During the 10-day event, customers and prospects had the opportunity to get a privileged view into Volpak frontrunner products and services, as well as witnessing the unveiling of a never-before-seen technology in the pouching machinery sector.
SI Series, technologically ready to operate with recyclable materials
During the Innovation Days, the company presented the latest technological advancements affecting the pouch forming process, featured on the SI Series. While the packaging industry continues to push for the use of recyclable materials, thereby bringing significant challenges for manufacturers on equipment performance level, Volpak has already developed the technology to operate with this kind of materials.
Stability in the forming process, control of film stretching, precise settings and accurate control of sealing parameters (that is Time, Pressure and Temperature) are key elements to producing good quality and leak-proof pouches, especially if made with down-gauge packaging films. In this regard, the two intermittent motion SI machines on show, namely SI 280 and SI 440, as well as the new SC+ platform were all equipped with cutting-edge solutions for management of different packaging materials qualities.
SC+, to infinity and beyond
Undoubtedly, the star of the show was the new VOLPAK SC+, a product of years of design and research activities carried out by the company R&D team jointly with the Coesia Engineering Centre, with a view to combine the local unique expertise in flexible packaging and the outstanding knowledge of continuous motion mechanisms, present in the Group.
The SC+ is real technological breakthrough intended to reshape standards in the HFFS machinery sector: it consists of a high-performance platform of form-fill-seal machines, capable to double the current production rates of all main market applications, from Dairy and Confectionery to Pet Food and Chemicals, and different pouch styles, from the simple “flat” to the “top cap” and “corner cap”.
High-technology content, low levels of skill required
Revolutionary technology paired with simple design make the VOLPAK SC+ a forgiving machine that does not require skilled operators, and specifically intended to operate trouble-free for years. Machine movements are smooth and precise, with minimum mechanic wear, thus reducing the need of maintenance and simplifying operations. In addition, clean layout and 360-degree accessibility contribute to making the machine a fully-fledged solution to minimize the cost of the package itself from the very first pouch produced.
As with all latest VOLPAK machines, the SC+ addresses the needs and requirements of Industry 4.0 and digitalization, hence comes with a set of "smart" advanced devices such as an asset performance evaluation system, central data storage, web-based self-diagnosis system and plug & play interconnectivity.
Service is first: from remote troubleshooting to augmented reality
As for after-sales services, the company particularly focused on remote assistance as a source of considerable savings for customers, by reducing machine downtime. In this regard, since 2015 all VOLPAK machines can be equipped with the Advanced Remote Assistance system (ARA), allowing for remote diagnostics and intervention of technical support team with the use of tablets or mobile phones, via a LAN connection.
Subsequently, the next step of the Spanish manufacturer was to develop a complementary augmented reality system: thanks to the use of special glasses, the Volpak support team has the ability to see exactly what the operator sees and can guide the hands of the operator with voice, screen pointers or hands overlay.
STANDCAP, the ground-breaking pouch achieving resounding success in the U.S.
The STANDCAP pouch, the innovative packaging solution developed by Volpak which is currently experiencing a tremendous success in the States, had a prominent place in the show. Customers and attendees were given samples filled with different products to hold in their hands and play with, so that they could touch first-hand the incredible ease of use that STANDCAP offers in various applications.
Not only is STANDCAP fun and easy to hold and squeeze for consumers, but also it provides instant shelf impact through its unique shape, making it the perfect eye-catcher to grab shoppers’ attention. Moreover, its special dispensing solution and locking system have been designed to avoid product waste and ensure long product shelf life.
Volpak and partners, “United we stand…”
In tackling challenges brought by the ever-increasingly interconnected and automated packaging world, Volpak is not alone and can count on the support of first class technology partners. For this reason, a special area of the Innovation Days was dedicated to these companies, giving the visitors an in-depth view of their state-of-the-art products and technology.
Technology partners attending the event were AptarGroup, B&R, Constantia Flexibles, Datalogic, Endress+Hauser, Festo, PRODEC, Rockwell Automation, SMC Corporation and XMReality. In the same area, also two Coesia sister companies were present, FlexLink and Hapa.
