THE FUTURE OF BOTTLING

Eight years following on from the Twisterbox patent which has represented a true revolution in the layer formation system, Acmi presents an invention which revolutionises the entire line, tracing a new direction in the future for bottling lines. The "Compact Line" is a concept that enables the whole line to be considered as one whole machine, a single system. In this system the different components work and move in a synchronous manner generating a continuous flow which originates from the filler and terminates with the finished pallet, ready for the warehouse. The traditional accumulation tables that have the task of harmonising the different efficiencies of the single machines disappear, offering the following advantages:

• reduction in space
• reduction in purchase cost
• reduction in maintenance and functioning costs
• elimination of the stress on the bottle due pressure and squashing of bottles on the accumulation table

As previously mentioned, the idea of the "Compact Line" revolves around the Twisterbox, one of the most efficient machines present on the market for the layer formation. In this version the Twisterbox has been integrated with a robotic palletiser and automatic feeding of the pallets along with the interlayers and an extremely compact pallet stretch wrapper, equipped with automatic spool change over.

This re elaboration of the Twisterbox concept presents the following characteristics:

• a shift from three machines to one single machine
• complete accessibility to the parts inside the machine
• reduction in the possible risks to the operator during the maintenance interventions thanks to the linearity in construction
• reduction in space needed, elimination of conveyors
• reduction in maintenance and repair costs (seeing that it is one whole machine with standardised and industrialised mechanical parts)

Following along the line, we encounter yet another element which has contributed to the birth of the concept "Compact Line":  the Fenix shrinkwrapper. Equipped with extreme efficiency, the use of this machine allows the elimination of accumulation both at the infeed and outfeed. The version in object is equipped with an external spool reel change over which prevents stopping the shrinkwrapper during the operation of substituting the film, this also guarantees further safety to the operator. The new protection system with sliding crankcase allows for complete access to the heart of the machine as it can completely disappear in the oven area.

At the outfeed of the filling - capping block the "Complete Line" presents a one way dynamic accumulation table which drastically reduces the pressure on the full bottles allowing for thinner containers to be used. 

The entire system is commanded by a single point which controls the various components of the line based on the production capacity of the filler, all of which is carried out by means of a single control panel. The automatic change over of the various spools, the robotic feeding of the consumer goods (film, interlayers and pallets) allow the entire line to be run by one single operator. This goes to show that this is yet another technological revolution that Acmi introduces to the sector, moving the attention of the end of line producers towards efficiency, reliability and simplicity of use and also considering the filler block as an integral part of a single machine, a sole system where the advantage for both the customer and the environment are evident, these being: energy and material saving, improved management of spare parts and reduced maintenance, reduction in the surface space occupied and less personnel required.