PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2018

INSPECTION 35 PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 07+08/18 www.petpla.net First total bottle inspection solution at NPE 2018 Air Logic Power Systems (Alps) has joined forces with Swiss company IMD Ltd. to provide the blow moulding industry with the first total bottle inspection solution. Alps, the recognised leader of high-speed leak testing equipment has combined its leak testing technologies with IMD’s state of the art IMDvista Vision Inspection Systems. By integrating both leak testing and visual inspection methods into one machine, the new total bottle inspection solution provides a range of quality-control checks, including the detection of leaks, contamina- tion, cosmetic defects, measurement, ovality or other material issues. The combined and linear system can be integrated directly into the production line and enables containers that pass the set criteria to continue down the conveyor, while defective bottles will be rejected into a separate chute. Michael Lawson, General Manager of Alps is thrilled about the partner- ship “In IMD Ltd. we have found a partner that will take our equipment to the next level. We can now offer our customers an integrated system con- taining the latest technologies for their leak test and inspection requirements. The total bottle inspection solution will save space as multiple technologies can be combined in one machine, enabling blow moulding operations to be even more efficient’’. Flex Pitch: multi-moving head leak tester with integrated visual inspection The Alps Flex Pitch is a fast, tool- less, multi-moving head leak tester with the flexibility to test a wide range of empty containers. The maximum speed with two heads is 150 bpm, with three heads 185 bpm and with four heads 250 bpm, depending on bottle size. The machine operates with- out a timing screw, reducing cost for tools and changeover time radically. The new design maximises flexibility as test heads can be pre-set to the required pitch enabling fast change- over between containers of varying diameters. The built in visual inspec- tion unit enables customers to inspect the bottles at the same time, providing more efficient quality control checks. It is ideal for more difficult containers including shingling, reverse-taper and small bottles. Matthias Hermle, CEO IMD Ltd. adds “It is an exciting time for IMD to team up with the Alps team and see our bottle vision inspection solution integrated in the Flex Pitch machine. Our system has unique self-learning tools that make it intuitive and easy to use. This really differentiates it from the other offerings in the market. As quality control in the plastic industry is becoming more and more imperative, we see great potential for the future in our partnership with Alps and an excellent value for customers’’. IMD Peco V3 preform inspection system for inline inspection or resorting There was the U.S. début of the new IMDvista Peco V3. It has a very compact, yet robust design (taking up less than 7m 2 including the sorter), a high output speed of up to 90,000 pph, cavity detection and easy product change without costly replacement of matched parts. This testing system is well adapted for fully automated and optimised preform production processes in the plastics packaging industry, where the early detection of any impurities or faults is becoming more and more important. Peco Lux fully integrated monitoring system for preforms The Peco Lux was also shown at the NPE. With just a few modifica- tions, the Peco Lux can be integrated into all existing production lines with- out taking up any extra space. The IMDvista V5 software is said to be easy to operate and gives a continu- ous overview of production quality, as well as any colour variations and issues a warning immediately if any- thing is running slightly askew. This means that production reliability is guaranteed. Every shot is tested. With Peco Lux, IMD offering a monitoring system to incorporate into all preform production faciliti es. www.alpsleak.com www.imdvista.ch F.l.t.r.: Michael Lawson, General Manager of Alps, Matthias Hermle, CEO of IMD and Heike Fischer, PETplanet Insider, at the Alps booth in the Bottle Zone at NPE 2018 INSPECTION S P E C I A L