Mould making and plastics processing company enhances food freshness with KraussMaffei technology

Preserving the freshness of food products like coffee beans and leavened dough requires innovative packaging solutions. Aroma-seal valves are a critical component, enabling gases to escape while preventing oxygen from entering the packaging. Michel Werkzeugbau AG, part of the renowned Wipf Group, specialises in manufacturing these valves with exceptional precision and reliability. Operating in Switzerland—a high-wage market—Michel Werkzeugbau AG relies on state-of-the-art technology to meet the demands of the global food packaging industry.

By partnering with KraussMaffei and leveraging their advanced injection moulding machines, Michel Werkzeugbau ensures 24/7 production of aroma-seal valves at an unparalleled level of quality. This case study explores how customised technology solutions helped them optimise manufacturing efficiency, maintain superior product quality, and strengthen their position as a leading global supplier.

About Michel Werkzeugbau AG: Established in 1997, Michel Werkzeugbau AG is a Swiss company with headquarters in Nänikon, Switzerland, specialising in mould making and plastic processing. With over two decades of experience, they offer end-to-end solutions in the design and manufacture of precision injection-moulded parts. Utilising advanced CAD-CAM technologies, the company creates high-precision moulds tailored to the specific needs of their clients. Michel Werkzeugbau AG processes a wide range of thermoplastic materials on state-of-the-art injection moulding machines, producing parts with weights ranging from 0.1 to approximately 140 grams.

Quality is a top priority, and each product undergoes rigorous inspection to ensure it meets strict standards, reinforcing the company’s reputation for reliability and excellence. Michel Werkzeugbau AG serves a variety of industries, including automotive, medical, consumer electronics, and industrial sectors, offering customised, cost-effective solutions that meet the unique demands of each market. Their services are designed to deliver high-precision results and uphold the highest standards of manufacturing and quality assurance. More about Michel Werkzeugbau AG

Challenge

Michel Werkzeugbau AG, a member of the Wipf Group in Switzerland, specialises in mould-making and plastics technology, catering to high-precision packaging needs. Their focus lies in producing aroma-seal valves—tiny yet critical components that preserve the freshness of coffee beans, leavened dough, and other outgassing foodstuffs. These valves, just two centimetres in diameter, allow gas to escape from packaging while preventing oxygen from entering, maintaining product quality.

To stay competitive in a high-wage market like Switzerland, Michel required a manufacturing solution capable of:

• Operating 24/7 with minimal supervision (“ghost shifts”).
• Achieving fast cycle times to meet the demands of the price-sensitive packaging industry.
• Maintaining high energy efficiency to reduce operational costs.
• Delivering consistent, high-quality output with tolerances as tight as 6/100 millimeters.
• Ensuring quick, reliable customer service support.

Solution

To meet these stringent requirements, Michel Werkzeugbau AG adopted KraussMaffei’s CX and PX series injection moulding machines. These advanced systems were tailored to their specific needs, featuring:

• Extended tiebar distances and larger clamping platens to accommodate moulds with up to 36 cavities.
• Clamping forces ranging from 300 to 1200 kN for optimal precision and performance.
• Screw diameters of 18 to 40 mm, suitable for processing the polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) materials used in the valves.

KraussMaffei’s machines were selected for their superior energy efficiency, reliability, and ability to deliver high repeatability—essential for running unsupervised “ghost shifts” around the clock.

Implementation

The integration of KraussMaffei’s CX and PX machines was seamless, allowing Michel Werkzeugbau AG to scale their production while maintaining exceptional quality. These machines enabled the production of the valve’s mould base body and membrane holder with unparalleled precision. After initial manufacturing by Michel, the blanks were sent to a third party company for assembly and distribution.

This robust setup allowed Michel Werkzeugbau AG to produce hundreds of millions of aroma-seal valves annually, supplying international customers and securing their position as the second-largest provider of these specialised components globally.

Key benefits included:

• High repeatability: Consistent production quality with every cycle.
• Increased output: Larger mould capacity boosted production efficiency.
• Reduced operational costs: Energy-efficient machines minimised expenses while enabling safe unsupervised shifts.
• Exceptional reliability: Machines operated 24/7 without compromising performance, essential for a high-wage market like Switzerland.

Results

Michel Werkzeugbau’s AG partnership with KraussMaffei has cemented their role as an industry leader in precision packaging solutions. Their ability to deliver high-quality aroma-seal valves efficiently and reliably underscores their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

As stated by Michel Werkzeugbau AG:

“The high repeatability, output, and reliability of the PX are critical for us. Other suppliers have tried to manufacture more cheaply, but the quality was never up to par.”

This case highlights how KraussMaffei’s customised technology supports manufacturers in meeting industry challenges, driving efficiency, and delivering excellence at scale.

Looking to enhance packaging precision and preserve food freshness with advanced injection moulding technology?

KraussMaffei’s CX and PX series injection moulding machines are designed for high efficiency and precision manufacturing, perfect for producing aroma-seal valves and other critical food packaging components. Our KraussMaffei technology experts can help you optimise your production process to ensure consistent quality, reduce costs, and maximise product preservation.