Two BOBST FFG 1228 machines, one three-colour and one six-colour, support the ambitious endeavour of Ecuador-based Grupasa. The flexo folder gluers have been configured for the production of banana boxes, which makes up the majority of output for the agricultural sector at Grupasa.
The new BOBST FFG 1228 flexo gluers form a central part of the pioneering company’s recent investment in a second production plant in Ecuador. Having started operations in 2020, this state-of-the-art factory is the most automated of its kind in Latin America, built on the principles of Industry 4.0 to service a demanding and growing market.
Grupasa, which employs more than 520 people, is part of Grupo Papelesa. As one of the country’s main providers of packaging solutions, it specialises in the manufacture of corrugated and self-assembly polyboard boxes, with labels and shrink sleeves supplied by its Empaflex division. Large national and international companies in the agricultural and industrial markets make up the customer base.
Over the period 2018-19, the company invested substantially in a second board plant, where the latest technologies in corrugated manufacturing have been installed. Located next to its first plant, the new facility boasts the largest production capacity in Ecuador today thanks to a very high degree of automation and a constant improvement and innovation programme. Over 11,000 tons of corrugated boxes are delivered from here every month to multinational brand owners such as Chiquita, Del Monte, Fyffes, Unilever, Nestlé and Grupo AB Inbev.
‘We differentiate ourselves from the competition with our Industry 4.0 methodology, which we implemented through investing in innovative equipment and technologies, such as our BOBST printers,’ said economist Jose Jaramillo Miranda, President of Grupo Papelesa. ‘The Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence and Big Data all play a fundamental role in our processes, allowing us to meet a very demanding market with excellence. This requires the highest quality of boxes, exact colour matching, on-time deliveries and 24/7 service, while at the same time being competitive and even exceeding our customers’ expectations.’
Combining flexo printing, die-cutting and folding of board in a one-pass process, the FFG 1228 is an ideal production line for large formats up to 1160 x 2890mm. It can process board in various thicknesses from micro flute to double-walled (1.4 to 10 mm) and features quick job changeovers, a fully automated slotter and speeds of up to 30,000 boxes/hr (Trifold) for fast and versatile production of the widest range of box types.
A host of proprietary technologies make the BOBST FFG 1228 the perfect choice for Grupasa by minimising operator intervention and increasing automation. The six-colour machine, which is a 1228 NT RS model, comes with RAPIDSET, which enables set-up of idle print units while the machine is running for maximum efficiency. Both BOBST machines also feature DDF Direct Drive Feeder for no-crush feeding and high printing quality. This guarantees accurate lead edge to print and is ideal for converting lightweight board.
In the cutting section, the top rotary die-cutter uses the POSILOCK® quick mount technology and QLA Quick Lock Anvil systems for faster changeovers and accurate cutting at speed. The PCD Folder-Gluer offers progressive folding at high speed with Multi-T belts and board transfer on vacuum belts. At the stacking stage, the machine ensures 100% automated counting accuracy and precise bundle ejection. Each process on the flexo folder gluers is easily controlled and set up at the intuitive MPC3 HMI control station with REGISTRON 55500 employed to perform automatic print register control for excellent print results and low waste. All production data is collected and stored for easy job repeat setups and analytics.
The new factory is an insight into the future of corrugated production built on the foundations of automation, digitalisation, connectivity and sustainability. The team at Grupasa has achieved this through a deep understanding of their customers’ requirements and the way the market is moving. This is the very same vision that BOBST believes should guide all investment decisions and partnerships in packaging.
‘Our investment in state-of-the-art equipment enables us to offer our customers fully automated production. With the data we collect, we can continue to optimise our processes, improve our sustainability and further increase productivity,’ said Jaramillo Miranda. ‘We chose to work with BOBST and have maintained a great commercial relationship throughout, because they meet our demanding requirements for exceptional reliability of the equipment, constant top speed rates, and excellent training, service and support.’
‘It is fantastic to see the principles and the future vision that BOBST operates under in action at Grupasa’s new plant. With this level of automation and digitalisation, they are ahead of the competition and we are proud that they have successfully unleashed the power of BOBST technology to achieve their goal,’ said Olivier Robon, BOBST FFG/DRO Technology Sales Director.
Beswick Machinery
+27 11 433 2686
bmmarketing@beswick.co.za
www.beswick.co.za
