The Protos 70 cigarette maker is the entry point to the Körber Hauni Protos high-speed cigarette making platform — and the most widely installed high-speed cigarette maker in the global tobacco industry. Developed by Hauni Maschinenbau AG in Hamburg Germany and now manufactured under the Körber Technologies brand, the Protos 70 produces up to 7,000 cigarettes per minute for regular diameter formats and 6,000 cpm for slim and super slim cigarettes. Its combination of proven engineering, deep parts ecosystem, strong refurbished market, and Körber’s global service network make it the default benchmark against which every other high-speed cigarette maker is measured. This guide provides verified specifications, a full comparison with the Protos 80 ER, how the machine works, refurbished market pricing, and USA availability guidance.
What Is the Protos 70 Cigarette Maker?
The Protos 70 cigarette maker is a high-speed industrial cigarette making machine — not a tobacco processor, blender, or cutter. It takes prepared cut tobacco filler from the primary processing section and converts it into finished filter cigarettes ready for the packing line. The Protos 70 forms the tobacco into a continuous rod, wraps it in cigarette paper, cuts it into individual rods, attaches filter tips, and deposits finished cigarettes into output trays — all at speeds of up to 7,000 cigarettes per minute. For a full overview of how the Protos 70 fits within the complete Körber Protos range including the Protos 80 ER and M5, see our Körber Protos Cigarette Maker: Full Machine Overview & Specifications.
The Protos 70 consists of three integrated machine units that work together as a complete making system:
- S7000 Cigarette Rod Maker — forms the tobacco into a continuous cigarette rod wrapped in paper
- M8000 Filter Tip Attachment — attaches filter rods to the cigarette rods using tipping paper
- F80 Auto Tray Filler — automatically fills output trays with finished filter cigarettes
How the Protos 70 Cigarette Maker Works
Step 1 — Tobacco feed: Cut tobacco filler is delivered from the tobacco feeder system to the S7000 rod maker’s garniture section. The tobacco feeder maintains a continuous, uniform flow of cut filler at the feed rate matched to the S7000’s production speed. At 7,000 cpm the rod maker processes approximately 490 meters of continuous tobacco rod per minute.
Step 2 — Rod formation: The tobacco is gathered and compressed into a continuous rod by the garniture section, wrapped in cigarette paper, and the paper seam is glued. The continuous rod exits the garniture at the machine’s operating speed. The integrated digital control system monitors rod density continuously via sensors.
Step 3 — Cutting: The continuous tobacco rod is cut into individual cigarette rod lengths by precision cutting blades. The Protos 70’s automatic quality control system detects and rejects defective rods at this stage — checking for air leakage, loose ends, soft spots, hard spots, and weight deviations.
Step 4 — Filter attachment: The M8000 Filter Tip Attachment receives filter rods from the upstream filter making machine and attaches one filter rod to each cigarette rod using tipping paper. The combined double-length filter cigarette is cut into individual filter cigarettes. Special lasers create the ventilation perforations in the filter tip and tipping paper at this stage.
Step 5 — Quality control and rejection: The Protos 70’s automatic quality control system detects substandard cigarettes across multiple parameters — air leakage, loose end, missing filter, soft spots, hard spots, underweight, and overweight. Defective cigarettes are rejected before reaching the tray filler. The fault system automatically identifies, displays, and logs faults for production analysis.
Step 6 — Tray filling: The F80 Auto Tray Filler receives finished quality-checked cigarettes and deposits them into standard output trays at up to four trays per minute. The automated tray filling system significantly reduces human error compared to manual tray handling and supports consistent downstream flow to the packing line.
Protos 70 vs Protos 80 ER: Key Differences
The two most commonly compared Protos configurations for factory buyers are the Protos 70 and Protos 80 ER. Understanding the differences is essential for buyers deciding which model suits their production requirements. For full Protos 80 ER specifications, see our comprehensive Körber Protos Cigarette Maker guide.
| Feature | Protos 70 | Protos 80 ER |
| Max speed — regular | 7,000 cpm | 8,000 cpm |
| Max speed — slim/super slim | 6,000 cpm | 7,000 cpm |
| Circumference range | 17mm to 28.3mm | 17mm to 28.3mm |
| Rod length range | 65mm to 110mm | 65mm to 110mm |
| Machine weight | 10,800 kg | Higher — Extended Range |
| Quality control automation | Digital sensors — standard | Enhanced QC integration |
| Refurbished availability | Strongest in market | Very strong |
| Refurbished price range | $200,000 – $380,000 | $300,000 – $500,000 |
| OEM new price | $600,000 – $900,000 | $800,000 – $1.2 million+ |
| Best for | Entry to high-speed — 4 to 7B cigs/year | Above 7,000 cpm requirement |
| Parts ecosystem | Deepest globally | Second deepest globally |
The practical decision between Protos 70 and Protos 80 ER is a capacity and budget decision. For factories targeting 4 to 7 billion cigarettes per year the Protos 70 covers the requirement at a lower capital cost. For factories targeting above 7 billion per year the Protos 80 ER’s additional 1,000 cpm becomes the cost-efficient choice at sustained production volume. For a complete decision framework on choosing the right cigarette maker speed tier, see our guide to High Speed vs Mid Speed Cigarette Machine: Which Is Right for Your Factory?.
Who the Protos 70 Cigarette Maker Suits
The Protos 70 suits factories that:
- Target annual output of 4 to 7 billion cigarettes operating on three shifts
- Are entering the high-speed cigarette making tier and want the deepest parts ecosystem and strongest service network available
- Have a capital budget of $200,000 to $380,000 for a refurbished unit or $600,000 to $900,000 for a new OEM configuration
- Produce standard 84mm or 100mm formats as well as slim and super slim cigarettes
- Want the broadest global refurbished machine supply of any high-speed cigarette maker platform
The Protos 70 is not the right choice for factories that:
- Need output above 7,000 cpm — the Protos 80 ER at 8,000 cpm or the M5 at 12,000+ cpm is required
- Require full Industry 4.0 sensor integration — the Protos M5 with approximately 370 quality and process sensors is the correct choice for maximum digital integration
- Are producing exclusively for HNB or next-generation tobacco products — Körber offers specialist configurations for this requirement
Protos 70 Refurbished Market
New Protos 70: Available through Körber Technologies’ North American sales and service network. New Protos 70 configurations typically range from $600,000 to $900,000 with lead times of 6 to 12 months from order. Körber provides full OEM commissioning and warranty.
Refurbished Protos 70: The Protos 70 has the deepest and most active refurbished market of any high-speed cigarette maker globally. Its large installed base means quality rebuilt units regularly become available from factory upgrades as operators move to Protos 80 ER or M5 configurations. Refurbished Protos 70 machines from specialist rebuilders typically range from $200,000 to $380,000 depending on age, reconditioning scope, and configuration.
What to verify before buying a refurbished Protos 70:
- Confirm the S7000, M8000, and F80 serial numbers and verify the configuration against Körber production records
- Verify the digital control system version — confirm it is a current or supported platform with software update access
- Check garniture tape condition and replacement history — garniture tapes are the primary wearing component on rod makers
- Confirm M8000 filter tip attachment condition — tipping drum surfaces and cam wear are the primary failure points
- Verify the quality control sensor array — confirm all detection systems are functional and calibrated
- Check F80 auto tray filler condition and tray handling mechanism wear
- Request a full-speed production test at 7,000 cpm on your specific format before accepting delivery
For a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection framework for all refurbished tobacco machinery, see our guide to New vs Refurbished Cigarette Manufacturing Machines.
Protos 70 Availability in the USA
The Protos 70 cigarette maker is available in the USA through both new and refurbished channels. Körber Technologies maintains one of the strongest direct North American service presences of any tobacco machinery manufacturer — with service offices, parts depots, and trained technicians covering the USA market. For refurbished units specialist tobacco machinery dealers in the USA and internationally regularly list Protos 70 machines from factory upgrades and consolidations. For a complete list of tobacco machinery suppliers in USA see our dedicated suppliers page. For guidance on sourcing and vetting Körber dealers and specialist suppliers, see our procurement guide: How to Source Cigarette Machinery Suppliers in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Protos 70 cigarette maker?
The Protos 70 cigarette maker is a high-speed industrial cigarette making machine manufactured by Körber Technologies under the Hauni brand. It produces up to 7,000 cigarettes per minute for regular diameter formats and 6,000 cpm for slim and super slim cigarettes. It consists of three integrated units — the S7000 Cigarette Rod Maker, M8000 Filter Tip Attachment, and F80 Auto Tray Filler — and weighs 10,800 kg in full configuration.
What is the production speed of the Protos 70?
The Protos 70 produces 7,000 cigarettes per minute for regular diameter cigarettes and 6,000 cigarettes per minute for slim and super slim formats. The maximum tobacco rod forming speed is 490 meters per minute. It supports cigarette circumferences from 17mm to 28.3mm and filter plus tobacco rod lengths from 65mm to 110mm.
What is the difference between Protos 70 and Protos 80 ER?
The Protos 70 produces 7,000 cpm for regular formats while the Protos 80 ER produces 8,000 cpm — an increase of approximately 14 percent. The Protos 80 ER also features enhanced quality control integration and extended range automation. Refurbished Protos 70 machines are available from $200,000 to $380,000 compared to $300,000 to $500,000 for refurbished Protos 80 ER configurations. The Protos 70 has the deeper global parts ecosystem and refurbished market.
What does the Protos 70 automatic quality control system detect?
The Protos 70’s automatic quality control system detects and rejects cigarettes with air leakage, loose end, missing filter, soft spots, hard spots, underweight, and overweight defects. The fault system automatically tests and identifies faults, raises alarms, displays fault details, stops the machine, and logs fault statistics for production analysis.
Is the Protos 70 available refurbished in the USA?
Yes. The Protos 70 has the deepest and most active refurbished market of any high-speed cigarette maker globally. Quality rebuilt units regularly become available from factory upgrades. Refurbished Protos 70 machines from specialist rebuilders typically range from $200,000 to $380,000 depending on age and reconditioning scope. Körber’s North American parts network makes the Protos 70 one of the most maintainable refurbished machines in the USA.
How much does a Protos 70 cigarette maker cost?
New Protos 70 configurations from Körber Technologies OEM channels typically range from $600,000 to $900,000 with lead times of 6 to 12 months. Refurbished Protos 70 machines from specialist dealers typically range from $200,000 to $380,000 depending on age, condition, and reconditioning scope. For a complete guide to cigarette manufacturing machine costs across all speed tiers see our Cigarette Manufacturing Machine Cost guide.
Conclusion
The Protos 70 cigarette maker has earned its position as the global benchmark for high-speed cigarette production through decades of proven performance, the deepest global parts ecosystem of any cigarette maker platform, and Körber’s unmatched North American service presence. For factory buyers targeting 4 to 7 billion cigarettes per year, the Protos 70 — whether purchased new through Körber’s OEM network or as a rebuilt unit from a specialist dealer — is one of the most defensible capital equipment decisions in high-speed cigarette manufacturing. For a complete guide to cigarette manufacturing machine costs and how the Protos 70 fits within the full pricing landscape, see our Cigarette Manufacturing Machine Cost: Full Price Guide 2026. And for a complete overview of all cigarette making machine types and speed tiers, see our Cigarette Making Machines: The Complete Buyer’s Guide.
