From AI to sustainability

New solutions are primarily focussed on more efficient operation and high process reliability as well as reduced maintenance requirements. However, in order to fulfil the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), the focus is also increasingly on conserving resources and using recyclable and renewable materials. The automation and system solution specialist Multivac is therefore presenting a fully automated traysealer line for the sustainable packaging of ready meals. In addition to the high-performance, compact TraysealerTX 620, this includes a conveyor belt labeller with an AI-based inspection system for product inspection at the infeed and a label and print inspection at the outfeed. Developed for a wide range of applications with fast product changeovers and high cycle output, the TX 620 is characterised by intelligent machine and line control and the highest standards of hygiene. The filled trays are stacked in boxes by a cobot (Multivac Combined Automations). Ready meals are packed in a protective atmosphere in a sustainable cardboard tray, which is reliably sealed with a recyclable, thin film. "Our aim is therefore to automate as many of these processes as possible, with integrated, fully automated lines, but also through the use of artificial intelligence," explains Dietmar Bohlen, Vice President at Multivac Germany. "In order to meet the increasing demand for smaller batch sizes and growing product diversity, we offer machines that can be converted particularly quickly and easily - even by personnel without specialist knowledge." The Weber Group, Breidenbach, also sees itself as a system provider for food products such as sliced and piece goods as well as the automation and packaging of fresh products, with a holistic approach. One of the exhibits at the FACHPACK stand in Hall 1, Stand 1-434 is a complete line from slicer to thermoformer including cross web labeller, which is specially tailored to the needs of food manufacturers with a wide range of products and changing production requirements. Whether fresh meat such as marinated steaks or multi-track calibre products such as cooked sausage and raw sausage - this line provides full-range producers with an economical solution for small batches as well as medium and high output ranges. A key feature of the line is its design for skin packaging, an increasingly popular packaging format that offers both functional and visual benefits. A particular advantage is that the realisation of skin packs on the wePACK 4000 included in the line concept does not require any special configuration of the packaging machine. Customers who also want to produce other types of packaging on the same line not only save on investment costs, but also avoid unnecessary extra technology and therefore additional downtime potential and maintenance costs.