The PAM automation option for flat dies and coextrusion adapters from Reifenhäuser makes work easier for machine operators, increases productivity and enables the simple production of top film quality. Mechatronic actuators automatically adjust the feed block and die via the system’s control panel. This makes producers less dependent on a shortage of skilled workers. Once recipes have been saved, even less experienced system operators can reproduce them at the touch of a button.
Poland’s film manufacturer Bogucki Folie has invested in a new Reifenhäuser Midex Cast Barrier line including PAM. We present the interview conducted with the owner of the company, Wiktor Bogucki.
What goals are you pursuing with your company and your production facilities?
Bogucki Folie specializes in the production of high-quality, multi-layer food and technical packaging films as well as barrier films. Our traditional product is a three-layer, thin thermostretch film for beverage packs. However, the production facilities in our company are getting a bit aged. We have decided to invest in new technologies to increase our production capacity, lower production costs, and reduce production waste while maintaining or improving the quality of the products. We also want to achieve a higher level of automation in order to become less dependent on skilled personnel. The shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest problems in our industry in Poland. Therefore, as part of our investment plans, we were looking for an efficient, reliable and automated line that would meet our growing requirements.
How did you come up with Reifenhäuser?
We carried out extensive market analyses and worked intensively with various manufacturers and suppliers of raw materials. Reifenhäuser has been present on the global market and the Polish market for many decades. It has very good references from packaging film producers. A major advantage is the possibility of carrying out tests in advance in the Reifenhäuser technical centre at the company headquarters in Troisdorf (Germany) on the latest production equipment, where both raw material formulations and product optimizations can be tested.
The Reifenhäuser systems met our expectations during the tests. In particular, the completely new, mechatronic die and feed block automation PAM, has reduced the time for product changes on our line to a minimum. We also produce significantly less waste during set-up. Overall, PAM gives us maximum flexibility and resource efficiency thanks to the use of automated actuators instead of the usual thermal expansion bolts, which also consume significantly more energy due to the permanent power supply.
How do you rate the consulting process?
The communication and exchange of information with the Reifenhäuser sales team and the technical service team specializing in the project was always fast and straightforward. From the very first meeting, we were given the feeling that our needs and wishes as a customer were paramount. The new equipment of the system was explained and presented to us in detail at the Reifenhäuser research and development center. The production tests in the Reifenhäuser technical center, in which we were able to successfully test the recipes we had selected, as well as the high quality of the components and the easy operation thanks to the PAM automation of the system were decisive factors in our decision to opt for the Reifenhäuser CSC line.
What added value do you create for your company with this system?
Our production will be more environmentally friendly, more efficient and more economical than before, while maintaining the same high film quality. The investment in the new line will also give us the opportunity to accept more demanding orders in shorter series. PAM supports us here when starting up new products, as once stored recipes can be reproduced at the touch of a button. The products are of the highest quality, while at the same time we significantly reduce energy consumption and other production costs.
I’ll be more environmentally friendly, more efficient and more economical than before, while maintaining the same high film quality. The investment in the new line will also give us the opportunity to accept more demanding orders in shorter series. PAM supports us here when starting up new products, as once stored recipes can be reproduced at the touch of a button. The products are of the highest quality, while at the same time we significantly reduce energy consumption and other production costs.
www.bogucki-folie.pl
www.reifenhauser.com