Read More on:
Send to KindleRobotic handling of bottles sets the bar high
- • To the extent that end-of-line technology would allow, VCP wanted to eliminate scratching or scuffing of the Design Box and of the corrugated shipper.
• VCP wanted to address ergonomic issues wherever possible.
• VCP wanted to reach speeds of 8,500 bottles/hour, which is best in class among its peers.
• VCP wanted the following: maximum automation and as little human intervention as possible; servo-controlled actuation rather than pneumatics wherever possible; simplified operation; fast and easy changeover; and ease of maintenance.
- • 6 bottles each in a Design Box, where three Design Boxes are atop three others
• 12 bottles each in a Design Box, where six Design Boxes are atop six others
• 6 bottles aligned head-to-toe in corrugated trays, where a tray of three bottles sits atop another tray of three bottles
• 12 bottles aligned head-to-toe in a corrugated tray, where a tray of 6 bottles sits atop another tray of six bottles
The WB45.80 wraparound case packer also is equipped with automatically changed end-of-arm tooling. Photo C shows it stacking Design Boxes three layers high for a total of 12 per case. Photo D shows it stacking trayed bottles (in their head-to-toe pattern) two layers high for a total of 6 per case.
Also worth noting is the product orientation capabilities on the line. For example, bottles are turned via a vision system. The bottles are positioned on a mobile stand, and a camera placed above the bottle reads the position of the label and rotates the stand until the bottle is correctly oriented.
Near the end of the line is a Cermex P432.20 automatic palletizer that features a servo-driven collation table. Stretch wrapping of pallets brings the end-of-line solution to a close.
Compared to the more traditional folding carton it replaced, the Design Box requires more paperboard material in its makeup. But VCP claims it is greener than its predecessor for three reasons:
- • Advances in construction, combined with the inclusion of an ingenious F-flute corrugated, permitted the elimination of a polymer coating that was needed on the former gift box.
• The newly designed wraparound corrugated shipper is source-reduced compared to its predecessor.
• The paperboard used by gift box converter SCA Packaging and by corrugated supplier Seybold is FSC certified.
Comments(0)
Add new comment