Outlook 2018: Trends in automation solutions

Beck Automation has its headquarters in Oberengstringen near to Zurich in Switzerland. It specializes in in-mold labeling, high-speed take-out robots and automation solutions for injection molding. As a pioneer in IML, we have developed ourselves to be a competent partner for the plastics industry.  

 

A major trend is everything related to Industry 4.0 approach due to its potential to further automate production plants and savings connected to increased productivity. This includes internet based platforms to control the production, and to analyze the process and its data flow up to prevention and maintaining operations. The core of the Industry 4.0 strategy is about making available technology more meaningful.

 

 

For 2018, we are enlarging our standardized IML system line called “BASIC” with a 2-cavity pail system. The BASIC line stands for reliability, simplicity and ease of use in combination with first class technology from Switzerland. The BASIC line combines performance with a fair and value able price.  

 

Due to the great success and demand we see for the already existing 1-cavity pail system, it was clear for us, that we want to also offer a standardized IML system for 2-cavity applications. In this level we see a good potential to promote the value added of our customers. This so called BASIC line will be further developed over the coming years. Besides the BASIC system line, we are also promoting our newly developed IML and take-out systems for single serve capsules as a special application.  Applications are for example coffee capsules. Our automation solution is a highly dynamic, precise and operator-friendly machine for IML decoration. This way, the disposable coffee capsules are both more environment friendly and look more premium, too. The aroma of the coffee should not be inferior to market-driven solutions, but should even surpass them. We see this growing market as a huge global opportunity for us as an IML supplier.

 

How to create value? Our philosophy is always a high-performance, high-availability system, with high output levels at a high-quality level that works over a long life cycle. Speed in combination with high precision movements is the major key when it comes to single serve capsule systems and customized IML systems in general. We would also like to point out the importance of designing a system that incorporates an optical vision system. Vision systems, as quality insurance systems, have become, more and more, a must-have feature inside IML systems.  

 

Beck Automation is investing into features related to the Industry 4.0 strategy. It’s no longer enough to just see an IML system as an isolated cell. We are working on new solutions to have our IML systems communicating with an injection molding machine in order to further improve the performance of the whole systems. This includes but is not limited to automated adjustments based on process information in order to improve parameters like scrap rate, cycle time etc. Beck Automation is also investing into a four times production site in our location in Braga, Portugal. Due to the increased demand we’re forced to invest heavily into our production capacities in order to offer fast delivery dates at the best possible quality.

 

 

Beck Automation AG  

Tel: +41 44 751 84 44

E-mail: info@beck-automation.com

Website: www.beck-automation.com/en-us/home