Syntegon to showcase Kliklok cartoner upgrades for Interpack
pic: Syntegon
German-based equipment manufacturer Syntegon is set to showcase its sector technology at this year’s Interpack, including as new upgrades for its Kliklok endload cartoner BEC, writes Neill Barston.
As one of the machinery firm’s key lines – which is used across confectionery, snacks and bakery markets – it is set to feature an enhanced drive system, human machine interface (HMI 4.0 designed for simpler digital connectivity.
It also has been bestowed with a newly redesigned frame and controls, with the company revealing that it is targeting mid-sized businesses looking to automate their cartoning requirements.
The company will be among a broad range of businesses from around the world at this year’s Interpack, which takes place between 4-10 May in Dusseldorf, which will be returning after a six-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The latest Kliklok BEC offers the benefits of our proven machine series combined with the latest technological advancements to meet the requirements of automated production processes,” Russell Morgan, Technical Sales Director at Kliklok in Bristol, explains. “We put special emphasis on process stability, easy line integration and maximum connectivity with Syntegon’s Digital Service Solutions.
As the business noted, mid-sized companies are in many instances reliant on factory automation to drive their respective growth. This requires reasonably priced and robust technologies that optimally support their production targets.
The company has developed its BEC endload cartoner in response to such demands, having been developed as an entry-level machine, its recent upgrade includes servo motors instead of mechanical drive technology – a key requirement for stable processes.
“Switching to servo technology allows us to ideally synchronise different drive components, securing repeatable product placement. The more precisely products are placed into the cartons, the less rejects and downtimes customers will face,” Russell Morgan adds.
As well as its upgraded drive technology, the BEC’s frame has been redesigned, reducing its footprint while still offering an accessible, operator friendly layout. Beckhoff controls in discrete CPU boxes allow for simple cabling without electrical cabinets, leading to a compact overall layout. The BEC’s reduced footprint particularly lends itself to operating the cartoner on limited floor space. In combination with its hygienic stainless steel execution (IP54), the BEC endload cartoner offers a robust, hygienic and highly reliable cartoning solution.
Digital service connection
As an organisation continues to grow, the requirements for comprehensive reporting will increase, requiring additional connectivity and access to digital services. With its state-of-the-art HMI 4.0, the BEC supports optimal line integration while providing easy access to Syntegon’s Digital Service Solutions. A full range of connectivity options and controls enables customers to easily connect the machine not only to a company’s higher level system, but to integrate it with existing upstream and downstream equipment.
The HMI 4.0 also offers secure connectivity with Syntegon’s own Digital Service portfolio. “Our service solutions support customers in their quest to achieve ever higher levels of OEE by giving them greater visibility of their processes,” Russell Morgan says. “With the HMI 4.0, customers now benefit not only from enhanced connectivity, but the ability to access information on performance down to a component level.”
Comprehensive overview and assistance
According to the company, its HMI control systems have been easily structured to provides production data at the touch of a button: besides tracking key OEE data, machine settings and alarms, the interface guides operators through the machine’s set-up and start-up. Instructional videos assist them during the different steps. Customers who wish to upgrade the latest BEC generation even further can choose from a range of additional options. These include vibration and temperature monitoring of key technical components like bearings and motors. “Those functionalities contribute to reducing downtime, since they allow to schedule pre-emptive maintenance work,” Russell Morgan points out.
At interpack 2023, the BEC will be on display as part of an integrated line to demonstrate the packing of single cakes. A Syntegon Robotic Pick-and-Place (RPP) platform will group place five flow-wrapped pieces into the infeed of the BEC, which will then sideload into them the cartons at a speed of up to 135 cartons per minute.
To this effect, the machine’s patented rotary carton feeder pulls the carton blanks from a stack and fully erects them before the products are securely placed inside, ensuring optimal carton control. Once cartoned, an Elematic 1001 TL case packer will load the cartons into RSC cases using a toploading process. The company will be at Interpack this May, located at booth A31 to B31 in hall 6.
