Running at full capacity KBA-Metronic provides rub-resistant marking for foods
Companies in the food-processing industry now have to ensure a high safety standard and the exact traceability of each batch. In the event of a complaint, the exact date, time, shift or press can be identified by means of a company code on every packaging. Modern ID devices such as those of KBA-Metronic also provide rub-resistant markings on carton packagings and clip closures at the pastries manufacturer Stieffenhofer. Shortbread, butter biscuits with chocolate or healthy spelt biscuits – the smell in the production hall of the pastries producer Stieffenhofer alone is enough to get visitors drooling. The family business founded in 1927 and based in Koblenz produces the finest long-life pastries at two sites every day for the German and international markets, generating a total production of 30,000 tons each year. In the older plant in the Güls district of Koblenz, flan cases, gingerbread and muesli bars are produced on four baking lines. The company’s second plant, opened in 1993, is just a few kilometers from the Mosel in Bassenheim. Only last year, Stieffenhofer invested more than five million euros in a new building which almost doubled the existing production area in Bassenheim. “Our lines can now be arranged in a straight line thanks to the extension,” explains Technical Manager Reiner Stieffenhofer. The extension has also created space for further lines; a fourth baking line is due to be installed by the end of 2006, as the existing lines are currently running at full capacity six days a week in three-shift operation. Stieffenhofer now supplies its pastries to more than 50 countries. To allow exact traceability of the batches, all packagings are provided with a company code, in addition to the best before date. In addition, the inner foil packagings are also marked, so that the contents of each individual packaging can be traced back to the time of manufacture. The marking is done using ID devices from KBA-Metronic. Four of the company’s alphaJET C inkjet printers from Veitshöchheim, Lower Franconia, are working on the baking lines at Stieffenhofer. “We are extremely pleased with the KBA-Metronic devices. We have been impressed by the robust stainless steel design and the similarly sturdy print head. The maintenance works perfectly and the quantity of consumables is extremely small. We therefore not only save on our operating costs, but also minimise solvent emissions, an extremely important consideration in food manufacturing in particular,” explains Reiner Stieffenhofer. ID devices from five different manufacturers are currently in use in the company as a whole. This is likely to change: all lines will gradually be fitted with KBA-Metronic ID devices. However, AlphaJET C devices are used to mark not only pastry cartons, but also sealing clips for foil bags. The best before date and a company code, which at Stieffenhofer consists of a combination of four letters, are printed from the reel onto the clip band. Only then are the clips cut to size and the bag is sealed. When compared against competitor products, the alphaJET C, which works on the basis of the continuous inkjet principle, stands out first and foremost for the low consumption figures. Thanks to an integrated solvent recovery process, the consumption is just approximately 1.4 ml per hour at 20° C. The possible uses of the device range from simple applications such as printing dates through to complex applications in which the alphaJET C is networked with other devices, such as a PC, barcode reader, image detection system or x/y-axis system. Depending on the model, the alphaJET C can either be used on one line, or print completely different data simultaneously on two separate production lines. “The alphaJET C is still the world leader when it comes to saving solvent consumption, despite strong marketing efforts from the Far East,” affirms Michael Stingl, area sales manager for KBA-Metronic. The mid-cap technology company is a holistic provider offering everything from one source, from production development through to service on site. “The devices manufactured in Germany still enjoy an excellent reputation. Due importance is therefore attached not only to development, but also to quality assurance. We will therefore continue to base our products on innovation and the quality inherent in “made in Germany”, as this is the only way to secure a long-term future which exploits the full potential of the company”, concludes Michael Stingl. KBA-Metronic AG is a mid-cap business with approximately 300 employees. It was founded in 1972 and is based in Veitshöchheim near Würzburg. The company has been a subsidiary of Koenig & Bauer AG since 2004.
KBA-Metronic has specialized in the development, design, production and marketing of printing and ID technology. Since its formation, the company has steadily expanded its product range with huge innovative potential. KBA-Metronic ID devices are used anywhere in industry where products and packagings are printed, labeled or marked in any way. Renowned companies throughout the world in the car, food-processing and pharmaceuticals industry work with laser, inkjet, hot-stamping or thermal transfer devices from Veitshöchheim. In the area of waterless UV offset technologies, KBA-Metronic serves the expanding market segment of sheetfed printing on plastic and paper sheets in the A3+ format. Major companies around the globe use waterless offset keyless inking technology developed by KBA-Metronic AG to print smart cards, including telephone cards, through to CDs and DVDs. In addition, KBA-Metronic AG offers a modular “all-in-one" personalization system for plastic and paper cards "Made by KBA-Metronic AG".
published: Verpackungsrundschau 5/06 |
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