We introduce: the HEUFT relax

Gerd Kristandt is a member of the technical team. He developed the principle of the HEUFT relax in his capacity as a specialist for line optimisation. He gave us an account of this based on his background knowledge.

Editorial team:Mr Kristandt what led you to develop the HEUFT relax dispersing unit?

Kristandt:There was a gap in the market for a suitably efficient container dispersing unit with the HEUFT synchron control concept for the transport of containers without stress, which handles material carefully, increases efficiency and is quiet.

Editorial team:Which specific characteristics had to be taken into consideration during its construction?

Kristandt: What mattered here was that the unit is designed to be small and can be easily added afterwards to any existing container discharge tables such as the filler, decapper, labeller etc.

Editorial team: The first system was installed in a brewery. What was the task definition to be solved?

Kristandt: The brewery has a bottling line which is 10 years old, runs at 50,000 b/h and is controlled according to the means available at that time. A very high noise level as well as interference due to an inadequately controlled bottle flow are the result. In addition to this the heavy collisions during the bringing together of the bottles onto the buffer conveyors after the filler outfeed and the labeller caused severe scuffing as well as glass being chipped. HEUFT was asked to resolve this situation and to bring the control technology in line with the latest technological developments.

Editorial team: What are the advantages of installing your newly developed dispersing unit when comparing it to conventional methods for laning containers?

Kristandt:Due to the new HEUFT relax dispersing unit the deceleration areas on the conveyors are considerably reduced. The area which up to now served to reduce the impact speed of individual bottles can now be used as an additional buffer. A further, significant point in its favour is the considerable reduction in noise.

Editorial team:What changes does the newly installed HEUFT relax make regarding the emission of noise?

Kristandt: The bottles are fanned out by the HEUFT relax onto a conveyor running at a very reduced speed using a special distribution function. The typical clinking heard along other lines which occurs when the bottles come together is completely eliminated by the HEUFT concept.

Editorial team: Even when new bottle brands are introduced?

Kristandt:The bottle flow and consequently the noise level always remain constantly low due to the fact that the control of the dispersing unit occurs synchronously integrated with the container brand changeover.

Editorial team: Is the HEUFT relax restricted to certain containers?

Kristandt:This system can be used for nearly all shapes of container.

Editorial team: To what extent could the conveyor speeds be reduced as a result of this?

Kristandt: Conveyor speeds, especially in the case of the first container deceleration conveyor as well as the dispersing conveyor afterwards, were reduced by up to 40%. This alone demonstrates that a considerable reduction in the noise level is achieved. In addition it also becomes apparent how carefully this HEUFT dispersing unit handles the material.

Editorial team: What are the other advantages of the HEUFT relax ?

Kristandt: The complete bottle pool is handled with care. The new bottles in particular remain reusable for a longer period of time and have a better appearance. Scuffing is drastically reduced. The useful life of the complete bottle pool is considerably prolonged and the efficiency of the line significantly increased.

Editorial team:Mr Kristandt, thank you for this conversation and the interesting information.