Fit for filling

Smaller sacks made by ‘world’s fastest’ machine

A Windmöller & Hölscher AD8320 valve bottomer installed at the Tenax paper sack factory in Ratingen, Germany, has achieved a production speed of 330 sacks/min – believed to be the fastest in the world. By reducing the size of the processing stations that determine the sack dimensions, a major increase in output has been achieved. The CNC automatic size change system enables parallel adjustments on job changes, which helps to boost the machine’s productivity. It has two valve units, each capable of processing one or two webs, and bottom cap stations equipped with two Miniflex four colour CI printers.

Developed as a supplement to W&H’s AD2379, ‘top of the line’ bottomer, the new model allows for smaller bag sizes to be produced – down to 2 litre – to cater for different market segments and applications. The new machine can also handle sacks for more compact ready-mix building materials. These products, offered in small trading units and targeted at the DIY sector, are typically packed in open-mouth paper bags which involve time consuming filling and closing processes.

W&H says the mini valve sack produced on the AD8320 offers a packaging medium that allows these products to be bagged at high speed on spout-type filling systems, ensuring dust-free packaging. However, it is not limited to small sacks. With the exception of large size speciality sacks, it can serve the whole spectrum of multiwall applications.

The company has also introduced the AM8115 tuber to meet multiwall requirements. A universal tuber with a size ratio of 1:23, (said to be the largest size range ever), it produces tube lengths between 30-165cm with widths ranging from 18-75cm (flat). Both stepped end and flush cut, as well as flat and side gusseted tubes can be produced.

Fischer covers all angles

The Fischer Group – comprised of Fischer & Krecke, Kochsiek and Icoma FB – offers a single source of machinery for production and printing of multi wall paper sacks and block bottom or SOS bags. Machinery for paper sack conversion includes multi ply paper tubers, bottomers and fully automatic links between production machines with optional automatic palletizers.

Kochsiek and Icoma’s developments in paper sack equipment have focused on fast set-up, minimum maintenance and high productivity. This has been achieved partly by the introduction of multi motor drives, eliminating transmission and providing set-up repeatability (recipe) by computer. Glue application by programmable jet nozzles has been developed by Kochsiek to provide a clean and economic use of glue with pattern selection through the computer.

Fisher & Krecke’s Combi block bottom bag machines use servo drives for quick change-overs. The options include attachments for handles, windows, and vacuum cleaner bags. Flexpress pre-print flexo presses complete the package.

Indians bag secure investment

As part of a major expansion programme, UK based Mercury Packaging has installed three Vega high output bag making machines from Indian manufacturer Mamata. The additional conversion capacity at the Kirkby-in-Ashfield plant is required to meet increasing demands for the company’s security products, which include tamper evident, bank, coin and cash-in-transit bags.

The Mamata equipment, supplied through UK agent Optimation, is a Vega Plus 800 and two Vega 800 models, one of which is dedicated to side weld bags. These 800mm width, servo driven universal bag makers are said to be capable of processing a wide variety of films, on side weld from 10-120 micron and on bottom weld and mix weld from 20-200 micron. Modular design allows easy adaptation to manufacture different bag types at speeds up to 180 cycles/min. The Vega Plus variant is capable of up to 250 cycles/min.

Mamata and Danish company HP Teknik have jointly developed the all servo Vega 800 F model for producing flower sleeves/bags, and confectionery bags for supermarkets, as well as conical shaped bags for various applications.

This is a twin-track model, capable of producing 240 bags/min, with a main frame built from graded cast iron to minimize vibration. The unwinder is equipped with a servo tension control edge guide and motorized roll lifting, said to ensure uniform tension and an accurate film path. It also has AC servo motors along the film path for the accessories to ensure repeat length accuracy and flexibility for processing films of different thickness and width.

A variety of tools is available for different bag requirements. Maximum bag size is 770 x 680mm, and minimum 200 x 190mm.

Harnden ahead

The latest Series III version of Harnden’s PP machine offers a choice of three working widths – 1,000, 1,250 and 1,500mm – plus a range of options claimed to “provide a level of flexibility unparalleled by most other such machines”.

Billed as the first all-British designed and built sideweld bag machine to replace mechanical drives with digital AC servos, the PP can sideweld, skirtweld, bottomweld and pouchweld with rapid change-over. Single and twin-track formats are offered, running different bag lengths if required.

Harnden director Neil Marsh says: “With total design control, right down to the software for the computer system being handled internally, we can tailor all details to meet any specific need.” This has resulted in sales for applications as diverse as courier bag making, anti static and moisture barrier bags, captive flap bags, bubble-wrap products, shielding bags, extremely long bags and pouches of all kinds. Attachments enable a single machine to be used to make most products, if necessary, he claims.

At the same time, in its basic form, the Series III “continues to maintain its appeal as a workhorse for simple bag production”, whether in short runs with frequent change-overs or for long runs at high speed. Economical multi lane production from a single wide layflat tube reel is one of the best ways to maximize the full working width, with less downtime for reel changes and less time through the printer.

The print register system is designed to reduce waste by stopping bag production if the print mark is missing or maladjusted. The machine’s top speeds are 300 cycles/min, for sideweld, and 150 cycles/min for skirt sideweld.

Easy keypad setting of parameters with ‘on-the-fly’ changes is now possible, while quieter bag retarders and improved guarding provide better operator comfort and safety.

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Edlon Machinery
Harnden
Mamata
Windmöller & Hölscher