Packaging technology
Cushions made of recycled paper from Sprick
The Würth screw group has put a new system for the ergonomic and environmentally friendly use of paper cushions into operation at its headquarters in Künzelsau. The integrated paper padding system was developed and manufactured by packaging specialist Sprick from Bielefeld. The Würth screw group, with a turnover of over eleven billion euros and almost 70,000 employees, relies on paper cushions made from 100 percent recycled paper for logistics and shipping. A new transfer system ensures particularly efficient and ergonomically optimized packaging. Up to 40,000 customer orders with 60,000 order items can be processed daily in the modern Distribution Center West with an available storage area of 17,000 square meters, around 6,300 pallet spaces and over 100,000 container spaces as well as over 8 kilometers of conveyor lines. A large proportion of these are heavy products or consignments that require special protection. Cushions made on site from environmental paper have recently been used as padding material. These are pre-produced by the PaperJet - a compact and very efficient machine at the end of the packaging line, which produces the cushions in programmable lengths and quantities as required and delivers them to the individual packing station.
Thanks to its special cutting technology, the PaperJet produces around 190 cushions per minute and therefore easily supplies 4 packing stations at Würth. An expansion to six packing stations would also be feasible without major effort due to the system's capacity. Johannes Scheuermann is responsible for the logistics processes in this area at Würth and helped to develop and introduce the new system. "It was important for our decision that we were also able to test and document the advantages of the system in a comprehensible manner on the basis of the trials carried out," says Scheuermann.
How to get the paper cushions to the packing station
The paper pads are automatically transported along the packaging line by a narrow belt conveyor at a height of 2.20 meters and directed into the designated storage bins at the packing stations via a diverter. The containers are located between two packing stations so that the cushions can be removed from both sides at working height. The fill level in the containers is continuously maintained at a certain level by means of light barriers. In this way, paper pads are automatically replenished at all packing stations.
Continuous paper is processed directly from the pallet
Another plus point is the short set-up times of the integrated system: the so-called ComPackt paper consists of four continuously connected fanfold stacks, which are stored on a Euro pallet and processed directly from the pallet using the PaperJet. In this way, between 15,000 and 20,000 pads can be produced without interruption. The paper is reloaded by simply replacing the pallet, so that the system is ready for operation again in just a few seconds.
Maik Dawedeit is the shift manager responsible for packaging at Würth and is extremely satisfied with the process savings achieved: "The new system has enabled us to significantly increase productivity in packaging." His colleague Patrick Salzberg adds: "At the same time, our employees are pleased with the improved ergonomics during packaging."
Transport packaging with tradition
The integrated paper cushioning system was developed and manufactured by a long-established company in the packaging industry based in Bielefeld, East Westphalia: the owner-managed family business Sprick has been offering its customers tailor-made solutions for transport packaging for over 130 years. The system provider's long-standing customers include well-known companies from the automotive, mechanical engineering, online and mail order sectors. With its four locations, the company benefits from the fact that both the paper and the machines are produced in-house. "This ensures that the material and system are coordinated with each other and function reliably. At the same time, we can offer our customers many integration options for our systems that are individually developed to meet their requirements," explains Timo Hartmann, the Sprick project manager responsible for the paper padding system at Würth.
Awarded the Blue Angel
In addition to the considerable ergonomic advantages, Würth also benefits from a significant savings effect thanks to the new system. In addition to the price advantage, the ComPackt paper has also resulted in significant savings in material consumption. Overall, the new system should noticeably reduce the cost of cushioning material at Würth. The environment also benefits: the ComPackt paper for the PaperJet has been awarded the Blue Angel for particularly environmentally friendly products, conserves natural resources compared to conventional papers and helps to save energy and emissions. This is Würth's response to the growing importance of environmental awareness among its customers.
Contact:Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG 74653 Künzelsau-Gaisbach Phone: 0 79 40 / 15-0 E-mail:[email protected] www.wuerth.de
Sprick GmbH & Co. 33607 Bielefeld Phone: 05 21 / 93 20 50 E-mail:[email protected] www.papier-sprick.de
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