The SMART dynamic feeding system, developed by IMA Eurosicma, represents an advancement in automated product handling and distribution, helping confectionery manufacturers achieve greater efficiency, precision and consistency across high-speed packaging operations.
Designed to connect directly with production lines, SMART manages, aligns and distributes incoming product rows to single or multiple wrapping machines. Its dynamic buffering technology ensures continuous product flow, reducing interruptions and helping manufacturers maximise packaging line productivity.
Intelligent automation and continuous production
A key innovation is SMART’s ability to load a new product row while the previous row is still being transferred towards the wrapping line. This overlapping operation minimises downtime and enables continuous distribution with limited spacing between rows, improving overall efficiency.
SMART incorporates real-time communication with downstream wrapping machines, allowing operating speeds to be adjusted automatically according to production requirements. This synchronisation maintains stable throughput, prevents unnecessary interruptions and supports consistent packaging performance.
For confectionery manufacturers handling chocolate-coated bars, confectionery snacks and other individually wrapped products, the system offers potential improvements in production reliability while maintaining careful product alignment and gentle handling.
The system also supports automated re-feeding units, allowing buffered products to be reintegrated into the packaging process. Optimised standby management further enhances flexibility across configurations incorporating multiple wrapping legs.
High-speed performance and operational flexibility
Capable of processing up to 55 rows per minute in a single-station configuration and 120 rows per minute across multiple stations, SMART combines high throughput with precise product management.
The system accommodates products measuring 35–160 mm in length, 15–100 mm in width and 7–45 mm in thickness, providing flexibility across different formats and packaging requirements.
By combining dynamic buffering, intelligent synchronisation and flexible product distribution, SMART addresses key challenges facing confectionery manufacturers, including production continuity, operational efficiency and increasing demands for automated packaging solutions.
Its combination of intelligent automation, gentle handling and high-speed performance positions SMART as a compelling contender for the International Confectionery Packaging Machine of the Year Award.
