Position: This page describes a pneumatic power pillow packaging machine from Airfil.
Not only is Festo the preferred supplier for pneumatic and control systems for use in Airfil packaging machinery, the machines are built completely by Festo for its originator Amasec Airfil.
Amasec Airfil machines produce air pillows from rolls of film on demand at the touch of a button and can provide cost savings in excess of 40% (when compared with the cost of conventional materials) and savings of over 90% in storage space.
The Airfil 1200 machine is built in house by Amasec Airfil and has won many awards for its innovation.
The machine achieves a throughput of up to 30 pillows per minute.
The new high-speed Airfil 2200 is a turnkey solution and was designed by Amasec Airfil to meet customer requirements and market demand.
Festo was chosen as the preferred supplier for pneumatic and control systems and the two companies have entered into a customer/supplier agreement whereby the machine is built completely by Festo.
Providing a throughput of up to 60 pillows per minute, the packaging system's design allows variable air fill volumes and pillow sizes and has built in features for integration into packaging lines.
At the heart of the new machine is a Festo FEC controller featuring the IPC single-chip PC controller and a high-clarity Festo display for unambiguous control and diagnostic messages.
It provides automatic temperature control of the welding bars along with software control to continually monitor throughput, flag alarms and deliver meaningful diagnostics.
"Customer satisfaction and cost effectiveness of packaging machines are paramount in the packaging industry", says Steve Parsons, Office Manager, at Amasec.
"We have worked closely with our Festo Automation Consultant, Mark Hewitson, and his support team in the Festo Systems Department to archive the performance we need", he says, adding: "We are delighted to have an automation partner in Festo who is able to contribute positively to improve design and performance criteria, and build our machines to order".
The Airfil packaging machine solution is ideal for a wide range of industries and is in widespread use throughout the UK, Europe and the USA.
Since its introduction earlier this year over 40 Airfil 2200 units have already been installed on customer sites including some high profile household names and in leading UK components distributors.
In addition, Festo uses Airfil packaging to protect small pneumatic and automation parts packed for transportation at its Northampton logistics centre.
"You could say we're packing air parts in air", points out John Gilbey, Customer Services Manager at Festo.
Tips: A quality packaging controller is impotant to the work of packaging machine.
