Krones ups PET speed
upped the output of its Contiform S series of stretch blow-moulding
machines to 1,800 containers per cavity and hour, at the same time,
an optimisation package is said to have significantly downsized the
compressed air consumption, and thus the energy requirement.
Both will be demonstrated in high-speed runs by Krones at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre. The company says that the performance figures have been achieved in shop-floor conditions and will now be proved at the show. The exhibition stand will feature a Contiform S24 with 24 cavities rated at 1,800 containers an hour, producing 600-ml PET bottles, plus a Contiform S10 with 10 moulds for 1.5-l containers, likewise rated at 1,800 containers per cavity and hour. This machine is equipped with the Air Wizard energy optimisation package.
The machine has been designed for a two-stage process and comprises a blowing wheel and a linear oven arranged next to it. The modularised construction enables the two components to be matched to each other so as to ensure optimum machine efficiency. The equipment can produce PET bottles with volumes of up to 3.0 l or also wide-neck bottles. They conform precisely to the specified dimensions, and excel in terms of high stability.
In order to meet each individual customer's requirements, the Contiform S is available in a choice of different sizes. Depending on the number of blow-moulding stations and the bottle size involved, up to 12,800 containers an hour can be produced with the S8 model, and up to 44,800 containers an hour with the S28 machine. The small-cavity model Contiform SK achieves an output of no less than 60,000 containers an hour.
Krones says that the line of equipment is easily accessible from all sides through generously dimensioned hinged doors, and can accordingly be changed over quickly and easily to a new container size. At the same time, the moulds can be replaced at up to three locations, and the handling parts for the preforms replaced at another position. Since the number of transfer points for preforms and bottles has been restricted to the absolute minimum, there are only a few handling parts involved, which are, moreover, fitted with quick-change systems.
The Air Wizard optimisation package comprises a variety of technical upgrades, enabling air consumption in the Contiform S stretch blow-moulding machine to be substantially reduced. The downsized requirement for compressed air leads to savings in the operating costs, so that even with an average level of machine capacity utilization, the company claims that investing in the package can pay dividends.
Air Wizard is composed of three modules, for reducing the dead space volume, the final blow-moulding pressure and the final blow-moulding air. This means that given the appropriate prerequisites and optimum conditions in the individual phases of the operating sequence, Krones claims that cost savings in air consumption of up to 25 per cent are possible. As a result the company estimates that with a Contiform S16, the reduction can add up to more than €100,000 a year.
