GEA launches its new SmartPacker TwinTube vertical packaging machine in Europe. The entire unit has been redesigned as a future-proof modular system with increased functional efficiency promoting higher operational uptime and ease of use.

The GEA SmartPacker TwinTube is a continuous motion vertical machine, suitable for packaging small-sized food products such as candy, nuts and dried fruits as well as other on-the-go products in pillow bags of different sizes. For bag production, plastic as well as functional paper can be used. The updated version reduces operational costs and energy use thanks to sealing technology advances.

The machine is part of a complete packaging process with upstream and downstream equipment operating in a dry manufacturing facility. It operates with two parallel forming tubes, achieving combined speeds of up to 500 bags per minute (weighing 10 to 18 g each).

It is also possible to run a different film reel for each tube, meaning calorie packs of different widths or designs can be simultaneously filled. A new feature to the machine is the Jumbo Roll, which allows film reels of up to 100 kg to be used for long production runs, which boosts operational efficiency.

“In addition, we’ve increased operator friendliness by introducing toolless adjustment features which helps achieve shorter change-over times and proven/error free setup of the machine – this includes printers, labellers and the vertical sealing unit,” explains Martijn van de Mortel, Product Manager Vertical Packaging. “With these new updates, we’re able to meet our customers’ demands in terms of automated process control, less operator dependence, more uptime and operational efficiency”.

The new SmartPacker features a new jaw closing mechanism, optimized heating unit and a vertical rotational seal unit, promoting robust packing performance and excellent tightness of the pack seals. The jaw closing mechanism offers more than triple sealing force as the previous one and can apply 6,000 N. This gives the opportunity to use thicker films or films with more diverse characteristics in terms of sealing requirements.

Due to the more stable suspension of the longitudinal seam unit and the reproducible and precise positioning by spindle and ruler, shorter change-over times are possible when switching formats or foils. “With this development, producers will be able to work with more challenging films thus able to give retailers and consumers what they are looking for in terms of bag quality with an even wider range of film materials,” states Martijn van de Mortel.

The new TwinTube is optionally equipped with a new, fully integrated GEA TiroLabel unit, which makes the machine even more compact on the factory floor. The dedicated labelling unit delivers a speed of up to 180 labels per minute at a width of 150 mm and achieves millimetre precision during labelling.