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Packaging solutions for delicate baked goods

Baked goods must be packaged gently, efficiently and sustainably. Gerhard Schubert GmbH combines these requirements with its solutions.

Baked goods need to be packaged gently, efficiently and, increasingly, sustainably. Packaging specialist Schubert combines these requirements in its solutions for the baking industry. The company combines its decades of expertise with a spirit of innovation and supports companies on the challenging path from manual to highly automated packaging processes.

Working economically in the bakery industry is more challenging than ever before. Factors such as high energy costs, increased raw material prices and staff shortages are affecting companies just as much as other sectors of the economy. In addition, the However, the baked goods industry is undergoing structural change, The trend is characterised by the increasing displacement of small family businesses by larger production facilities with a local or regional network of sales outlets.

Many companies have started to keep costs under control, Convert manual work steps to machine processing. As a result, the baking processes are often already automated, but not the packaging processes. What's more, consumers are always looking for new products, such as organic versions of bread, rolls, cakes, etc. Naturally, these should also be packaged in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

Companies can simply print special tools that are precisely tailored to the respective format, such as the suction cup tool on the pick-and-place robot, themselves using 3D printing.
Companies can easily print special tools that are precisely tailored to the respective format, such as the suction cup tool on the pick-and-place robot, themselves using 3D printing. (Image: Gerhard Schubert GmbH)

However, it is not only consumers but also public authorities that are increasingly imposing requirements for sustainable production processes. In this complex environment, companies need support. They can find this at the Gerhard Schubert GmbH, on the way to More economy, efficiency and automation as a reliable partner and takes packaging processes to the next level.

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Innovative packaging solutions for sophisticated baked goods

In addition to a volatile market environment, the challenges for bakeries also lie in the production and packaging processes themselves. Many Baked goods are particularly sensitive to handling and can be easily crushed. Others need to be packaged in a modified atmosphere. However, baked goods are usually packaged straight from the oven, which is why the subsequent packaging process must run as smoothly as possible, as the baking process cannot simply be interrupted.

At this point Schubert takes over with his robots developed in-house and innovative top-loading machines. In addition, customised consulting services ensure that companies' machines and processes are precisely tailored to their products. For bakeries that want to package different products, the modular machine concept from Schubert ideal, as all machines can be converted and expanded quickly and easily. Muffins in cartons today, doughnuts in tubular bags tomorrow - with Schubert's flexible machines, both standard ranges with high production quantities and changing formats with small batches are possible without any problems.

Modular machines for great flexibility

The Schubert Flowpacker packs baked goods individually, in stacks of two or three, which can then be further packed into carton boxes or into multipack tubular bags on the same machine.
The Schubert Flowpacker packs biscuits individually, as stacks of two or three, which can then be further packed into cardboard boxes or into multipack tubular bags on the same machine. (Image: Gerhard Schubert GmbH)

From the „naked“ bread that comes freshly baked out of the oven to the attractive shelf packaging for the point of sale, it is a demanding packaging route. This is why Gerhard Schubert GmbH ensures that all processes from primary to secondary to tertiary packaging are combined in one linear system. This allows Flexibly integrate various packaging steps into the overall process. This means that the Flowmodul flow-wrapping unit can be embedded in the TLM line at various points - for example to pack freshly baked biscuits directly into tubular bags, or later in the packaging process to wrap baked goods packed in trays with tubular bags. Packaging in transport boxes and the subsequent palletising of these can also be integrated into a TLM line.

Highly precise and extremely productive: the pick-and-place robots

An important task at Schubert is played by the Pick-and-place robots, without them, the switch to efficient, automated and economical packaging processes for baked goods would be virtually impossible. They carefully pick up the baked goods and place them in trays, cartons or thermoformed packaging with millimetre precision. They are able to do this thanks to the Schubert's self-developed vision system, which serves as a quality control reduces waste and increases the efficiency of the entire packaging process. In addition to precise position detection, the pick-and-place vision system ensures that only baked goods that meet the quality specifications are picked up and processed further.

The flowpacker packs baked goods directly from the oven individually, in batches or stacked in flowpacks or places the baked goods in different formations in trays or U-boards before they are packed in flowpacks.
The flowpacker packs baked goods directly from the oven individually, in batches or stacked in flowpacks or places the baked goods in different formations in trays or U-boards before they are packed in flowpacks. (Image: Gerhard Schubert GmbH)

Simply print it yourself: the right tool for new products

Pick-and-place robots also play to their strengths in the Processing of baked goods with different consistencies, shapes or sizes out. Whether it's the packaging of soft cream slices or specially shaped Baumkuchen - with the holistic PARTBOX 3D printing system from Schubert Additive Solutions, bakeries can quickly and easily produce the tools they need themselves using certified print jobs.

In addition, there are also Assortment designs such as mixed biscuit packs This is no problem for the pick-and-place machines: the different variations are fed to the packing line via several side conveyor belts, from which the pick-and-place robots pick them up and pack them in assortment packs.

Hygienic, fresh and transparent: tubular bag packaging

Also an all-round talent that is ideal for a high degree of automation, the Flowpacker from Schubert. Regardless of whether bakeries want to protect their bread with a tight-fitting cling film, combine several pretzels in one pack for the freezer compartment or wrap their biscuits in a cardboard tray with film - the Flowpacker is the ideal packaging machine when it comes to Baked goods various tubular bag packaging are required.

Many baked goods are particularly delicate and can be easily crushed. The robots and innovative top-loading machines developed by Schubert itself therefore ensure extremely careful handling.
Many baked goods are particularly delicate and can be easily crushed. The robots and innovative top-loading machines developed by Schubert itself therefore ensure extremely careful handling. (Image: Gerhard Schubert GmbH)

Quick and easy: switching between different films

The packaging machine combines pick-and-place robots, the flow-wrapping unit and a quality control system in one system. The Flowpacker is extremely flexible. Bakeries can easily switch back and forth between baked goods in different shapes and sizes as well as between different packaging formats and materials. This is how it packs Baked goods from the oven individually, in batches or stacked in tubular bags or places the baked goods in different formations in trays or U-boards before they are packed in flowpacks. Thanks to the option of integrating different sealing technologies into the flowpacker and easily switching between them or retrofitting them, baked goods manufacturers also have the option of using particularly thick high-barrier films. The use of environmentally friendly paper-based films or recyclable monofilms is just as easy with the flexible flow-wrapping machine.

Supporting the environment with sustainable bakery packaging

Whether customer requirements or legal regulations - the topic of Sustainability plays a role for more and more bakeries. Gerhard Schubert GmbH, which is aware of its responsibility as a packaging specialist, has always attached great importance to environmental awareness. In order to provide customers with the best possible advice on this complex challenge, the company has therefore pooled its expertise in the „Packaging Perspectives“ programme. As part of this programme, Schubert experts support customers in the selection of materials and the Design of packaging for a packaging solution that is both machine-compatible and environmentally friendly. By using Schubert's modular and automated packaging machines, bakeries can not only react flexibly to new requirements, but also become more sustainable and thus future-proof.

http://www.schubert-group

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