Packaging up to 1,000 products per minute

SYNCHROFLEX^® and BRECO^® polyurethane timing belts in a SOMIC-Wrap-Around-Packer

„From the point of view of value for money and efficiency, timing belts are the best choice for us“, says Dr. K. Ulrich von Raben. The Managing Director of SOMIC GmbH residing in Amerang / Chiemgau points on the power transmission of a Wrap-Around-Packer WA 414_T2 equipped with SYNCHROFLEX^® polyurethane timing belts and synchronising pulleys from Mulco. Power transmissions operating with polyurethane timing belts can be found in all SOMIC packaging machines, which have been in use world wide for box or tray packing of foodstuffs, sweets and pharmaceutical products in a transport and sales efficient manner for more than 30 years.

On a world wide scale, brand name manufacturers highly value the reliability of Somic packaging machines when it comes to packing foodstuffs, sweets or pharmaceutical products in trays or boxes in an attractive and transport efficient manner. The special requirements placed by the users include long operating life, reliability and flexibility of the machines.

Each machine development of the Bavarian special engineering company begins with the selection and combination of proven Somic modules, customised assembly groups and format tools.

The required flexibility of the packaging machine ordered by the customer is defined and a sufficient capacity reserve built in. This is followed by the technical implementation. The specialists for polyurethane timing belt power transmissions of the Mulco partner Roth GmbH + Co. KG (Nuremberg/Munich) are incorporated in the project as early as from this stage. „In this manner, we benefit from the wealth of Mulco's knowledge and of an almost inexhaustible delivery range when developing our timing belt power transmissions", says Dr. von Raben. Precise and maintenance free Synchroflex polyurethane timing belts made of cast polyurethane, as well as Breco timing belts of a special design, operate in all machines of the Southern German specialist for packaging machinery.

Intelligent combination

The Somic modular system includes a wide spectrum of standard assembly groups, modules and special applications. From the very beginning, mechanical components, electronics and software are fused to form an integral whole. „Somic set and still sets standards in further developing the servo-based automation in packaging technology", stresses Dr. von Raben. All machines produced by Somic are based on mechanical engineering reduced to the essentials, the control system as the interlinking technology, and its intelligence: the software. Mechanical engineering and electronics are combined to 'mechatronics' in a targeted manner, thereby offering the best possible prerequisite to solve all packaging tasks.

Endless ideas

„Our deep know-how in the packaging process is ideally complemented by the innovative ideas of the power transmission specialists from the Mulco partner Roth", stresses Dr. von Raben. As an example, he mentions the constructive solution for guiding the vacuum in a Breco timing belt that carefully transports the cardboard blanks to the folding head in the Wrap-Around-Packers.

Somic machines are characterised by high acceleration speeds and torques, yet they move relatively small masses. Here, the polyurethane timing belts show their strength: their positive locking fit, abrasion resistance and high degree of efficiency of up to 98 %. In the Wrap-Around-Packer folding head and folding matrix are driven independently of each other. These power transmissions have to be controlled such that the transfer processes can be performed with high positioning accuracy. The Synchroflex polyurethane timing belts are predestined for this tasks because they feature a very precise pitch of their teeth thanks to their special production method (casting). This high precision of the Synchroflex also permits additional folding functions and special folding sequences.

Space-saving design

One of the special strengths of the Somic packaging machines resides in the large selection of standard modules, tailor-made function groups and individual format tools. The multi-module concept ensued form the combination of 2 or 3 main modules, permits notably higher capacities, the most varied packaging variants and variable footprints. Each module can also be used individually to design future new tasks in a company.

Compact machines are offered by Somic whenever an economical packaging solutions has to be found for tight space conditions. They are the variant chosen most frequently. Polyurethane timing belts with their high power transmitting capability are predestined for this space-saving design.

Fast format change

Since 2007, all Somic packaging machines have been equipped with the newly developed uniform format quick-change system. This innovative element manifests its benefits by more than halving format change times for the machine users. The definition of binding interfaces for all additional format tools allows Somic to offer further new packaging tasks on one machine in the future by a "plug and play" solution. This requires nothing more than the additional delivery of format parts and software.

In addition to the articles mentioned at the beginning, any other products can be collected, grouped and packed in boxes on the Somic packaging machines, including bags/pouches, cans, cups, blisters, bars or slabs, enabled by mechatronics. Individual software and matching format tools allow maximum packaging flexibility.

Pin-pointed teamwork

Somic places high emphasis on intermeshing the disciplines of mechanical engineering and electronics and across-discipline knowledge when it comes to apprenticeships and training. „Building mechatronic Somic machines requires teamwork“, explains Dr. von Raben. Bernhard Wild, Head of Materials Management at Somic, adds: „Precision can only be achieved when mechanical engineering and software are brought to the simplest possible denominator. Designers, control technicians and software developers jointly work on this. Standard function units, specific assembly groups and format tools gradually evolve into a complete packaging machine“.

„Bavaria's best 50“

Quality gates following each production step are obligatory and ensure a consistently high standard. All setting parameters are determined and stored on the basis of the original product of the customer and his cardboard material. Customer acceptance, delivery and start-up on the final customer's premises is preceded by a fault-free pass of the entire packaging machine's functionality with every format during a defined test period. As one of the market leaders, packaging machines from Somic are in operation around the globe. In 2004, Somic was awarded the title „Bavaria's best 50“ as one of the most dynamic companies of the Free State.

Hanover, September 2008
Mulco-Europe EWIV