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The MiniTec modular system with profiles, linear technology and components for many areas of application offers flexibility and freedom for designs of all kinds. In collaboration with MiniTec, the Raumland beverage bottling plant has developed and realised packaging machines with conveyor lines that have proven themselves in daily use.
Viticulture combines tradition and modern technology. Even though wine is still produced in the same way as it was hundreds of years ago, a lot has changed in winegrowing - from the use of tractors to automated bottling plants and packaging machines. After all, every winegrower has to operate economically in order to survive on the market. Raumland is also a traditional company; the family business has not only been producing wine for many generations, but is also very successful as a beverage bottling company.
Getränkeabfüllbetrieb Raumland GmbH and Sektkellerei Raumland GmbH emerged from the former Raumland winery in Bockenheim in Rhineland-Palatinate. Since 1996, the current service company has been supporting winegrowers and wine co-operatives with a competent, dedicated team of oenologists, beverage technologists and technicians. Around five million bottles are now bottled every year.
Thanks to many years of experience in dealing with wine, sparkling wine and other types of beverages, customers can rely on Raumland's expertise. The range of services is extensive and includes contract bottling of beverages, labelling and packaging, as well as work such as filtration, alcohol reduction, laboratory tests and beverage storage.
The beverage bottling company Raumland has automated the packaging of wine bottles with the help of MiniTec.
Managing Director Sebastian Raumland has taken over the programming of the system.
From winemaker to bottler
‘As winegrowers, we have always been involved in bottling,’ says Sebastian Raumland, Managing Director of the company for ten years, adding: ’We are not just winegrowers, but also technicians. We developed and built the first bottling and packaging systems many years ago.’ He himself studied oenology and system electronics. ‘My father also has a passion for technology and mechanical engineering, so we have always developed the systems we need ourselves. Although we have a lot of expertise, we need a partner to support us.’ The Palatinate-based company found this in MiniTec.
The choice of partner is crucial
‘After looking around for the right machine manufacturer and partner, we were lucky to find MiniTec,’ recalls Sebstian Raumland. It quickly became clear what a high level of design expertise the new partner had and what advantages the modular profile system offers. In addition to the standard profiles, all the necessary components for machine and plant construction are also available. This means that everything from machine frames and guards to conveyor systems and entire plants can be built.
Teamwork
Two packaging stations have now been realised in collaboration with MiniTec. Father and son Raumland develop the concept for the systems based on their decades of experience. The ideas are recorded in drawings, followed by the dimensioning. This is where the MiniTec technicians come into play. The Raumlands discuss the concept of the systems with them, receive tips for improvements and information, as well as which components from the modular system can be used.
After all, MiniTec has decades of experience in countless projects as a mechanical engineering company. MiniTec's design engineers then quickly realise the concepts using the iCAD Assembler design software. Complete systems can be designed quickly and easily with the stand-alone programme, as it contains the complete library of the MiniTec profile and linear technology programme.
The software creates automatic parts lists and contains configurators for common applications. With automated planning routines, the programme calculates, designs, modifies and lists parts and checks the plausibility of the entries.
The wine bottles are transported to the packing station on a conveyor line.
After packing, the next step is automated labelling of the cartons.
From virtual to real
Based on the 3D CAD models, the system can be checked and, if necessary, modified before the components are provided. MiniTec can also take over the electrical planning, but in this case Sebastian Raumland carried this out and emphasises: ‘The partnership with the MiniTec technicians is very constructive and uncomplicated.
We can decide how much input we want and where MiniTec supports us. The modular system is a perfect basis for us.’ This year, a new packaging system was created in a very short time, which was supplemented with a conveyor line made from MiniTec components. In addition, a labeller, a collection table and a robot (Cobot) are used for palletising.
Increased efficiency
The use of the new system has significantly increased the efficiency of the bottling line: Previously, the bottles were packed by four employees by hand; now one worker is sufficient. The filled wine bottles are transported on a conveyor line to the packing station, where they are placed in a carton and sealed. At the next station, the cartons are labelled and placed on the pallets by a robot.
The modular system with aluminium profiles from MiniTec is also used in other areas: ‘You can use it to build almost anything that is needed in a company like ours. It's also practical that we can dismantle constructions and reuse the profiles thanks to the flexible connector,’ emphasises Raumland. This is how simple and efficient product development and collaboration can be in a medium-sized company.
Do you need a suitable solution or an approach for your project? Then please contact us!