KHS has developed a new, horizontally arranged Feedflow feed module, for conveying very light preforms to the InnoPET Blomax stretch blow moulder “quickly and extremely gently”, with a maximum output of 84,000 preforms per hour.
According to the filling and packaging equipment manufacturer, the new Feedflow unit is “reliable and gentle”, even at high speeds.
As opposed to the traditional infeed by discharge rail, the Feedflow method actively conveys the preforms along the horizontal feed segment in a targeted flow of air.
The frequency-controlled blower motors on the Feedflow ensure a constant and reliable flow of materials to the blow moulder, which also ensures a high permanent level of line availability.
“The preform weight and quality, infeed angle, surface properties of the discharge rail, temperature and humidity are all factors that influence reliable transportation and conveying speed,” KHS says.
“This complexity can pose a risk to the course of production and line availability.”
With Feedflow, preforms are fed into a preform silo with an optional silo lid to protect the preforms from foreign objects – for very sensitive products that have a higher hygiene requirement the company’s Feedmax system can be fully enclosed.
From the silo the preforms travel along an inclined conveyor to an interim conveyor, which discharges into the preform sorter.
At the end of the sorter the preforms are fed in one lane to a discharge rail or, depending on the application, onto the active, horizontal Feedflow conveying segment.
The traditional discharge rail makes use of gravity to generate the required accumulation pressure, which keeps the preforms continuously moving towards the stretch blow moulder.
www.khs.com
