Ware handling
� Stable, high-speed transferring.
Integrating speed and stability: the ware handling goal T
he speed and the efficiency of an entire hollow glass container production line is reliant on good quality ware handling. Production speeds on today’s Quad Gob, 12-section forming machines are rapidly approaching the 760 bottles-per-minute mark and critically it is at the hot end where good quality containers can be lost. It is essential the equipment is set up correctly to optimise ware handling. It can take the same amount of time to set up a machine correctly as it does to set it up incorrectly. Therefore it is logical that an integrated ware handling system that incorporates the elements of ware handling machinery into one unit could be the key to assisting consistent and correct equipment set up. Such a system should combine the disparate elements of IS machine conveyor drive, Ware Transfer drive, IS machine Intermediate (dual) belt conveyor drive and an integrated cross conveyor idle end. Add to this a proven, high-speed transfer unit and an increase in the pack rate into the lehr of 3% is certainly achievable. The ITS-1000 system is engineered to enhance the stability of containers as they make the transition through 90 degrees. There are several factors to successful transferring of containers:
� Position of containers on the IS machine conveyor. � Stability of the container in the transfer pocket. � Stability of container entering the cross conveyor. � Position of container on the cross conveyor. The synchronisation between the containers on the machine conveyor and the transfer pockets is critical and with poor set up of the sweep-outs and not compensated for belt stretch, a misalignment of containers is detrimental to consistent ware handling. To counteract unequal positioning, the VFT-2000 highspeed transfer features an elongated leadin to an already enlarged transfer curve, ensuring that the misaligned containers are collected, guided and stabilised prior to entering the transfer curve. Once in to the transfer pocket, the changing direction of the container subjects it to varying adverse forces, decreasing its stability. The role of an intermediate belt is to provide consistent momentum in one single direction, which in turn holds the container firmly in the transfer pocket. This secondary belt should have the ability to have its speed adjusted, either independently, from
the software of the Sheppee Triflex servo lehr loader or from the IS machine drive system’s control software. The intermediate belt should also be considered as a replacement for the traditional transfer dead plate, often looked upon as an area of concern for the stable movement of containers and as a potential source of thermal shock being imparted to the base of any article passing over it. The 150mm width of the moving silent chain conveyor belt eradicates the need for the wide, static transfer dead plate, reducing it to little more than a 30mm transition strip. This minimises the amount of friction generated at the container base and also removes another source of instability or un-evenness at this critical point. A further benefit is that the plant’s inventory gets smaller as frequent dead plate changes are no longer required. As the container is transited through the transfer curve, the transfer can reduce the container spacing, and in some cases by 18%, eliminating the necessity of decreasing the cross conveyor speed to reduce container spacing, in turn helping to sustain high production speeds.
Continued>>
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Andy Ross* describes how an integrated ware handling system, could be the key to assisting consistent and correct equipment set up. The system is in place at Turkish glass manufacturer, Gürallar Cam Ambalaj, with successful results.
41 Glass International December/January 2017
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