Krones Neutraubling is readying to launch a number of new technologies specifically aimed at brewers at the forthcoming BRAU Beviale 2003 in Nuremberg, Germany.
A new generation of software has been created to optimise the firm's monitoring technology - the compact-size Linatronic empty-bottle inspector is on show in an enhanced-hygiene design, and a sleeving labeller is now available as an inline model. A rotary-column robot swivels by 360°, and a screw-capper uses servomotors for ultra-accurate torque adjustment.
Sleeve labeller as an inline model
For special dress ideas in the lower speed range, Krones has expanded its labeller portfolio centred around the Sleevematic DS (Direct Sleeving) to include the Sleevematic Inline, available as an inline machine fitted with either one or two cutting units.
Sleeving technology has quite a few operational advantages, namely that there's no need to clean the machine after every shift and that the machine doesn't have to be run empty when there's a halt in production. Since no glue is needed, there is consequently no glue heater either. What's more the shrink-sleeve can simultaneously serve as a tamper-evident seal.
Premiered at the BRAU Beviale 2003, the Sleevematic Inline is said to achieve speeds of up to 20,000 bph with one cutting unit, and twice this output with two cutting units.
New compact-size Linatronic in enhanced-hygiene design
Krones has responded to express requirements for increased hygiene with the Linatronic K735, which has also had simultaneous improvements to the electronics and the mechanical construction as well.
For the first time, an inspector has been constructed in enhanced-hygiene design. A new software package reduces erroneous rejection of good bottles thanks to better detection of objects such as water droplets on new PET containers, plus automatic monitoring of the camera image. If soiling phenomena occur repeatedly and at the same position on the containers being inspected, they are recognised as faults being caused by the containers' surroundings, and the operator is alerted.
In its compact, downsized version, too, the Linatronic K735 can be fitted with all available inspection units and its output remains at a maximum of 72,000 bph, the company says.
Panoramic robot with a swivelling range of 360°
Robots are a particularly attractive option in the brewing and beverage industries when they possess multifunctional capabilities. Krones' triple-axis rotary-column 3A robot has been proven in operational production. However, its operating range was restricted by a swivel movement of 2 x 110°. At the Brau Beviale, Krones will be presenting the new version with a rotary column: the Robot 3A-R can now utilise the full swivelling range of 360°, and can thus move to different pick-up and set-down positions at any point of the entire circle.
The 3A-R robot can handle a multitude of different applications. As a palletiser for non-returnables, it uses a shutter-type head to reach speeds of up to 300 cycles an hour, while as a palletiser for returnables, featuring a hook gripper head, it can even manage 500 cycles an hour. A combined version for palletising/depalletising returnables achieves 200 layers an hour for the loading and unloading functions, making 400 cycles an hour in total.
Aseptic capper with servo-controlled closing head drive
Mid-2003 saw a world premiere for a radical re-design of the screw capper. This concept, which restricts machine components above the bottle guides to the absolute minimum necessary, is said to optimise the microbiological conditions involved so as to ensure aseptic closing. By incorporating servo-controlled closing head drives, Krones says it is now able to respond to all closing-related wishes. Besides an ultra-precise closing force, this system can also cope with different closure sizes, tightening torques and thread configurations. Complete-coverage monitoring of all closing functions, with concomitant documentation, offers maximised quality.
The servo-controlled closing head drives are also available for non-aseptic plastic-closure cappers.
New generation of software systems for monitoring technology
Krones has also developed a new platform called DART (Distributed Architecture for RealTime), which will step by step replace the existing generation of control technology systems in inspectors and monitoring units. DART is initially being installed in the monitoring equipment for Checkmats in the wet end and the Sekamat.
The system will be used wherever conventional control technology like PLC is not a viable option, because either the real-time requirements are too stringent, because the units cannot be built in a sufficiently compact size, or because they would quite simply be too expensive.
With DART, the company says that users are now able to have all monitoring applications maintained and adjusted via teleservice, an option hitherto available only with the IRIS technology in inspectors like the Linatronic.
Mecafill filler for the privately owned Stöttner Brewery
Andreas Stöttner, president of the Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Breweries in Bavaria, and patron of the BRAU Beviale - has opted for kit from Krones in his own company. The privately owned Stöttner Brewery in the Lower Bavarian community of Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg will be installing the Mecafill VKPV exhibition machine, with an hourly output of 10,000 bottles, together with a Checkmat inspection unit.
The filler is equipped to handle a wide range of different products, bottles and closure designs.
Krones will be exhibiting a wide range of its equipment at Hall 7, Stand 620 during BRAU Beviale 2003 in Nuremberg, Germany, 12 - 14 November, 2003.
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