Cables for Packaging Machines

For the electrical equipment in their end-of-line packaging machines, the industry pioneers at Lantech have relied on cables and wires from HELU for the last 20 years. Cables, wires, and connectors that enable reliable system operation even under the most challenging conditions. With their approvals and construction according to international standards, HELU cables and wires are the solution that allows Lantech machines to be utilised across the globe.

Whether in e-commerce, the food and beverage industry, or in shipping and logistics, where goods need to be prepared for shipping, quick and efficient processes as well as a high degree of safety and care are also in high demand. This is because, at the end of the supply chain, the packaging is the deciding factor in whether goods arrive undamaged. The global costs for shipping damages are estimated to be as high as several billion euros.

It has been Lantech's mission for the past 50 years to find solutions for this. Founded by brothers Pat and Bill Lancaster in the US city of Louisville, Kentucky, the company specialises in end-of-line packaging solutions. These are machines that assemble and seal cardboard boxes, secure pallets with film, or process multi-part packaging. Lantech, who constructs their systems in the USA and in the Netherlands, has already shipped over 100,000 such systems around the globe.

Lantech: The Pioneer for End-of-Line Packaging Machines

The freshly founded, family-operated business reached a real milestone in 1972 with their invention of the stretch wrapper, which is a system that continues to shape the packaging industry to this day. Around the world, billions of pallets are wrapped in stretch film every year to protect them during loading and transport.

Since then, Lantech has maintained their innovative spirit, as well as their unwavering commitment to quality. This is made abundantly clear in the 98% availability of their machines, even when subjected to the most challenging conditions.

"Our machines work in cold and freezing temperatures, in moist and warm environments, and sometimes even outdoors," explains Ron Jansen, Hardware Developer with Lantech at their Malden location in the Netherlands. "In the food and beverage industry, they also often come into contact with aggressive cleaning agents. Despite this, our customers expect them to operate safely and reliably—sometimes around the clock, too."

One factor that is often underestimated, but is precisely what makes this possible, is hidden inside the control cabinet and throughout the entire system: electrical connection technology. For Lantech, this is one of the most important requirements for stable processes, high availability, and their very own quality guarantee. "This is why we rely exclusively on high-quality components from reputable manufacturers," underlines Jansen.

Cables for Packaging Machines: Functional and Conform to Standards

In modern packaging machines, a number of functions, such as drives, safety technology, sensors, HMIs, and communication, function together. All of this must be reliably connected—often in tight spaces such as control cabinets and in moving, mechanical applications. It is for precisely this reason that Lantech utilises such a diverse cast of cables.

And on top of all of this, the company also delivers worldwide. Depending on the destination region, machines must fulfil different standards and requirements, such as CE/UKCA in Europe or UL/CSA in North America. "One key to efficient manufacturing is, of course, using standardised products, but it cannot come at the cost of conformity with legal requirements," emphasises Jansen. "Instead, we need solutions that meet not only our functional requirements, but also those set forth by prevailing standards."

International Approvals for Global Machine Deployment

To support their global operations, the Lantech factory in the Netherlands has relied exclusively on HELU for 20 years for the cabling in their machines. The connection technology specialists have a comprehensive portfolio containing all types of reliably high-quality cables that are required for such complex systems.

The export-oriented Lantech has a single-source supplier in HELU to support distribution to its diverse target regions. For the European market, Lantech puts its trust in HELU’s proven JZ-500 control cable with VDE and UKCA approvals, and in North America, the UL/CSA-certified equivalent JZ-602.

FIVENORM–Simplifying Control Cabinet Cabling

For the cabling of control cabinets, the systems engineers at Lantech trust FIVENORM-series single cores. As the name suggests, these are certified according to five different, international standards and can practically be used around the globe. The advantages are clear: “We are able to streamline our parts lists and do not need to keep so many different cables in stock. This saves us space in our warehouses and reduces the workload in purchasing,” explains Ron Jansen.

To safely guide cables in moving applications, Lantech uses HELUCHAIN PLASTIC LINK 2-KL drag chains that are specifically designed for light-duty machine applications.

Kanban Supply for High Supply and Manufacturing Security

Lantech sources the cables for their Kanban system from the Dutch wholesaler itsme. All parts that are regularly required in manufacturing are automatically restocked by their retail partner on a weekly basis. "For us, this simultaneously means minimal internal effort in keeping items in stock and highly reliable supply," according to Jansen.

The recommendation for HELU originally came from itsme, as well. "There were three important deciding factors: local availability, quick delivery, and simple communication. This includes direct contacts and technical support," the engineer remembers.

For Lantech, reliable delivery capacity is a decisive criterion because even if just one cable is missing, it can lead to the disruption of an entire manufacturing line. To avoid this, HELU keeps an additional stock buffer at its Dutch subsidiary in the nearby town of Budel.

And for the rest of the world, the specialists for connection technology are represented by a number of local subsidiaries. "This means that we can supply our international customers with replacement parts more quickly and reduce expensive downtimes caused by maintenance and servicing. This is an important component of our service concept," outlines Jansen.

20 Years of Partnership Between Lantech and HELU

For Lantech, partnership with HELU means certainty in delivery capacity and machine availability. "The ease and reliability of procurement makes our work in production and logistics a breeze, and the high quality of the cables contributes to the safe and lasting operation of our machines," summarises Ron Jansen.

"Thanks to the different standards and approvals, we have access to the right solution for every corner of the world. This is something that we want to take better advantage of in the future, especially with the FIVENORM single cores." For this engineer, one thing is clear: "We absolutely want to maintain this successful collaboration and continue to strengthen it."

The advantages for Lantech at a glance

Reliable system operation even under demanding conditions
Construction and approvals according to international standards for a variety of target markets
Fewer different cables and a more streamlined parts list thanks to FIVENORM
Less demand for warehouse space and simplified procurement
High supply security thanks to Kanban and local stock buffers
Quick supply of replacement parts around the globe thanks to international HELU locations

About Lantech

Founded in 1972, Lantech specialises in the manufacturing of industrial packaging systems. The company supplies automated systems and solutions for every industry that minimise damage and loss incurred during transport. Lantech has production sites in the USA and the Netherlands, as well as a global sales and service network.

Learn more at lantech.com

Cables for Packaging Machines: Lantech Relies on HELU