PETpla.net Insider 09 / 2017

PACKAGING / PALLETISING PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 09/17 www.petpla.net 52 Innokeg AF-C comes with inverse relationship between conveying and processing stations Single-lane keg racking With its new concept KHS now offers several advantages for keg racking. The transversal Innokeg AF-C Transversal (TR) is an efficient and modular solution that can expand together with increasing user requirements. The decisive difference from conventional systems is the inverse relationship between the conveying and processing stations. This special development has been designed especially for the 250 to 700 keg-per-hour capacity range and is also suitable for a wide range of PET kegs. Conventional transversal keg sys- tems are characterised by a module ratio of one processing station to two conveying stations. The processing stations of these systems are located between the infeed and discharge conveyors. The discharge conveyor of KHS’ Innokeg AF-C by contrast is positioned between the processing stations. The kegs are pushed side- ways from this conveyor to these sta- tions and back. Breweries benefit from this innovative concept. In addition to optimising space utilisation, this design also considerably improves the accessibility to the racking and wash- ing stations. Modular design meets increasing requirements A new feature of the modular and material-saving design is that it reduces acquisition costs on the one hand and allows the KHS Innokeg AF-C to grow correspondingly with increasing production volumes on the other. “We group up to four process- ing stations together in one module frame. Thanks to the compact design, this group fits into one shipping con- tainer,” says Roger Daum, Keg Product Manager, explaining the design of the new system. All conceivable cycles are possible within these frames. “Up to four module groups can be com- bined to create a processing machine that operates as a pre-washer, main or combined washer, or as a racker,” Daum adds. In addition to a high level of flex- ibility, this special design is also said to ensure increased efficiency during on-going operation. Processing mod- ules can be easily added and removed from the group. This makes it easy to expand the system with additional modules. This is made possible by the centrally located conveying segment that also improves machine accessi- bility. The ergonomic design provides operators direct access to the process- ing modules without the access-block- ing external conveyors of the common transversal systems to date. Intelligent control system for high machine availability Intelligent keg conveying logistics is of particular importance in view of the compact design and high capac- ity. The processing sequences are simulated and optimised in advance In light of the compact design and the high capacity of the Innokeg AF-C, intelligent keg conveying logistics is of particular importance. The flexible design of the Innokeg AF-C makes it possible to combine up to four module groups in one processing machine. These groups can be operated as a pre-washer, main or combined washer, or as a racker.