A single-lane approach to maximum output
In order to realise a resource-saving, fault-free high-speed filling process even in beverage can lines with little space H.F. Meyer Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, Domino Deutschland GmbH and HEUFT SYSTEMTECHNIK GMBH have developed a joint complete solution in a partnership.
Filling capacities of more than 100,000 units per hour are not uncommon in beverage can lines. With the right equipment for conveying, marking and in-line inspection of the practical containers even before filling, even more is possible. At speeds of over 120,000 cans per hour, however, the performance limit is reached. By then, at the latest, conventional solutions no longer succeed in supplying the filling machine for full productivity in one lane, but only in two – with corresponding additional requirements for aggregates, components, space, energy and costs.
Beverage can fillers who want to save space and conserve resources must therefore make do with a lower output. Until now! The remedy is now a newly developed compact all-in-one solution for which three experienced suppliers have pooled their competences to enable this target group, too, to achieve a significantly higher output in the same time.
Empty can handling and inspection at top speed
Without an additional lane, the filler can be continuously and harmoniously supplied with fault-free, permanently marked empty cans even when the line speed exceeds 120,000 units to be filled per hour. The clever combination of vacuum transport systems from H.F. Meyer, laser coding from Domino and empty can inspection from HEUFT achieves this using only one infeed lane.
While the HEUFT canLine II systems carry out the top-down inspection of each empty can in order to detect all the faults which are critical for productivity and product quality, from indentations in the flanged rim of the neck finish to damage and contamination in the sensitive shoulder area directly underneath to dented or polluted inner walls and foreign bodies on the base, the HYVAC vacuum conveyor from H.F. Meyer transports them, safely vacuumed, close together at high speed along the detection stations.
Vacuum transport, laser coding and code verification
For reliable high-speed coding with the Domino F720i fibre laser, they are then transported over the HYTRANS vacuum bridge from H. F. Meyer in such a stable manner that best-before dates and other information can be applied pin-sharp and permanently to the outside of the can base. An intelligent colour sensor camera from HEUFT reads them back and verifies the contents in the same process. The fact that the coding takes place before the filler instead of after the pasteuriser as is usually the case saves the time-consuming double turning of full cans.
The HEUFT pusher consistently rejects all empty cans which are identified as faulty so that only faultless ones reach the filling machine. They can be securely filled and closed and are clearly labelled so that they are transported there via only one lane. The fact that this now works reliably even with line performances of more than 120,000 beverage cans to be filled is the result of the successful cooperation between the three high-performance partners.
Trade show premiere at drinktec 2022
The joint all-in-one solution will soon be available to anyone who wants to achieve safe handling, clear marking, precise in-line inspection and fault-free beverage can filling at top speed in a very confined space without incurring escalating costs. It will be exhibited at the H.F. Meyer stand B4.223 at drinktec and the HEUFT canLine II empty can inspector will be on show again in the same hall at the HEUFT stand B4.319/512. The F720i fiber laser is one of the highlights at the Domino stand C6.449
