NEW EVENT! Cutting-edge Trends for Every Industry at PACK EXPO Southeast
Discover packaging & processing solutions for all industries at the all-new PACK EXPO Southeast in Atlanta, GA, March 10-12, 2025
LAST CHANCE! Register ASAP for $30

A switch to plastic at Beam

PET bottles for Beam’s spirits bring a revamped packaging line to the Frankfort, KY, plant. Unscrambler, vision inspection, and wraparound case packer are all new.

Servo-driven case packer
Servo-driven case packer

A recent switch from glass to PET on three bottle sizes at the Frankfort, KY, plant of Beam Global Spirits & Wine required three new pieces of packaging equipment.

“The project was driven by the potential for cost savings,” says corporate packaging engineer Robert Land. “Not just the cost of the bottle but the corrugated, too. The wraparound case we now use is cheaper than the case we used before because with plastic bottles there is no need for a partition insert to keep the bottles from rattling against each other and possibly breaking.”

The newly installed case packer at Beam is the Axiom from Douglas Machine.

“We looked at several options, and we saw the Douglas machine at other plants in the spirits manufacturing sector,” says Land. “We liked how flexible this machine is. We do 200-mL bottles in a 48-count case and 375-mL bottles in a 24-count case. And in the future we’ll be looking at other configurations. The servo-driven Douglas machine makes it easy to switch from one to another.”

The case packer’s servo-driven functionality is in plain view when it comes to flap folding. Flap traps and minor-flap tuckers are servo driven to control their speed and timing. Servo-driven flap traps operate consistently at all speeds to capture the case during setup, one of the most critical areas affecting efficiency. Precise control of tucker speed and timing is the best method for folding at the flap score line.

New e-book on Flexible Packaging
In this e-book, you’ll learn key considerations for vertical and horizontal f/f/s and how to choose between premade bags and an f/f/s system. Plus, discover the pitfalls to avoid on bagging machinery projects.
download
New e-book on Flexible Packaging
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for All Industries at PACK EXPO Southeast
The exciting new PACK EXPO Southeast 2025 unites all vertical markets in one dynamic hub, generating more innovative answers to your production challenges. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity for your business!
REGISTER FOR $30!
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for All Industries at PACK EXPO Southeast