaging Systems solution [using the Schubert machine] was the preferred option when all aspects were considered,” said Walkers’ director of potato crisp production, Mark Grover.

“It was important to find an innovative packaging solution as we focus on reducing costs and raising production efficiencies every day.”

Schubert UK provides a range of services, from sales management and consultancy to technical support and spares, from its Coventry base.

International Packaging Systems is a subsidiary of Schubert specialising in integrating packaging systems into the workplace.