Designed for use with the company’s WF30 Case Formers, the new FestoTM electro-mechanical servo system has been added to its patented Pin and Dome technology to deliver enhanced control over higher speed case forming, it is claimed.
The enhanced automatic WF30 is said to provide reliable, consistent case forming even with varied quality and types of corrugated. William Chu, the company’s general manager commented: “One of the changes we’re seeing in packaging is an increase in the amount of recycled material being used in corrugated, which is much more variable than non-recycled material, especially at higher speeds. It’s a trend that impacts all aspects of packaging in one way or another.”
Corrugated imperfections
A machine’s performance is affected by the age, size, shape, and design of the corrugated material. The addition of recycled content can exacerbate existing corrugated imperfections, causing additional warp, dimensional variations, and increased fragility.
But the new servo system reacts to the resistance cases present when being opened using a linear actuator. This device sends information to the WF30 control platform which compensates for any variances and maintains a consistent case forming speed.
“The servo system makes continual, automatic adjustments to the Pin and Dome case opening motion to help ensure speed is maintained, regardless of corrugated quality, thickness, or case size,” said the company. “This increases reliability and handling of everything from heavy-duty, double-wall cases to cases made of softer, recycled material.”
Since the servo system is electric, adjustments at higher speeds are automatic allowing rapid response to minor fluctuations in the forming process.
The new FestoTM electro-mechanical servo system is also said to make the WF30 more energy-efficient.
Demanding environments
“In less demanding environments, greater variances in corrugated can be addressed manually,” said Chu. “But at higher speeds, these corrugated variances can impact the time it takes to open cases and can impact case flow across an entire production line, especially over long periods of operation.”
Depending on case size, the WF30 forms up to 30 cases per minute.
The WF30 featuring the electro-mechanical servo system will be available from Wexxar Packaging worldwide by the end of the year.
The equipment costs from $30-$60,000 depending on specification.
The WF30 will be on display at the company’s booth during the Pack Expo trade fair in Las Vegas between October 5-7.