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The French packaging manufacturer Cartonnages Vaillant is one of the first companies in the world to be supplied by Bobst with an Expertcut 2.1 autoplaten flatbed die-cutter with TooLink technology.
The new machine was recently installed to increase productivity in the production of corrugated cardboard packaging and to expand the possibilities here. It enables Cartonnages Vaillant a wide variety of cartons for e-commerce applications and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) produce.
„We produce all types of packaging and endeavour to create added value wherever possible. That's why we often describe ourselves as packaging generalists. To secure our leading position in the region, we continuously invest in industry-leading machines that enable us to produce high-quality corrugated cardboard products for our customers and offer them short delivery times.“
Bruno Delannoy, Director Cartonnages Vaillant
The new Expertcut 2.1 has been seamlessly integrated into the 40 production machines at Vaillant's state-of-the-art plant. These include several machines from Bobst. The company invested in the Autoplaten flat-bed die-cutter in order to optimise the production process in its die-cutting shop. also punch sheets with a width of 2,100 millimetres and thus maximise the productivity of its printing presses.
With the Expertcut 2.1, which will be launched in 2022 - at the same time as the smaller 1.7 version - Bobst has expanded its Portfolio of die-cutters for the medium performance segment of the corrugated board industry completed. These industry-leading machines are equipped with a variety of newly developed design features and automation functions. They guarantee maximum availability, perfect sheet feeding and accuracy in the die-cutting process.
The platen has been completely redesigned to shorten set-up and adjustment times and reduce the punching force required to produce perfect blanks. This allows for significantly higher productivity and longer tool life. The double cam drive of the gripper bar feed has also optimised sheet transport. It enables extremely smooth and gentle acceleration and deceleration of the bows.
Production changes take less than eight minutes with the Expertcut 2.1. This gives Vaillant the flexibility it needs, both large and small quantities of corrugated cardboard packaging products with sheet formats up to 2,100 x 1,300 mm and thicknesses from 0.75 to 9 mm. Its production speed also makes this machine extremely competitive. It processes up to 5,500 sheets per hour, which corresponds to 20 million square metres per year.
Delannoy emphasises the high priority that Vaillant attaches to the safety of its machine operators: „With the Expertcut 2.1, Bobst has adapted the safety functions so that our machine operators are optimally protected. At the same time, we can produce at speeds that support our competitiveness. We want to be attractive to talented new specialists and improve the skills of our employees. This is another reason why we are investing in innovative production technology.”
Full automation for non-stop operation
In order to fully utilise the performance of the new flatbed die-cutter in the production of corrugated cardboard packaging, Vaillant had it equipped with an AF loader. It provides an even flow of corrugated board sheets into the machine safe. A Breaker 2 Flat Track depanelling unit works „hand in hand“ with the Palletizer module and enables Vaillant Fully automated inline production, in which no operator intervention is required.
For this Beta machine, Vaillant also opted for the TooLink-technology. This digital solution combines punching tools, machines and processes into one seamless process, in which the variables of manual labour are excluded. Each punching tool is equipped with a secure data chip, which is used to identify it and automatically transfer all setting parameters to the punch. This saves a considerable amount of time for repeat jobs.
„We have been looking at the topic of Industry 4.0 for some time. We simply couldn't resist the digital solution offered by Expertcut 2.1 with TooLink. TooLink not only saves us the time involved in searching for tools in the warehouse. TooLink also makes set-up and adjustment on the machine much easier. This is because the automatic management of order recipes memorises the previous setting parameters. In addition, this solution helps us to measure production times, availability and the number of blanks produced. This enables us to control our daily work processes much better at ERP level.“
Christophe Normand, Deputy Director Cartonnages Vaillant
Source: Bobst
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