IDE Online Magazine Julio 2017 | Page 46

Big time saving during format conversions: KHS enables fast conveying mandrel changeovers

In developing a new fast changeover concept KHS has greatly reduced changeover times on its InnoPET Blomax stretch blow molders. The optimized active mandrel now enables format changeover times to be reduced by more than half for all standard neck designs. This new option is of interest to all beverage producers who bottle products with different types of neck.

During a format changeover operators not only switch over the blow molds but other components as well. The conveying mandrel in particular is of especial significance in this process as a full changeover of these format parts was extremely time consuming to date. “Depending on its size a high-performance Blomax stretch blow molder can have around 280 conveying mandrels,” explains Marco Böhnke, product manager for stretch blow molding technology at KHS. When a product is changed over during beverage production and requires a change in the type of bottle neck, to date each individual mandrel had to be exchanged in its entirety.

As part of KHS’ constant striving to improve its lines and machines the systems supplier has now developed a variant which is much quicker to replace, making changeovers ergonomic and tool free without any great force being required. Besides the conveying mandrels the shields, grippers and other parts can now also be easily switched over using quick-change mechanisms; in some cases these can be adjusted without any installation work being required by simply rotating the part.

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