PETpla.net Insider 03 / 2012

BOTTLE MAKING 23 PET planet insider Vol. 13 No. 03/12 www.petpla.net model, and by 32% compared to the 2008 version. The blowing wheel, two transfer starwheels, and the oven are each driven by an energy-saving ser- vomotor. With Monotec drive technol- ogy, the total power consumption of these four motors is less than that of a single asynchronous motor. Again, if we compare a Contiform 316 with a vintage 2008, Genera- tion 2 Contiform S18, it is claimed that savings of €24,000 per year can be achieved, assuming a production rate of 36,000 x 1.5l containers an hour, each weighing 28g, and 6,000 operat- ing hours per year. The machine features a new casing, made of aluminium sand- wich panels. The casing can be quickly cleaned both inside and out,. The lubrication-free electro-mag- netic stretching system means that all lubrication points in the blowing wheel above the preform or container mouths have been eliminated. The use of heavy-duty plastic rollers at the transfer star-wheels and for locking moulds in place reduces the amount of grease required for the automatic central lubrication system. This new development halves downtime for cleaning and lubrication, as well as improving hygiene in the entire system. The use of actively controlled transfer clamps helps to reduce PET abrasion at the transfer of PET pre- forms or containers, and the concomi- tant risk of soiling the machine with PET dust. The Contiform 3’s touch-screen is installed on a swivel mounting at the machine. It has a new visualisa- tion system that matches the control panel more closely to the needs and knowledge levels of the operating staff, as a central information and data entry unit. The system is designed to be easy to navigate; enabling all sequences to be handled with intui- tive and unambiguous monitoring and control. The electro-magnetic stretch- ing system enables the stretching distance to be set at the touch-screen for all blow-moulding stations, simul- taneously. The optional MouldStar mould change trolley is claimed to provide ergonomical handling for rapid replacement. Contiform Generation 3 has been developed in sizes ranging from eight to 36 blow-moulding stations, ena- bling outputs of up to 81,000bph. The machine can also be directly blocked and synchronised with a filler or with both a labeller and a filler, in the ErgoBloc L. Heatset and small-cavity versions will be available from mid- 2012, which will also see the integra- tion Contipure for preform decontami- nation. www.krones.com The Krones Contiform 3 has been developed insizes ranging from eight to 36 blow-moulding stations