Miller Magazine Issue: 117 September 2019

40 NEWS MILLER / SEPTEMBER 2019 GEA optimizes TwinTube packaging machine to promote flexibility and automation The TwinTube is a continuous motion vertical machine, suitable for packaging small-sized, food products such as candy, nuts & dried fruits and other on-the-go prod- ucts in pillow bags of different sizes. The machine is part of a complete packaging process with upstream and downstream equipment operating in a dry manufactur- ing facility. It operates with two parallel forming tubes, achieving combined speeds of up to 500 bags per min- ute (weighing 10 to 18 g each). It is also possible to run a different film reel for each tube, meaning calorie packs of different widths or designs can be simultaneously filled. A new feature to the machine is the Jumbo Roll, which allows film reels of up to 100 kg to be used for long pro- duction runs, which boosts operational efficiency. “The new TwinTube has a modular construction which allows customers to easily add new options and upgrade their machine, thus prolonging the life span of the sys- tem. In addition, we’ve increased operator friendliness by introducing toolless adjustment features which helps achieve shorter change-over times and proven/error free setup of the machine – this includes printers, labelers and the vertical sealing unit,” explains Martijn van de Mor- tel, Product Manager Vertical Packaging at GEA. “With these new updates, we’re able to meet our customers’ demands in terms of automated process control, less op- erator dependence, more uptime and operational effi- ciency,” he adds. Automatic web tracking The new SmartPacker TwinTube is also equipped with automated web tracking. This means that if the film de- viates from its path, due to - for example - variances in the film roll, the feature will correct the direction of the film automatically, without the need of manual ad- justment. Ultimately this safeguards the quality of the GEA will launch the redesigned high-speed vertical packaging machine GEA Smart- Packer TwinTube at PackExpo in Las Vegas, USA from September 23-25, 2019. The entire machine has been redesigned as a future-proof modular system with in- creased functional efficiency promoting higher operational uptime and ease of use. The new GEA TwinTube packaging machine is equip- ped with double-hinged doors, which enable a quick and easy maintenance and a good view onto the sealing area.