UK-based packaging solutions provider Coveris has made an undisclosed investment to install a 3D printing system at its Centre for Development & Innovation (CDI) in County Durham.
The newly purchased 3D printing system can be used to print precise rapid prototypes of rigid packaging design proposals.
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Boosting Coveris’ capability in the design and development process, the new system can also produce single mock-ups of design concepts.
In addition, the system can print accurate prototype moulds, from which multiple thermoformed samples can be produced using product specific raw materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) or polypropylene (PP).
The products to be manufactured by Coveris’ new 3D printing system can be tested on filling lines and presented to retailers.
Furthermore, the system provides a one-stop point for creative idea generation, photorealistic rendering, rapid prototyping, sample development and production tooling to Coveris.
Coveris product design manager Carl Petrie said: “The ability to quickly create accurate 3D prints of creative design concepts allows pack dimensions, ergonomics and visual aesthetics to be evaluated and adjusted early on in a project.
“This greatly helps speed up the next stages of the development process, through to getting a product successfully launched onto the supermarket shelves.”
The company currently has 21 factories in 14 countries worldwide.
With more than 8,500 global employees and 60 strategically located facilities, Coveris mainly serves the European markets.
Image: Mould produced with 3D printing technology. Photo: courtesy of Coveris.
