CONTROL & AUTOMATION
PACKAGING MACHINE
MK PROFILE SYSTEMS
HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE PACKING MACHINE
German company Steffes Pruf- und
Messtechnik GmbH wanted to develop an
innovative packing system to further expand
its automation division.
Restricted space meant that the developers
required a height adjustable andparticularly
compact system.
By using components and modules from the
mk Technology Groups’ aluminium profile
construction kit, Steffes requirements were
met with flexibility and economically.
So whilst the solution was a good one,
this new innovation then needed to be
introduced to the marketplace.
Steffes has been developing and building
complete solutions for checking, picking,
packing and transporting hollow bodies of
various kinds for over 40 years.
Blow moulding machine manufacturers,
packaging specialists or car manufacturers
around the world are among the company’s
customers.
With about 6000 plants worldwide, Steffes is
highly export orientated; 75% of its revenues
are from foreign trade.
100
PECM Issue 34
Requirements of the System
The S-PACK-PAL-T is a fully automatic
machine for packaging various empty
containers such as bottles, cans and
canisters in cardboard trays and subsequent
palletizing of the trays on a pallet.
In addition to requirements such as ‘robust’,
‘safe’ and ‘easy to use’, the machine needed
to have, amongst other things, a packing
height of 3m.
Furthermore, it should have a compact, box-
shaped frame so that it can be transported
best on a lorry or a maritime container.
Equally, some flexibility was required, which
is essential in such systems, especially in the
construction process.
At first glance these specifications do
not seem particularly unusual but during
implementation seemingly simple
conditions prove to be major hurdles
as Christian Becker, Product Manager
of mk knows only too well: “ With new
developments, it is important not only to
ensure that everything works as it should.
Requirements, affecting not primarily the
function or capacity of the machine can
often require structural changes in the
concept.”
For example, the transport and the
introduction of a machine must be
considered, as well as operating costs of the
facility or ergonomics or noise emissions.
And even seemingly quite trivial conditions,
such as physical installations, can greatly
affect the implementation of an idea.
The Genesis of the Idea
The requirement of the 3m packaging
height turned out to be a major obstacle as
the ceiling height at Steffes facilities did not
allow mk to build too tall a machine. Out of
necessity, the developer thought of building
a telescopic frame.
In order to achieve the required height, the
frame should be able to be extended by 1.5
meters. After the concept was finalised the
developer recognised that some additional
benefits were brought by this system.
This design meant the machine could be
transported in one piece on a truck or in a
container therefore it does not have to be
dismantled and reassembled on site.
To see the full range of mk’s conveyors
please visit www.mkprofiles.co.uk or
call (01949) 823751