Infinity Servo Diverters Enable Ultimate Line Optimization
As the tissue-converting industry continues to experience increased growth, flexibility is no longer a goal of converting lines, it is a necessity.
Converters need to offer lines with optimized speed and diverse products to keep up with consumer preferences and demand. Infinity’s line of servo diverters meets and surpasses this need for flexibility.
All four models of Infinity servo diverter can act as the central brain of a converting line, efficiently balancing incoming product to the required downstream machinery while ensuring a steady, even flow of product.
Infinity diverters also help reduce the need for excess conveyors and additional floor space by utilizing precise, variable control. The diverter’s ability to merge, distribute and control makes them the smartest, most flexible diverters on the market.
Each of Infinity’s diverters can accommodate unique needs for different converting lines. The Telescopic Servo Merge diverter, or TSM, is specifically designed to balance converting lines from four lanes to three or two lanes.
The Quick Switch diverter is similar to the infeed indexers that appear on most of Infinity’s casepackers and bundlers. It is offered as a one, two, or three-arm diverter that usually takes packs or roll products and distributes them to the necessary lanes.
Infinity designed its Single Roll Laner diverter to be the perfect fit for lines with a multipack wrapper and single roll wrappers. The SRL diverter sets the industry standard for diverters that distribute four lanes to five, six, or even seven lanes.
Featuring a unique servo-controlled pivoting system, Infinity’s C2L diverter is a great fit for lines with dual packaging legs and one log saw. The C2L diverter can take four lanes and distribute to two layers of four-lane conveyor.
Some additional key features that make Infinity diverters the best on the market are a discharge lane selection on the HMI as well as a toolless changeover.
With four unique models of diverter, Infinity Machine & Engineering can provide the perfect solution to make your line faster, smarter, and more flexible.
Infinity Increases its Sustainability Initiatives
Consumer research indicates that more and more people strongly consider the ecological impact of the products they buy when making purchasing decisions. As environmental awareness increases amongst consumers, product packaging faces increased scrutiny.
Product packaging can disincline ecologically motivated consumers due to an often heavy reliance on plastics and other materials that lack a green reputation.
However, the push for more sustainable packaging is not being led solely by consumers. In the tissue industry, many corporations have recognized the benefits of packaging solutions developed with a focus on the environment.
As the number of consumers and corporations that prioritize sustainability increases, the packaging industry must also prioritize innovative ecological packaging.
Infinity Machine and Engineering Corp. has been on the forefront of innovating sustainable packaging solutions. In 2020, Infinity partnered with Little Rapids Corp. to test and develop ECOVA paper overwrap, a 100% plastic-free, heat-sealable paper wrap, made from 100% recycled fiber. Since then, Infinity has increased its sustainable packaging efforts and prioritized ecological design in its machinery.
One focus for Infinity engineers has been to pioneer more sustainable packaging for individually wrapped tissue rolls. While primarily used as away-from-home tissue in North America and Europe, individually packaged bathroom tissue rolls are very common in the South American consumer sector. Due to the increased amount of packaging material needed to wrap rolls individually, Infinity has designed its single roll wrappers, the S250BRT and the S250HT, to wrap in paper as well as plastic.
However, Infinity’s commitment to sustainable packaging goes beyond primary packaging. Infinity’s C15 Casepacker is capable of loading rolls into corrugated trays. This not only provides stable secondary packaging for tissue products, but it also reduces the amount of material needed for packaging as a tray often uses less than half the cardboard of a standard case. The C15 can also package some tissue roll products directly into corrugated cases without the need for any additional packaging, cutting down on material cost, and material waste.
While prioritizing sustainable packaging is a positive step for the tissue industry, Infinity has taken it a step further by also exploring new ways to reduce the environmental impact of tissue packaging machinery. Infinity machinery can be equipped with IE3 and IE4-rated motors, which use less power while performing at a higher efficiency. Infinity is also trialing monitors on its new Vision G3 multipack wrapper that track the machine’s power usage and air consumption. The information that is collected will be shared with the purchaser which will allow ecological opportunities to be identified and implemented based on the recorded data.
Infinity is also prioritizing sustainability in its research and development department. With about 15% of annual revenue invested in R&D, Infinity has the resources and commitment to developing new machinery and packaging with the planet in mind. Infinity is currently testing ecological materials and new machine designs that will disrupt the current tissue packaging industry and make way for a more sustainable future.
As converters and consumers alike continue to explore a more sustainable future of packaging, Infinity Machine & Engineering Corp. will be with them every step of the way.
Infinity Euro Expansion
Since 2017, Infinity Machine & Engineering has more than quadrupled the number of machines it has supplied to European tissue plants.
While the American/Italian packaging machinery company has had a large presence in North America for over a decade, as of 2017, its sales in the European market were limited to several machines throughout Italy, Russia, and Slovakia. By the end of 2022, Infinity is scheduled to install over four times the amount of machinery it previously had in Europe, while also expanding sales into six additional European countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Infinity’s recent rapid growth in the European tissue packaging industry can be attributed to a variety of factors, chiefly among them, the global positioning of the company and the recent increase of Infinity’s manufacturing capabilities.
Infinity is uniquely situated to serve the global market as it has facilities in the two global hubs for tissue paper production, Green Bay, USA, and Bologna, Italy. Infinity’s Italian operation specializes in sales and technical servicing, making Infinity an extremely desirable supplier of machinery for the European tissue industry.
Furthermore, in 2020, Infinity completed the construction of an 8,900 square-meter expansion of its Green Bay facility, allowing for Infinity to offer increased manufacturing capacity to their customers.
Combining Infinity’s global positioning and increased production capacity with the signature build quality and customer service that has made Infinity machinery famous worldwide, it is no surprise that Infinity is one of the fastest-growing suppliers of automated tissue packaging machinery in Europe.
Eurasia Showcase
For the past 19 years, Infinity Machine & Engineering Corp. has disrupted the automated tissue product packaging industry. With machinery in 20 countries across every continent except Antarctica, Infinity has established itself as an industry leader with massive global influence. Committed to serving, not selling, Infinity has built an industry-wide reputation on quality machinery pared with unparalleled service. Now, Infinity invites you to see our machines and services specifically tailored to the European and Asian tissue markets firsthand. From September 12 to October 14, Infinity Italia opens its doors for our first ever Eurasia Showcase!
This exclusive event will feature live runs of Infinity machinery including our newest release, the VISION G3 multipack poly wrapper.
Infinity’s Eurasia showcase will also feature a virtual reality demonstration of our Line Synchronization and Simulation service, which can synchronize production across an entire packaging line ensuring maximum equipment effectiveness.
European and Asian hygienic product manufacturers will not want to miss out on this limited opportunity to witness the latest innovations in automated packaging machinery. To reserve your spot at Infinity’s Eurasia showcase, email the head of our European sales team Daniele Cavallini at dcavallini@infinitymec.com.
We look forward to seeing you there!
18th Anniversary of Infinity's First Casepacker Installation
This summer marked the 18-year anniversary of the installation of the very first Infinity casepacker. The machine remains in operation at Green Bay Converting’s facility in Hobart, WI.
Infinity was originally founded by Scott Santaga, Jeff Cogswell, Tom Wegner, and Doug Wegner as a company that would specialize in the design and manufacturing of poly bundlers. However, Infinity quickly had to adapt to changing circumstances as the first machine order they received was for a casepacker.
Built in a 30ft by 50ft spare room at Scott’s brother’s converting facility, the team would have to dust the machine every morning before continuing the construction process as paper dust from the facility would cover the machine every night.
After months of problem-solving and troubleshooting, Scott, Jeff, Tom, and Doug were able to develop a design that was versatile as well as easy to operate.
Installed on June 4th, 2004, the casepacker is still in operation, with GBC employees referring to it as one of the most reliable machines in their facility.
The first Infinity casepacker was the genesis for what has become an industry leader in automated tissue paper packaging machinery. Expanding beyond casepackers, and the founder’s original vision of poly bundlers, Infinity has increased its product offerings to include poly wrappers, poly baggers, case sealers, conveyor systems, and servo diverters. Infinity machinery has gone on to be installed in 20 countries across every continent except Antarctica.
While a lot has changed since we installed our first case packer, infinity’s unparalleled commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has not. Whether it’s our 24-hour customer service, free CAD layout design, or our signature robust steel frame and guarding, we put serving the customer at the focus of everything we do. If you’re in the market for machinery that will still be running strong 18 years from now, look no further than Infinity.
Ssangyong Purchases A Full Packaging Line From Infinity
Infinity Machine & Engineering Corp. has further increased its footprint in the Asian tissue market as Ssangyong, a leading South Korean brand of hygienic products, purchased a full packaging line from Infinity for their facility in Jochiwon.
Infinity previously sold a full packaging line to South Korean hygienic products brand Monalisa. After the successful installation and operation of this line, Ssangyong was confident in investing in the proven Infinity machinery.
The Ssangyong packaging line features Infinity’s Eclipse T4 multipack poly wrapper, a conveyor with multiple product manipulation devices, and an EPXL poly bundler. All the line’s machinery is built with Infinity’s signature robust steel framing, ensuring that the line will have the durability to last 20+ years.
Infinity’s EPXL poly bundler features a liner servo movement knife and seal jaw, allowing the EPXL to correct misalignments and run registration accurately. The wide frame of the EPXL also allows for wide-format packs, which is essential for the Ssangyong line. Other key features on the EPXL include an integrated diverter and flight bar for simplified product collation, and an automatic poly pull-out cart for safe poly loading.
The Infinity Eclipse T4 multipack wrapper was selected by Ssangyong in large part due to its ability to run a wide range of product configurations. The infeed of the wrapper can run four to five lanes and the wrapper can produce packs five and six rolls deep.
The conveyor system for the Ssangyong line contains multiple product manipulation devices including a Star Wheel capable of unending product at high speeds, an Itapack Handle applicator, and an Infinity Twist-Tipper. Infinity Twist Tippers can tip bundles 90 degrees or be put into a flat position for by-pass via adjustment handwheel. These product manipulation devices will give Ssangyong maximum versatility for bundle pack configurations.
Representatives from Ssangyong offered comprehensive customer input throughout the project and were present for an in-person machine check-out at infinity’s Green Bay, USA facility. Ssangyong’s investment in Infinity machinery ensures they will be able to keep pace with the industry’s growth and adapt to new trends in tissue packaging. The Ssangyong line is set to be installed and in production by the end of July 2022.
WEPA Invests in Infinity Equipment for Multiple Locations
WEPA, a leading tissue product manufacturer in Europe, recently purchased seven machines from Infinity Italia for their facilities in Troyes, France, Swalmen, Netherlands and Piechowice, Poland.
Infinity is supplying two Eclipse T4 Wrappers and two i18 Bundlers for WEPA’s Troyes facility, one Eclipse T4 Wrapper, and one i18 Bundler for WEPA’s facility in Swalmen and in Piechowice, WEPA selected an Infinity C-15 Casepacker for their folded products division.
WEPA was drawn to Infinity’s equipment due to its unique combination of American ruggedness and Italian design refinement. The i18 Bundler is a perfect fit for WEPA’s facilities as it was designed specifically with European markets in mind. The poly bundler features an integrated diverter and flight bar system for easy product collation, as well as an automatic poly reel splice and poly pull-out cart for safe and quick poly loading. In addition to this, an active vacuum comes standard on the i18 Bundler. Excess air is sucked from the bundles’ pre-discharge resulting in a tight, crisp poly wrap.
Another advantage of the i18 Bundler is its compatibility with Infinity’s Infusion modular system. By utilizing the fixed infeed section, the i18 can be coupled with modules, such as an Infinity Casepacker or Bagger. The modules are moved in and out of the docking station which gives WEPA ultimate secondary packaging flexibility without taking up any additional floor space. The “industry original” Infusion modular system was designed by Infinity engineers to overcome the limitations of fixed linear machines while reducing capital investment. As trends in packaging are continuously evolving, Infinity’s innovation allows WEPA to quickly adapt to market changes.
As for primary packaging, WEPA ordered Infinity’s Eclipse T4, which is known as one of the most durable wrappers on the market. Infinity’s commitment to efficiency is on full display in the Eclipse’s overhead system. The Eclipse T4 utilizes a durable AT20 belt and only 24 trolley sections, this decreases the changeover time between different package configurations. Additionally, Infinity’s Eclipse T4 is designed to accept four lanes of infeed and can run an optional fifth. The infeed lanes also have wide diameter capabilities, ensuring the Eclipse will keep pace with new product developments in the Troyes and Swalmen facilities.
Infinity’s reach in Europe was further increased by WEPA’s purchase of the C15 Casepacker for their Piechowice facility. Infinity’s C15 boasts an extremely straightforward design which allows for a 20-minute changeover between case sizes and configurations. Although the machine’s design is simple, its build is robust as the frame and guarding are both constructed using steel. The C15 is also capable of speeds up to 300ppm per index arm, providing maximum efficiency at the infeed of the machine.
A defining feature of the C15 is the machine’s fully positive case erection. Vacuums are utilized on both sides of the case providing a consistent case opening. The positive case erection is perfect for large and small cases, cases with bad score marks as well as cases that are glued together. This design feature will allow WEPA to run at optimal efficiency.
Echoing WEPA’s industry 4.0 efforts, the transaction with Infinity didn’t end with the machine purchase. Emulation engineers from Infinity offices traveled to Swalmen and will be traveling to Troyes to provide Virtual reality training to WEPA employees. This included a fully interactive VR machine changeover, which allowed WEPA employees to become familiar with their machines weeks before they arrived at their facilities.
Infinity also equipped the machines with a data collecting and remotely accessible eWON device. This enables WEPA to track production times, faults, and speed. This information will be accessible remotely through email notifications or web browsers. The Troyes facility will also have light annunciation on their i18 Bundlers to provide changeover assistance. The light annunciation illuminates change-over points on the adjustment scales.
WEPA’s recent investment reflects Infinity’s growing reach in the European market and is further proof Infinity is the global leader in automated tissue paper packaging machinery.
Jetzt zurück auf der Weltbühne
Infinity Machine and Engineering Corporation, a global leader in automated tissue packaging equipment is excited to be presenting itself on the global stage once again.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many tradeshows and industry events were put on hiatus. However, as the world transitions to its next stage of pandemic management, many industry events are back on schedule.
Infinity will feature in Tissue World Miami on March 16-18, Tissue and Paper Bangkok on September 14-16, and finish their global tour in Lucca Italy at MIAC on October 12-14. Infinity will be featured at booth B30 at Tissue World Miami, booth D10 at Tissue and Paper Bangkok and booth 27M at MIAC.
While the world seemed to be on pause the last couple of months, Infinity engineers were hard at work developing the latest innovations in automated sanitary paper product packaging. The pinnacle of these pursuits, and the key focus of Infinity’s 2022 world tour is their new VISION G3 Multipack Wrapper.
Capable of producing packs five lanes wide, three layers high and six rows deep, the VISION G3 redefines versatility for multipack wrappers. The VISION G3 can also produce poly wrapped packs, paper wrapped packs, paper tucked packs and facial tissue packs.
Infinity engineers didn’t sacrifice speed for this increased versatility either. Because of a revolutionary telescoping design (patent pending) on the poly unwind, the VISION G3 is capable of faster speeds and improved pack quality.
Tissue World Miami, Tissue and Paper Bangkok, and MIAC are the perfect opportunities to learn more about the VISION G3 firsthand from Infinity’s experienced sales staff. However, if you are unable to make it to these industry events, the VISION G3 will be available for viewing at Infinity’s facilities in Green Bay Wisconsin and Bologna Italy during their open house showcase, and anytime online at infinitymec.com/vision-g3-wrapper.
Monalisa investiert in eine komplette Verpackungslinie von Infinity.
Infinity Machine and Engineering Corp., a world-wide leader in packaging machinery for the tissue industry, will supply Monalisa, located in Nonsan-si, South Korea, a full packaging line. The line will be installed by June of 2021.
Infinity is supplying all the equipment on the packaging line between the log saw and the palletizer. The packaging line includes one (1) Eclipse T4 wrapper, one (1) EPXL bundler, one (1) ItaPack handle applicator (integrated by Infinity) and the conveyor system. Monalisa chose Infinity for this project because they required a system that was flexible for their changing market and they desired robust equipment that will last the next 20+ years. All equipment being provided is built with Infinity’s notable machinery characteristics like rugged steel frames, oversized bearings and overall top-of-the-line componentry. In addition, all machinery uses a SIEMENS processor.
The Eclipse T4 wrapper on this line will be able to run everything from single roll bath tissue to larger bath tissue pack options like 30-packs and 48-packs. The Eclipse T4 wrapper has become a tissue industry staple during the last four years with over 100 wrappers now in production throughout the world.
Not only will the Eclipse T4 wrapper provide more packaging options but so will the bundler on this line. The bundler is called the EPXL. It has a wide product range and can make small and large bundles. The EPXL bundler has a continuous motion design with linear servo movement of the knife and seal jaw. This allows Monalisa to fulfill their current bundle demands, but also gives them the ability to make bundles
with graphics applied to the poly. Since this bundler is continuous motion, it is able accurately follow registration marks and auto correct for misalignment. Other features of the bundler include an integrated diverter and flight bar system for easy product collation, automatic poly reel splice and poly pull out cart for safe poly loading.
Finally, the conveyor system on Monalisa’s line plays an important role in the creation of the product. The system is equipped with an Itapack Handle applicator and every turning, tipping and knock-down device. This allows Monalisa to apply handles to the packs in any orientation and position the packs into the bundle in any orientation as well.
Infinity’s line that has been delivered to Monalisa was designed, built and tested with extensive customer input throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Monalisa was able to see weekly progress through Teams meetings and check the line out virtually. This project truly represents what Infinity stands for robust, flexible, custom and customer-focused tissue packaging solutions. The line will allow Monalisa to offer new packaging options to their customers and will give Monalisa the ability to do this for years to come.
Infinity Machine & Engineering Corp. erweitert Engineering- und Fertigungsanlagen
Aufgrund des enormen Wachstums hat Infinity Machine & Engineering Corporation, ein marktführender Hersteller von Tissue-Verpackungsanlagen, einschließlich Verpackungen, Bündlern, Casepackern, Umleitern, Förderern und Kartonversiegelungen, mit einer neuen Erweiterung von 8.900 Quadratmetern (96.000 Quadratfuß) den Grundstein gelegt. Derzeit ist Infinity auf vier Einrichtungen aufgeteilt, von denen sich drei in Green Bay, WI USA, und die vierte in Bologna, Italien, befinden.
Die neue erweiterte Anlage in Green Bay, USA, wird insgesamt 16.000 Quadratmeter groß sein und zusammen mit der 1200 Quadratmeter großen Anlage in Bologna, Italien, Infinity perfekt positionieren, um fortzufahren Erweitern Sie Ihr Geschäft und bedienen Sie Infinity-Kunden weltweit.
Der Zweck der neuen Erweiterung besteht darin, Infinity zu ermöglichen, Kunden größere Fertigungskapazitäten anzubieten, Verbesserungen des Herstellungsprozesses zu implementieren, das Angebot an Produktlinien zu erweitern, einen eigenen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsbereich zu haben, seine Schulungseinrichtungen zu erweitern und die Einrichtung vollständiger Verpackungslinien zu ermöglichen.
Einige neue Funktionen der Gebäudeerweiterung umfassen: Ein Einschienenbahn-Trolley-System für pulverbeschichtete Teile, das die Lackierkapazität mehr als verdoppelt, sechs zusätzliche Endmontagefelder (derzeit 13) und zusätzliche „vorgefertigte“ Bereiche hinzufügt, um die Produktion zu beschleunigen. Die neue Erweiterung bietet außerdem eine erweiterte Maschinenwerkstatt, ein hochmodernes Qualitätssicherungslabor zur Überprüfung der Genauigkeit von Teilen und zusätzliche 1.200 Quadratmeter speziell für die Produktion von Förderbändern. Die erweiterte Produktionsstätte wurde mit dem Ziel konzipiert, einen effizienten Ablauf aus Teilefertigung, Lackierung, Auftragsbereitstellung, Montage, Auschecken und Maschinenversand zu schaffen. Natürliches Licht im gesamten Geschäft schafft auch eine helle und offene Umgebung.
Darüber hinaus erweitert Infinity seine Engineering-Büros, um die Engineering-Kapazität zu erhöhen. Mit dem neuen Büro kann Infinity insgesamt fast 40 Ingenieure beschäftigen. Derzeit beschäftigt Infinity rund 30 Ingenieure. Infinity wird auch über einen Bereich für die Synchronisierung und Simulation von Verpackungslinien verfügen, der ein Virtual-Reality-Studio und große Monitore für simulierte Linieninspektionen vor der eigentlichen Installation umfasst. Außerdem wird der Kundendienstbereich erweitert, um mehr Möglichkeiten zur Fehlerbehebung per Fernzugriff, Maschinenüberwachung, technische Zusammenarbeit und Kapazitätserhöhung zu ermöglichen.
Zwischen den Jahren 2016 und 2019 hat sich Infinity in Bezug auf Maschinenlieferungen und Umsatz mehr als verdoppelt. Das Wachstum von Infinity wird jedoch nicht am besten durch den Umsatz oder die Anzahl der Maschinen auf dem Markt dargestellt, sondern durch die Personen, aus denen das Unternehmen und sein wertvoller Kundenstamm bestehen. Im Jahr 2016 hatte Infinity 85 Mitarbeiter und nur vier Jahre später beschäftigt Infinity mehr als 170 Mitarbeiter zwischen Engineering, Einkauf, Produktion, Versand und Service. Die Erweiterung des Gebäudes wird diesem Wachstum folgen und es Infinity ermöglichen, den Weltmarkt mit robusten, zuverlässigen und technologisch fortschrittlichen Tissue-Verpackungsanlagen weiter zu bedienen.
Stein für Stein, Projekt für Projekt und Idee für Idee möchte Infinity ohne Grenzen wachsen und unser Bestes geben, um unseren Kunden zu helfen, ihr maximales Potenzial auszuschöpfen. In nahezu allen Facetten der Infinity-Organisation ist Infinity bestrebt, Perfektion zu erreichen und unseren Kunden, unseren Mitarbeitern und unserer Community Langlebigkeit und Kontinuität zu bieten. Wir steuern unsere Abläufe und konzentrieren uns dabei auf drei wichtige Prinzipien: Geben Sie immer unser Bestes, arbeiten Sie im Einklang mit unseren Werten und tun Sie einfach, was wir sagen, dass wir tun werden.
