【3D Printing News】Flexible Packaging Lines, Digital Factory Revealed!
Gerhard Schubert GmbH, a pioneer in "TLM technology" for top-loading packaging machines, has been developing and innovating for over 50 years, integrating robotics, intelligent controls, and modular systems. Established in 1966, the second-generation company, headquartered in Germany, now employs over 1,300 people and combines 3D printing technology to further drive new developments such as "digital manufacturing" and "digital warehousing."
(Real-world application at Schubert's packaging factory, Chinese subtitles available.)
The company's packaging machines are used for a wide range of products, from food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics to technical products, packaged in various boxes, trays, cartons, or transparent bags. Well-known international brands such as Ferrero, Nestlé, Unilever, and Roche all use Schubert's automated equipment.
(Schubert's assembly production line in Crailsheim, Germany.)
Flexible Packaging Line Conversion
Customized end-of-arm tooling is a highly valuable service, allowing packaging machines to flexibly switch between different production lines. For example, a machine that packages Easter bunny chocolates can also package differently shaped Christmas chocolates. When customers have new requirements, they send them to Schubert, who then develops matching accessories and programs.
(3D printed tools enable one device to handle different products)
To meet these demands, Schubert began incorporating 3D printing technology, offering greater design freedom beyond traditional manufacturing methods. For example, a tool consisting of over 200 individual parts can be completed in a single 3D print, while reducing weight and assembly time. 3D printing also allows for faster reproduction of parts, with lead times for tool improvements shortened from weeks with traditional manufacturing to just hours, significantly reducing development costs.
Digital Warehousing
Although 3D printed parts are very convenient in application, transporting finished products to various locations is too time-consuming for production lines where every second counts. They have adopted a 3D printing project suitable for individual cases: by equipping each location with an Ultimaker 3D printer, they can print and manufacture parts internally as needed.
(Customers can easily select new 3D printed tools through digital warehousing.)
Once a customer needs a new tool or specific part, they can browse the online 3D printing library in the internal digital warehouse and print the part according to their needs. This is not only a convenient service for customers but also significantly reduces delivery times and manpower allocation. More importantly, they no longer need additional storage space to stock a series of spare parts.
(One of Schubert's internal tools used to carefully move fragile products)
In addition to sharing these resources with customers, there is also a unique encrypted system, GS.Gate, for cybersecurity, preventing customers' development projects from being leaked.
(Schubert's secure encryption system GS.Gate ensures network transmission security.)
Quality Certification, Customer Satisfaction
Since this plan allows customers to 3D print their own parts, a certain quality standard must be maintained to ensure customer satisfaction with the finished product. Each tool includes the engineer's complete settings and parameters, rather than just a 3D model file. To make the project work, they chose 3D printers that are easy to operate, stable in printing, and produce good quality—Ultimaker.
(Ultimaker 3D printers provide customers with easy-to-use performance 24/7.)
Except for special parts that currently cannot be 3D printed (e.g., requiring special materials beyond 3D printing filaments), which are assisted by other manufacturing methods such as CNC, laser processing, etc., all of Schubert's 3D printing databases have been developed and tested for Ultimaker 3D printers. These digital files are quality-certified internally by the company, and customers only need to simply select and 3D print.
The new generation of digital manufacturing is transforming. Choosing the right tools can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, saving more costs. Do you also have a need to shorten lead times and accelerate production? You can now find more desktop processing equipment and 3D printing services here, or contact us for more consultations.
Follow our fan page for the latest updates:https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
The new generation of digital manufacturing is transforming. Choosing the right tools can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, saving more costs. Do you also have a need to shorten lead times and accelerate production? You can now find more desktop processing equipment and 3D printing services here, or contact us for more consultations.
Follow our fan page for the latest updates:https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
