Schubert: TLMs and the GRIPS.world platform

TLM packaging machines for confectionery and cosmetic products show in a live demo the flexibility of high performance technology: that of Gerhard Schubert, which at interpack displayed its own development concept. Objective: to simplify complexity.

The solidity gained by Gerhard Schubert GmbH over the course of 50 years in business is evidenced by the numbers the firm logged in 2016: over 250 million euro in turnover, 9% of which reinvested in R&D, because «there’s no growth without innovation». Brothers Ralf and Gerald Schubert (the latter is resigning from operational responsibilities but retaining a consulting role, Editor’s note) are convinced as much, presenting at interpack smart, modular solutions that are easy to manage, flexible in format changeover and feature extraordinary efficiency and stability.

The new data box will provide even more accurate feedback, therefore facilitating optimised levels of maintenance and servicing. In this example, the error notification function indicates that a lifting tube needs to be replaced.

Schubert innovation has created complete integrated systems as well as more compact ones. In fact, a single TLM machine can perform the most disparate packaging processes, thereby simplifying or completely eliminating interfaces between the various steps of the process. For TLM machines, there are fully-integrated thermoforming, sealing, punching and filling units - all without electrical cabinets -for the primary packaging of products, e.g. for shampoo bottles or coffee capsules. This is made possible, among other things, by the Transmodul transport robot, developed by Schubert, with which the interface between primary and secondary packaging can be bridged. The sixth generation of VMS packaging machine controls is a standard component in each and every TLM packaging machine without an electrical cabinet. It ensures optimal performance and maximum flexibility throughout the machine’s entire service life.

The Flowmodul is the eighth standard component from Schubert and it enables packaging into flow-wrap bags to be seamlessly integrated into a TLM packaging system.

Schubert will soon be enhancing the TLM machines with its new data box and possible applications of the anticipated GRIPS.world platform. This web-based platform is being developed in order to enhance communication with customers and overall packaging line efficiency.
At the German fair, the firm also introduced the new Schubert-Cosmetics business unit, whose team of dedicated specialists work exclusively on the needs of this sector, developing, designing and delivering solutions ranging from individual machines to complete systems. With different filling systems – including gravimetric dosing or the new filling system with eccentric screw pumps – Schubert-Cosmetics can respond to customer-specific tasks and product requirements with high-level flexibility.

Il Flowmodul è l’ottavo componente standard di Schubert e permette di integrare il confezionamento in flowpack in un impianto TLM senza interfacce.
I sistemi in mostra

The systems on show
Flowmodul. The new Flowmodul enables the packaging of products such as biscuits, bars and other articles in flowpacks - seamlessly - within the proven TLM systems. Image recognition, pick & place robots and the Flowmodul merge into a single system. At interpack, Schubert showed a picker line with five F4 robots, which place biscuits in the Flowmodul’s product feed system. The chain speed is controlled by the intelligent robots and continuously adapted to the product flow. The system sets new records in space requirements, quality control and flexibility.

Erectors. For cosmetics manufacturers, the newly developed high-performance TLM erector is also capable of processing up to 50 RSC cartons per minute. During format changeover, the carton magazine (compatible with formats ranging from 120x100x100 mm to 900x430x400 mm) and the robot’s tools automatically adapt to the various formats, guaranteeing a high degree of flexibility. At the fair, the machine packed shampoo bottles in RSCs that can be formed and filled on three lanes. The bottles were fed in rows of six, wrapped in heatshrink film. Formats can be selected quickly and easily using the VMS controller

Waffles are carefully picked up using suction and transported.

Format diversity for confectionery. Schubert offers flexibility to confectionery manufacturers, using as an example a TLM system consisting of five sub-machines, which packages filled cone-shaped wafers into cartons without damaging them. The maximum output of this system is 250 wafers per minute. Another exhibit was a line consisting of four sub-machines, which packs biscuit-filled trays into two-piece tins or boxes. The maximum output of the exhibited machine is 55 tins or boxes per minute with eleven different formats. With this application, Schubert demonstrates the advantages of automation, which results in considerable savings in personnel costs and extremely gentle product handling, as well as flexibility in production planning and high overall system efficiency.

GRIPS.world Schubert’s web-based platform combines all the most important monitoring and data documentation fucntions in a single user interface. It is accessible not only to Schubert personnel, but also to customers, suppliers and the TLM machines themselves. The integrated data box analyzes machine data, making it possible to retrieve information relating to maintenance, control and performance, thus facilitating monitoring functions for preventive maintenance. A key component of the platform will be the TLM machine’s digital twin, a 3D copy that can be moved in real time using the original code from the VMS packaging machine control system. Accelerated design sequences and shorter delivery times are just some of the anticipated customer benefits. At the same time, it will be possible, for example, to carry out validation of a pharmaceutical machine or test runs with new product formats digitally, accelerating timeframes.