Packaging Industry: Enhance productivity and efficiency

Filled with solutions for you

Packaging was initially designed to deliver goods from producer to consumer. Today, its functions extend far beyond mere containment, protection, and preservation.
With our advanced solutions, we’re reshaping machine system specifications for packaging applications across a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, material handling, and cosmetics.

Adapting to Customers’ New Requirements

To meet new demands for cost-efficient, lightweight and sustainable solutions, as suppliers, we’ve evolved alongside our customers’ needs. Despite these changes, our core commitment to the packaging industry remains steadfast.

Packaging Automation Solutions to Improve Efficiency and Performance

Discover how SMC supports packaging manufacturers with application-driven automation solutions designed to increase efficiency, improve reliability and reduce energy consumption across the entire packaging line. This leaflet explores key packaging processes: from thermoforming and filling to sealing, case packing, conveying, and palletising, highlighting technologies that enhance productivity, ensure consistent quality, and support flexible, future-ready operations. Download the leaflet to find out how SMC can help optimise your packaging performance.

Leaflet

What have other companies achieved with SMC’s solutions for packaging?

Productivity improvement in precision packaging thanks to static removal

Challenge

A customer from the cosmetics industry was facing recurring quality issues caused by static electricity in shrink wrapping. Existing solutions based on compressed air not only failed to eliminate static effectively, but also introduced contamination, increasing scrap rates and compromising process stability.

Solution

SMC addressed the challenge by implementing the IZT44 slim bar ionizer with a separate controller, designed to neutralise static electricity without compressed air. Its compact, space saving design allowed for seamless integration into existing machines, while its precise ion balance ensured consistent static removal even in high speed packaging operations.

Results

Reduced scrap and contamination related defects
Improved process stability and overall line productivity
Enhanced product quality and repeatability
Lower energy consumption by eliminating compressed air
Reliable, scalable solution across multiple machines.

As a result, the customer achieved a more efficient, cleaner and future proof packaging process while strengthening overall operational performance.

Effective conveyor chain tension control with guided cylinder

Challenge

To build a large conveyor system for handling and sorting pre-packaged food and vegetables, the customer needed a reliable solution to maintain chain tension across 197 conveyors. The original design lacked an effective method for precise tensioning, putting performance and durability at risk.

Solution

After extensive testing, SMC supplied MGPM Series guided cylinders, which act as air cushions and maintain constant pressure for optimal chain tension.

Results

Thanks to their compact design, powerful guides and high precision, these cylinders delivered measurable operational and commercial benefits:

Consistent technical performance due to reduced vibration and uneven motion
Extended component lifetime: stable chain tension minimised mechanical stress
Scalable, future proof design: flexible mounting across all conveyors.

All of the above backed by close project support and dedicated expert advice.

Optimisation of air consumption in palletising operations with Air Management System

Challenge

On a bottled water palletising line, compressed air consumption was unmonitored, preventing optimisation and leading to unnecessary energy costs, especially during machine downtime.

Solution

SMC implemented its Air Management System, providing real‑time monitoring of compressed air consumption at line level. By integrating the system via OPC UA, the customer gained continuous access to actionable data, enabling operators and maintenance teams to analyse usage patterns, identify waste and make informed decisions based on actual production conditions.

Results

With full visibility of air usage, the customer reduced operating pressure during downtime and achieved over 20 % energy savings on two lines. Following these results, the solution was rolled out to four additional lines, improving efficiency and cost control across the entire palletising department.

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See for yourself how SMC is "Filled with solutions for you“

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We understand your productive process

Please find below the best solutions to meet your requirements.

Thermoforming

In thermoforming applications, accurate temperature and motion control, along with synchronised forming, cutting, and stacking, are essential to ensure consistent quality and high productivity.

Filling

As automation levels increase, manufacturers are facing growing challenges in filling processes such as maintaining consistent fill accuracy, adapting to frequent format changes and minimising downtime.

Sealing & Wrapping

Automated sealing and wrapping systems must ensure reliable and repeatable pack closure while maintaining demanding safety standards throughout the process.

Labelling & coding

Automated labelling and coding solutions must ensure accurate label placement, consistent print quality and reliable traceability.

Case erecting & packing

Robotics and synchronised motion control enable fast format changes and high-speed packing of diverse product types, making automated case packing flexible and product handling gentle.

Palletising

Automated palletising systems enhance end-of-line flexibility, accuracy and autonomy. Robotics, servo-driven lifts and coordinated motion create stable, consistent loads ready for shipment.

The SMC Expertise Hub

Joerg Dahlhoff, Strategic Market Manager, SMC Germany

“Many factories operate on a 24/7 basis, with production sites working continuously, from primary material integration to processing, and finally, packaging, so any component failure will generate a stop in production thereby costing the factory time and money.
The OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) can be substantially improved by applying digital predictive maintenance solutions, training operators, and maximising product reliability.”

Do you have questions about packaging?

Ask our experts today!

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The technical challenge of sustainable packaging
By Jorge Salgado, Food & Packaging Industry Manager, SMC Spain
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Directional Control Valves

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Air Management System

Fittings & Tubing

Air saving speed controllers

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Solutions for vacuum

Fluid Control Equipment

Resistant 2-port valves

Sensors & Switches

Pressure & flow monitoring

Static Control

Ionizers for static removal

Temperature Control

Temperature stability solutions

High Vacuum Products

Solutions for high vacuum

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Packaging Industry: Enhance productivity and efficiency

Filled with solutions for you

Adapting to Customers’ New Requirements

Packaging Automation Solutions to Improve Efficiency and Performance

What have other companies achieved with SMC’s solutions for packaging?

Productivity improvement in precision packaging thanks to static removal

Effective conveyor chain tension control with guided cylinder

Optimisation of air consumption in palletising operations with Air Management System

See for yourself how SMC is "Filled with solutions for you“

We understand your productive process

Thermoforming

Air Cylinder

Non F-Gas (CO2 Refrigerant), Standard Type Circulating Fluid Temperature Controller

Impulse Lubricator

Digital Flow Switch for Water

Single Unit, Pilot Operated, 2 Port Solenoid Valve

FEP Tubing

Filling

Flow Controller for Air

Vacuum Pad with Groove

Clean Design Manifold Valve

Modular Connection Type Membrane Air Dryer

Air Combination Unit for Food & Packaging

Antibacterial Air Combination Unit

Sealing & Wrapping

Energy Saving, Exhaust-Recovery Pressure Booster

Safe Exhaust Valve Modular Connection Type

Remote Control Valve (Electric speed controller)

Compact 5-Port Solenoid Valve

Electro-Pneumatic Regulator/Electronic Vacuum Regulator

Bar Type Ionizer, Separate Controller

Labelling & coding

Refrigerated Air Dryer

Dustproof and water-resistant Ionizer

Vacuum Unit. Ejector System/ Vacuum Pump System

Rotary Actuator