Beck Automation is exhibiting at K 2025, the world's leading trade fair for plastics and rubber in Düsseldorf. The focus of this year's exhibition is on flagship projects in the field of thin-walled packaging, which are being presented together with Garoform AG. Another highlight is the medical in-mould labelling (IML) solutions at the Arburg booth, which is presenting the future of medical packaging and healthcare applications.
"Thin-walled packaging has become the standard in many industries in recent years, since it combines material savings, low weight, and short cycle times. It enables resource-efficient production and at the same time contributes to reducing transport and logistics costs," explains Nino Zehnder, Head of Marketing and Sales at Beck Automation. Together with Swiss IML tool specialist Glaroform, Beck developed different solutions for minimal and precisely reproducible wall thicknesses. These thin-walled containers offer the necessary stability with minimal material usage, particularly in the food, cosmetics and consumer goods sectors.
"In combination with our IML solutions, this offers additional advantages. The label is seamlessly bonded to the thin-walled packaging during the injection moulding process. This results in products that are not only functional but also visually appealing," Zehnder continues. Durable decorations, brilliant colours and high scratch and moisture resistance ensure that the packaging performs well even under demanding conditions. At the same time, recyclability can be improved since the packaging and label can be manufactured from the same material.
The Beck Medical IML system, also presented at the trade fair, is a high-precision manufacturing system designed specifically for the production of medical components. The application is part of a joint project with the companies ARBURG, KEBO, Intravis, and MCC Verstraete and can be found at the ARBURG booth. With the production cell based on an ALLROUNDER 520 A electric injection moulding machine in clean room design and the high-precision Beck Medical IML, the partners have developed a system that enables high-precision IML in large quantities using the latest technologies.
Beck Medical's innovative in-mould labelling solutions are specifically tailored to the high demands of medical technology. Customers benefit from maximum safety and error prevention through smart labels such as RFID, QR codes or digital watermarks, which ensure traceability and transparency. At the same time, the technology enables sustainable production, since labels and carrier materials can be designed to be recyclable. Compact, ISO 7-compliant cleanroom cells also ensure maximum efficiency and hygiene, while GMP and FDA standards are fully complied with.
The Beck Medical IML is based on a sturdy steel frame and a modular system concept. Production steps such ascapping , welding, printing or packaging can be flexibly integrated. Energy-efficient servo and stepper motors control the movement sequences.
The system is divided into the IML and post-processing sections, which can be separated at the touch of a button. The IML section handles the labels with precision. Magazines, transport systems, placement on insert cores and high-precision adjustment via laser sensors for tolerance compensation are integrated here. A special design of the machine frame prevents vibrations. This allows the labels to be inserted into the injection mould in the optimum position.
The Beckhoff XTS central transport unit is integrated into the processing area. Since label insertion and part removal take place in parallel, the cycle time is only minimally affected. An integrated vision system enables seamless quality control. Defective parts are automatically ejected. Good parts, in the meantime, are seamlessly processed or directly packed.
With decades of experience in IML automation, Beck Automation develops solutions that meet the highest standards of precision, hygiene and efficiency, which are crucial factors in the medical sector.
Beck Medical IML systems stand for:
• Reliable and reproducible labelling quality
• Compliance with strict regulatory requirements for medical packaging
• Fast cycle times with maximum process reliability
• Scalable automation concepts tailored to individual customer requirements
Visitors to K 2025 can experience live how Beck Automation uses innovative IML technology to create safe, hygienic and sustainable packaging solutions for medical products and pharmaceutical applications.
