A work in close collaboration with customers has enabled PFM to design and produce a complete series of lines for the handling and packaging of 600 frozen patties (hamburger) per minute.

Innovative features include the product distributing system through circular vibrating hoppers and the screw system with two worm screws for product phasing.

We are pleased to inform you that PFM GROUP will attend next edition of IPACK IMA which will take place in Milano Rho from February 28th to March 3rd 2012.
Don’t miss a visit to our stand at Hall 11 Stand B44/C53 where we’ll exhibit the following machines:

1. PFM Solaris Smart3D Steelo Version: High speed vertical form fill and seal line composed of an innovative box-motion, full-servo VFFS machine model PFM Solaris Smart3D Steelo version.
   • Production: higher than 100 Steelo bags/min.
2. Scirocco BB: Full servo horizontal flowrapper with Long Dwell sealing system, which produces up to 200 ermetic sealed packs/min.
3. SPS-CAMA automatic loading and packaging line for cigar wafers: CAMA/SPS recently realized an innovative “turn key” system for cigar wafers with a continuous motion horizontal flow-wrapper and a Multi Delta loading unit, that may include up to 4 Delta “Triaflex” robots. The CAMA packaging line is composed of a Multi Delta robot unit, which by means of “smart” vision system can pick naked products (cigar wafers), coming from production line and position them correctly into the SPS continuous motion horizontal flow-wrapper model Regola. The wrapper is equipped with sophisticated control of quality and number of products per pack, “no-product-no bag” application, gusset unit. Subsequently, the products are packed in different configurations into end load cartons. The optimal, fastest and most gentle-handling solution has been studied, so as not to damage delicate products such as cigar wafer.
   • Products: cigar wafers.
   • Wrapping speed: up to 300 packs/minute.
4. BG Pack MP 240: 4 side-seal vertical packaging machine for single dose bags model BG Pack MP240.
   • Product: single dose bags.
   • Production: 300 bags per minute (100 bags/min. per single lane for a max. of 400 bags/min. on 4 lanes).
   • Wrapping material: heat sealable laminated.
   • Optional equipment: – Tear notch. – End-line belt. – Thermal transfer printer. – Gas flush system.
5. SPS B1600 Sandwiching Machine: New SPS B1600 double track sandwiching machine. It represents a further development of the already popular B1600. The new model has been completely redesigned taking into account the increasingly demanding requirements of customers in terms of cleaning and disinfection of the line while maintaining the same high levels of performance in terms of speed and production efficiency.
   • Production: up to 1600 sandwiches/minute.
6. MBP 10C2: MBP Multi-head weigher with 10 heads model 10C2, inclined at 45° with plain finishing, stainless steel construction, controlled by advanced industrial PC.
   • Product: biscuits, snacks, pasta, candies, cherries of mozzarella cheese etc
   • Production: up to 120 weighings per minute.
7. PFM-MBP Zenith DUO BAG: Compact vertical form fill and seal packaging line complete with a vertical form fill and seal wrapper model PFM Zenith and a 10 heads weigher model MBP 10C1 Series which produces packs with a pocket for putting in gadgets or accessories needed to use or consume the product.
   • Product examples: fruits and vegetables in chunks, cheese and processed meat and salami cubes etc. with their own cutlery and wipes; confectionery and sweets wrapped with gadgets and toys for young consumers; mixed frozen foods, fresh or dried pasta wrapped with a sachet of spices or flavouring.
   • Production: up to 60 packs per minute.

Andrea Fioravanti, PFM Group Sales and R&D Director, tells us about the strategies for growth adopted by the group:

“PFM Group ends 2011 with success responding to these times of international crisis by launching 4 great new products:

1. The Solaris Smart3D vertical packaging machine has raised productivity limits for 4-seal and Doy-Style packages above 100 pckgs./min.  New patented sealing unit. New Software with amazing, never-tried-before features.
2. The new MP 240-340 vertical multi-track machine has been constructed according to a new concept. New software.
3. Series C1-C2 DMA: for the multi-head weigher industry the DMA version introduces massive innovation into the system of combinatorial calculation and weigher adaptability. The range of applications has been widened”.

The catch phrase is “do more and better than before”.

PPMA SHOW – 26-29 September 2011, NEC Birmingham – Stand C31 –

Italian manufacturer PFM is demonstrating its top-of-range Vetta vertical form-fill-seal machine equipped for the first time with a new ultrasonic sealing system that improves seal efficiency in difficult environments and helps save materials.”The Vetta is already one of PFM’s most popular models as a result of its high performance and capacity to produce over 20 different pack style, including reclosable, from a single machine,” points out PFM sales and operations director Chris Bolton.

“Ultrasonic sealing brings further advantages, particularly for handling frozen food and dusty products that may contaminate the seal area and reduce seal quality.” Unlike conventional heat sealing in which heat is applied to the outside the film, ultrasonic technology generates the heat for the sealing process from within the film. This means that wet, damp and dusty surfaces can be hermetically sealed while the joint itself sets virtually immediately, achieving full strength for maximum production speeds.

Using ultrasound rather than traditional heat sealing also allows joints to be narrower, explains PFM, saving packaging materials, and eliminates build-up of film residue on the sealing tools for faster cleaning and considerably reduced downtime. Also being shown is the new PFM DuoBag machine which uses a single web of film to produce stand-up four-corner sealed bags with an additional pocket to hold promotional items or accessories.  Typical applications include snacks such as cheese and processed meat with their own cutlery and wipes, confectionery promotions with giveaways or toys and pasta with sachets of spices or flavouring.  “The DuoBag is the first stand-up two chamber bag, offering high on-shelf visibility and a whole range of merchandising opportunities in food, snacks and confectionery,” points out Chris Bolton. “The single web keeps cost to a minimum.”

The bag is based on PFM’s established four corner seal Steelo bag but with a fifth panel created from the single web of film and sealed into place at the rear to form the pocket. The corner seals provide pack stability and allow uninterrupted graphics on all faces of the bag.

PFM SpA si avvale del FESR, Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale, per prendere parte al progetto PLUS (Packaging Leads Ultrasonic Sealing), che prevede il finanziamento alle aziende che si dedicano allo sviluppo di nuove tecnologie per il confezionamento ad ultrasuoni.

È nell’ambito i questo progetto che PFM sviluppa due confezionatrici dotate di sistema ad ultrasuoni: la prima flow pack orizzontale con bobina dal basso, PFM MISTRAL BB Ultrasonic, ideale per il confezionamento di prodotti mono-porzione. L’altra di tipo verticale, Vertical Form Fill Seal,BG Pack Vetta Ultrasonic, per prodotti multipli e granulari.

PFM MISTRAL Ultrasonic Sealing System

Confezionatrice orizzontale tipo flowpack a bobina dal basso con nuovo sistema di saldatura ad ultrasuoni per film termoretraibili.

La macchina, già nota per le sue prestazioni è in grado confezionare un’ampia gamma di prodotti freschi in genere, fragili o appiccicosi ad elevata velocità, l’applicazione ad ultrasuono è stata sviluppata per confezionare formaggio fresco porzionato (tipo francese) in film termoretaibile.

Caratteristiche tecniche:

• Elevata velocità di confezionamento
• Struttura a sbalzo: i componenti meccanici ed elettronici trovano alloggio sul retro della confezionatrice in ambienti separati e protetti. Il fronte della macchina è quindi libero da impedimenti e permette una facile pulizia dai residui di produzione che non entrano mai in contatto con le parti meccaniche ed elettroniche.
• Rapidi cambio formato: pochi minuti per sostituire la bobina e selezionare il nuovo programma di lavoro. Grazie al tunnel conformatore regolabile la macchina è rapidamente pronta per confezionare un prodotto diverso. Dal monoporzione alla confezione famiglia in pochi minuti senza la necessità di competenze specifiche.

Funzionamento:

MISTRAL Ultrasonic è dotata di motori brushles, controllati da PLC e con pannello touch screen per la gestione di tutti i parametri. Il software sulla confezionatrice Mistral è studiato per avere un’interfaccia con l’operatore semplice e razionale. La confezionatrice è costruita secondo le norme EU o FDA ed è super accessibile per la manutenzione standard e straordinaria.

Vantaggi:

• Nel sistema di saldatura ad ultrasuoni l’alta frequenza è convertita in movimento meccanico che genera frizione tra i materiali e quindi sviluppa calore solo nei punti dove è richiesto, comunque all’interno delle molecole del film che rimane sufficientemente freddo all’esterno. Il calore generato è sufficiente a fondere la maggior parte delle materie plastiche e non solo, ma la sua concentrazione sui punti richiesti offre un ottimo grado di protezione agli alimenti sensibili alla temperatura: formaggi porzionati, grattugiati, cubettati e julienne, insalate fresche e prodotti di quarta gamma, farine ecc..
• Il processo di saldatura avvenendo a freddo elimina il fenomeno di retrazione del film e offre una confezione esteticamente perfetta e un grado di ermeticità altissimo, vantaggi altrimenti irraggiungibili con tradizionali sistemi di saldatura con ruote termosaldanti.
• Il sistema di saldatura a ultrasuoni è ideale per prodotti freschi a cui offre un ottimo grtado di protezione.
• Non c’è necessità di variare le regolazioni della saldatura al variare della velocità di confezionamento

BGPACK Vetta Ultrasonic Sealing System

Confezionatrice verticale con nuovo sistema di saldatura ad ultrasuoni. La macchina verticale top di gamma BG PACK, già nota per le sue altissime prestazioni è in grado di produrre una vasta gamma di confezioni diverse ed innovative con cambi formato eseguibili in tempi rapidissimi.

VETTA Ultrasonic è dotata di motori brushless , controllati da PLC e con pannello touch screen per la gestione di tutti i parametri. Il software sulla confezionatrice Vetta è studiato per avere un’interfaccia con l’operatore in modo semplice e razionale. La confezionatrice è costruita secondo le norme EU o FDA ed è super accessibile per la manutenzione standard e straordinaria.

Vantaggi:

Il sistema ad ultrasuoni applicato a Vetta comporta una serie di vantaggi in particolare per i prodotti surgelati e polverosi che possono contaminare l’area di saldatura riducendone sensibilmente la qualità e l’ermeticità.

• A differenza dei sistemi tradizionali di saldaturta a caldo la tecnologia a ultrasuoni genera calore per saldare dall’interno del film, ne consegue che anche le superfici umide e polverose possono essere saldate ermeticamente, il tempo di saldatura e istantaneo con vantaggi esponenziali in termini di velocià di confezionamento.
• La tecnologia a ultrasuoni permette di risparmiare materiale d’incarto ed elimina l’accumulo di residui sul gruppo di saldatura favorendo e velocizzado le operazioni di manutenzione e pulizia della confezionatrice.

September 2011:  PFM Group will introduce at PPMA in Birmingham ad at Pack Expo in Las Vegas, a full range of technological innovations for flexible packaging.
Come and visit our boots at the National Exhibition Center (NEC), Birmingham, UK, from the 27th to the 29th of September 2011 and at Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, U.S.A. from 26th to 28th of September 2011

A solution for sliced salami and cured meats, cheeses and all fresh foods to be consumed in several stages: highly convenient flow packs featuring zips packaged on PFM horizontal packaging machines. These lightweight, hermetic packages are produced at extremely high speeds.

The Mistral Servo is a flow pack type horizontal packaging machine for the production of hermetically-sealed packs with three seals and a zip with modified atmosphere.

Advantages:

• High productivity with zip and for MAP: can produce hermetically-sealed modified atmosphere packs and apply  zip at a production speed of 80 packs/min.
• Maximum Hygiene over whole surface.
• Aesthetically perfect packs: the perfect proportions of the film forming and sealing units (Long Dwell system) and the application of the ZIP guarantee aesthetically perfect packs with resistant, well-positioned seals.
• Rapid format change: with the Servo version on 6 axes it only takes a few minutes to replace the reel, make the few adjustments necessary and select the new work programme.

Complete, perfectly hermetic and hygienic packaging and feeder systems. All the experience of PFM, a leader in the cheese packaging industry, has gone into these open and reclose systems never used before in the industry.

PFM technology, already successfully applied to Pocket Bag® packaging is featured in this application which produces 210 pre-cut and labelled packs per minute.
Hermetic seals for MAP packaging take advantage of the Long Dwell sealing system with the drive gears contained in an oil bath
(patented by PFM).
Hygiene: AISI 304 structure; all product contact parts can be sanitised and are made of materials which comply with FDA standards.
Cantilevered structure: the mechanical and electronic components are housed at the rear of the packaging machine in separate,
protected environments. The front of the machine is therefore free of obstruction making it easier to clean and production residue does not come into contact with the mechanical and electronic parts.

The Labelling system comprises of a printing unit and double labelling machine which affixes the Open and Close label and tamper evident safety seal.

In 2002 PFM Packaging Machinery SpA, the headquarters of the PFM Group, achieved ISO 9001-2000 certification, subsequently updated to ISO 9001-2008, by DNV: one of the principal certification bodies in the world.This highly coveted milestone marked a significant point in the company’s program of continuous improvement, aimed at its main objective: maximum customer satisfaction expressed in terms of product and service.

PFM utilises the ISO 9001 – 2008 system for quality management of all corporate organisational processes including the definition of customer requests, design,machine assembly and testing, and full customer service.
All stages of organisation are co-ordinated and managed by a team of professionals who receive ongoing training and are provided with the very latest equipment.
Products are designed by a multi-disciplinary technical department utilising structural analysis and three-dimensional design software. Utmost care is taken with machine assembly and testing which lays solid foundations for the service
department which, at any one time, has dozens of specialist service technicians scattered around the globe.
In the three years from 2008 to 2011 complete computerisation of the quality system made it possible for us to have immediate and absolutely precise feedback on individual processes. As a result, we were able to target improvements in both internal and external operations, with specific demands for quality from our suppliers contributing to increasingly higher levels of reliability for customers.
Our objective is to maintain a culture of continuous improvement in order to achieve maximum customer satisfaction. To achieve this we expect to establish a continuous relationship with the customer by involving him in each step of the process, working together to create not just a reliable, functional packaging machine, but the value that makes us competitive in the market.

SPS Italiana Pack Systems, producing automatic packaging lines for bakery products and biscuits, is preparing to open their new premises in Bogogno (Novara).

The premises, with an area of 6000 m² of production space and 2000 m² of office space, is situated in a magnificent setting adjacent to the golf course. The factory’s modern spacious facilities house the structures and personnel of the company that can boast the biggest sales increase for the two-year period from 2008 to 2010.

“A development trend that is also confirmed for 2011 and which we forecast will close with a turnover of 15 million Euros,” states Paolo Fioravanti. ” Today SPS has a firmly consolidated position with the major producers of biscuits, wafers and bakery products all around the world.”
Business successes over the last two years, the result of untiring work focussed on technological improvement and development, include the special applications for wafers and sticky products, which are particularly difficult to handle; the new slug portioner for biscuits on edge; the new biscuit sandwiching machine; the new biscuit stack forming and loading system; vibrating channel technology developed in collaboration with MBP and, last but not least, the new SPS Regola packaging machine for candy
bars and bakery products that completes the medium speed range and flanks the already popular high speed SPS Modulo packaging machine.