Step into versatile packaging
Start adding value to your products with SmartPacker SX400. This cost-efficient and highly reliable, intermittent motion vertical form-fill-seal packer can give you the flexibility to pack into different shapes and formats, even at smaller batches. Capable of handling up to 10 kg/bag and 100 bags per minute, SX400 has a proven excellent performance in the field for many years.
Main applications
GEA SmartPacker SX400 handles a wide range of distinctive packaging styles, such as pillow, gusset, block bottom, quarto seal, envelope, re-closable doy style (with zipper). Able to run 10 kg/bag, main food applications include fresh or frozen meat, poultry or vegetable products, fresh salads or cheese and confectionery.
Reliability you can count on
- Over 98% uptime proven in installations around the world
- Consistent and accurate bag length thanks to monitored film transport and jaw movement
- Backed by GEA’s 60 years’ experience in vertical bagging
Flexibility you need
- Fast changeover of bag formats and film types in less than 5 minutes
- Wide variety of applications such as chicken nuggets, French fries, salads or grated cheese.
- Bag enhancement options include labelling, printing, adding euro hole and re-closability options.
Easy to operate and maintain
- Quick menu allows fast adjustments
- Reproducible settings using recipe management
- Easy-access design allows fast film changeover
- Low maintenance costs & limited wear parts
Specifications
Advanced technologyProduct-in-seal detection
This function helps production continue even if product accidentally fouls the seal area. If this happens, the automatic product-in-seal detection function automatically creates a double-bag to avoid contamination or damage to the sealing jaws or knife, ensuring that the process continues. There is practically no downtime and minimal product and film waste.
Durable forming set
The GEA forming set with insert is reinforced with fiberglass, featuring less wear and tear, extra protection and longer operational life. The insert allows production of overlaps and tucked seams with the same shoulder. Each set has a rigid surface to ensure smooth running in moist or wet environments. Order the forming set with your SmartPacker or as additional tooling, depending on your bag type demands.
Technical details
| Product specifications | GEA SmartPacker SX400 |
| Bag width (min./max.) | 70/400 mm |
| Maximum bag weight | 10 kg |
| Maximum speed * | up to 100 bags/min |
| Equipment dimensions H x W x D | 2245x1360x2260 mm |
* Depending on product, film and dosing equipment
Add-ons
Options GEA SmartPacker SX400
CostFox for GEA SmartPackers
Shape absorbing air reduction
The new air-expeller absorbs the shape of the product via inflatable silicon bellows directly before the bag is sealed. All residual air is expelled, leaving the correct amount of air to divide the products within while keeping the integrity of the packaging film. Crucially, the system is able to operate at full capacity with zero compromise in terms of line speed. The system has been designed with both our customers and end-users in mind. In the first instance, consumers, and therefore processors, are demanding packaging that shows zero evidence of tampering, such as a small hole in the bag. Developing a solution that removes excess air without perforating the packaging film is highly desirable where increasing consumer confidence is concerned. Secondly, from an operational perspective, reduced air results in the maximization of the number of bags in a box while maintaining the highest levels of production speed and efficiency.
GEA TiroLabel for SmartPackers
This dedicated labeling unit can be perfectly integrated into your SmartPacker, delivering a speed of up to 180 labels per minute at a width of 150 mm. The label roll has a quick-release operation, allowing it to be changed in seconds without the loss of operational time. Enjoy millimeter precision at labelling with the GEA TiroLabel for SmartPackers.
GEA Ultrasonic Sealing kit
An option on the SX400, ultrasonic sealing allows zero reject gas-tight packaging, even if the seal areas are contaminated. It is greatly suitable for bagging fresh salads and greens, cut vegetables or grated cheese. The technology delivers exceptionally reliable and efficient sealing through fat, oil, pieces of leaf and water, which increases packaging yield, reduces film and product waste and makes it excellent for automated case packing lines.
GEA Zipper unit
The GEA Zipper unit is an option which allows you to create pillow and stand-up bags with a re-closable zip. This meets consumers' demand for convenience and waste reduction.
Hygienic design execution
Upgrade your SmartPacker SX400 to meet even the toughest sanitary requirements. The hygienic design features stainless steel film feed, sealed bearing rollers including ultra-smooth Viwateq® surface treatment and sloping surfaces to avoid contamination. The vacuum table is replaced by a closed clamping table, preventing dirt getting in the vacuum system. The design meets the hygienic standards for fresh vegetables, meat and potato products, and individually quick frozen (IQF) protein products. The machine is available with a IP65 electrical cabinet.
GEA Automatic film splicing
The automatic splicer allows you to unwind and join material rolls without a production stop. The splicing unit can be fully integrated with the machine’s film carriage.
GEA CostFox
GEA CostFox is performance measurement software based on overall equipment effectiveness and the real time display of production parameters. The reporting tool provides productivity data for continuous improvement, monitors and displays the human-machine interface and ultimately helps manufacturers to improve profitability.
GEA Smart Sealing System
The Smart Sealing System is an option which empowers you to easily produce quality pillow and gusset bags, packed with frozen vegetables, fruits, potato products as well as frozen meat, fish, and seafood products. The GEA Smart Sealing System incorporates more robust, non-stick metallic sealing strips with PFAS-free coating. Every strip delivers a substantial longer lifespan, sealing up to 1 mln. bags, without changing. And when the sealing strips do eventually need changing, it couldn’t be simpler – just “click and go, no special training required.
The Smart sealing system provides a retractable cutting knife which, in combination with GEA's product in seal detection, only operates when the seal area is clear, keeping the blade sharp for longer-and handling up to 1 million bags before replacement is needed. The system is suitable for recyclable material structures PE or PP based, such as: BOPE, MDOPE, full PP laminates and even paper laminates.
New sealing system for GEA vertical packing machines maximizes productivity and reduces waste
Customer story
Poultry specialist Europa Cuisson is spreading its wings
Downloads
Service Products
GEA Service level agreements
Discover how GEA’s advanced technologies and tailored services optimize productivity, sustainability, and automation for your food processing or packaging business.
GEA First Aid Kits
In the food packaging industry, performance is paramount. High-speed slicing and packaging systems must function flawlessly to maximise productivity. Any unscheduled downtime is unacceptable, so it’s essential that you keep your equipment healthy.
GEA Insights
The breakthrough that changed spray drying
In 1976, NIRO engineers responded to a competitive challenge by rethinking what spray drying could do. Their idea became the multi-stage dryer MSD. Fifty years later, the same fundamental principle helps turn liquids into the powders used in essential nutrition products and important medicines around the world. Refined through decades of engineering expertise, customer insight and continuous development, MSD is a story of innovation with lasting impact.
Beyond the machine: unlocking better plant performance
An efficient machine does not automatically make an efficient factory. Real improvement often starts by looking beyond individual equipment and understanding how processes, energy systems and operating decisions affect one another. It’s a holistic approach designed to uncover opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
How a valve reshapes the way food and drinks are made
In food and beverage plants, valves are commonly operated using compressed air. GEA Hydract® Actuation Technology moves valves with water instead, in a closed, digitally controlled circuit. The result is a valve that can be held exactly in place and steered in fine-tuned steps. This results in lower energy use and greater control.
