[3D Printing News] Packaging Production Line Flexibility, Digital Factory Revealed!
Gerhard Schubert GmbH, a pioneer in top-loading packaging machines with "TLM technology," has undergone over 50 years of development and innovation, integrating robotics, intelligent control, 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, with Chinese subtitles available.)
The company's packaging machines are used in a wide range of applications, from food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics to technical products, packaging them 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 line in Crailsheim, Germany.)
Flexible Packaging Production Line Changes
Customized accessories at the end of the machine offer high-value services. These bespoke accessories allow packaging machines to flexibly switch between different production lines. For example, a machine that packages Easter bunny chocolates can also package Christmas chocolates of different shapes. When customers have new requirements, they send them to Schubert, who then develops matching accessories and programs.
(3D printed tools allow one piece of equipment to handle different products simultaneously.)
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 separate parts can be completed in a single 3D print, while reducing weight and assembly time. 3D printing also allows for faster part reproduction; the lead time for improving tools has been shortened from weeks with traditional manufacturing to hours, significantly reducing development costs.
Digital Warehousing
While 3D printed parts are very convenient to use, shipping finished products to various locations is too time-consuming for time-sensitive production lines. They adopted a 3D printing project suitable for individual cases: by equipping each location with an Ultimaker 3D printer, parts can be printed internally as needed.
(Customers can easily select new 3D printed tools through digital warehousing.)
When 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 as needed. This is not only a convenient service for customers but also significantly reduces delivery times and staffing. More importantly, they no longer need additional warehouse space to store a range 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 encryption system, GS.Gate, for cybersecurity, preventing customers' development projects from leaking.
(Schubert's secure encryption system GS.Gate ensures secure network transmission.)
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 single 3D 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 easy-to-use performance for customers 24/7.)
Aside from special parts that cannot yet be 3D printed (e.g., requiring special materials other than 3D printing filament) which are manufactured using other 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 select and 3D print them.
The new generation of digital manufacturing is transforming, and choosing the right tools can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency, saving more costs. Do you also need to shorten lead times and accelerate production? You can find more desktop processing equipment and 3D printing services here, or contact us for further consultation.
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The new generation of digital manufacturing is transforming, and choosing the right tools can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency, saving more costs. Do you also need to shorten lead times and accelerate production? You can find more desktop processing equipment and 3D printing services here, or contact us for further consultation.
Follow our fan page to stay updated: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
