Machine builder Benner MSA has introduced an innovative compact system equipped with Herma 500 label applicators, specifically designed for the food and beverage packaging industry, focusing on medium-sized quantities.
This multipack machine occupies a footprint of no more than four square meters, making it an excellent choice when an upstream packaging system operates at approximately 60 to 80 work cycles.
“There are, of course, one or two other manufacturers of label-based multipack machines. However, these machines are single-format systems designed for a single product that is produced in extremely high volumes, such as a well-known biscuit snack,” states Ilyas Zorla, managing director of Benner MSA, located near Karlsruhe, Germany. “These machines are not only very large, they are also very, very fast and can easily run at 700 cycles per minute.”
In contrast, the Benner MSA machine efficiently bundles bags at a rate of 20 to 30 multipacks per minute.
Zorla elaborates: “For many suppliers of, for example, nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars, and so on, this processing speed is perfectly adequate – here a higher output would be uneconomical.”
The new system utilizes a sloping conveyor belt that transports ready-filled bags to a height of about two meters. At this point, the bags are directed into a compartmentalized conveyor belt, ensuring that each compartment receives a defined number of horizontally positioned bags.
Subsequently, two Herma 500 label applicators, positioned on each side, apply a pre-perforated label to form the multipacks seamlessly.
As standard, this machine is configured for bags measuring approximately 65 x 150 x 25 millimeters (W x L x H). Nevertheless, its design allows for flexibility, enabling the bundling of wider products. The four side guides of the shaft can be easily adjusted to accommodate any dimension.
Beyond its specified output and adaptability, the Benner MSA machine is distinguished by its extraordinary precision. To ensure easy separation of individual bags, the perforations must align precisely with the “gaps” between them.
“This is why the Herma 500 is invaluable as a label applicator,” Zorla notes. “It has a master encoder. In other words, the labeling speed is always controlled by the actual product speed. In this way, our customers achieve an extremely high level of precision in the labeling process.” He adds, “The Herma 500 has an additional advantage: the label applicator was designed together with the machine manufacturer Benner MSA in real-time in the Herma online configurator, allowing for an extremely compact design. The configurator offers numerous standardized equipment features and thus provides the right solution for almost any application. Full SAP integration ensures stable processes and the shortest possible delivery times.”
A live 3D presentation also offers targeted configuration support, which is crucial given the limited installation space of this multipack machine. Notably, the peel plate was designed to be as compact as possible.
This innovative multipack machine can efficiently process irregularly shaped bags. For instance, peanuts and cashews are dry and hard, while dates and cranberries are soft and pliable. Depending on the product, the bag may contain varying amounts of air, which can affect the overall height by up to five millimeters.
“With three bags, this makes a difference of up to 15 millimeters – a challenge when it comes to accurately positioning the labels,” Zorla points out.
This issue has been effectively addressed using a special, now patented, compensating element that offsets such height differences. Furthermore, the user-friendliness of the Herma 500 is vital for a smooth multipack bundling process:
“There is not much you can do wrong when setting up and operating the machine. For example, it’s possible to activate only those parameters that are relevant for the respective operator level. This makes the Herma 500 ideal for operators who have never used a label applicator before.”
