Syntegon won the German Packaging Prize in the ‘packaging machines’ category, from the German Packaging Institute (Deutsches Verpackungsinstitut e.V.). Its IDH handling system incorporates innovative picker technology, which enables manufacturers to considerably reduce the space required from the infeed belt to the packaging machine. ”Our Intelligent Direct Handling System, or IDH, ensures both high pack style flexibility and particularly gentle handling – the latter of which also minimizes product loss”, says Daniel Bossel, Product Manager at Syntegon. ”This award shows that we are continuously contributing to innovative and sustainable packaging technology. The prize also underlines Syntegon’s decades of robotics expertise for the food industry.”

The picker technology, which is based on linear motor technology, is at the heart of the IDH. Each of the pickers can be controlled individually by a motor. Its slow and smooth movements minimize mechanical stress. Delicate products such as cookies and crackers are transported gently from the process belt into a feeder or directly into trays. The IDH pickers grip the products with minimal vacuum application.

The new pick-and-place technology is also key to the IDH’s high flexibility. Up to 40 pickers can be integrated, for an output of up to 1.250 products per minute. The system groups and loads cookies in four different formats: slug and pile packages in trays or flow wrappers.

The German Packaging Institute (dvi) has been awarding the German Packaging Award since 1963. This is Syntegon’s fourth consecutive award.

Photo: Syntegon