Plate conveyors SMF

Plate conveyors (chain, mechanical) are used for horizontal transport of full bottles (or other containers), packs (cartons, boxes) and other products of repeatable dimensions and weight. Plate conveyors can be used for feeding, receiving and buffering various types of packaging, therefore they are often used on production lines.

The conveyor allows you to connect the machines working on the production line, enabling its automatization. The advantage of plate conveyors is the high steady of the movement, the possibility of adjusting the speed and buffering the product.

Plate conveyors can also be used to transport empty bottles (e.g. when the shape of the bottle is not suitable for transport on an air conveyor). In this situation, a vacuum plate conveyor is used, which enables safe transport of an empty bottle.

Single or multi-row structure

The plate conveyor can have a single or multi-row structure. Multi-row plate conveyors, allow to buffer the product on the production line so it is possible to reduce the distance between machines in the line and their smooth operation. The final layout of the plate conveyors – its length, width, type of modules – straight-line, curve, – is determined individually depending on the type of product, line efficiency, available space and other, individual customer needs.

In this type of conveyors, the transport system is based on a plate chain, which can be made of plastic as standard, or optionally – of stainless steel or a special low-friction material (material ensuring a low coefficient of friction). In modular conveyors, the movement is executed with the use of a modular belt.

Safe to use

The plate conveyor is equipped with side boards (rails), which ensure safe guidance of the packaging on the conveyor. As a standard, the railing is made of a two or three stainless steel pipes with a diameter of approx. 12 mm (depending on the height of the package). However, in cases where friction reduction is required, the contact part of the railing may be made of Teflon or the side railing may be made of rolls.

In the case of complex systems of plate conveyors, it is necessary to use a chain lubrication system. Lubrication can be done with the water and detergent (open or optionally closed system). The water solution is supplied to the lubrication points and then dosed onto the chain by a system of nozzles (the excess is discharged to the drip trays located under the conveyor). In a special version, it is possible to use dry lubrication, the lubricant is spread over the surface of the chain by means of a system of brushes to which the lubricant is automatically dosed (no need to use drip trays). In special cases, when it is necessary to lubricate the lower and upper part of the chain, the transporter can be made in the premium version – with the use of a system of high-pressure nozzles distributing special grease on both surfaces of the chain.

Addition Dew Blow / Air Knifes device on the conveyor

In case when the product has low-temperature during filing (e.g. milk), the surface of the bottle can be wet because of the condensation. It makes difficult to apply the label properly or pack in a cardboard box. In such a situation, it is possible to install a Dew Blow / Air Knifes device on the conveyor. The device is designed for air drying of the surface of filled bottles while bottles are moving on the plate conveyor.

In the long conveyors lines, it is necessary to transfer the product from one section of the conveyor to the other one conveyor, i.e. connecting individual conveyor modules with each other. As standard, it is carried out by the side system – by redirecting the product with the system of side boards (railings). In the special version, it is possible to use the “safe transfer” system and to connect other modules frontally (forehead to forehead in a straight line). This system requires the use of transitional roller modules that ensure the stability of product transport during the transfer of the product between successive conveyor segments.

The ability to adjust the speed of the plate conveyor

The speed of the plate conveyor is adjusted to the efficiency of the production line. Each drive is equipped with an inverter and its speed can be adjusted using potentiometers located on the conveyor’s control box. At the customer’s special request, it is possible to set the speed for each drive from the operator panel. In this case, the speed of each drive will automatically adjust to the current speed of the production line.

For the most demanding customers, it is possible to make the so-called Intelligent control. By installing a system of sensors on each segment of the conveyor and linking them to signals from machines running on the line, work speed of the entire line can be synchronized and optimized. In practice, this makes it possible to evenly cover each segment of the plate conveyor with bottles (or other goods) and prevents the accumulation of bottles on the part of the conveyor.

Transport empty bottles machine

The air conveyor (pneumatic conveyor) is used to transport empty bottles between machines working on one filling line as well as to buffer the bottles enabling automatic operation of the line. Most often they are used to transport an empty PET bottle from the blowing machine to the filling machine (filler).

The bottles are moved using the air stream generated by radial fans. The air stream goes to the air channel and next it is directed to the slides which transport the bottles. The speed of the bottles’ movement can be regulated by increasing or decreasing the amount of air generated by the fan (manually or with an inverter).

The number of fans depends on the line layout and is calculated individually for each project in order to ensure the smooth movement of the bottles and energy savings. On the air conveyor, the bottle is attached by the neck – using a special slide, adapted to its shape and made of special materials.

The air conveyor is equipped with adjustable rails to guide the bottle

The rails hold the bottle in the correct position, prevent it from swinging and blocking to ensure stable transport.

The rails can be adjusted to bottle’s diameter and height to ensure correct work for bottles of various sizes and shapes. In case of changing the bottle format, the rails can be adjusted manually or using pneumatic actuators.

Conveyors offered by SMF are built of easy-to-assemble module

The number and type of modules (straight sections, bends, inclines, slopes) as well as the method of mounting the transporter (on legs, suspended from the ceiling, attached to the walls), the number of fans and the type of execution (standard, special, ultra clean) is tailored to the individual requirements project. The entire conveyor system is connected into one unit, which is operated by a control box (electric box). This system is also equipped with the sensors that enable the exchange of signals between machines in the line and the coordination of their work. In addition, the conveyor system can be equipped with an adder or divider (to connect or divide the bottles for subsequent transporters), with an elevator (to adjust the height of the conveyor) or the so-called a drop gate that allows you to remove the excess number of bottles.

Ensuring Aseptic Conditions with the Ultra-Clean Air Conveyor

In a situation where there is a need for the higher level of the hygiene, it is possible to make the air conveyor as ultra clean version. In this version, the entire conveyor has a polycarbonate housing and, additionally, air filters are installed on the fans.

The transport of bottles in the ultra clean conveyor takes place in a closed environment. In order to prevent contamination from penetrating from the outside, a slight overpressure is additionally generated inside the conveyor. The bottles are moved by blowing filtered air, which prevents secondary contamination from the outside.

Automatic filling machine

Linear Filling machine MP 6-2.B.L.02 is designed for water filling and suitable for PET bottles with the volume up to 10L. Working speed of this filler is 1000 bph of 5L. This machine is built of two modules – for water filling (with four filling nozzles) and capping (with one capping head).

Water filling module is responsible for the water supply as well as operation of valve mechanism. The capping system includes the following components: a cap orientator, cap’s feeding tray, a transport mechanism and a capping mechanism.

The machine is of a linear type – in each sequence of machine movement, a batch of 5 bottles is moved successively to the filling and capping section. Water filling machine is fully covered and filling and capping parts are connected and installed on the feeding conveyor and discharge conveyor.

Good equipment of the machine

Machine is equipped with block, shut-off mechanisms, conveyor clamps are equipped with frequency converters, all operations are automated. The complete machine is controlled by one PLC and is operated with one operator’s panel.Linear Filling machine MP 6-2.B.L.02 is fully automatic machine with gravity filling system and can work in filling line with speed 1000 of 5L bph -as a set with SMF blowing machines (e.g. two Jumbo 5 blowers or Optima 2/1).

Best EU Filling Machine

This machine was made in EU and meets all EU quality and safety standards. All contact parts are made of 304 stainless steel (optionally 316).

Buying SMF machine which is built of high quality components and equipment with reputable brands (like Festo pneumatic cylinders, Siemens PLC, Danfoss inverters, IFM sensors and others), you can be sure the quality and trouble-free operation for many years.

Together with our EU partners, SMF develops and delivers also rotary fillers (modern Tribloc). This solution can be based on gravity, isobaric, weight or volume dosing product system and speed from 6000 up to 28 000 bph.

Filling machines ideal for dairy products

Filling machines will be prepared according to the customer’s needs and can be suitable for many types of products – milk & dairy products (fresh milk, ESL with 21-28 days shelf-life or aseptic). We can also manufacture capping machines for almost every type of cap and labeling machines (for self-adhesive, sleeve or hot-melt OPP label).

PET blow molds

Customized solutions: PET bottles – blowing molds

Design of the bottle shape has to be customized to the buyer’s needs & market requirements.

Product packaging is not only the packaging as such but also:

• it is also one of the key tools of the marketing of the product

• it is also part of the product’s total cost so it affects final price

• it has to be also convenient storage, handling and logistic

• it has to be durable during transport

Design of PET bottles and more

SMF designers will help you to develop best concept for the bottle design which ensure perfect presentation of your product and has got all key features of perfect packaging. Not only we can make design for the PET bottles, but also we produce complete blowing molds – either for new projects or old SMF blowing machines – any time you need refresh visual presentation of your product or you want add new products to you product’s range.

Share with us your ideas and we will help you to make it true. We will provide you solution for your PET bottles so it can be successfully produced on SMF blowing machines.

New concept for PET bottles & new blowing mould

Works on new concept for PET bottles & new blowing mould is divided into following steps:

• Develop, together with the customer, concept of optimal bottle shape.

• Selection of best preform available on the market (shape, weight, supplier).

• Bottle shape design – making drawings of the bottle with its visualization and dimensions.

• Preparing corrections of the bottle project in references to customer’s remarks, preparing of subsequent versions of the bottle drawing according to the customer’s remarks, up to the development of a design that meets the customer’s expectations.

• 3D model the blowing mould -with the possibility of 3D bottle printing.

• Final acceptance of the bottle design.

• Preparing 3D assembly drawing of a complete blowing moulds including all parts needed to install mould on the machine and ordering special type of aluminum according required dimensions

• Writing a program for CNC machines that will allow to accurately reflect the shape and dimensions of bottle in accordance with the approved drawing.

• CNC production and hand polishing of all components.

• Assembling the mould .

• Tests of the blowing moulds on the blowing machine.

• Verifying dimensions of the physical bottle’s samples with dimensions given on the drawing accepted by the client, including verifying filling level.

• Approval of the blowing mould as compliant with agreed requirements.

Best Preform Dumper / Tipper

Preform Dumper is a machine designed for the automation of the production process. Thanks to this solution, the preforms are automatically placed in the preform feeder of the blowing machine. Handling is limited to the replacement octabins of preforms with a forklift. The preform tippler facilitates the PET bottle production process and reduce the number of people needed to operate the line.

Solution for high-performance lines

This solution is especially important for high-performance lines where the operation of the blowing machine requires a large numbers of the preforms.

The parameters of the components used have been selected to enable working with octabins up to 800 kg.

Check our Paper Decoration Machine

“Hood applicator” CERES-3 is a device for applying a decorative, paper napkin on the neck of a jar / bottle. The napkin is fed from a roll, cut according a given dimensions and put above the cap/ neck on a jar / bottle. A decorative napkin is automatically tied with an elastic string after it is placed on the neck of the jar / bottle.

The machine’s construction was based on the well-known and reputable brands such as Mitsubishi, Festo, Wenglor, Weidmuller, Suncor, Murr, Allen-Bradley .

Key features:

· Capacity : 3000 bph or 2500 jars / hour

· Maximum size of the napkin: 150 × 150 mm

· Minimum size of a napkin: 100 × 100 mm

· Bottle / jar diameter: 70–100 mm / 70–100 mm

· Bottle / jar height: 180–280 mm / 100–250 mm

The SMF steam tunnel is designed for shrinking of “sleeve labels” on PET or glass bottles and jars. The device is easy to use and more economical in use than shrink tunnels based on electric heaters. The length of SMF steam tunnel can be adjusted to the customer’s needs and depends on the bottle or jar to process.

The tunnels can be divided into: 2,3,4 and 5 stage steam tunnels. Each thermal shrinkage chamber can have a different steam pressure to obtain the best thermal shrinkage process and steam pressure can be easily regulated (by using handwheel) .

Features:

• all stainless steel construction
• adjustable height and angle of the nozzles
• steam pressure adjustment at the nozzles
• extraction of excess steam from inside the tunnel
• the use of the Spirax Sarco float trap allows for the maintenance of dry, saturated steam
• condensate drain

Model PT8:

Technical data:

power: 0.20 kW

power supply: 400 V / 50 Hz

capacity: up to 4000 bph

steam pressure at nozzles: 0.1-1 bar

shrink temperature 80-95 ° C

dimensions: 2650x1020x2280 (length, width, height)

weight: 550 kg

Model PT12 – power 0.4 kW:

power supply: 400 V / 50 Hz

capacity: up to 14,000 bph

steam pressure at nozzles: 0.1-1 bar

shrink temperature: 80-95 ° C

dimensions: 4000x1020x2280 (length, width, height.)

Weight: 920 kg

PET blowing machines

SMF offers, makes design and installs small and medium speed milk, ESL milk, dairy products, water and CSD products filling lines suitable for the speed 3 000 up to 28 000 bph for 500ml. With our wide range of modern PET blowing machines , system of conveyors tailored & made by us and individual designs of bottles, SMF can meet expectations of most demanding customers.

We offer also solution for water filling lines for big water bottles 3-10L or 10-20L liters which can be also us in water dispenser (as better alternative to polycarbonate bottles – PET bottles are BPA free).

Adapting to customer’s production line

As machine’s manufacturer we can design & adjust the line according customer’s needs & situation & budget and provide technical support. Together with the client we develop layout of the production line and design of the bottle which allows most economical production of the bottles.