This entry-level machine is ideal for difficult-to-handle products, multipacks and packaging applications where a wide range of formats is required from one machine
‘With the Pack 101, Bosch is equipped to help Africa’s food and non-food manufacturers grow their businesses by rapidly adapting to changing product trends or efficiently packaging small scale SKUs,’ explains Steffen Manke, general manager, Bosch Packaging Technology, South Africa.
The machine’s fully-adjustable former and multiple cutting head sizes allow for an extensive spectrum of products to be packed on a single machine, as format changes are quick and efficient, requiring no change-parts. It’s ideal for businesses needing a flexible wrapping solution to accommodate multiple products, particularly for applications in the confectionery, bakery, snacks, medical, prepared foods and hardware sectors
By offering the widest format range available for a packaging system of its class, the machine is suitable for multipacks, as well as standard overwrapping of multiple products or tray-overwrapping
‘With this machine, companies of all sizes are perfectly positioned to fulfil the growing market demand for multipacks, as it allows them to package different products or varieties of packs on one machine,’ Steffen adds
Another major benefit is the Pack 101’s ability to package difficult-to-handle products – for example, soft bakery items such as muffins or layer cakes. As these products are sensitive to fast acceleration, they’re unsuitable for high-speed automated packaging lines and are generally fed manually into a flow wrapper to ensure gentle handling. The adjustable folding box of the Pack 101 allows for the high product tolerances required for such bakery products.
Advanced technology for high efficiency
Designed for automated and quick changeovers, to increase operational efficiency, the Pack 101 incorporates the same production-proven technology employed in higher-end horizontal wrappers, such as the Pack 201 and Pack 401, developed by the Bosch Centre of Competence in The Netherlands
The human machine interface, for instance, provides an easy-to-use colour touchscreen and intuitive icon-driven navigation that simplifies set-up, operation and diagnostics. User-friendly monitoring software detects errors and automatically stops the cutting head, reducing the potential for machine jams and unnecessary downtime
For compliance with food safety regulations and guidelines, the Pack 101 is designed for simple cleaning and maintenance. Pushers are easily exchangeable and the cutting head can be cleaned without the need for resynchronisation. Modules, such as the fin wheel section, as well as discharge and infeed parts, can be easily removed for quick cleaning or maintenance
And, as crimpers, fixed formers, pushers and other systems use the same parts as other Bosch wrappers, spare parts inventory is low, reducing the total cost of ownership for customers, and allowing future expansion and upgrading with Bosch’s Pack series. Furthermore, The Pack 101’s compact frame enables optimum use of the production floor and easy integration within most manufacturing environments
As Bosch customises systems to meet individual production needs, the Pack 101 offers a number of optional features, including printers, air-evacuation and air-conditioned control cabinets ideal for high-temperature environments.
Additionally, the Pack 101 offers different infeed lengths, depending on the number of workstations, further optimising production efficiency and space use
Local support for fast servicing backed by global expertise
South African manufacturers also benefit from local service support. Established in 2009, Bosch Packaging Technology South Africa went on to open a local assembly site in Midrand, Gauteng, in 2012. With eight employees currently in sales and field service, the company represents the complete portfolio of Bosch Packaging Technology.
Headquartered in Waiblingen, Germany, Bosch Packaging Technology, is among leading suppliers of process and packaging technology. At over 30 locations in 15 countries, a highly-qualified workforce develops and produces complete solutions for the pharmaceutical, food and confectionery industries. These are complemented by a comprehensive after-sales services portfolio.
This is the wide pool of knowledge on which Bosch Packaging Technology South Africa draws
The South African office allows for close customer contact and serves as a facilitator between the local market and the global know-how of Bosch Packaging Technology
‘Our locally-based service engineers enable us to respond quickly to customers’ needs,’ says Steffen. ‘Besides standard services such as installation, commissioning, emergency response and spare parts order, we offer value-adding services such as consultation based on our global expertise, carried out on-site at our customers’ plants.’
In addition to the Pack 101, Bosch Packaging Technology South Africa locally adapts two vertical form-fill-seal machines, the Terra series, for entry-level speed requirements, as well as the newly-developed SVI 2600, an intermittent medium-speed machine. The specialised confectionery wrapper, BVK 2000, a servo-driven horizontal flow wrapper that handles up to 2 000 pieces/min, is also part of the local portfolio
[Ed’s note: For more information about the Pack 101 or other Bosch machines contact Steffen Manke (steffen.manke@bosch.com 082 5676863) or Aubrey Pharatlhatlhe (aubrey.pharatlhatlhe@za.bosch.com 072 630 6055)]
