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Investment security, a groundbreaking operating and service concept, short delivery times, and high standardization – the new OPTIMA Moduline Smart delivers all this and more. This innovative machine is designed to adapt to evolving market needs while maintaining unparalleled efficiency. One of its early adopters is Louis Widmer, a Swiss manufacturer of premium cosmetics. At their facility, bottles and jars are processed across 14 formats. The Moduline Smart is pushing boundaries, including some unconventional ones. But what does this mean for the user?
OPTIMA Moduline Smart: At a Glance
The OPTIMA Moduline Smart seamlessly handles bottle filling, different lids, closures, and fully automatic spray pump processing. “We also wanted to use the same machine to fill jars and seal them with sealed film,” explains Urs Eggen, Chief Operating Officer at Louis Widmer. Recognizing this need, Optima accelerated the development of the required module. “We had solved our business problem. Now the Moduline is really smart,” Eggen adds.
Additional modules are already in development, including a CIP (clean-in-place) module, a crimp function for fragrance bottles with spray pumps, and spin filling for highly viscous creams.
The OPTIMA Moduline Smart evolves alongside market demands. Modules can be added or replaced swiftly – often within days. This adaptability was crucial for Louis Widmer’s investment decision. Eggen recalls, “The question arose: What if we change our product range in six or seven years? Should we have a new product category, for example, pump dispensers instead of jars? The fact that we could replace a module quickly and not need to buy a completely new machine reassured the committee.”
The machine’s high quality is a given, and its cost-effectiveness stems from standardized modules and scalable production. These benefits extend to Industry 4.0 solutions and service packages, simplifying hardware and software installation. Reduced production costs are passed directly to customers, enabling Louis Widmer to integrate digital tools like WEmaintain for maintenance and OPAL for line management and efficiency analysis.
Addressing the skilled labor shortage, the Moduline Smart ensures straightforward operation through visualized processes, supported by internationally comprehensible images and videos. Eggen shares, “For the first time, I saw a machine manufacturer document every changeover and operation with pictures and videos. This means almost anyone can learn how to operate the machine.”
Processing 14 formats, filling volumes range from 25 ml to 250 ml. The machine manages intricate tasks, from straightening and inserting riser tubes in pump spray heads to sealing jars with aluminum and screw lids.
All cosmetic products are dispensed using rotary piston pumps, which are integrated via trolleys and equipped with SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) quick-change systems. Recipe-based adjustments are servo motor-supported, and all format parts are 3D-printed for rapid availability. The machine achieves an output of up to 60 containers per minute and was operational at Louis Widmer just 1.5 weeks after delivery.
The modular design ensures faster delivery times, adaptability, and long-term flexibility, as demonstrated by the Louis Widmer project.
Learn more about OPTIMA Moduline Smart
