“From an operational perspective, production demands have completely changed. It is a blessing that we have an extensive fleet of machinery, since this year, certain packaging equipment are workhorses compared to the quantity produced in prior times – did not sell. This is referring specifically to flow-pack equipment to make baskets, which had some setbacks. Flow-packers are used for bulk items and are available only in select countries.” says Valerio Nucci, the founder of GNA. Italian GNA. GNA located within Emilia. Emilian Valley of Packaging.
Valerio and Massimiliano Nucci
“On contrary there’s an enormous demand for traditional vertical packing machines and horizontal flow packs like the AV550 equipped with a bottom-web to apply paper or film on products that are loose, but without tray systems, as well as solutions to put lids onto cartons. It’s all keeping with the trend of using less packaging materials,” he says.
Area for assembly and testing to test GNA solutions
“Compared to the standardization in the past, the vast variety of solutions available demands a lot of commitment, shrewd planning and management of projects, as well as an efficient after-sales services. The standardization process is slipping away due to the sheer number of factors to consider, not just to our clients,” Nucci continues. Nucci. “We focus at foreign markets where it’s less challenging for us to operate because we’re an average-sized business. Our side however we are blessed with (a handful!) highly skilled and trained personnel. We don’t want to produce mass quantities, instead, to make a small amount but well and diversify ourselves in terms of speed, quality and speed.”
GNA team GNA team
In the final instance, regarding the possibility in forming mergers or partnerships with other businesses GNA’s chief executive officer says: “To a certain extent the company is currently working together with a number of companies, especially one located in the southern part of Italy and one in the south of Italy, who support us during the sale and service phases. But, I’m aware that it’s a challenging process to integrate various needs and take advantage of one another’s weaknesses, without either side benefiting from the one.”
The preview of the 2024 technological breakthrough
Different industries, such as fruits and vegetables demand ever higher efficiency from the packaging equipment. The entire process is based upon specific needs of the customer. Therefore Robinia GNA’s latest continuous vertical packager.
“Continuous as we’re making the pouch or bag by preventing the unwinding of the reel. There was a demand from the market for the machine to be manufactured in stainless steel that is hygienic, and as wide as is possible, i.e. without the frame visible which is a characteristic that is increasingly sought from customers. In the process of testing the Robinia model, which is the evolution in our physiological experiences with the previous horizontal alternation machines. It also has synchronisation between electronic and mechanical systems. We’ve designed all of the electronic motions in conjunction with our collaborator Omron.”
Massimiliano Nucci, Design and R&D Manager at GNA Adds: “Another new feature of our Robinia is the capacity to handle and control numerous product unloads off the weigher that is ahead of us in our processing line, in order that we can control the duration of unloading. This is done by sending an order to discharge the weigher prior to the time the first product unit is delivered to the continuous vertical packager.”
Development of the operator’s panel for GNA machines
It is specifically designed to transport bags that are up to 350 millimeters wide that can be packed at a maximum speeds of 100 Rpm, Robinia is equipped with a multi-protocol operator’s panel, with a 10-” screen that allows an ability to meet all essential requirements, like remote connectivity of the machine to other equipment for remote and diagnostic help, as well as connecting for connection to MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to manage the manufacturing process and control. Every documents (wiring diagrams, user and maintenance guides, as well as diagrams of exploded views) are also accessible via the operator’s panel.
The speed of the machine is a major aspect in the customer’s selection of machine. “But it is important to consider the efficiency of the existing feeding systems installed. Robinia is a product which has a potential market for fresh cut, frozen dried fruits and snacks industries, typically making use of pillows. The majority of heat-sealable products are suitable for this vertical machine for packaging,” concludes Nucci.
More information is available here:
GNA s.r.l.
Via Progresso, 15 – z.i. Ponte Rizzoli
40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO) – Italy
Tel. : +39 051 799226
Fax: +39 051 796962
info@gnasrl.com
www.gnasrl.com
Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies