Run dry accumulation - improves production
Wineworks in Hastings recently upgraded the back end of their main production line.
A new labeller has been installed to cope with the increased production requirements and the variation in customer labelling specifications. Maud Kirk has been instrumental in designing and supplying chain and conveyor components for the accumulation table which was installed prior to the labeller.
The bottle accumulation allows sufficient time for the operator to change label reels and to splice the join. Rexnord PSTM (Platinum Chain) was chosen for the accumulation table, reducing friction between bottles and chain and to allow for dry running: a prerequisite for labelling dry bottles.
To ensure that the bottles would not jam, each chain was running progressively faster across the width of the table. This was achieved by using a common drive shaft and a variation of sprockets from 17T to 25T – SITI gearboxes and motors were fitted to each section of the conveyor.
The case over-packer was redesigned to allow for increased production and to cope with the output, a 24V DC roller conveyor was installed. This conveyor gives very positive drive allowing the cartons to be initially labelled and turned through 90 degrees for an additional label to be attached.
The 2.4 metre long roller conveyor has 50mm diameter galvanised rollers at 75mm pitch, slave driven by two off ‘Power Moller’ 24V DC rollers via three rib poly-vee belts.
An electronic circuit board is used to control the ‘Power Moller’ R 24 brushless DC Motors without an electro mechanical brake.
Other features include:
- Motor run/stop
- Selection of the direction of rotation of the motor
- Variable speed at constant starting torque using an external voltage (0-10V) stable speed range in relation to load
- Dynamic brake
- Overload protection
- Error signal in case of motor overload acceleration and deceleration regulated motor speed pulse output
- Speed selection via rotary switch
Automatic or manual restart after overload activation.