Meet the Tray Former 500: Compact, Flexible, and Built for What’s Next

by MFT Automation

This year at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, MFT Automation unveils the next generation of tray forming technology.

The Tray Former 500 is our newest innovation in packaging automation: a compact, operator-friendly system that’s designed to bring your production line speed, flexibility, and efficiency. 

In an industry where change is constant with new products, shifting demand, tighter spaces, this next-generation tray former helps operations keep pace without compromise.

Why a New Tray Former Matters Now

Manufacturers across food, medical, and cannabis industries are facing the same challenges:

  • More product SKUs to run in shorter cycles.
  • Limited floor space for new automation.
  • Growing demand for uptime and quick ROI.
  • Staffing, skill, and operator training hurdles.

Traditional tray forming equipment wasn’t built for this level of agility. That’s where the Tray Former 500 comes in. 

Key Features of the Tray Former 500

Compact Footprint

MFT Automation’s new Tray Former 500 takes up less space on your production floor without sacrificing performance. For facilities where every square foot counts, it’s a system that delivers maximum output in a smaller package.

Toolless Flexibility

Switching between tray sizes or product runs has never been faster. With a toolless, quick-change design, operators have easy access to swap dies and components. This ability to adapt means your line can handle shifting demands with less downtime and more throughput.

Operator-Friendly Interface

Built with intuitive controls, the Tray Former 500 is operator-friendly, engineered for reduced training time and simple day-to-day operation. Operators can get up to speed quickly and focus on production, rather than troubleshooting.

Designed for Uptime

Every detail of the Tray Former 500 is designed to minimize maintenance and maximize reliability. From durable components to easy access for adjustments, it’s built to keep your production lines moving.

Applications Across Industries

The versatility of the Tray Former 500 makes it a strong fit across multiple sectors:

  • Food & Beverage: Feed and form corrugated, cardboard, or other unformed packaging products for prepared foods with precision and speed.
  • Medical & Pharma: Maintain consistency and reliability in regulated environments where accuracy matters most.
  • Cannabis: Adapt to a wide variety of tray sizes and packaging formats in an industry that’s constantly evolving.

Smarter Investment, Faster ROI

Automation isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about moving ahead. With the Tray Former 500, your production line achieves:

  • Decreased downtime through toolless components.
  • Increased efficiency in tight spaces.
  • Reduced training requirements thanks to intuitive controls.
  • A strong return-on-investment with an adaptable system.

In short, it’s a new-and-improved system designed for the long haul and ready to grow with your business.

See It First at PACK EXPO

The Tray Former 500 will make its debut at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. Attendees will be able to see live demonstrations, talk with our automation experts, and experience firsthand how this system is driving tray forming forward.

If you’re heading to the show, make sure to stop by booth W-544 to see us and the Tray Former 500 in action. And don’t forget, you can register for free with our comp code: 85G78.

Visit our website or connect with our team anytime to learn how the Tray Former 500 can enhance your packaging line.

Join Us at interpack 2023

by Shane

MFT Automation is going abroad! We will be exhibiting at interpack 2023! Join us May 4th -10th, 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany, for one of Europe’s largest processing and packaging shows. You can find us at Booth C38-7 in Hall 15.  Add us to your show planner!

At the Booth

We will be showcasing our Impresso Labeler and Friction Feeder System at the show! The MFT Impresso Labeler and Friction Feeder System is a compact and powerful automation system. With a small footprint, the Imprsso Labeler and Friction Feeder effortlessly integrate into larger automation systems or existing production lines. The Impresso Labeler is our customizable industrial label applicator, capable of precise and accurate label placement. Contributing to the accurate placement is our robust MFT Friction Feeder which feeds products one by one for labeling. The strong belts grip the product to keep it from skewing for better label placement.  The system includes infrared sensors for an accurate count and double-detect and overlap detection for high accuracy rates. Designed for long production runs and demanding applications, Impresso Labeler and Friction Feeder System reliably provides years of uninterrupted service. Come see this amazing system run at interpack 2023 at Booth C38-7 in Hall 15!

 

About MFT Automation

MFT Automation is a privately held company that provides high-performance friction feeding and labeling solutions throughout the world. With state-of-the-art control technology and robust mechanics, our products feed more quickly and accurately to provide customers with a greater return on investment. All friction feeders, labelers, and accessories can easily be integrated with other machines to provide a total system solution for any application. With experience in industries such as pharmaceutical, food, packaging, printing, financial/security, and fulfillment, MFT Automation can help any sized business with production efficiency.

See the other tradeshows we’re attending in 2023: mftautomation.com/tradeshows

Join us at WestPack 2023

by Shane

We’re excited about our first tradeshow of the year! We’ll be exhibiting at West Pack 2023 at Booth #5028. Join us February 9-7, 2023 in Anaheim, California, for the west coast’s largest advance manufacturing tradeshow. WestPack is part of IME West which features five tradeshows on the same expo floor. Packaging is just the tip of the iceberg, from robotics to medtech and more, IME West connects you across multiple verticals and industries.

Use code MYGUEST5028 for a free expo pass and 20% off a 2-day conference pass!
Register here!

Already registered? Add us to your show planner here!

At the Show

Live Demos

We will be showcasing our Printing and Labeling System featuring our Impresso Labeler with a Videojet Printer. The Impresso is our high-performance pressure sensitive labeler, built for the industrial environments of the packaging industry. With a compact and flexible design, the labeler can be easily integrated into existing production lines and systems or can be its own standalone piece of equipment. The labeler is equipped with a independently powered 1000-watt motor for labeling with repeatable accuracy. The Impresso Labeler features a highly adaptable software package that integrates multiple sensor triggers to achieve accurate label placement at high speeds. The Videojet Printer easily integrates with the Impresso Labeler to condense the printing and labeling process into one powerful system. Come visit us and see live on-demand demos of our Impresso Labeler at Booth #5028!

Pharmaceutic Litho & Label Company (PLLC) will also be showcasing our MFT 350 ip3 Friction Feeder at their booth! Part of MFT Automation’s Industrial Performance (ip) series of friction feeders, the 350 ip3 is a mid-size option with a small footprint that easily integrates into existing production lines or stands on its own. The ip3 series features a powerful 750-watt brushless servo motor (optional 1000-watt available) and hardened stainless steel shafts and sealed bearings for maximum life expectancy and long production runs. You can see our friction feeder in action at Pharmaceutic Litho & Label Company’s Booth #1783.

Meet the Team

Mike Emola – Sales Manager
Mike has 15 years of sales experience spanning technology & automation bringing a client-focused, consultative approach. When Mike isn’t in the office you can probably find him out on the lake with his wife and three kids or entertaining family and friends with good food. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn before the show!

Todd Rice – Regional Sales Manager
Meet our West Coast representative, Todd Rice. Todd has over 25 years of experience in the packaging and labeling industry and is excited to share his wisdom to help customers solve their automation challenges. When Todd isn’t in the office, he enjoys golfing and deep-sea fishing off the Pacific Coast and Mexico. Connect with Todd on LinkedIn before the show!

Jim Iler – Regional Applications Manager
Jim has been with  MFT Automation for 19 years and is ready to help identify the perfect automation system for your application. When Jim isn’t helping clients improve productivity with automation, he enjoys being outdoors with his friends and family, snowboarding, deer hunting, ice fishing, and camping! Connect with Jim on LinkedIn before the show!

About MFT Automation

MFT Automation is a privately held company that provides high-performance automation solutions throughout the world. With state-of-the-art control technology and robust mechanics, our products feed more quickly and accurately to provide customers with a greater return on investment. All of our standard equipment including, friction feeders, labelers, and accessories can easily be integrated with other machines to provide a total system solution for any application. With experience in industries such as pharmaceutical, food, packaging, printing, financial/security, and fulfillment, MFT Automation can help any sized business with production efficiency.

See the other trade shows we’re attending: mftautomation.com/tradeshow

Text: MFT Automation- Booth #5410. Pack Expo International 2022, Oct 23-26, 2022 - McCormick Place. Chicago, IL USA.

Join us at PACK EXPO International 2022

by Shane

MFT Automation is excited to be exhibiting at PACK EXPO International 2022. Join us October 23-26, 2022 in Chicago, IL for one of the world’s largest packaging & processing tradeshows. You can find us at Booth #5410 in the North Hall.

Add us to your show planner: https://packexpo22.mapyourshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=02002142

Use code 91W64 for FREE registration for the show or follow the link below!
https://pei22.nvytes.co/lp22/91W64.html

Keep up to date on the latest and greatest innovations in the packaging industry and network with experts, suppliers, and more at this year’s biggest packaging and processing show! PackExpo International brings together people from 40+ vertical markets making it easy to explore ideas from other industries and build relationships with new and different experts and peers.

At the Booth

Booklet to Web

Our web-tipping system effortlessly applies tip-on products to a web at high production speeds while providing years of reliable operation. Featuring our robust ip3 Friction Feeder and our high-performance IMPRESSO Labeler, the Booklet to Web System combines proven software with a powerful, robust 800-watt servo-motor, and using a zerØ backlash spider coupling into one comprehensive and productive system. See the system’s reliable accuracy in action during our live demonstrations at the show!

Impresso Labeler and Friction Feeder System

Our IMPRESSO Labeler and Friction Feeder System utilize an ip3 series friction feeder and our innovative IMPRESSO labeler in a compact configuration that allows the System to be highly mobile and have a cost-effective footprint. The Labeler and Friction Feeder System’s intuitive and easy-to-reach single-sided controls provide exceptionally efficient operation. Designed for long production runs, the IMPRESSO Labeler and Friction Feeder System provide years of uninterrupted and quality service.

Roll-to-Sheet Cutting System

The Roll-to-Sheet Cutting System incorporates a module-speed unwind web feeding to a driven discharge cutter system that is ideal for a variety of cutting and placing applications. The servo-driven roll unwind and driven discharges combine to make lightning-fast feeding and cutting. The system maintains consistent light web tension by signaling the unwind to release more product as the driven discharges move the web through the system. The speed and accurate placement and cutting of sheets, film, wrap, soaker pads, or other material is maximized via a fast and accurate shearing blade motion of the pneumatic guillotine cutter (320mm cutting area), and pneumatic air blast pad transfers. Set up and operation is easy, with roll capacities maximums reaching 22 inches (diameter) or 150 lbs.

Robotic Integration

We’re excited to be showcasing our knowledge in Automation Robotics. Partnering with Mitsubishi Electric, we have taken a deep dive into how to integrate robotics into our total system solutions. Our robotic capabilities range from simple pick-and-place applications to more complex packaging needs. Robotic integration brings many benefits to any packaging line and is the perfect piece to finish off a fully integrated system. Stop by our booth to see our automation and robotics knowledge in action with a live demo of a robotic arm!

About MFT Automation

MFT Automation is a privately held company that provides high-performance friction feeding and labeling solutions throughout the world. With state-of-the-art control technology and robust mechanics, our products feed more quickly and accurately to provide customers with a greater return on investment. All friction feeders, labelers, and accessories can easily be integrated with other machines to provide a total system solution for any application. With experience in industries such as pharmaceutical, food, packaging, printing, financial/security, and fulfillment, MFT Automation can help any sized business with production efficiency.

See the other tradeshows we’re attending: mftautomation.com/tradeshow

 

label expo americas - sept. 13-15, Chicago, IL, Booth #3802

Join us at LabelExpo Americas 2022

by Shane

MFT Automation will be exhibiting at LabelExpo Americas 2022! Join us in Chicago, IL, September 13-15. LabelExpo Americas is part of a global series of label and packaging print events that connect the global print and packaging industry. This three-day event brings together major players in the North American labeling and packaging industries including printers/converters, brand owners, designers, suppliers, and more. LabelExpo Americas is a brilliant showcase of the latest innovations and trends in the industry. Visit us at Booth #3802!

Learn more about LabelExpo: labelexpo-americas.com/exhibitor/mft-automation