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The dropper system is a plant used to transfer and collect the elements
coming out from automatic manufacturing machines and can be used in
different fields. In this card we will describe, in all its details,
the system which has been designed and developed to collect and
pack PET pre-forms. The machine is composed of the following parts:
- Pre-forms transport system;
- Primary structure containing the stock area;
- Packing area.
The transport system allows the transfer of the pre-forms from the press
area to the packing. The transport system is generally personalized and it
is connected with the one already existing in the outlet of the press which
makes the pre-forms. The connection between the press belt and that of the
dropper system allows to maintain the two machines separated.
As an alternative, it can also be put as an integral part of the manufacturing
system already used by the customer. The transport system is composed of
horizontal and vertical motorized belts which can vary according to the
available room in the working area of your interest. The belts used have
a loom made of painted steel RAL 9010, with a smooth cloth of white
polyurethan FDA, resistant up to 120°C. The primary structure containing
the stocking area is made of an iron tubolar x 40 mm, thickness 3 mm
painted using a non-toxing paint RAL 9010. Inside the structure you find the
two collecting and stocking areas of the pre-forms. The machine is totally
protected from dust and external agents through panels made of transparent
shock-resistant panels, thickness 4mm. The structure has such dimensions in
order to be able to move standard pakings.
In the central part of the primary structure you can find all the pneumatic
system, which has been made in order to move the hoppers which go up
and down to collect and gently unload the pre-forms from the transporting
belts to the packings. The electric control board is in the external central
part of the machine.
The packing area is composed of two working stations which are cyclically
active. With the word cycle we mean the time necessary to fill a standard
container (from empty to full). The machine has been studied in such a
way so that during a cycle there is a still station and a working station.
In this way you can avoid dead times. As a matter of fact, while on the
active station the stocking of the pre-forms takes place, on the still one the
worker can take out the full container and spot an empty one. A working
station is composed of a hopper made of stainless steel and with an opening
bottom of two wings, of an antidust bellows which protects the pre-forms
during the descent of the load, of sensors for the controlled opening of the
hoppers and of pneumatic devices for their descent and ascent.
Working of the Dropper System.
The working of the machine is controlled by a PLC system.
The device is composed of a text display of 8 lines and 20 types, complete
with an alphanumeric and precodified keyboard, which allows to visualize
state, diagnostic and service information. To start the dropper to the
pruduction cycle, the worker has first of all to synchronize the machine
with the pre-forms press, lay the number of cycles for each hopper, select
the hopper, push start cycle. In that way the engines of the transporting
belts start working and the machine remains in the waiting position.
When the press ends the production cycle, the pre-forms are transported
to the hopper which descends, gently unloading them in the packing.
After the unloading, the hopper ascends and waits for the new cycle end
signal in order to repeat the operation. When the layed cycles have been
reached, the load automatically passes on the other packing. At the same
time you set on the acustic and luminous signaler, which informs the worker
that he can take out the full container and spot an empty one.
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