In the world of instant meals, producers are used to focussing on speed. One instant noodle meal producer has recently turned up the dial on its packaging operation and has uncovered savings in wrapping materials as an added bonus.
When searching for a new packaging line, speed was always going to be paramount – it was to be fed by an automatic pot filler and would have to keep in time with that rapid equipment.
YPS supplied a servo-driven side sealer and double chamber shrink tunnel, a combination with unbeatable speed and precision. Ultra-thin film is also being supplied which has led to significant savings in materials use.
With potential throughput of up to 10,000 cycles per hour, the side sealer can comfortably handle the desired throughput of instant meals. The output speed is achieved by a combination of the servo-driven motor and the continuous motion transverse sealing bar, which moves with the product, ensuring there is no stop/start action which would slow the process down. Adding a double chamber shrink tunnel then ensures the greatest capacity at the heat shrink stage of the process.
Using this model has led to average documented film savings of around 15% when compared with similar competitive models, contributing to sustainability goals.
In addition, the side sealer is now running an ultra-thin film, the thinnest available. This change has reduced material thickness for the customer from 35 micron to 12.5 micron with no loss of performance – a plastics saving of some 64%.
The meal producer’s tasty treats are flying out of their factory, with packaging capacity at least tripled compared with their previous line.
