RoseForgrove, the UK packaging machine specialist, has recently fulfilled an order to supply its second RF112 Roll Wrapper to Greek company Papadopoulos who will utilise the machine alongside its existing machine to pack a new range of cream crackers.
One particular pack operation involves roll wrapping a 72 x 65 x 130 long stack of crackers. The packs have an overlap longitudinal seam with double point end folds. Output speed achieved on this particular pack is 60 packs/minute, with a maximum working potential of approximately 65 packs/ minute.
The machinery, which is the first of its type to be manufactured at RoseForgrove`s Nottingham factory, a shared facility with sister company Sandiacre Packaging, is hand-fed by the operatives who transfer the product direct from the oven band to adjustable product flights on the machine`s continuous chain extended in-feed unit.
The wrapping process involves the in-feed unit deploying the product to a transfer plate where a pusher brings the product stack into contact with a pre-cut length of packaging material. The horizontal transfermotion merges the product stack with the film where the longitudinal seal is then formed.
The shrouded product stack is then transported through the machine by a pusher acting on an accumulation of similar shrouded, open ended product stacks. The flaps of the open tube are manipulated by a folding bar assembly which, in a pre-defined sequence, folds the horizontal and vertical flaps and maintains the fold configuration while the fully-formed pack is transported forward to a powered heated drive unit which fuses the four folds together.
Equipped with photo-electric cells for material registration, an advanced basic electrical control system and digital tachometer, the RF112 can roll wrap delicate wafer blocks, biscuits and other similar product types with relative ease, whether they are of round, square or rectangular form, including finger biscuits. Left and right hand models ensure that there is a machine for virtually any environment. Castor units make for full machine mobility and facilitate cleaning operations.
Whilst the Papadopoulos installation is hand-fed, the RF112 also has a range of complimentary semi- and fully-automatic product metering/feeder units.
Product stack lengths of 305mm are accommodated by the RF112 and its associated in-feed unit, while widths and heights (and roll diameter) in the range 44 to 90mm are catered for. The smallest acceptable finger biscuit can be no less than 25mm x 45mm.