Autefa Solutions Offers Fully Automated Production Line for FFP2/ N95 Mask Production
The first machines were put into operation in Germany and Switzerland in May 2020. The first customers were Univent in Germany and Flawa in Switzerland, the market leaders in mask production in their respective countries. Autefa Solutions has already sold a double-digit number of the machines. All the machines stand out due to their high process reliability and high level of productivity.
The mechanical and electrical design, production and assembly, software programming and in-house tests take place in Friedberg, Bavaria and Frauenfeld, Switzerland. All parts and components used in the machines are from well-known German and European manufacturers. This means that all production processes are subject to the ISO 9001-2015 certified quality standards of the machine manufacturer. Autefa Solutions Germany will be the supplier of the additional machines and production lines. In addition to the DACH region, the target countries for sales are all of Europe and the USA.
Christian Egger, CEO Autefa Solutions Germany GmbH: “The unique combination of knowledge at Autefa in mechanical engineering, nonwovens technology and automation has enabled us to provide customers with a complete solution that leaves nothing to be desired. We provide customers not only with mask production line, but also with access to premium material, camera-based quality control and a fully automated packaging solution for the final product. These added values offered by Autefa allow an economic mask production.”
State-of-the-art technology for protective masks
The new fully automated HiPerMask production line offers numerous advantages for successful FFP/N protective mask production, for which Autefa Solutions stands as a leading machine manufacturer with the requisite expertise and know-how. Particularly noteworthy is the high process reliability with reproducible product quality and a production output of over 50,000 masks/day.
The HiPerMask production line consists of a material feed, nose clip feed and positioning, ultrasonic welding units, ear loops or headband stations, mask folding, punching, and dispensing of the masks into a collection container. Among other things, an unwinder with 6 stations ensures a warp-free synchronized material feed. The respirator/ mask shape welding is done with Emerson Branson ultrasonic assembly technology.
Another outstanding feature is the shaping and welding of the protective mask contour for different mask sizes and protective mask shapes. The automation continues on the HiPerMask up to the integration of the packaging machines. In this way, the masks can also be automatically packaged in individual bags. The entire process is monitored by an integrated quality control, which is controlled by cameras and carried out with the help of artificial intelligence.
Full service for ultra-fast time-to-market
The production line is topped off with comprehensive full-service packages for starting production and procuring consumables for meltblown and spunbond nonwovens as well as other accessories. Autefa also offers companies assistance with certification.
One of the first development partners and now a completely satisfied customer for the fully automated HiPerMask production line is univent Medical GmbH in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany. Managing Director Thomas Vosseler is very satisfied with the system and the collaboration: “Mask production is a new business in Europe, and we spoke to various machine manufacturers who wanted to build the machines. In the end, Autefa convinced me as a global acting specialist for nonwoven machines and lines. In addition, everything that we had in our future plans, such as automated packaging, automated control and head loop stations, children’s masks, i.e., everything we wanted having to do with producing masks, was never a problem for Autefa, which always said that it was doable.”
