Gerhard Schubert GmbH at the interpack 2020 (Hall 14/ Stand D01)

New digital technologies for more flexibility

Crailsheim (Germany), February 2020 – From 7 to 13 May 2020, packaging machine manufacturer Schubert will once again be presenting itself as a driving force for innovative technologies and packaging solutions at the world’s leading interpack trade fair in Düsseldorf. Based on its modular machine concept, Schubert will be demonstrating new answers to the increasing digitalisation of machine and robot functions live at its stand. With high-level flexibility, the well-known manufacturer is responding to the increasingly complex market requirements of greater product diversity and smaller batch sizes. Additive manufacturing offers great opportunities here: With 3D printing, processes can be entirely rethought and optimised.

Faster, more flexible, more sustainable – the packaging industry is currently facing several challenges. In order to satisfy these requirements economically and ecologically as a manufacturer in the packaging process, highly flexible machines and consistently efficient processes are necessary. Schubert already offers an advantage here with the modular design of its TLM systems, which the group is continuously advancing by developing new robots and digital solutions. At the interpack trade fair, the packaging machine manufacturer will demonstrate the flexibility of its high-performance technology with its new cooperative robots – the cobots.

Cobots – the next level of automation

With the cooperative robots, which work without a safety cage, packaging processes of small batch sizes can be automated and significantly optimised. Schubert is developing a comprehensive system for its new cobot modules. It includes an intelligent and easy to configure control system, a vision system that allows it to perceive its environment, feed belts, format parts and much more with the help of artificial intelligence. Each Schubert cobot requires no more than the space needed for a table with boxes and one or two people. The cooperative robots are extraordinarily fast and relieve workers of monotonous tasks in the packaging process. For example, they can pick up jumbled products without prior separation and place them onto a conveyor. Working with them is also very safe: When a worker approaches a Schubert cobot, the robot initially slows down and finally stops completely. A prototype of the cobots can be seen live and in action at the exhibition stand.

New pick & place robots for higher output density

If you need to accommodate higher performance in a small space or require more mobility in product handling, Schubert’s specialised T4 and T5 robots are the right solution. They complement the proven F4 robot, which is used in numerous picker lines from Schubert. The design of the new pick & place robots is based on the well-known delta robot type. Their compact rectangular working area makes them perfect for high performance in the smallest of spaces: Up to six of the new four-axis T4 robots can work simultaneously in a single TLM frame. The T5 variant offers a completely different – and also new – option for machine processes. It has a fifth axis with which products can be pivoted and tilted. At the booth, a compact picker line will show how effective and flexible the new robot type can be. The machine processes both plastic trays and cardboard trays.

Virtual parts warehouse with 3D printing on demand

3D printing is revolutionising not only machines but also warehousing, as electronic design data can be retrieved “on demand” in seconds anywhere in the world. Schubert is now making this access possible – with the new part streaming platform from Schubert Additive Solutions GmbH. The virtual warehouse is fast, reliable and economical, and represents a major step towards secure, flexible production. The digitally stored parts are available everywhere, eliminating long waiting and delivery times. In addition to simple spare and wear parts, various robot tools can be printed via the part streaming platform.

Other specialised subsidiaries of the Schubert Group such as Schubert-Pharma, Schubert-Cosmetics and Schubert-Consulting will also be presenting themselves at the fair. A total of four packaging machines with real customer applications from the confectionery industry can be seen in action at the exhibition stand. Two of them, a Flowpacker and a Cartonpacker, are among the preconfigured systems in the lightline family, which stands out with its compact design and short delivery times. Schubert will be demonstrating various format changes live on several machines, which can be carried out even faster for customers, especially because of their easy-to-change format parts.

Learn more at:

Website: www.schubert.group

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SchubertGroup

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GerhardSchubert

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gerhardschubertgmbhverpackungsmaschinen