Standard-Knapp said its Zero-Gap II infeed monitor employs electronic sensors to monitor and control product movement, reducing downtime. The monitor is able to maintain a constant low line pressure, without causing blockages, the company claimed. As Zero-Gap II fills lanes and product accumulates in the low pressure area, its sensors signal the conveyor to increase its speed, maintaining balance. Each of these lanes continue to carry the product downstream. As the lanes narrow the monitor ensures the bottles line up with the machines individual guides. "By monitoring the product lanes and controlling the conveyor speeds accordingly, the Zero-Gap II Infeed allows product to enter these lanes with very low pressure and no gaps," the company claimed. The monitor can be used in the soft drink, beer, wine, food, and household product sectors, the company suggests. "Changeover is easily accomplished by initial setup parameters which allow operators to complete changes with repeatability and without the need to adjust settings during production," stated Standard-Knapp. It is designed to be installed between the upstream product conveyor and the original infeed of the machine. It can operate at speeds of up to 2000 bottles per minute with round containers of all sizes, the company claimed. The Zero-Gap II Infeed is compatible with a variety of platforms, including tray packers, shrink bundlers, intermittent motion case packers and rotary packers.
