lightline3 Delica once again opts for a preconfigured cartoner
Coffee capsules are booming: perfectly dosed, convenient and available in many varieties, they offer straightforward enjoyment. At the Swiss company Delica AG, these products have a solid place in the portfolio, which fittingly also includes biscuits and chocolate. Delica is now using Schubert’s third LIGHTLINE cartoner to pack its capsules into transport boxes efficiently and with a small footprint.
With several factories, many product classes and several machines form Crailsheim, to say that Delica are fans of Schubert is an understatement. The company produces its specialist coffee products in Birsfelden and Stabio, while biscuits roll off the production line in Meilen, near Zurich, and chocolate is produced in Buchs. Schubert has been involved in the production of chocolate, biscuits and coffee in Birsfelden for decades. The new cartoner is the company’s third lightline solution to be installed at the site, which is located near Basel.
So, what’s the story? “The packaging requirements and space restrictions in Birsfelden called for a compact, high-performance solution,” says Sales Account Manager Christiane Buchstab as she describes the project that brought both sides back to the design table in 2024. Delica had an area of just 2.5 by 3.5 metres to dedicate to erecting, filling and closing, with simple tool changes where necessary.
It was the perfect opportunity for Schubert not only to offer its LIGHTLINE series, but also to simplify its tools. “This enabled us to propose a compact, easy-to-operate machine to Delica.” Schubert’s concept was a plug-and-play approach that allows operators to exchange format sets without additional configuration. The machine automatically compares the specific program with the size parts in the line.
Easy to operate
Schubert has also improved the ergonomics: recesses for the fingers and rubber rollers make it easier for operators to move the magazine plates, which are significantly lighter because they are made of aluminium. The latest generation of gluing units enables Delica to apply only as much hot glue as necessary, contributing to maximum possible sustainability.
The only format at present – a transport box with a tray and removable lid glued on the outside – comprises two rows of four individual boxes each. The cartoner can manage up to 15 of this type of transport package per minute.
The machine can also process other formats if required. “We understand Delica’s packaging world very well now. If required, the machine can be equipped with new size parts,” says Christiane Buchstab. This means it can be used in a variety of ways, whether for coffee or other products from the Swiss multi-talented player.
