Improving production rates with an auto-lidding confectionery packaging machine

Sewtec has been working with one of the world's largest confectionery manufacturers for over 25 years, collaborating on multiple bespoke automation systems projects to keep our customer at the forefront of their industry.

Black and white image of confectionary production line

Challenge

One of the world’s largest confectionery manufacturers wanted to automate the process of lidding tubs of individually wrapped chocolates.

Our customer approached Sewtec Automation to design a system that could pick multiple lids of varying materials and place onto tubs of the same material.

The system design also had to consider future product formats changes, with minimal equipment needed to adapt the system.

Invention

Our solution is a high-speed lidding system for both plastic and tin containers which has resulted in a much-improved production process for our customer.

Our team future-proofed the confectionery packaging machine’s design to meet the initial need for a fast, automated lidding system, also allowing for flexibility to accommodate product changes.

The solution features a custom puck system which handles product types that are typically difficult to de-nest, preventing unwanted downtime caused by jamming.

The system also features a reject chute, where lids that have not been picked will be removed from the line via a conveyor into a tote bin.

The design of this system is fully integrated, with the pick and place modules guarded by a fabricated frame and incorporates access guard doors to ensure safety compliance.

Results

The efficient automated confectionery packaging machine works at 50 pieces per minute and offers fast, tool-free changeovers.

A second-generation of the original solution has since been developed and is providing the customer with more flexibility and even faster throughput of up to 100 placements per minute.

Sewtec have worked with this international company for over 25 years, collaborating on multiple bespoke automation projects to keep our customer at the forefront of their industry.