IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH, based in Stutensee near Karlsruhe, is a member of the ATS Group, which has over 7,500 employees at 65 international production sites worldwide. It is one of the world's leading manufacturers of packaging machines, specialising in tube fillers and cartoning systems.
With the card-to-card blister system CABLIblue 870, the company supports its customers in achieving their goals for a circular economy. It processes durable packaging with high packing volumes for medical technology, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, DIY items and non-food products, all made from recyclable cardboard and without any plastic.
Faster and more ergonomic thanks to stepper motors
When it comes to efficiency, no competitor can match the CABLIblue 870: with a packaging output of 22 cycles per minute, it is 10% faster than the industry average. The machine also achieves this by using Festo stepper motors EMMS-ST throughout, thus enabling overlapping movements In addition, the stepper motors reduce the noise level to below 72 dbA and also reduce the energy consumption of the entire machine. This enables them to improve energy efficiency and reduce their CO₂ footprint.
Seamless Automation
By combining pneumatic and industrial electrical automation, we offer an extremely wide-ranging portfolio of hardware, software and AI to meet every industrial motion requirement. Our open system architecture guarantees that individual components in systems from Festo and third-party suppliers will interact smoothly. Our Digital Experience provides support, from design and operation to maintenance throughout the entire project. We enhance our technology with a comprehensive range of learning opportunities that supports you every step of the way.
That's the best fit in automation. That is Seamless Automation from Festo.
International cooperation in Thailand
'Much of the development and assembly of the CABLIBlue 870 took place in our factory in Thailand. What was impressive about working with Festo was the ease with which we were able to purchase the components we needed,' explains Wolfgang Konrad, Vice President of Marketing & Communication at IWK.
'Thanks to its rapid response time, Festo was the right partner for us throughout.'
Wolfgang Konrad, Vice President Marketing & Communication.
'The digital engineering tools were just as useful for our developers in Thailand as they were in Germany, and communication with the Festo project engineers in Thailand went smoothly,' says Konrad. Even if a component from Festo was not immediately available in Thailand, one phone call was all it took to make sure the component was then also available in Thailand shortly afterwards.
Konrad compares the collaboration with Festo to the relationship with IWK's customers, the major brand manufacturers: 'Brand manufacturers involve us early on in the development of packaging ideas so that we can work together to design machine-compatible packaging. This basis of trust is also what characterises our relationship with our development partner Festo.'