Technical requirements for a perfect product
For cheese packaging, the base and lid have to be produced fully automatically - hygienically, without contact with the operators, and then packed up to the ready-picked pallet.
"The geometry of the cheese base and lid can certainly be described as complex, so one of the challenges was to ensure reliable stacking with a minimum number of format parts," says Kiefel Packaging project manager Christian Burgstaller.
It was also important to note that the products in small cartons, including the inlay bag, had to be positioned precisely using grippers. It was important here that the robot gripper was precisely programmed so as not to damage the bag inside.
Likewise, a high number of cavities, a very high number of cycles and thus a high output had to be achieved.
In addition to the above requirements, it was also important to take the most space-saving approach possible, i.e. the required machine including integrated full automation should have the smallest possible footprint.
Finding solutions together
"A high degree of complexity presented the entire project team with challenges, but also led to great technical solutions!" says Christian Burgstaller.
Because SKY-LIGHT had not required a machine of this type or such advanced full automation up to that point in time. Since many requirements were identified during the course of the project, a high level of exchange and solution-oriented thinking and action were essential. "Kiefel assisted me with a lot of support here," says Jens Rohmann, project manager at SKY-LIGHT. "It wasn't easy to find solutions for all of the requirements, but we did it together. I'm very satisfied."
SKY-LIGHT opted for a complete turnkey solution from Kiefel: The proven steel rule machine SPEEDFORMER KMD 78.2 Speed, equipped with full “Kiefel Speed Automation” (KSA). According to Jens Rohmann, that was one of the decisive factors in the project: "We chose Kiefel because the automation is optimally integrated into the KMD.”
