PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2018

TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 04/18 www.petpla.net 70 Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity for productions of up to 8,800bph SMI embraces Eco and Industry 4.0 SMI has announced the extension of its Ergon EBS (Electronic Blowing System) range of stretch-blow moulders with the launch of the Ergon EBS K and Ecobloc Ergon 4-12-4 K EV models. New new models offer advanced technology in a compact modular footprint. The machines were presented for the first time at Interpack 2017 and will make their North American debut at NPE. The K designation in the new series stands for the German word “Kompakt”, which means the same as it sounds in English: compact. The design of the new machines builds on the advances and innovations introduced with the original Ergon EBS range. Available in two, three and four-cavity versions, they can produce bottles of up to 3l in capacity. Bottles of 500ml capacity can be produced at a rate of 2,200bph; maximum output for smaller packages is 8,800bph. Efficient preform heating The preform-heating tunnel module is integrated with the stretch-blow moulding carousel into a single, very compact module. SMI says that this allows the machines to be installed even in small bottling lines. The tunnel has a horizontal preform feeder chain and an optimised ventilation and aeration system and its infrared heating units have a system of thermo-reflective panels, made of highly energy- efficient composite material and located both in front of and behind the lamps. These are designed to facilitate high levels of heat reflection and thus achieve more uniform tempera- ture distribution over the entire surface of the preform. The inside of the module is also equipped with an aluminium dif- fuser, to provide optimal temperature control and prevent overheating. The machine frame that contains the tunnel and blowing-wheel features slightly rounded safety doors. These provide a wide opening, enabling easier access to the interior of the machine for cleaning and mainte- nance operations. Electric motors for efficiency and accuracy The stretch-blowing wheel is equipped with motorised stretch rods, controlled by electronic drives. The elimination of mechanical cams enables precise control of the stretch rod’s path and position, and energy savings as well. The stretch- blow moulding system itself uses high-performance, low dead-volume valves that reduce pre-blowing and blowing times. This is designed to improve both machine efficiency and finished bottle quality. Because it is equipped with its own motorisation, the mould’s mechani- cal assembly is able to ensure high standards of precision for both the up/ down motion of the mould base, and the opening and closing of the mould- holder unit, the company states. Automation for cost savings The Motornet System, which provides control and automation, is designed to ensure the constant maintenance of optimum process- ing parameters throughout the entire manufacturing cycle, as well as the direct modification of machine set- tings. These features help to simplify format changeover operations. SMI says that the automatic adjustment of blowing pressure, according to bottle format, offers significant advantages over compa- rable manual adjustment solutions employed on other linear blow-mould- ers operating in the same market seg- ments. The new machines also come with a two-stage air recovery system as standard. South Hall 16085