Trade press release

GEA boosts high-speed packaging system for long-cut pasta with artificial intelligence and new safety standards

03 May 2022

Leading technology company GEA has re-engineered the H-Packer SO Plus for long-cut pasta packaging by integrating a faster, highly reliable and technologically advanced system, comprising a double dosing unit and a continuous motion packaging machine. This enables pasta manufacturers to increase their product flow, minimize their product loss, simplify line control, and ensure smooth filling in the packaging process. The new system will be presented for the first time at Ipack-Ima in Milan (Hall 1P, Booth B31, May 03-06, 2022).

The new GEA H-Packer SO Plus is equipped with a double doser and a horizontal packaging system suitable for a large variety of long-cut pasta shapes. (Photo: GEA)

The new GEA H-Packer SO Plus is equipped with a double doser and a horizontal packaging system suitable for a large variety of long-cut pasta shapes. (Photo: GEA)

In this modified version, the H-Packer SO Plus is equipped with a second weighing hopper and artificial intelligence. A new electronic architecture based on the Siemens PLC provides centralized system control and a customizable operator interface. The new LED lighting for quick visibility of possible malfunctions in the process and a protective device equipped with coded sensors ensure a high safety standard. Moreover, thanks to a motorized reel holder, the machine can work not only with conventional plastic films but also with the new paper films. The machine is completed by a renewed patented stripper-gripper system.

Increased customer added value: focus on details

Second weighing hopper and artificial intelligence: Quick, perfect filling with new double doser system

The LC-Doser DDW dosing unit of the H-Packer SO Plus system has been redesigned to optimize product flow to the horizontal packaging machines with a crucial attention for flat and rough shapes and to remarkably reduce product breakages. A second weighing hopper, added under the roughing and finishing units, that electronically checks the weight discharged is a new feature.

By applying the new Artificial Intelligence technologies patented by GEA, it is possible to adjust the capacity of the drop-boxes to correct any weighing errors and ensure better weighing precision. Thanks to optimization of this component, the H-Packer SO Plus is particularly suitable for the treatment of flat bronze formats.

Double LC-Doser DDW of the new GEA H-Packer SO Plus for long-cut pasta, equipped with dedicated electrical panels. (Photo: GEA)

Double LC-Doser DDW of the new GEA H-Packer SO Plus for long-cut pasta, equipped with dedicated electrical panels. (Photo: GEA)

Plant control system: Improved electronic architecture and customizable operator interface

The new integrated electronic architecture is based on Siemens PLCs, which ensures the centralized management of all packaging system motors. Operators can control all machine functions from a single HMI panel, which enables more accurate and rapid diagnosis. Calibrated to the operator’s needs, the new HMI of the H-Packer SO Plus guarantees maximum flexibility of use. Display of the on-screen parameters can be fully customized and calibrated to the type of product being made. Finally, the new integrated electronic architecture enables continuous data exchange between the packaging machines and the plant supervision system. This feature, combined with independent brushless motors, allows a smoother flow of pasta and film for esthetically improved packages.

The new HMI control panel of the H-Packer SO Plus guarantees maximum flexibility of use (Photo: GEA)

The new HMI control panel of the H-Packer SO Plus guarantees maximum flexibility of use (Photo: GEA)

LED lighting and coded sensors: New safety standards for reliable processing

To allow for even greater safety, the re-designed H-Packer SO Plus is equipped with new guards featuring coded sensors and LED lighting. The latter, visible throughout the machine, replicates the colors of the alarms, segmented by zone. A drop-box has been integrated as another accident prevention protection: It collects any discarded packages, either with or without product, with no need to open the machine doors.

Motorized reel holder: Optimized film feeding and improved paper film management

The H-Packer SO Plus is also at the forefront in the management of paper film. Thanks to the double brushless motorized reel holder, it is possible to control the film tensioning from the operator panel in order to improve the unwinding of the reel and, accordingly, the appearance of the pack. Reel changeover takes place automatically and, in the case of plastic film, complete with welding of the two flaps. The phased junction of the film reel reduces at the minimum the number of rejected bags: welded joint for traditional plastic films, with adhesive tape for paper-based film. The film pulling device, optimized for paper handling, is equipped with heated rollers that improve the longitudinal sealing of the pack without damaging the paper material.

New patented stripping jaw system

Since 2006, GEA’s long-cut pasta packaging technology has benefited from the stripping jaw system developed and patented by GEA. This minimizes pasta residues in the transversal sealing area, ensuring perfectly sealed packages without waste due to the rejection of non-compliant packages.

The new H-Packer SO Plus boasts an evolution of the stripping sealing jaw: a new patented movement mechanism controlled via the HMI panel further increases the operational reliability of the machines, removes the critical components and reduces the maintenance interventions and package rejects. The combination of the new stripping jaw with a completely redesigned brush group makes the H-Packer SO Plus one of the most technologically advanced systems for long-cut pasta packaging, guaranteeing speed, reliability and continuity of operation.

New patented stripping sealing jaw (Photo GEA)

New patented stripping sealing jaw (Photo GEA)

Nicole Meierotto

CONTACT

Phone: 49 211 9136 1503

Media Relations

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

Peter-Müller-Str. 12


40468

Düsseldorf


Germany

+49 211 9136-0

About GEA

GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.

With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2023 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customer’s production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world“. GEA is listed on the German MDAX the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability as well as Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Indices.
 
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