Packaging
Krones premieres a complete wet-end BLOC
Monday 14. September 2009 - The ErgoBloc L: stretch blow-moulding, labelling and filling in a single unit
Krones AG, Neutraubling, Germany, has created a complete wet-end BLOC, comprising a blow-moulding machine, a labeller and a filler for producing and filling PET containers, now being premiered as the ErgoBloc L (for “Liquid”).
The ErgoBloc L consists of a Contiform S16 blow-moulding machine, BLOC-synchronised directly with a Multimodule labeller featuring two Contiroll stations for prelabelling the freshly blow-moulded containers. The labeller in its turn is BLOC-synchronised with a Volumetic VODM-PET filler, featuring an upstream base-cooling unit. The entire system has been designed for an output of 28,800 containers an hour, and can be used for both still and carbonated beverages. The goals laid down for the development work were to ensure, in comparison with a conventional line, a lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) for the clients, a high level of efficiency combined with an optimised material flow, an improved operator control concept, and a downsized footprint. The ErgoBloc L concentrates exclusively on value-creative functions, saves energy, and is also ideally suited for handling lightweight containers.
Innovative drive technology and an intelligent control concept
The basic problem involved in BLOC-synchronising this configuration is that stretch blow-moulding machines are not variable-speed line components: they either run at their rated speed, or theyre standing still. Now that Krones had solved this conundrum with some innovatively ingenious drive technology and an intelligent control concept in the BLOC, all the preconditions were in place for the ErgoBloc L design.
The labelling technology has also been comprehensively revamped for the ErgoBloc L. This, too, was necessary to enable the BLOC as such to be completed. The most significant innovation here is gap handling up to a speed of 36,000 containers an hour. The closure feed has also been design-enhanced in-house with a new cascading sorter.