EBS 6 KL HC ERGON - Rotary stretch-blow moulders for high-capacity containers with output rate up to 7,200 bph
Starting from the countless technical innovations introduced on the stretch-blow moulders from the EBS KL ERGON range (the letters KL stand for"Kompakt Large") , SMI designers have developed a new series of ultra-compact rotary stretch-blow moulders, suitable for blow moulding high-capacity containers (from 3 to 10 L): the EBS KL HC ERGON.
The new HC models are available in 3, 4 and 6-cavity versions and can reach an output up to 1,200 bph/cavity.
The EBS KL HC ERGON rotary stretch-blow moulders ensure high performances in the stretch-blow moulding of PET, rPET and PP containers, mainly used in the food & beverage sector. The high technological content, the very low running and maintenance costs, as well as the great quality/price ratio make the EBS KL HC ERGON series the ideal solution for producing plastic containers of different capacities, featuring various shapes, both simple and complex.
| EBS 3 KL HC ERGON | EBS 4 KL HC ERGON | EBS 6 KL HC ERGON | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. output (BPH) | 3600 | 4800 | 7200 |
| Bottle size | min Ø = 44 mm max Ø = 215 mm | min Ø = 44 mm max Ø = 215 mm | min Ø = 44 mm max Ø = 215 mm |
| Cavities | 3 | 4 | 6 |
1Preforms feeding
The preforms are transferred from the hopper to the unscrambler through a lifting belt; the unscrambler conveys them to an inclined guide, from where they reach the spacing star wheel at the heating module infeed, by gravitational fall. The star wheel feeds the rotary mandrel chain, through which the preforms are “captured” and let into the heating module.
2Preforms heating
Before entering the heating module, equipped with infrared lamps, each preform undergoes accurate checks, which detect its size and vertical position and automatically eliminate the preforms not compliant with the pre-set parameters. The preforms, supported by the mandrels, start moving along the heating module. During the heating process, the preforms constantly turn around themselves, so as to ensure an excellent and symmetrical heat distribution. The heating module is equipped with two different cooling systems: a liquid-fed cooling system, in order to cool the protection ring preventing the preforms thread deformation during the heating process; an air-fed cooling system, in order to keep the temperature inside the heating module as low as to avoid the exposure of the preforms outside walls to too high temperatures. At the heating module outlet, a sensor detects the preform temperature and compares it with the temperature set point; if the two values do not correspond, it increases or decreases the heating module lamps power.
3Preforms stretch-blow moulding
A special rotary group of grippers picks up the preforms from the oven and sets them into the stretch-blowing stations. The stretch-blowing process includes two phases:
- stretching and pre-blowing, which occur simultaneously through the descent of the motorized stretching rod and the supply of low-pressure compressed air;
- final blowing with high-pressure compressed air, through which the containers take their final shape. A counter-pressure air system ensures the perfect locking of the moulds, whereas the mechanical locking of the mold-holders allows bearing the strengths generated by the stretch-blow moulding process with the maximum reliability. Also the stretch-blowing stations are equipped with a liquid-fed cooling system, which keeps the molds temperature constant.
4Bottles outlet
During the blowing process, an accurate measurement system checks that the process follows the pression profile required. In fact, a pressure drop would alter the container shape which would cause the automatic rejection of the container. The finished bottles are picked from the stretch-blowing stations by another rotary group of grippers and put onto an air conveyor which finally transfers them to the filling machines.
Ultra-compact solution
The preform heating section (tunnel) is integrated with the stretch-blow moulding section (carousel) into a single, extremely compact module, that makes the system suitable for installation even on small bottling lines. Thanks to its compactness, the stretch-blow moulder can be easily transported and the installation and start-up operations can be performed in about two days of work.Rotary stretch-blow moulding system
High-efficiency rotary stretch-blow moulding system equipped with motorized stretch rods, whose functioning, controlled electronically, does not need pneumatic cams. This allows a precise management of the rod path and an accurate control of its position, as well as a significant energy saving.High quality of the bottles produced
The stretch-blow moulding system uses high-performance low dead volume valves, that allow to reduce pre-blowing and blowing times, with advantages in terms of machine performance and quality of the bottles produced.Reduction in consumption
Thanks to the preform heating module, equipped with high-energy efficiency IR lamps, to thermo-reflective panels with ceramic elements and to stretch-blow moulding module equipped with a double stage air recovery system, energy costs are reduced.Safe and easy cleaning and maintenance operations
SMI stretch-blow moulders, characterized by a compact and ergonomic structure, are equipped with slightly rounded safety doors; this allows to have more space inside the machine in order to carry out cleaning and maintenance operations easily and safely.Optimized automation and control
The plant is controlled by Motornet System® automation and control technology that ensures the constant maintenance of optimum parameters during the whole production cycle and the direct change of the machine settings, thus simplifying the format changeover operations.Quick format changeover
The format changeover operations are quick thanks both to the control system the down motion preform feeding tunnel is equipped with and to the system that adjusts the distance between the heating and the cooling module.Precise adjustments
Adjustments are extremely precise; such precision is guaranteed in the tunnel by the new system for adjusting the distance between the heating and the cooling module, controlled by a hand wheel and by a numerical counter, and in the stretch-blow moulding carousel by electronic drives that control the stretch rod.Low wear
The reduction of the wear of the components is ensured by a new motion system of the grippers, based on the preform/bottle grippers without springs equipped with desmodromic cams, by the use of plastic bearings and by the new system of diffusers, without spheres and with gasket, of the preform gripping spindle.Images are for illustrative purposes and data are not binding, as they have to be confirmed by SMI according to the machine user's production conditions and technical specifications.
