Energy saving

SMI stretch-blow moulders of the latest generation make use of Air Master double stage air recovery system that enables to reduce compressed air consumption up to 40% compared to the systems that are not equipped with it. The first system stage recovers the air that is then used for the pre-blowing and the machine service phases, while the second system stage, that complements the first one, takes part of the exhaust air and uses it exclusively for the blowing phase. Even customers who own SMI stretch-blow moulders of the previous generations can benefit from the advantages of this recovery system, by installing an upgrade package.

SMI blow moulders are equipped with panels, made of composite material, that highly reflect the heat generated by the high energy efficiency IR lamps. The reflection process increases the intensity and quality of the thermal radiation to which the preforms are subject, allowing a more uniform heat distribution over the entire surface and, consequently, the reduction of the number of lamps installed in the machine, as compared to traditional heating solutions. This allows customers to reduce the consumption of the electricity related to the power supply of the preform-heating lamps, with energy savings of up to 30% compared to traditional systems that are not equipped with this technology.

SMI blow moulders feature a high-efficiency rotary stretch-blow moulding system equipped with motorized stretch rods, whose functioning, controlled electronically, does not need mechanical cams. This allows significant energy saving, as well as a precise management of the rod path and an accurate control of its position. Moreover, the stretch-blow moulding system uses high-performance low dead volume valves, that allow to reduce pre-blowing and blowing times, with considerable savings in terms of compressed air consumption.

SMI solutions feature a compact design. This means great advantages for the customers in terms of save spacing. In the projects on complete lines, fewer conveyor belts are required, thanks to the machine integration. Moreover, in case of installation of an ECOBLOC® integrated blowing, filling and capping system, customers can save on water consumption, since this compact solution does not need a rinser to wash empty bottles.

SMI shrink wrappers and combi machines can be equipped with methane-heated tunnels, which ensures significant energy and cost saving. For example, if we take into account the average price of natural gas and of electricity in Italy, some tests showed that the installation of a methane-heated tunnel enables to save 61 % on energy consumption compared to tunnels fed by electricity.
Moreover, those who prefer standard heat-shrink tunnels over methane-heated tunnels will also have the chance to save energy, thanks to the improvement of tunnel thermal insulation and air circulation.

There is a range of SMI packers that stands out for its low energy consumption, it is SFP ERGON, a series of automatic machines for the continuous packaging of loose containers and already made packs in stretch film with an output up to 30 packs per minute. These packers are not equipped with a heating tunnel, with considerable energy saving compared to all solutions that are equipped with a heating tunnel; in addition to be sustainable, this machine manufactures high-quality packs: packaging is stable and resistant, thanks to the application of the two film webs in a criss-cross pattern and the space between the packs.

The new ICOS motors installed on SMI machines are equipped with digital servo drives integrated on the motor edges, with the advantage of making the machine wiring easier, as these devices are no longer installed inside the electric cabinet. This new solution allows to generate less heat inside the electric cabinet and therefore does not require the installation of any conditioner for temperatures as low as 35° C, with the advantage of reducing the electrical consumption of the plant.