Combination Machines for Composite Cans
Overview
For the processing of spiral-wound can bodies into composite cans, Blema has developed several compact, modular high-performance machines.
For example, for the production of snack cans (stacked chips), the following operations are performed integrally in one machine:
1. Flanging on the top side of the can body
2. Heat-Sealing a flat membrane
3. Applying a snap-on lid
Two main types of machinery are available
LFM-4
fully automatic rotary indexed machine for medium speed applications
VRMK3
fully automatic continuously operating machine in turret construction for high performance applications
LFM-4 - Design and Function
Layout
A – star wheel transfer unit
B – 2 feed conveyor belts
C – entry
D - infeed star wheel
E – can body processing machine LFM
F – discharge star wheel
G – lid feed belt
H – discharge belt
I – off-transport belt
J – foil web unreeling
K - control cabinet
L - foil waste container
Design and Function
rotary indexing machine with dual working stations
- can infeed from dual lane conveyor via infeed star wheel
- lubrication of the can bodies
- pushing-in to the main turret
- beading station for the unilateral processing of the can bodies on the top end
- pre-beading
- final beading
- membrane blanking unit (dual punch)
- transferring of membranes via vacuum grippers
- heat-sealing station for safe closing of the cans
- pre-sealing
- final sealing
- pushing-off the cans
- feeding the snap-on lids by means of a transport belt
- applying the snap-on lids onto the can
- flanging the cans on the lower side
- discharging the cans onto the exit conveyor
VRMK3 - Design and Function
modular forming and sealing machine for composite cans with continuous working principle in turret design
- modular system which can be easily adapted to different operations and output speeds
- turret principle enables long sealing time
- einfache Anpassung an verschiedene Operationen und Geschwindigkeiten
- Karussellprinzip - lange Siegelzeiten und gleichbleibende Siegeltemperaturen während des Produktionsprozesses
- cam-controlled lifter movements
functions
- fast format change
- fully automatic height adjustment without change parts
- excellent access to the tooling area
- extremely short changeover times using pre-set working heads
- very low maintenance expenditure
- long operating times and trouble-free production due to
- cam driven robust active parts
- high-precision linear guides
- insulation of the tooling and the guidance using high quality thermo-resistant polymeric material
- process monitoring and control of all machine parameters
- adjustable sealing pressure for all tools
- automatic temperature control in each head; separate for inner and outer parts
- automatical ejection of faulty cans / bodies
- quality control (optional):
- no initiation of sealing process while can body or lid is missing
- overheat protection during sealing process
- camera inspection system
safety
- safety enclosure with mechanical or magnetic door switches
VRMK3 - Modules
Infeed
- separating the can bodies by a driven dosing star with integrated monitoring unit
- accelerating the can bodies by a double infeed screw and transferring to the first module by an infeed star
Module 1 - Flanging
- beading at the upper end of the can with heated or unheated die flanging tools
- die flanging or calibrating at the lower end of the can
- axial fixing of the cans by vacuum suction or mechanical ejection with segmented tools
Modul 2 - Membrane manufacturing and heat-sealing
- with integrated or external membrane manufacturing unit
- external: feeding of drawn membranes via belt or air conveyor
- integrated:
- unreeling with loop control
- tab cutting from reel and tab heat-sealing to the membrane
- single servo die cutter
- with or without scoreline
- feeding of membranes to the sealing turret via dosing star
- inserting the deep drawn membrane cups into the can
- heat-sealing of membrane and can wall with heat contact technology
Modul 3 - Application of snap-on lid
- bending downwards of the stay-on tab
- feeding the plastic snap-on lids by means of a conveyor belt
- optionally an automatic cap sorter with bunker is available
- applying the snap-on lid to the can
Discharge
- controlled transfer of the finished cans to the discharge belt by means of a double transport screw
- pneumatic ejection unit for faulty cans
- optional with camera control
Technical Data
| COMBINATION MACHINES | lfm-4 | VRMK3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| no. of stations | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| performance | max. 80 cans / min. | max. 160 cans / min. | max. 400 cans / min. |
| can diameter | Ø 65 ... 127 mm | Ø 65 ... 73 mm | Ø 52 ... 99 mm |
| can heights | 100 ... 250 mm | 80 ... 300 mm | |
| sealing time | min. 0.6 s (pre- and final sealing) | min. 0.6 s | |
| can wall thickness | 0.7 ... 1.0 mm | ||
material specification (can) | paper composite with label | ||
| material specification (membrane) | aluminum with sealing layer plastic | ||
| pneumatic connection | 6 bar | ||
