OREANDA-NEWS. September 14, 2015. At Gulfood Manufacturing 2015, Bosch Packaging Technology will present its Pack 301 LS (Length Slug) system for the efficient and flexible packaging of biscuits and crackers on edge. The packaging machine has been developed as an addition to the Pack Series of horizontal flow wrappers, which range from entry-level models to fully automated technologies. It is designed to help manufacturers meet the increasing market demand for biscuit wrapping together with premium product quality. At the show, the packaging solution will be manually loaded and is comprised of a Smart Slug Feeder as well as the Pack 301 LS horizontal flow wrapper. For automated loading, Bosch's Smart Measuring Loader can be easily integrated in the system. With innovative features for gentle product handling, as well as fast and simple changeovers, all components have been developed with a holistic approach and for high reliability and robustness.

“Working closely with our customers in the Middle East, we are seeing increasing demand for full-line automation to address growing market needs and evolving consumer demands,” says Feyssal Omar, regional sales director, Middle East and North Africa, Bosch Packaging Technology. “To enable Middle Eastern biscuit producers to get ahead of the competition and enhance flexibility, we have developed the Pack 301 LS. Its highly versatile layout configuration, fast changeovers and easy maintenance help bakery manufacturers increase adaptability and enhance their competitive advantage.”

Innovative features for reliable product handling
The Pack 301 LS system including the Smart Measuring Loader for slug portioning has been designed specifically to ensure gentle product handling for delicate and brittle biscuit-type products – even at higher speeds. Transfer points from the loader to the cross chain, from the cross chain to the infeed chain and further into the film tube generally pose the greatest risk for product damage and breakage. Due to the full-servo execution, the Smart Measuring Loader allows for smooth placement of the portioned biscuits into the cross chain. The Smart Transfer Unit features pre-acceleration for optimal synchronization with the infeed chain. It therefore eliminates impact on the product when bringing it from the cross chain into the machine infeed, ensuring gentle, reliable handling. To keep the biscuits in an upright position while being transported into the film tube the biscuit portion is supported by a counter holding pin. The position where the counter holding pin comes up can be easily modified by the operator via an adjusting knob. Between the folding box and the cross-sealing station the slug is guided carefully by side belts or chains towards the cross-sealing station. Depending on the product characteristics, operators can easily exchange side belts with side chains and vice versa for enhanced flexibility and optimal support. All of these innovative features ensure that products are kept under control during the complete packaging process. Additionally, the narrow design of the cutting head improves sealing performance and creates tight seals.

Total Productive Maintenance
Designed with the operators and Total Productive Maintenance in mind, the solution has been laid out to be accessed from all sides for smooth operation, fast and easy cleaning, and low maintenance effort. The cross chain features a spring loaded chain tensioner with visual feedback, allowing the operator to easily check whether there is optimal chain tension or it should be adjusted. Machine parts in contact with the product are made of stainless steel, meeting today's hygienic standards. The open design allows crumbs and rejected products to fall through or be removed easily. All of these features add to operator friendliness and boost machine uptime and availability.

A holistic approach for maximized Overall Equipment Effectiveness
All aspects of the Pack 301 LS are designed to minimize downtime and enable stable output at high production speeds. To increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), the complete biscuit feeding and packaging solution is operated by a single HMI, which enhances fast changeovers for different formats and sizes. In addition, whenever a product is missing, the “no product – no cycle” option stops both the infeed and the machine when a product is missing to avoid empty packages. Thanks to optimized interfaces, the integrated system can be provided with all required upstream equipment including vibratory channels, offering a complete solution from a single supplier.

Flexibility for product shapes and lay-out configurations
Developed to address current and future market requirements, the Pack 301 LS system is capable of packaging rectangular, square and round products, as well as sandwich biscuits. Depending on the manufacturer's requirements, the solution can be equipped with up to ten vibratory channels. The modular design allows for scalable solutions and layout flexibility, enabling manufacturers to easily expand their production capacity or increase the level of automation from entry level, hand fed machines to fully automated solutions.

The Pack 301 LS system will be displayed at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE, from October 27 to 29 in TC hall, booth Y.

Contact:
Mazen Touban,
phone: +20 22265-0911

Contact person for press inquiries:
Christin Poenisch,
phone: +49 711 811-58502

Based in Waiblingen near Stuttgart, Germany, and employing 6,100 associates, the Bosch Packaging Technology division is one of the leading suppliers of process and packaging technology. At over 30 locations in more than 15 countries worldwide, a highly-qualified workforce develops and produces complete solutions for the pharmaceuticals, food, and confectionery industries. These solutions are complemented by a comprehensive after-sales service portfolio. A global service and sales network provides customers with local points of contact.

Additional information is available online at www.boschpackaging.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 360,000 associates worldwide (as per April 1, 2015). The company generated sales of 49 billion euros in 2014.* Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including its sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2014, Bosch applied for some 4,600 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group's strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is "Invented for life."

Further information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com, http://twitter.com/BoschPresse.

Robert Bosch Middle East is a fully-owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH, which has been operating in the Middle East for over 90 years. Robert Bosch Middle East sells automotive parts & equipments, power tools, thermotechnology, security systems and electric drive & control technology to a broad customer base in the Middle East countries. With a total workforce of 220 associates, the Middle East is a key growth region for Bosch. In 2014, the company registered year on year growth of seven percent, with revenues of AED 950million across 15 markets.

*The sales figure disclosed for 2014 does not include the former joint ventures BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausger?te GmbH (now BSH Hausger?te GmbH) and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (now Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH), which have since been taken over completely.