Nonwovens converting is IMA Teknoweb’s core business and the technological field in which is world leader. Our machines cover a full range of processes to manufacture wet and dry wipes, from the raw nonwoven material into the finished product.

IMA Teknoweb converters can perform multiple folding types at very high-speed.
Wipes can be folded, and interfolded, in various shapes, such as:

• Lenght-fold (or “flat packs”)
• Cross-fold (Z, double Z, 1/4 fold, 1/6 fold)
• Single rolled
• Perforated rolls

Machine capabilities are characterised by a wide range of substrates (including the most delicate and demanding), reel type (single or semi-jumbo) and process/product controls, to guarantee maximum levels of performance, reliability and compliance with the strictest sanitary specifications.

Sanitary design is paramount when related to the production of medical wipes, baby wipes, or disinfectant wipes. IMA Teknoweb’s converters are constructed with easy-to-clean and durable materials, such as stainless steel. All the surfaces are smooth, to prevent the accumulation of dirt or microbial growth in niches. Machine accessibility is also crucial, in order to allow easy access to operators who need to clean frequently some parts of the machine. Furthermore, CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems allow for automated cleaning without disassembling the machine. IMA Teknoweb’s converters comply with industry regulations and standards related to hygiene and safety, including ATEX regulations.

By adhering to these principles of sanitary design, manufacturers can produce wipes safely and in an hygienic environment, meeting the stringent requirements of industries where cleanliness is of utmost importance.

IMA Teknoweb and IMA Ilapak, have constantly developed dedicated flow wrapping solutions by sensing in advance the growth, trends and needs of the sector – with the aim of preserving product safety and hygiene and at same time offering captivating, innovative and reclosable flowpacks using adhesive labels.

In the nonwoven industry, the most popular primary package formats for the wipe applications are pillows flowpack with or without gusseting and the Quattro seal bags.

Ranging in count size from 5 to 10 wipes, to 30 or more, these flat packages are displayed on shelves mostly in trays. They include:

• Cosmetic cleansers, intimate soft cloths, facial towelettes, flushable, lens and screen applications,  and many other task specific specialties moist wipes.
• There are also dry nonwoven wipes in economy plastic packaging and some dry specialties in flexible flat packs meant to be wetted by the consumer.

Three types of opening mechanisms show up in the packs: peel and seal; rigid “click;” and more elaborate flip-top molded fitment openers often seen in baby and bathroom wipes. Product designers recognize shelf life as one value driver where they must deliver moisture retention and freshness. IMA Ilapak and IMA Teknoweb, can help accomplishing this task thanks to the precise and reliable technologies applied on its packaging machines.

Any good wet wipes pack is completed by a rigid “click” lid, placed on top of the peel and seal, which helps preserving product fresnhess and extend shelf life.

In order to complete our lines and be able to offer a balanced solution to our customers, we developed in cooperation with IMA CIEMME a lidder capable to reach 150 packs/min speed.

CM Series is composed by 2 machine versions: CM100 can reach up to 95 packs/minute in its high-speed version, equipped with one pick and place unit. CM150 is equipped with 2 pick and place units mounted in series with a single gripping head, boosting the speed up to 150 packs/minute. The latter ensures high precision placement surpassing performances provided by multiple gripping heads (2 or 3). Precision is also driven by robot with joints without mechanical play.

Lids are fed by 2 independent conveyors, reducing lid linear speed and makes the whole process more precise.

One of the latest technological innovation introduced on CM Series is a high-operational autonomy revolving magazine for lids. It consists of 8 columns mounted on a rotating table (600 heigth), with a capacity of 1000/1200 lids ensuring about 20 minutes autonomy. The magazine is equipped with a device for size adjustment to host lids of different dimensions.

Wipes can be vertically packed in flexible pillows (refill pouches) or rigid containers such as canisters, jars, tubs and tray packs. Across a world of applications, consumers and buyers take note of the container first.

In addition to a consumer-oriented market application, there are also institutional uses of canister wipes across markets, from medical sanitizing to shopping cart wiping and industrial duty. Some of the largest count canisters, pouches and refill packaging contain 1200 or more wipes

IMA Teknoweb lines can integrate cutting-edge and precise vertical filling machinery, specially designed for wet wipes applications.

The wet wipes market is moving very quickly towards product sustainability: 100% biodegradable nonwoven is now in common use as is the search for packaging materials that can be totally recycled safely.

With this in mind, IMA Teknoweb has developed the MULTI50 handle applicator, in order to reduce the amount of plastic in the multi-bags making the solution totally recyclable. In fact, the multi-bags with handle solution instead of pre-formed bags allows a considerable saving in the amount of material used (the wet wipes packets are held together by a single 38 mm strip of material instead of being totally wrapped).

The machine was also developed to allow the use of the same plastic material both for the adhesive tape and for the handle that is joined to it, so that everything can be recycled together.
The use of a particular photocell capable of recognizing the various colours of the art chosen by the customer for the handle allows to eliminate the typical notch for cutting the films in phase, obtaining an improvement from the qualitative point of view of the presentation of the product.

A new vane belt with paddles was introduced, keeping the products stably grouped during the application of the handle and increasing the quality of the finished product. The packages are processed on the side, allowing also an increase of stacked packets: from 4 (standard multi-bag) up to 5 or 6 if required.

The strength of the IMA Group stands in the vast packaging technologies available, all perfectly combined to complete a line.
For this purpose, the IMA End-of-Line Hub includes a full array dedicated to the secondary and tertiary packaging, such as:

• Cartoners
• Tray packers
• Case packers
• Wrap-around

Covering a wide range of speeds, our machines are a perfect completion to converting lines, Reduced machine footprint and great accessibility give the machines a more contemporary feel. Attention to detail is an important part of our manufacturing philosophy. The IMA End-of-Line Hub also offers robotized, integrated case packing and palletizing systems that guarantee flexibility and efficiency in the increasingly demanding packaging market.