A high level of automation and high-quality processes for the sustainable packaging of fruit and vegetables: these are currently the most important needs in the fruit and vegetable industry. The internationally operating Upmann Verpackungsmaschinen company will be demonstrating three new automation solutions for packaging at Fruit Logistica in Berlin, explains Sales Manager Germany Oliver Werner.
The Upmatic Type 4404
Paper bag machine for small packages
First, the company will introduce a new paper bag machine, the Upmatic type 4404 for small packages. With this fully automatic machine, garlic, onions, etc. can be packed in sustainable paper bags in the range from 250 g to 4 kg. For 1.5 kg potatoes, the line achieves up to 22 cycles/min. The paper bags are sealed either by sewing or by welding, depending on the user's choice.
Fully automatic machine for inserting flexible packages
The long-standing machine supplier will also demonstrate the Upmatic 4080 FA. This fully automatic case packer (robot) is suitable for inserting flexible packages - including paper bags - into mesh boxes, IFCO crates or cartons.
The Upmatic 4080 FA
Individual products in flowpacks
The extended range of machines is rounded off with the Flow Pack-GNA type MOBULA, a Flow Pack packaging line from the Italian supplier GNA, which is exclusively represented by Upmann in Germany. "This is also a highly automated packaging line on which individual products are packed in flowpacks, with or without trays. This process has a cycle rate of approx. 60-80 packs per minute, depending on the feeding system and product."
Flow Pack-GNA -Type MOBULA
High demand for optical sorting lines
Optical sorting is an important development area in the vegetable and potato industry. Upmann Verpackungsmaschinen has also recognized this trend for itself, describes Werner. "We represent the company Visar Sorting on the German market and with their optical sorting lines we also accommodate smaller farmers with approx. 25 ha of cultivation area who no longer have any personnel for processing and sorting."
Automation, project planning and high-bay warehouse
Automation is one of the main focuses of the Upmann company, comments Werner. The machine supplier has developed extremely well in this area in recent years. "We stand out in the market mainly through high automation and tailor-made project planning. We have already employed five engineers for project planning alone. We also have another five engineers for the optimization of existing solutions and the development of new projects," says Werner.
The main clientele of the Rheine-based company includes various bulk packers in the potato and onion sector such as Agropa, Helma, Kuhn, Solanum, Hatzl, RV Beindersheim etc. "Among others in Germany, Austria and Denmark, we have already realised various projects with high-bay warehouses. With these systems the continuous sorting purity is simply better. You just want to have smaller and smaller quantities, but with the previous technology you need too much space. Therefore, we are clearly seeing an increased demand for high-bay racking and automated complete solutions."
Oliver Werner at Potato Europe 2018
Visit the company at Fruit Logistica: Hall 3.1 Stand A-03
For more information:
Upmann Verpackungsmaschinen LLC
Oliver Werner
Burgsteinfurter Damm 185
D-48432 Rheine-Mesum
Tel: +49 (0)5975/9281-43
Fax: +49 (0)5975/9281-10
e-mail: oliver.werner@upmann.de
Internet: http://www.upmann.de