GN Thermoforming Equipment of Chester, Nova Scotia, has introduced a high-speed form/cut/stack thermoformer, the GN800, working with an Italian machinery company. GN officials said the machine is the first GN model with movable top and bottom platens.
The launch marks GN's entry into the form/cut-stack market, and expands its offering of plug-assist machines. The first GN800 was sold to a European processor to make sealed PET containers. GN did not identify the customer.
GN Thermoforming Equipment developed the GN800 in partnership with Agripak srl of Milan, Italy, which had manufactured and sold form/cut/stack thermoforming machines until 2003. GN officials said a market study confirmed the growing use of form/cut/stack technology in packaging.
A partnership offered the fastest entrance into the market. “We saw the changes in the marketplace so we wanted to move swiftly to counter the competition,” said Jerome Romkey, GN's marketing manager. “Our strategy was to adapt and enhance Agripak's proven technology to meet the requirements of today's processors and gain a strong foothold in this highly attractive market.”
GN bought the rights to Agripak's original machine design, and the company has added new features and technologies.
The GN800 has a forming area measuring 31.5 inches by 22.4 inches. It can form 150 millimeters above and below the sheet line. The cutting force of the forming and cutting stations is 75 tons.
Another design feature: additional space between the forming and cutting stations, giving extra cooling time when running heavier-gauge materials or polypropylene.
The machine can run sheet ranging in thicknesses from 0.25 mm to 1.5 mm, in sheet widths up to 880 mm.
The GN800 features a standard oven that is four times the length of the forming area. High-efficiency Solar heaters and cut-in-place capabilities are standard.
Contact GN Thermoforming Equipment at [email protected] or visit www.gncanada.com.
