Gerhard Schubert Packaging Machines and Robots

Gerhard Schubert is a German maker of TLM and Lightline top-loading packaging machines, flow-wrapping machines, packaging robots and the Transmodul transport robot, based in Crailsheim.

TLM top-loading packaging machines

TLM is the Schubert modular top-loading machine system for demanding packaging tasks: many product variants, special pack shapes and integrated filling, thermoforming or pharmaceutical processes. Each machine is built from standard system components and product-specific robot tools.

9 standard system components
Largest line: 26 modules
Average lifespan: 20 years
New generation: EtherCAT

Pick-and-place picker lines with F4 robots

In a picker line Scara or Delta robots take products from a wide belt and place them into trays using the counterflow principle Schubert patented in 1996. Every line has image processing, so robots pick only flawless products, and gripper tools change with the format.

Largest line: 48 F4 robots
Counterflow patent: 1996
Built-in image processing
Plastic or cardboard trays

Flowpacker flow-wrapping machine

The Schubert Flowpacker uses robot infeed and saves up to 70 per cent floor space. Longitudinal seals use ultrasound or 5 x 5 mm ceramic heating elements, a flying cross-sealing unit keeps sealing time constant, and cold sealing is possible. A film and pack height change takes about 15 minutes.

Up to 70% less floor space
Ceramic elements: 5 x 5 mm
Format change: about 15 minutes
Chain flight change: 5–20 minutes

Preconfigured Lightline machines

Lightline machines are preconfigured Schubert solutions built on standard TLM modules for defined tasks: the Pickerline places products in trays with F4 robots, the Flowpacker packs into flowpacks and the Cartoner packs flowpacks into cartons. Delivery is short and commissioning is fast.

Pickerline: 1, 2, 4 or 6 F4 robots
Cartoner: up to 1000 products per minute
Cartoner: up to 120 cartons per minute
Based on TLM modules

F2, F3, F4, T4 and T5 robots

Schubert builds its own robots. The two-axis F2 and three-axis F3 take blanks from magazines and erect, fill and close boxes. The four-axis Scara-type F4 accelerates at 10 G to 4.7 m/s. Up to six Delta-type T4 robots work in one TLM frame, and the T5 pivots and tilts products with a fifth axis.

F4 acceleration: 10 G
F4 speed: up to 4.7 m/s
Up to 6 T4 robots per frame
T5: fifth axis

Transmodul transport robot

Introduced in 2009, the Transmodul uses inductive energy supply and remote data transmission to carry boxes and products between stations, held by a vacuum blower. Up to 32 modules share a single track, a module failure does not stop the machine, and format changes swap only format plates or tools.

In use since 2009
Up to 32 modules per track
Inductive energy supply
Braking energy recovery

Robot tools and format parts

Schubert designs grippers and suction tools for each product, and product or size changes only need the robot tools swapped. Each set is coded, and the WK3 tool control unit passes power and data contactlessly. Tools have been 3D printed since 2014, and PARTBOX lets plants print parts in-house.

WK3: contactless power and data
3D-printed tools since 2014
Adjustable tools: from 3 formats
NC filling tool: 20 drives

Vision system and TOG cobot

Schubert scanners combine 200 mm wide modules up to a working width of 1800 mm: the 2D scanner checks colour and shape, the 3D scanner adds height. The TOG Cobot picks unsorted products with AI image processing, and the TOG Erecting Unit erects boxes.

Scanner module: 200 mm
Working width: up to 1800 mm
TOG Cobot: up to 90 cycles/min
Erecting: up to 60 boxes/min

Selecting a Gerhard Schubert packaging machine

Gerhard Schubert builds top-loading packaging machines: modular TLM systems for complex tasks and preconfigured Lightline machines for standard ones.

Picker lines with F4, T4 and T5 robots place products in trays, the Flowpacker packs into flowpacks and saves up to 70 per cent floor space, and cartoners erect, fill and close boxes with F2 robots.

Picker line output is set by the number of robots: 1, 2, 4 or 6 in the Lightline Pickerline and 48 F4 robots in the largest line to date. The Lightline Cartoner is built for 500 or 1000 products and 60 or 120 cartons per minute.

For pharma, TLM machines pack vials, ampoules, syringes and BFS products.

Format parts, robot tools and service parts

Schubert designs robot tools for each product, and a format change only swaps the tools; the WK3 unit passes power and data to the tool contactlessly.

Service parts are available for over 20 years after installation and are identified through the ESM module, components are refurbished, and format parts can be printed on site via the PARTBOX platform.

Gerhard Schubert manufacturing

Gerhard Schubert GmbH was founded in 1966 in Crailsheim, Germany, and employs around 1,600 people. The group includes Schubert Packaging Systems, Schubert UK, Schubert North America, Schubert System Elektronik and Schubert Additive Solutions, with training centres in Crailsheim and Charlotte, USA.

Gerhard Schubert and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Gerhard Schubert and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.