Why packaging machines today must be designed for flexibility
The requirements for packaging machines are undergoing fundamental changes. Shorter production runs, an increasing number of product variants, and frequent format changes are forcing machine manufacturers to rethink traditional design principles. Whereas the focus used to be primarily on maximum speed, today the emphasis is on flexibility, quick changeovers, and simple machine architecture. This video is all about this change.
From a focus on speed to adaptable machines
For decades, line speed was considered the key performance indicator in packaging technology. Today, this criterion alone is no longer sufficient. Manufacturers must produce smaller batch sizes economically, change over more frequently, and at the same time meet high requirements for efficiency, hygiene, and reliability.
For machine builders, this means that flexibility can no longer be an add-on module, but must become an integral part of the machine architecture. This applies not only to the mechanics, but especially to the way in which movements are generated, distributed, and synchronized.
The technical challenge behind flexible packaging machines
Modern packaging machines require more and more axes, highly dynamic movements, and precise synchronization—often on moving machine parts. Classic motion control concepts with central control cabinets, external servo controllers, and extensive cabling are increasingly reaching their limits.
These architectures increase: space requirements, wiring and integration costs, and complexity during commissioning and maintenance. At the same time, they make clean, compact, and modular machine designs more difficult – a decisive factor, especially in the food and beverage industry.
New motion architecture for greater flexibility
The video shows how Italian packaging machine manufacturer Cosmopack is addressing these challenges. By redesigning the motion architecture, the drive and power electronics are combined directly in a compact unit and connected via real-time industrial communication.
The technology used by Synapticon makes it possible to transfer motion control directly to moving machine parts. This results in: significantly reduced cabling, more compact and modular machine layouts, cleaner, more hygienic machine structures, and high power density with consistent precision and dynamics.
Advantages for operation, retrofitting, and engineering
The simplified motion architecture not only affects the mechanical design, but also the entire life cycle of the machine. Installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting become clearer and faster. Format changes and retrofitting processes can be shortened, which increases plant availability.
At the same time, developers gain more freedom to focus on operating concepts, software, and process optimization—instead of complex cabling and integration tasks.
Conclusion: Flexibility starts with the motion architecture
The video shows why flexibility in packaging technology can no longer be added later, but must be considered architecturally. By realigning its motion architecture, Cosmopack is laying the foundation for packaging machines that can be adapted more quickly to changing production requirements—without compromising performance or reliability.
Links:
Cosmopack website
From a focus on speed to adaptable machines
For decades, line speed was considered the key performance indicator in packaging technology. Today, this criterion alone is no longer sufficient. Manufacturers must produce smaller batch sizes economically, change over more frequently, and at the same time meet high requirements for efficiency, hygiene, and reliability.
For machine builders, this means that flexibility can no longer be an add-on module, but must become an integral part of the machine architecture. This applies not only to the mechanics, but especially to the way in which movements are generated, distributed, and synchronized.
The technical challenge behind flexible packaging machines
Modern packaging machines require more and more axes, highly dynamic movements, and precise synchronization—often on moving machine parts. Classic motion control concepts with central control cabinets, external servo controllers, and extensive cabling are increasingly reaching their limits.
These architectures increase: space requirements, wiring and integration costs, and complexity during commissioning and maintenance. At the same time, they make clean, compact, and modular machine designs more difficult – a decisive factor, especially in the food and beverage industry.
New motion architecture for greater flexibility
The video shows how Italian packaging machine manufacturer Cosmopack is addressing these challenges. By redesigning the motion architecture, the drive and power electronics are combined directly in a compact unit and connected via real-time industrial communication.
The technology used by Synapticon makes it possible to transfer motion control directly to moving machine parts. This results in: significantly reduced cabling, more compact and modular machine layouts, cleaner, more hygienic machine structures, and high power density with consistent precision and dynamics.
Advantages for operation, retrofitting, and engineering
The simplified motion architecture not only affects the mechanical design, but also the entire life cycle of the machine. Installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting become clearer and faster. Format changes and retrofitting processes can be shortened, which increases plant availability.
At the same time, developers gain more freedom to focus on operating concepts, software, and process optimization—instead of complex cabling and integration tasks.
Conclusion: Flexibility starts with the motion architecture
The video shows why flexibility in packaging technology can no longer be added later, but must be considered architecturally. By realigning its motion architecture, Cosmopack is laying the foundation for packaging machines that can be adapted more quickly to changing production requirements—without compromising performance or reliability.
Links:
Cosmopack website
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