Combined packers with in-line infeed

LCM ERGON Series

LCM 30 ERGON - Combined packers up to 30 ppm

The new ERGON range of automatic packers is based on design choices inspired by key concepts such as ergonomics, technology, sturdiness and modularity, masterfully blended to mark a new, significant evolution in the history of SMI products.

You can point out the new ERGON packers rather quickly due to the rounded profile of the movable safety guards, which allow to house all the motors on the outside with respect to the mechanical units they run, facilitating line operator access when performing maintenance.

The new heat-shrinking tunnels of the ERGON range boast cutting-edge technical solutions that allow reducing energy consumption and ensure the utmost environmental compatibility of the processes as well as the improvement of the final quality of the packaged pack.

LCM ERGON series automatic machines combine in one system the functions provided by wrap-around packers and shrink wrappers, for the packaging of plastic, metal, cardboard and glass containers in closed cases, on cardboard pad + film, on cardboard tray + film and on cardboard tray only.

Trays can be octagonal or rectangular, with same or different height edges.

LCM ERGON series packing machines run up to 40 packs per minute, depending on the product handled and on the packing pattern.

Different pack collations can be formed according to the container’s shape, capacity and dimensions; the most popular formats on market are 2x3, 3x4 and 4x6 in closed boxes, 4x3 and 6x4 on tray+film.

LCM ERGON packers are equipped with mechanical  (LCM 30) or electronic (LCM 40) product-grouping system and can be configured with either in-line or 90° in-feed conveyor belts, depending on the customer’s requirements. The format changeover is manual.

LCM 30 ERGON
Speed (PPM)30
Packaging TypeTray + film
Tray only
Wrap-around case
Wrap-around tray
Lanes1

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1At the machine infeed a motorized oscillating sorter lines up loose containers along a conveyor belt featuring low-friction chains made of thermoplastic material. In the pack-forming unit products are grouped in the chosen packing pattern by means of a pneumatic (LCM 30) or electronic (LCM 40) device.


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2In case of packaging in closed case or tray, a sheet of corrugated cardboard is picked from the blank magazine by an alternate-motion picker with vacuum suckers; the carboard blank is then carried up along the blank ramp and positioned under the incoming pack collation with short leading side (wrap-around case) or long leading side (tray).


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3Depending on the packaging features, in the case/tray forming unit the cardboard blank is folded and wrapped around the products by means of special guides. Later on flap-folding devices fold first side flaps and then upper/lower flaps on both the front and the back of the pack. Hot-glue sealing makes the case highly resistant.


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4In case of packaging in film, the film is wrapped around and overlapped under the pack in transit towards the shrinking tunnel. The unwinding of film reels - positioned in the lower part of the machine – is adjusted by a progressive brake which provides constant film tensioning.


  • Machine bearing frame made of sand-blasted and powder-painted steel
  • The machine is equipped with sliding protection doors in anodised aluminium featuring a rounded shape which let all the motors (featuring low energy consumption) be placed externally if compared to the mechanical groups they activate. The closing system of doors is equipped with a slow-down device, which accompanies the door smoothly in its final phase of closure
  • Absence of gearboxes and prevailing employment of ICOS brushless motors equipped with digital servo-driver integrated into the motor
  • For life lubricated bearings
  • Infeed conveyor with chains made of thermoplastic material featuring low friction coefficient and a motorized system of oscillanting laning guides
  • Cardboard magazine situated beneath the infeed conveyor in an easily accessible position (P and T models)
  • Alternate motion cardboard blank picker, equipped with suckers
  • Before the pack enters the shrinking tunnel, the film is cut by a knife equipped with motorized blade and then wrapped around the group of containers and overlapped on the bottom of the pack. The adjustment of the film length is electronic
  • The shrink tunnel features state-of-the-art technical solutions reducing energy consumption and ensuring an eco-friendly working process. The tunnel conveyor belt is made up of fibreglass bars, driven by side chains (®SMI). Thanks to the precise analysis of thermodynamic phenomena generated by the shrink process, the tunnel distributes hot air flows in an efficient and homogeneous way on the pack, thus ensuring its excellent quality at the end of the process. Shrink resistances are positioned on the side walls of the tunnel
  • Heat-shrinking tunnel with forced air ventilation
  • Interactive 15'' touchscreen display and operator panel mounted on an arm sliding on a rail

Modular design

SMI machines are designed according to advanced principles of module assembly and feature interchangeable mechanical and electronic components, which ensure a reduction of the down-times during technical interventions or programmed maintenance and the optimization of the use of spare parts on stock.

Operational flexibility

SMI machines can package a wide range of products in several pack collations, so as to effectively meet the end user's current and future requirements. Moreover, each machine can be equipped with additional devices, which increase its basic functions and ensure a high level of customization of the final package.

Motors directly connected to the drive shafts

SMI machines do not include gearboxes: the motors are directly connected to the drive shafts. The consequent advantage is the reduction of maintenance, energy consumption and noise.

Easy and low-cost maintenance

The rounded protection doors of ERGON models allow broader space inside the machine and thus the motors can be mounted externally on the machine side edges. Therefore, they are easily accessible and reachable for maintenance. Actually, the operator doesn't need to enter the internal parts of the shrink wrapper when carrying out manual interventions.

Constant film tensioning

Film reels placed in the lower part of the machine with film unwinding controlled by a progressive brake and constant film tensioning ensured by a system provided with a tensioning spring

Precise and automatic film cut

Film-cutting unit equipped with direct drive motorization that allows to easily carry out motor maintenance and reduce maintenance operations.

Perfect cases

SMI case packers are equipped with fixed guides, which press the pack walls at the machine outlet. This system ensures a perfectly balanced, resistant case, whereas the rotary chain pressing systems can not guarantee the same quality level.

User-friendly man-machine interface

The POSYC® control panel, fixed or sliding on a boom running the whole length of the machine (depending on the machine model), enables even less expert operators to easily and effectively run the packer, thanks to an intuitive interface, a touch screen display and diagnosis functions and real-time technical support available on the POSYC®.

Data provided are not binding, as they have to be confirmed by SMI according to the machine user's production conditions and technical specifications.