High speed baggers make debut at PPMA

The new products are suitable for a wide range of packaging applications, and features include a speed cycle of 45 bags per minute, next-bag-out printing to prevent product queuing and reduce waste, multi-position unwind with tension control which simplifies changeovers and an AutoTouch control screen for ease of use as well as network integration to facilitate central monitoring.

The series also includes a newly designed bag sealer area which, combined with improved temperature control and optional seal-flatteners, ensures consistent, high-quality seals.

Steve Dougan, European product manager for Automated Packaging Systems, explained: “It’s still recognisably an Autobag but under the skin there’s been a major overhaul.  We’ve kept the features critical to success, such as the seal flatteners, and the bags aren’t changing, so there’s no stock issues.

“The Autobag 500 is on a slightly smaller footprint, has been solidly engineered to ensure it upholds the reliability legacy, and based on the same platform as the proven Autobag 850S.

“The new series brings together decades of experience in both producing packaging solutions and understanding the needs of our customers, with the implementation of advanced technology to bring more efficient packing systems that can speed up processes whilst capturing data that customers can analyse to improve operations.”

The Autobag 500 series offers easier and faster loading, even for bulky and hard to handle items. Featuring an innovative adjustable pass-through, this automatically opens the bag much wider than traditional systems to enable access, and with no light curtains and less guarding, they offer unrestricted access to the pre-opened bag without compromising operator safety.

Andy Pretious, UK sales & marketing manager at Automated Packaging Systems added at the show that the baggers are proving popular with retailers tackling Omnichannel operations. 

“In manufacturing, companies usually work a day ahead of time, but in retail it is order driven, and business continuity at Peak is key. We train operators when we install machines, and give strategic parts for customers to hold, as well as offering phone support. We are also seeing retailers increasingly splitting orders across several machines, to spread the risk, so, if a bagger is down, the majority of capacity remains.”