From design to toolmaking to automation.
In 2018, the site in Micheldorf, Austria, grew by 3500 m2 to become a competence center of Kiefel Packaging. From development to construction, toolmaking, automation, quality assurance and commissioning, turn-key solutions are created for the packaging industry. Whether cups, coffee capsules, bottles or canisters – the packaging specialist offers custom system concepts for their customers for each product along the entire value creation chain. The brand new technology center contains the current machines and equipment; ready for checks and test runs.
Into a box…
…or onto a pallet. Automation of thermoforming and blow-molded products is provided by Micheldorf. Regardless of whether the packaging comes from the KTR series cup machines, KDM steel rule machines or the Blowliner, the Micheldorf know-how comes to the fore: stacking cups or capsules, optical inspections, leak tests on bottles, post-molding steps such as punching or rolling the drinking rim in cups, counting modules, sleeving, cardboard box construction, inserting plastic bags - the list goes on and on. Handling systems ensure that the products are stored in boxes or on pallets for optimal, space-saving packing. The final packaging always depends on the individual customer requirements and on the target markets. Stefan Musner, Sales Director at Kiefel Packaging, describes: "There is great demand for post-trim automation among customers in the US. Here, we take enormous quantities of deep-drawn products from the forming station their transfer to final packaging is fully automated. "In the DACH region (Germany, Austria & Switzerland), a dedicated team ensures optimum inspection and packaging solutions for each individual customer.
KTR is coming home
The Blowliner series injection-stretch blow molding machine has been at home in Micheldorf for a long time. In the mid-1990s, the TR machine, which Kiefel took over in the early 2000s, and which evolved into the KTR and was then produced in Germany, was still produced by "Mold and Machinery". After 20 years, the KTR mechanical engineering is returning to the Austrian homeland.
In line with the motto "everything from a single source", Kiefel Packaging manufactures the thermoforming tools in-house. Together with Dutch sister company Kiefel Packaging B.V., formerly Bosch Sprang; the Austrian toolmakers cover the thermoforming tools market. Musner emphasizes: "We focus on our end customers and provide tools for machines from other manufacturers if the customers need them. We are a one stop shop, providing everything our customers need from a single source."
