Keep the tried and tested features, fully exploit the potential for improvement, and integrate all customer wishes – this was the message Somic was aiming for with its innovations at Interpack. The specialist for end of line packaging machines presented a new end of line packaging machine, the Somic 434, as well as the Somic Coras® product handling systems.

Two fully redesigned end of line packaging machines were on display. The new machines with a linear design came across as innovative due to their appearance alone. The previous machine concept was deliberately abandoned with this new design – as the developers explained at the trade show. The new linear machine design can be optimally integrated into most packaging line layouts and contributes to an optimal use of space in the end of line packaging. The slim machine concept with the smallest possible footprint has a modular design and integrates a cartooning module, lidding station and, optionally, an additional closing unit in this linear setup. Somic docks onto the side here with the collection and grouping unit in a separate module. The advantage: If the product variants to be packaged are changed in the machine’s utilisation concept, the main adjustments are only necessary when collecting and grouping the products. The remaining modules of the machine only need to be adapted for additional customer requirements. The new machine concept thus gives the user significantly more flexibility. The new Coras® product handling system for even more freedom in product grouping, sorting and alignment can also be docked here.

However, the innovative look is not limited to the new arrangement of the modules but also includes the stainless steel frame construction with the support structure, which has been moved to the inside and accommodates the functional groups. The advantage: The accessibility of the Somic 434 is considerably enhanced, the clear and tidy cable tray offers maximum convenience for potential maintenance work, and the doors that can be pivoted by 180 degrees facilitate unimpeded access into the machine. Even details such as the integration of the glue granulate container with an ergonomic filling option in the service cabinet signify the highest possible level of user-friendliness. In daily operation, the user further benefits from the LED light strips on the machine's corner columns, which were not simply designed as a visual effect for the trade show but serve an obvious practical purpose: They clearly indicate the machine's status in the packaging system even from a distance.

In addition to its visual appearance, the machine has measurable advantages for packaging operations, since the changeover to new formats has been largely automated. The integrated servomotors on the respective modules are centrally controlled from the operating panel and significantly reduce the time required for changeover work by the operator. Only a few format parts, such as the pusher and folding heads, must still be changed by the operator with the aid of the Somic QuickChange system. Overall, the company quotes time savings of up to 70% for format changes with the new machine series.Integrating customer wishes – that is the third theme of Somic’s trade show presence. Although “anticipating customer wishes” would be a more apt description. Because the presentation of the new Somic Coras® product handling system clearly points to the future of collecting and grouping.

With a completely new concept in modular design, Somic moves the collection and grouping of products to a separate module that uses planar technology to perform the collection and sorting functions for a wide range of variants. For example, this technology makes it possible to receive nuts in tubular bags from 4 lines in a space of only about 2.5 m² and to transfer them to the packaging machine in any predefined groups. Compared to pick-and-place solutions, the system is significantly more space-saving – and also more efficient. If additional lines are connected or the product range is changed, new mover modules can be integrated into the multidimensional magnetic levitation system. The floating carriers can be manoeuvered as desired and provide top performance in collection and grouping with a maximum speed of 2 m/s and a maximum acceleration of 20 m/s². With the demo version at the trade show, the system achieved a loading and/or unloading rate of 240 products per minute.