At K 2025, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will focus on all-electric technologies and how the company’s latest advances support cleaner and more personalised branding in fast-cycling caps and closures. Aligned with the theme "Today. Tomorrow. Electric.", the main-stage demonstration in Hall 15, Booth D22, is built around the newest 420t PAC-E machine running a 72-cavity tool from Z-Moulds, combined with clean, digital inline cap printing developed by Swiss supplier CAPrint.
According to Arnaud Nomblot, Director Business Development Packaging, the PAC-E couples fast cycle time with all-electric reliability and, in addition to more than halving energy consumption, helps packaging manufacturers address high production demands and future-proof production. The exhibit is configured to reliably mould and personalise 2,100 26/22 beverage caps every minute, the equivalent of around 9 million caps during the eight-day show.
"This production cell symbolises the future of advanced manufacturing efficiency," states Nomblot. "The on-going innovations happening in injection moulding are indicative of just how much sustainable value is aligned to current and future packaging trends and the interlinked dependencies on system efficiencies," he continues. The 420t PAC-E pushes packaging throughput with the series’ fastest dry cycle time and an injection speed up to 550 mm/s. The machine also features a closed-loop lubrication system to support applications with high hygiene requirements, such as food packaging and medical parts, a capability also showcased on the company’s medical PAC-E exhibit.
Caps and closures competence
In branding terms, caps and closures offer direct user interaction. The PAC-E demonstration underlines the importance of collaboration with specialist partners to create a fully integrated production cell, particularly to achieve tactile and visual effects on closure surfaces for brand differentiation.
Nomblot highlights the efficiency benefits of digitally printing caps within the cell. "This is the first time Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will present such a complete state-of-the-art packaging cell of this scale," he notes. Compared with mechanical pad, dry printing or hot foil stamping, digital printing on closures moulded on a machine like PAC-E supports quicker production times and enables processors to switch seamlessly between variable data, including serial codes, logos and company names.
Matching the PAC-E closure cycle, the complete CAPrint solution includes a new high-speed kit that increases processing capacity by 46 percent to personalise 2,100 printed caps and closures per minute. Designs are applied directly at 600 dpi, delivering high-resolution print quality.
Moulded and digitally printed inline at a speed of 2,100 per minute: personalised beverage caps produced on the PAC-E.
The printer uses flexible UV inkjet RedCube to support fully automated ink handling and cleaning. This enables continuous operation throughout a production shift with minimal human intervention. Combined with Hapa low migration ink, the inline digital process is positioned to reduce the use of ink and chemicals, highlights Nomblot.
Materials, inspection and downstream automation
The material HD 6081 by TotalEnergies is a high density polyethylene with very good organoleptic properties, rigidity and processability, suited to injection moulding caps and closures for non-carbonated drinks. The cell also includes a mould area dehumidification system supplied by Eisbär.
For final inspection, an IMD Vista vision system with a single HMI, dedicated lighting and a high-resolution colour camera checks every printed closure against quality criteria. In addition to identifying print distortions or missing graphics, the system can detect cracks and other defects. An automated box packing system from IMD Vista closes the process chain from mould to print, inspect and box. "This entire cell highlights each partners respective expertise alongside the industry’s dedication to innovation and sustainable caps and closure manufacturing. Especially the tools available that can assist manufacturers to scale up production in the most efficient way," adds Nomblot.
At K 2025, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag showcases its new all-electric 420t PAC-E – the centerpiece of a state-of-the-art caps and closures production cell.
Availability and briefing schedule
The PAC-E series is currently available with 350 and 420 ton clamp force. All PAC-E machines are compatible with Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s cross-platform, open-communication software.
Arnaud Nomblot will be at K 2025 for the entire duration. To prebook a meeting, please visit: https://sdg.website/00qxc. Additionally, Anatol Sattel, together with Martin Pütz, will present a press briefing on Thursday October 9th at 10:30 am.
