High-performance processing and attractive packaging of sliced products

06/06/2025

At IFFA, Weber presents a high-performance production line full of innovations for precise, efficient slicing of sliced products, presented in a sustainable wallet pack.

As the market leader for full solution lines in slicing applications, Weber is known for its integrated processing and packaging concepts. At the Weber IFFA booth, visitors were able to see for themselves that our wide range of solutions and services has far more to offer and that Weber customers can expect this “plus” from us in many respects as a system supplier and partner. A line solution for two-lane processing of sliced products such as raw ham or cooked ham as well as boiled and raw sausage, including a sustainable, visually appealing packaging concept, had several highlights and innovations in store. This line requires no compromises regarding performance even with demanding products such as raw ham: Efficiency and precision are unsurpassed and at a quality that is second to none. This is made possible by numerous technological equipment highlights of the line components and uncompromising integration.

One highlight of this line concept was revealed right at the beginning: the Weber weSCAN 5500 scanner integrated into the slicer. Precise scanning is critical for optimum and high-performance processing of raw material to achieve maximum yield. The weSCAN 5500 uses laser scanning technology that permits absolute scanning precision at a maximum scanning speed. Higher yields and perfect slices are the result of this technical masterpiece – a decisive advantage especially with uneven natural products such as bacon or raw ham. Thanks to the integration of scanner and slicer, food processing companies benefit from savings in line length and less effort for cleaning and maintenance. The open design of the scanner guarantees excellent accessibility and fast, efficient cleaning. The weSCAN 5500 is operated conveniently via the operating terminal of the slicer, which improves user friendliness and ensures optimum accessibility of the scanner.

The Weber slicer weSLICE 9500 was presented as the slicer in this line concept – the flagship when it comes to precisely slicing demanding products in the highest quality and with the highest performance. The Weber slicer weSLICE 9500 is a high-performance machine and sets standards with regards to quality and performance. This uncompromising slicing quality and performance is achieved using Weber DirectDrive technology. Thanks to the direct drive of all components of the carrier unit, the product is fed precisely, so that in addition to perfectly cut, visually appealing slices, the highest portion weight accuracy is achieved while providing maximum protection of the product at the same time. And, the vario technology of the weSLICE 9500, which enables track-independent carriage, contributes to this unique performance while ensuring the highest possible portioning accuracy at the same time. When the Weber vacuum gripper technology is used, the product yield is increased even further, as remaining end pieces are reduced by more than half. The result: production with almost 100% weight-accurate portions with very low give-away. Thanks to the comprehensive line integration, the slicer can optimize the line speed for a smooth portion transport or automatically regulate the speed of subsequent components upwards. The line is therefore able to optimize itself, which leads to an overall increase in quality and fewer manual adjustments.

After the sliced portions have been gently conveyed further by the Weber CompactBuffer thanks to the intelligently controlled acceleration and deceleration, they are reliably and precisely inserted into sustainable packaging made of flex film by means of a wePICK pick robot. Weber’s commitment to perfect mechanical as well as software integration is evident in the automatic Weber loading solution wePICK 7220: The double picker can be integrated in the Weber wePACK 7000 packaging machine in a unique way. Minimal space requirement, more efficient motion sequences of the robot for faster process times and higher performance, easier and faster cleaning of the floor in the production hall and best accessibility are just a few of the many advantages.The integrated software guarantees perfect process control, ensuring maximum efficiency. But that’s not all: As the absolute highlight in this line concept, Weber presented the fastest delta robot in its segment in the market. No other picker is more powerful and yet precise and reliable. In addition to increased performance, food processing companies also benefit from the fact that the same or a higher production volume can be achieved with a lower number of pick robots in a production line. This means a lower investment volume, shorter line length and easier operation and maintenance – and all that without loss of performance. In addition, the new, camera-controlled adjustment of the mounted gripper matching the selected line program contributes to operational safety and protects the technology against faults due to incorrect operation – an extra plus of safety.

The Weber wePACK 7000 packages sliced portions reliably and sustainably. This thermoforming packaging machine sets new standards for output as well as quality, and the use of modern servo technology makes it extremely energy efficient. Servo technology is standard with the wePACK – so Weber largely overcomes the need to use expensive compressed air. One of the impressive highlights of the Weber thermoforming packaging machine is revealed inside the machine: the tool stroke, which has been specially developed for the requirements of the food industry. In addition to the high energy efficiency, the servo-driven stroke offers optimized process times – even with a variety of packing depths.

For printing the top film, the Weber weMARK has been integrated in this line concept – the fastest transfer unit for thermal ink jet print heads on the market. The integrated x/y traversing unit can also be used with all conventional ink jet printers. The display of the printer control panel can be mirrored conveniently onto the Weber HMI, which facilitates ergonomic operation without long walking distances as well as complete operation and print management from a single display. Naturally the new Weber x/y transfer unit comes with a standardized "no product, no print" function to reduce running costs. If the print head supports it, weMARK also permits bi-directional printing. In practice, food processing companies benefit from a reduction of process-related waiting times and maximized output.

To maximize the quota of ok packages, Weber has developed the new Portion Positioning Control (PPC). The camera-based system checks the portion positions in the infeed area. If portions are in an incorrect position, for example, around the sealing seams, and the placement of the portions therefore has to be corrected, the PPC transmits this information to the other line components such as the slicer, pick robot or infeeder by means of multidirectional communication. These components have the possibility to react to the information and incorrect position and adjust themselves correspondingly for the further production process.

Another technical equipment highlight within the Weber thermoformer packaging machine is the Weber quick change system SmartChange: an innovative solution for changing the tools of the forming station and the lower forming tools. The system is available exclusively for the Weber wePACK 7000 and is characterized by tool protection, efficiency and user friendliness. Thanks to SmartChange, having to cut the bottom web film is a thing of the past and eliminates film loss during the tool changing process. Forming tools can be changed almost without any additional hand tools and in a matter of seconds: The tools are unlocked automatically with the push of a button, the side cladding of the wePACK 7000 is easily removed thanks to quick release locks, and a manually guided swiveling lever makes it easier to swivel tools out into the changing position. Once the tool change is completed, the operator can immediately see if the tool is in the proper position. During the development of the SmartChange system, Weber put special emphasis on safety and ergonomics. The system prohibits the machine from starting if the tools are not correctly in place or properly locked, which ensures great safety in the changeover process. All tasks can be carried out in an ergonomically agreeable body position and work height, without requiring any work within the machine frame.

At the IFFA, Weber presented a new, innovative film insertion for the first time that allows a fresh bottom film to be easily and ergonomically threaded in. When the chain clamp of the packaging machine is opened, the new film can be easily threaded in, clamped and precisely positioned at the end of the old film. The almost seamless placement eliminates the need for a gluing table to connect the two films with adhesive strips. This not only saves money but also enables film change faster, reducing downtime and improving ergonomics. As an additional plus regarding efficiency and sustainability, the film transition is tracked during the packaging process so that affected packages are not filled with product and are ejected from the process. Plus, the new Weber film insertion delivers with a comprehensive hygiene concept. The newly designed infeed drum can be dismantled without tools and washed completely inside.

This line was rounded off by the Weber weSORT 5000 singulation robot. With the help of these weSORT models, several packing tracks can be merged into either one or two lanes. An optional rotation axle in the compiler allows the packages to be rotated. To minimize waste and increase process reliability, up to five different criteria for package sorting can also be set to eject empty packages from the process, defined reject packages and, if necessary, packages for quality control separately from each other.

To create wallet packs, the brand-new Weber FoldTech folding device as well as the new Weber weLABEL 4500 bottom web labeler have been directly connected to the separation. The components are each controlled via the weSORT. The FoldTech unit makes it possible to produce packages that are folded on one as well as on two sides. An important advantage of this type of packaging is that a sturdy package can be produced even with minimum material usage by using recyclable flex film. At the same time, the fold and an attached re-closure label provide consumers with an easy and good re-closure option. This considers all requirements for sustainability, cost efficiency and original, attractive product presentation at the point of sale. The re-closure label is attached to the bottom of the package by the weLABEL 4500 labeler. If a label is also desired on the top of the packaging, a top web labeler can be added accordingly. With a length of only around one meter, the labeling system is especially compact. In addition, the optional “no-downtime” function further enhances the efficiency of the labeler.

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High-performance processing and attractive packaging of sliced products.

Optimum preparation for the best slicing results.

Weber weSLICE 9500: Unmatched slicing quality and performance.

Maximum automation for maximum efficiency.

Reliable, sustainable and high-performance packaging.

Technical innovations for better ergonomics and efficiency.

Attractive and sustainable packages.

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