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hereas many packaging
machine manufacturers rely
on standard machines with
sliding, stacking and sorting
chains, Transnova-Ruf is using tailored,
robot-based packaging, palletising
and handling solutions. This creates
space-saving, energy-efficient compact
systems with high power density and fast
format changeovers. The innovators can
now deliver well over 100 turnkey packag-
ing lines per year for picking, packing and
palletising. These solutions are precisely
tailored to their customers’ requirements
and cover the entire process chain for
final packaging. As a result, the company
is now recording double-digit annual
growth.
Micro-modular systems
“We’ve given up our rigid machine pro-
gram approach and are now living in the
world of micro-modularity. Just like with a
Lego set, previously unimagined solutions
can be produced thanks to this concept,
which is unprecedented in packaging
machine engineering,” says Michael Ruf.
“Micro modules are functional elements
that we use to configure the system spe-
cifically to the customer’s requirements.
For each module, a CAD template is
stored with the corresponding hardware
and software. The modules are combined
according to individual customer specifi-
cations. The result is a tailored packaging
solution, a design-to-order solution in the
truest sense of the word,” adds the indus-
try expert. “And we’ve also gained a com-
petitive edge,” says Ruf confidently.
Each year, the company integrates about
200 robots that offer a number of key ad-
vantages: greater flexibility, in particular
for special purpose machines, better
handling and faster format changeovers.
The focus is on the specific needs of the
customer. “And those needs are different
every time,” Ruf explains. Transnova-Ruf
machines are used to package everything
from button batteries and salami to IV
bags and refrigerators and even control
cabinets; from products in the food, cos-
metics, non-food and chemical industries
to medical and pharmaceutical products.
Pneumatic proportional technology
The market requires cost-effective pro-
duction systems that can easily handle
frequent product and format change-
overs. And that is where pneumatic
automation technology has a role to play.
The gripping module of a packaging and
palletising cell is equipped with vacuum
technology, pneumatic drives, grippers
and valve terminals. The key piece of
technology here is the proportional pres-
sure regulator, which is integrated into
the valve terminal CPX/MPA on site.
“It’s positioned exactly where the pres-
sure is needed,” explains Festo Product
Manager Ulrich Sixt.
The proportional pressure regulators
VPPM regulate the contact pressure of
the parallel gripper. The packaging must
be gripped securely without deforming or
damaging it. Gripping pressure is gov-
erned by various factors such as fullness,
packing density or weight. Control preci-
sion and repetition accuracy are also very
important. Thanks to the proportional
technology, adjustments can be made at
any time. This is necessary because
systems sometimes have to handle over
Adjustable gripper jaws:
sometimes they have to handle different
box sizes, sometimes they have to handle whole Euro pallets – only
proportional technology enables fast and cost-effective format changes.
“Thanks to proportional valves from
Festo, we have the right product for
our tailored modular packaging and
palletising systems.”
Michael Ruf, Deputy General Manager of Transnova-Ruf