Technical Translation Services for Packaging Machinery. Precise. Compliant. Multilingual.
Operating manuals, HMI software, training materials and CE documentation for packaging machinery – terminologically consistent, compliant and available in more than 40 languages.
OEM experience · Hygiene-focused (GMP/EHEDG) · ISO 17100 · International standards
Packaging machinery forms the link between production and market and therefore places particularly high demands on technical documentation. Whether pouch packaging machines, cartoners, labellers or fully automated FFS systems – every machine requires precise, compliant translations of its accompanying documentation. Since 2007, COMLOGOS has been translating operating manuals, HMI texts, training materials and CE documentation for packaging machinery manufacturers – consistently, with terminology management and in more than 40 languages.
What Are Packaging Machines? – A Sector with Its Own Language
Verpackungsmaschinen umfassen alle technischen Anlagen, die Produkte verpacken, kennzeichnen, gruppieren oder versandfertig machen. Sie sind ein eigenständiges Sub-Feld des Maschinenbaus mit eigener Terminologie, eigenen Normen und einer hohen Vielfalt an Bauformen.
Die Branche unterscheidet sich nach Verpackungsstufen:
- Primärverpackung – direkter Produktkontakt (z. B. Blister, Beutel, Tuben)
- Sekundärverpackung – Umverpackung (z. B. Faltschachtel, Kartonierer)
- Tertiär-/Endverpackung – Versandeinheiten (z. B. Palettierer, Schrumpfanlagen)
Request a Quote or Speak to Our Team
Do you need technical documents translated? Send us one or two sample files, and we will provide a concrete recommendation and a quotation within 24 hours.
Packaging Machinery Types We Translate For
Form, Fill and Seal Machines (FFS)
Vertical and horizontal systems for food and consumer goods applications.
Pouch Packaging Machines
For cans, bags and sachet packaging applications.
Cartoners and Case Packers
Secondary packaging in folding cartons and shipping cases.
Labelling Machines
Self-adhesive, hot-melt and inkjet labelling systems.
Blister Machines (Pharmaceutical)
Tablet and capsule packaging in accordance with GMP requirements.
Film and Shrink Packaging Systems
Stretch, shrink and sleeve packaging applications.
Palletizing and Depalletizing Systems
End-of-line packaging and shipping units.
Coding and Inspection Systems
Track & trace, vision systems and coding technologies.
Where Packaging Machinery Ends and Other Disciplines Begin
| Discipline | Interface | Where we draw the line |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Core Discipline | Packaging machinery is a distinct subfield with its own standards (e.g. ISO 21067). |
| Plant Engineering | Line Integration | Plant engineering designs the overall system; packaging machinery represents individual components. |
| Automotive | Special-purpose machinery | Automotive packaging (KLT containers) is a niche rather than a primary focus. |
| Robotics | Pick-and-place and palletizing robots | Robotics provides movement; packaging machinery defines the process. |
| Logistics / Intralogistics | Downstream material flow | Packaging ends at the pallet - logistics begins there. |
Documents We Translate for You
Operation & Safety
- Operating instructions (EU) 2023/1230
- Safety and warning notices
- Emergency and shutdown instructions
Software & HMI
- HMI texts (Siemens TIA, B&R, Rockwell)
- Software strings and error messages
- Interface and API documentation
Service & Maintenance
- Maintenance and service manuals
- Spare parts catalogues and bills of materials
- Inspection and test records
CE & Compliance
- CE declarations of conformity
- Risk assessments
- Certificates and test reports
Hygiene & Cleaning
- Cleaning and hygiene procedures
- GMP, FDA and EHEDG documentation
- Validation and qualification documents
Training & Marketing
- Training and course materials
- Data sheets and product brochures
- Trade fair communication and web content
Industries We Serve in Packaging Machinery
Food & Beverage
Highest hygiene requirements according to EHEDG, FDA and IFS. Translations must accurately reflect cleaning procedures, allergen-related information and CIP/SIP processes – translation errors can compromise audits.
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Technology
GMP-compliant documentation for blister packaging machines, serialization systems and track-and-trace solutions. We are familiar with the requirements of EU GMP Annex 15 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and translate IQ/OQ/PQ documentation with precision.
Cosmetics & Consumer Goods
Brand consistency across languages, short time-to-market cycles and extensive SKU portfolios. We coordinate terminology workflows for manufacturers with hundreds of product variants.
Chemicals & Hazardous Materials
ATEX-certified systems, GHS-compliant labelling and REACH documentation. Safety-related terminology is managed consistently across languages, machine generations and suppliers.
Why COMLOGOS for Packaging Machinery Documentation?
Familiar with packaging technology since 2007
COMLOGOS has been translating for manufacturers of technical machinery in German-speaking markets since 2007 – among them renowned specialists in pharmaceutical and packaging technology such as Hinterkopf and Hüttlin. Over that time a reviewed terminology database has grown that is available immediately for every new project – consistently across machine generations, languages and suppliers.Translation memory & terminology for each client
Every client has their own maintained translation memory and a central terminology system. This cuts follow-up costs by 30–70 %, speeds up translation and secures consistency – across machine generations, line variants and parallel suppliers.Native specialist translators with a mechanical engineering background
Our translators are native speakers of the target language with technical training or several years of experience in mechanical engineering. On request, a translator and an independent technical editor work to the four-eyes principle in accordance with ISO 17100 – particularly recommended for safety-related documentation, CE files and texts subject to regulatory review.Standards assurance for regulated markets
We know the requirements of the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, ATEX 2014/34/EU, EHEDG, GMP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and the GPSR. Our workflows are certified to ISO 9001:2015 (quality management), ISO 17100 (translation services) and ISO 18587 (post-editing of machine translation) – which gives your compliance and audit officers certainty, including for MTPE projects.Machine Translation with Post-Editing – Efficient and Reliable
Packaging machinery manufacturers are under pressure on both time and cost: documentation volumes are growing, lines are rolled out faster, and new target languages keep being added. AI-based translation combined with professional post-editing (MTPE) is the economic lever here – without compromising on safety and compliance. COMLOGOS works to ISO 18587, the international standard for post-editing of machine translation.
Faster to the global line
Up to 50 % time saved on large, repetitive documents – service manuals, spare parts catalogues or multilingual training materials, for example.Cost-effective for high volumes
Markedly lower costs at consistent quality – ideal for manufacturers with extensive technical documentation, frequent updates and many target languages.Reviewed and standards-compliant
Every AI translation is post-edited by experienced specialist translators, checked for terminology and validated for standards compliance – in accordance with ISO 18587.When is machine translation appropriate – and when is it not? AI translation with post-editing is ideal for large, repetitive documents. For safety-critical content (CE files, risk assessments, pharmaceutical GMP), we continue to recommend classic specialist translation with dual control in accordance with ISO 17100. We will advise you individually on which workflow suits which document type.
Related industry expertise from COMLOGOS
Mechanical Engineering
Design documentation, operating instructions and maintenance documentation – specialist translation for German mechanical engineering into every target language.Learn more
Plant Engineering
Multi-part document packages, many interfaces, multi-supplier terminology – terminology work is the biggest lever here.Learn more
Electrical Engineering & Digital Industry
From component data sheets to Industry 4.0 solutions – specialist translation across the ZVEI world.Learn more
Languages, Formats and Tools
Packaging machinery is used worldwide – with all the linguistic and technical implications this entails for documentation. We translate into more than 40 languages, from German and English to Spanish, French and Italian, as well as Polish, Czech, Turkish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic. We work directly within your source formats without conversion losses and while preserving the original layout.
| Format / Tool | Was wir damit machen |
|---|---|
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint | Betriebsanleitungen, Schulungsunterlagen, Datenblätter – mit voller Layout- und Formelübernahme |
| InDesign / IDML | Hochwertige Servicehandbücher und Marketingbroschüren – Layout-Check inklusive |
| FrameMaker / MIF | Strukturierte technische Dokumentation – Variablen und Querverweise bleiben intakt |
| XML / DITA / CCMS | Modulare Doku aus Ihrem Redaktionssystem (Schema ST4, COSIMA, TIM-RS) – ideal für Maschinenfamilien |
| HMI- und Software-Strings (CSV, JSON, XLIFF) | Bedientexte für Siemens TIA, B&R, Rockwell – mit Zeichenlimit-Prüfung und Pseudo-Translation |
| PDF (Referenz) | Altbestände als Referenz für Terminologie und Konsistenz nutzbar |
What Our Clients Say About COMLOGOS
Process Insights
„Unsere Handbücher sprechen jetzt weltweit die richtige Sprache, dank der präzisen und zuverlässigen Übersetzungen von COMLOGOS. Ein wahrer Gewinn für unsere internationale Präsenz!"
ek robotics
„Für die Übersetzung technischer Fachtexte ist Comlogos seit Jahren unser zuverlässiger Partner. Egal welche Sprache – die Zusammenarbeit mit Comlogos ist immer unkompliziert, schnell und die Übersetzung von bester Qualität."
Frequently Asked Questions About Packaging Machinery Translations
Costs depend on several factors, including the language pair, the scope of the documentation, the complexity of the content (e.g. HMI texts, safety notices or process sequences) and the amount of reusable material available through existing translation memories. In follow-up projects, costs are often significantly reduced, as identical and similar segments from previous translations can be reused automatically – typically resulting in savings of between 30% and 70%. Additional costs may arise from DTP services (e.g. InDesign layouts) or terminology management. For a reliable estimate, we are happy to provide a no-obligation quotation based on your source files.
HMI translation is a discipline in its own right. Terms must not only be technically accurate, but also fit within predefined character or pixel limits. We work with specialized tools such as SDL Trados Studio, perform pseudo-translations to identify layout issues at an early stage and coordinate closely with software teams (e.g. regarding error messages, operating sequences and terminology databases).
If required, we test the final translations directly on the display or within simulators to ensure, for example, that a “Notabschalt”-button in Spanish does not exceed two lines. This close interaction between language, software and hardware is standard practice in our packaging machinery projects.
Packaging machinery is subject to a complex framework of standards and regulations. Key requirements include:
- Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 – replacing Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC from January 2027; governs CE marking and requirements for operating instructions.
- ISO 12100 – Safety of machinery: general principles for design and risk assessment.
- ISO 21067 – Terminology standard for packaging machinery.
- EHEDG Guidelines – hygienic design and cleaning requirements for food packaging machinery.
- EU GMP Annex 15 – qualification and validation requirements for pharmaceutical packaging.
- DIN EN 415 series – specific safety standards for different types of packaging machinery.
In addition, depending on the application, further requirements may apply, such as ATEX (explosion protection), GHS labelling and, for pharmaceutical machinery, FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records and signatures). Through more than 20 years of project experience, we are familiar with the specific requirements of packaging machinery manufacturers.
Under the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, operating instructions must be provided in the official language(s) of the EU Member State where the machine is placed on the market or put into service.
If a packaging machine is sold in Germany, France, Poland and Spain, the operating instructions must therefore be available in German, French, Polish and Spanish. The EU Declaration of Conformity must also be supplied in the required languages of the target markets.
Outside the EU, country-specific requirements apply, such as English (USA, FDA-compliant), Simplified Chinese (China, GB standards) or Russian (EAEU region). We are happy to advise you on the right language strategy for your export markets.
Your Packaging Machinery Project in Safe Hands
Send us one or two sample files from your current project phase – for example an operating manual, HMI strings or CE/GMP documentation. We will recommend the most suitable approach, advise you on the appropriate language strategy for your export markets and provide a clear, no-obligation quotation – including a plan for the efficient reuse of translations across machine generations and line variants.
Response usually within one business day · Confidential handling of your files · Free of charge and without obligation
