In the past 20 hours, now it only takes 1 hour. "Artec 3D Space Spider scanner shortens the packaging time of Swiss chocolate rabbits

SummaryFaced with the growing demand for products, Swiss food packaging manufacturers need to find intelligent packaging solutions to significantly reduce processing time and costs for chocolate rabbits and Santa Claus.

goalTo reduce production time and expenses, and meet the challenge of producing new packaging, the entire process that used to take 20 hours has been significantly shortened.

Using tools：Artec Space Spider, Artec Studio

Artec Space Spider saves time and money for Swiss packaging material manufacturers.

Celebrating birthdays, vacations, or special occasions, everyone loves candy, and packaging material manufacturers continue to follow ancient production principles - people choose food with their eyes. Therefore, they supply Santa Claus and rabbit shaped chocolates to shopping malls around the world irregularly every year. The more eye-catching the food packaging is, the higher the probability of them being added to the shopping cart. everybody ' s happy.

But little known is that designing such complex packaging requires a significant investment. In addition, more and more people are calling for the use of environmentally friendly or customized packaging that is easy to produce, so manufacturers adopting Artec 3D efficient 3D scanning solutions seems to be a good way out.

Bachmann Forming AG did exactly that. Bachmann Forming AG was founded in 1966 and belongs to the Swiss Bachmann family of businesses. Its headquarters are located in Hochdorf near Lucerne. They produce intelligent high-quality customized packaging solutions, which are commonly found on candies, smiling chocolate rabbits, and chocolate Santa Claus in major supermarkets.

To improve the production process, Bachmann Forming AG has begun to incorporate Artec's new 3D scanner. Artec official gold medal Swiss partner 3D Model AG has provided Bachmann Forming AG with its own Artec 3D tools. To ensure that the company can work together and produce smoothly, they also provide a full set of training. The task of replicating the appearance has never been so simple. We are pleased that with our assistance, our client Bachmann Forming can simplify and accelerate the production process, "said Christiane Fimpel of 3D Model AG.

ArteC 3D replaces the time-consuming manual molding process

Previously, we needed to make shape prototypes or preparation tools, and until ten years ago, we had to handcraft these original models. Usually, we use manual milling machines for cutting, or use plastic soil to make and then polish. Depending on the product, the entire production process can often take up to 20 hours.

So the question arises, how did manufacturers create modern new packaging for today's chocolate rabbits?

The answer is the emergence of digitization. In recent years, technological development has almost revolutionized their production processes. Now, they first use computer design preparation tools such as CAD, and then produce them using CNC milling machines.

However, Bachmann Forming AG hopes to find an organic geometric digitization method that combines speed and accuracy. Due to the fact that food processing often does not use CAD data, finding such a solution would be a huge benefit for the food packaging industry.

So Artec Space Spider made its debut, which is Artec 3D's best-selling high-resolution 3D imaging camera

J ö rg Nussbaum scanned model master

Artec， No need for targeting

Bachmann Forming AG often encounters complex objects, and handmade production can be very time-consuming. Even with some scanning methods, the problem still exists. Many scanners require pasting markers or positioning points on objects to ensure coherent tracking and aligned scanning. Obviously, when it comes to food, doing so seems impractical, as Bachmann's design engineer J.rg Nussbaum said, "Especially chocolate or nut candy, it's difficult to stick anything on them

So, it's no surprise that Bachmann Forming AG started using Artec's Space Spider. The Artec Space Spider is simple and easy to use, and its tracking effect on geometry and texture has impressed us, "Nussbaum added. In the design phase, the color capture function achieved photo level visual effects

Indeed, compared to other 3D scanners, the main advantage of Artec devices is their algorithms that can analyze geometric and color data of objects. In addition, users do not need to add targets to objects when capturing their appearance, texture, and color.

When producing finished products, Bachmann Forming AG uses the heating forming method. Firstly, heat the plastic film until it softens. After the vacuum occurs, the stretched film covers the mother plate, and the small holes on the mother plate will adsorb the film. After fitting the model, the film obtained the shape of the model. Subsequently, Bachmann Forming AG waited for the film to cool and harden. After the film is firm, it can be peeled off.

Series of pictures:

Chocolate Rabbit during Heating Forming Process

Rabbit scanning, step by step

After finishing the chocolate bunny, you can start scanning. Scan the rabbit from various angles first, and then align the results on the computer. It is worth mentioning that the dark brown color of chocolate did not cause any obstacles when capturing rabbits. Manual intervention is only required when dealing with colorless reflective surfaces.

The accompanying software Artec Studio for the Artec scanning suite can process the received data and further perform reverse engineering in Geomagic Design X. After completion, all data will be saved as solid models (STEP data) or directly imported into NX (Siemens CAD) through the CAD interface. In the visualization stage, VRML data can be created in Artec Studio and then rendered in Cinema 4D (3D drawing software).

In short, Bachmann Forming AG completed the entire process in just one hour. If using traditional methods, it may take 20 times longer!

J ö rg Nussbaum scans chocolate rabbits

Artec Studio typically processes scanned data in intelligent mode and can automatically edit it. Users only need to answer some questions about scanning object features. Subsequently, Artec Studio will delete unnecessary data, automatically align the scan, and select an effective 3D algorithm suitable for this set of data. In the end, what you get is an accurate 3D replica.

It's really interesting to see complex shapes being delivered from hand to screen so quickly. Using a 3D scanner here undoubtedly saves a lot of time. Just by its simplicity and ease of use, this scanner stands out - we are very satisfied with its performance, "Nussbaum said happily.

Faster, more cost-effective, and more precise

With the Artec 3D scanner, you can easily create chocolate packaging that meets your requirements in the company. Before adopting Space Spider, we had to outsource this type of work, which was very time-consuming and cost-effective, "Nussbaum recalled. External service providers always scan chocolate rabbits thoroughly, including all details, so the 3D models they scan always have holes in the chocolate. Now, we can intervene in the production process in a timely manner and delete these parts. ”

In addition, outsourcing the image production part during the production process often increases production time by two weeks, and business owners often feel overwhelmed by the growing market demand. But by mastering Artec's high-performance technology products, Bachmann Forming AG can have full control over manufacturing requirements and processes.

Nussbaum concluded, 'If we can be self reliant, then we can do it ourselves when convenient. In the packaging field, everyone needs speed and innovation. Artec Space Spider is a powerful tool to help us cope with various future projects.'. ”

Chocolate Rabbit after Heating and Forming