Each line begins with a Bradman Lake all-servo AMI/S 900 stroke/min double-head carton erector. Both magazine and blank feed are adjustable for easy handling and quick changeover between different formats.
The female dies for the plug-in tools were developed and manufactured in CFP, a high-strength, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, almost halving their weight. They are reportedly the world's first forming tools made of the material.
From the erectors, formed boxes are fed to the carton management system by a vacuum supported discharge belt. A side belt and servo control system exactly positions the open topped cartons below the four discharge hoppers of multi-head scales.
During filling, hoppers are lowered into the cartons to stop tabs falling out and the contents levelled by an oscillating conveyor on the way to the closer. The lugless FCC Compact 3 three-flap carton closers feature special overhead conveyors comprising a series of flexible rubber fingers. Any overfilled cartons are easily closed without jamming. After closing the front flaps servo-driven toothed belts guarantee an accurate 90deg turn and convey the cartons to a second section for end flap closing.
