Modularity plays a major role at Schubert, and this will be especially evident in Milan. At this year’s edition of the international trade fair for packaging and processing technology, the machine manufacturer will be presenting a cartoner that clearly demonstrates the many advantages of modular technology. Also on display: an enhanced sealing tool and a fresh new look.
With ‘The Art of Innovation’ as the slogan for this year’s event, IPACK-IMA is promising a number of outstanding technological developments between 27 and 30 May. Gerhard Schubert GmbH will be a must-see at the international trade fair at Fiera Milano, as much has happened in terms of innovation since the company’s last visit to the northern Italian metropolis. At Stand B82 in Hall 7, the packaging machine manufacturer will demonstrate how the modular machine concept from Crailsheim combines exceptional efficiency and durability. The cartoner on display at the stand – presented in Milan as a bar packer – has a vertical magazine with two blank stacks and a weight-optimised sealing tool.
Magazines to suit every requirement
Visitors to previous trade fairs, such as ProSweets 2025 in Cologne, will be familiar with the machine. But the true magic of the line lies in its details: instead of a pallet magazine and the ‘Comfort Feeder’ blanking solution, Schubert has equipped the cartoner with a vertical magazine. And once again, the company is demonstrating just how flexibly its in-house developments can be configured.
“Production and packaging requirements are rarely cast in stone,” explains Julia Junker, Marketing Manager at Schubert. “And packaging lines used by manufacturers in the food industry and other sectors need to be just as versatile. With Schubert, changeovers are virtually effortless thanks to the modular design.”
For example, an erection frame with a pallet magazine and Comfort Feeder can be easily replaced with a frame equipped with a vertical magazine. The cartoner itself remains unchanged; only the magazine unit needs to be replaced by experienced technicians. With the single-lane A3 erector robot, stacks of individual blanks are placed vertically into the magazine. Depending on the blank size, two stacks with a maximum height of 1200 mm can be placed one behind the other. The number of blanks varies depending on the thickness and dimensions of the cartons: the thinner and smaller they are, the more will fit into the magazine.
The trade fair model holds 4,000 pieces, ensuring that the cartoner can continuously pull, glue, erect and seal blanks for a full 60 minutes. At the stand, the model will pack four bars in two layers into shelf-ready boxes. This is also achieved thanks to the proven A3 erector, which Schubert launched in 2024. The unit is part of the vertical magazine and is capable of quickly erecting boxes in a single lane at 60 cycles per minute. “This paves the way for exceptionally reliable automated processes,” explains Junker.
Ergonomic design
When the magazine needs reloading, users can refill it with blanks in just a few minutes. A magazine table that can be moved upwards and downwards takes the strain out of this step, as the magazine can be reloaded at an ergonomic working height. “Well thought-out solutions have always been a Schubert hallmark. And we have taken this approach to the next level with the vertical magazine and new tool,” adds Junker.
The sealing tool, developed in line with ‘clean design’ principles, clearly reflects Schubert’s functional, pragmatic approach: Schubert has significantly reduced the number of parts, so that the unit weighs about 50 per cent less – a significant advantage when frequent format changes are necessary. Ergonomic design isn’t the only factor that came into play during development: Schubert has also optimised rigidity and dimensional stability, thereby improving component availability. “Machines often run continuously and therefore need to be extremely durable. We also meet this requirement with the optimised sealing tool.” Like the vertical magazine, it is easy to use and can be cleaned effortlessly as required.
Cutting-edge achievements spanning more than five decades
With so much innovative drive at work, this is an ideal time to look back on close to 60 years of pioneering achievements. As part of its ‘Pick the Original’ campaign, Schubert is showcasing how the company has been revolutionising picker lines, packing lines, flowpackers and, last but certainly not least, image processing and robotics since 1966 – thanks to its tech savvy and commitment to ingenious solutions, which are now being carried forward by the family’s third generation.
Website: www.schubert.group