GERMANY – Multivac, a leading global provider of packaging solutions for food, has introduced its new R3 thermoforming packaging machine to help manufacturers keep up with the sustainable and cost-effective packaging operations of the future.

Available from July 2022, the machine will not only run the latest types of packaging materials, such as recyclable and environmentally friendly mono films, but it will also be adapted to a wide range of customer requirements due to its modular construction.

“Our aim is to offer ‘best-fit’ machine configurations to not only small and medium-sized companies but also larger companies with tight budgets,” said Michael Landerer, product manager at Multivac.

 “Cost-effective solutions, which are perfectly matched to the customer’s production environment, and which are neither over-dimensioned nor under dimensioned. Solutions, which at the same time incur the lowest possible maintenance costs.”

The R3 comprises four stations: the forming station, the loading area, the sealing die and the cutting area. “The R3 achieves a speed of twelve cycles per minute at its peak level and can therefore reach the output of high-end slicer lines,” added Landerer.

The new machine has been equipped with “allover heating” in order to heat recyclable films evenly to prevent waves at the edges of packs.

Additionally, “the chain guides for the web advance can be adjusted individually, and they are also decoupled from all the forces of the machine processes,” explained the company.

“This means, for example, the weight of the die set is borne entirely on the side frames. Therefore, no vibrations are transmitted to the film.”

In addition to its immense capabilities, The R3 is designed in such a way, that minimal maintenance is required.  

This is proven by the design of the new lifting unit which does not require the use of lubricant anywhere while at the same time reducing the number of moving parts to a minimum.

Additionally, the underside of the frame on the thermoforming packaging machine is reinforced, making it possible to lift the entire machine at a central point – for example with a forklift.

“Thanks to this reinforcement, it is possible to quickly alter the position of the machine in the event of any line changes,” Landerer explained.

A brief look at the shelves of the discount stores is sufficient to see, that the array of pack types and packaging materials for food is becoming more diverse every year.

With the R3 thermoforming machine, Multivac is confident that food manufacturers can easily adapt to any new packaging type that is coming to market. In effect, a tailor-made suit for all events.

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