FDBusiness.com

ACMI has installed in one of the South American plants of the Coca-Cola Femsa Group four PET lines of the latest generation each able to handle 12 different formats. Of the four lines, the first installed in chronological order have a nominal filling capacity of 31,500 bottles per hour, while the last two reach a nominal production speed of 44,000 bottles per hour. The formats range from 0.25 to 3 litres. The first two lines installed are PET lines designed with the “compact line” system, while the last two are integrated in two Ergobloc systems not supplied by ACMI.

The two compact lines are the ones that reach the higher speeds recording a filling speed of 44,000 bottles per hour. The concept of the “compact” line was introduced by ACMI for the first time in 2009 and focuses on the labeller-shrink wrapper connection and the high level of performance and reliability of its machines. In addition, it is essential for all the machines to be equipped with automatic feed systems of consumables and automatic film changeover, reel changeover systems, etc.

Fenix shrinkwrapper with automatic film changeover.

Mobile Gate System

Turning to the description of the supply, each of the two compact lines installed in Coca-Cola Femsa is equipped with a dynamic accumulation table, the only accumulation table of the line, and with a “mobile gate” system, patented by ACMI, which connects the labeller to the Fenix 295 shrink wrapper. It is precisely the shrink wrapper which, according to the fluctuations of the downstream machinery regulates the labeller production speed so as to ensure constant performance and avoid the installation of an further accumulation table.

The shrink wrapper model installed is a two lane model of 95 strokes per minute, equipped with an automatic film changeover system and an external reel carrier box. The system, using a double circuit, makes it possible to switch from the film of the used reel to the film of the new reel in a time of about ten seconds and, thanks to the external reel carrier box, allows the operator to replace the reel operating in an ergonomic safety position.

Series of Faster palletisers with Twisterbox® layer formation system.

Twisterbox Layer Formation System

A spiral elevator moves the packs to the fast Faster model high infeed palletiser that has been integrated in the two module Twisterbox layer formation system. The Twisterbox installed in Femsa is a latest generation model, with carbon grippers, capable of handling any format with extreme delicacy and precision. The outfeed pallets reach the Vortex model rotating ring stretch wrapper through a series of high precision roller conveyors.

The stretch wrapper mounts one metre reels and is equipped with an electronic pre-stretch unit which makes it possible to handle very thin film and reach pre-stretch values of 400%. With this stretch wrapper it is possible to customise each single parameter of the wrapping cycle and create holding straps and ropes. In the event of accidental breakage of the film, as the machine is equipped with an automatic changeover system of the entire pre-stretch unit, it automatically replaces the unit without the need for the presence of the operator.

Vortex pallet stretchwrapper.

Moving on to describe the last two lines installed in chronological order, the main difference lies in the absence of the labeller, which has been incorporated into the blowing-filling unit, and in the two Fenix shrink wrappers, belonging to the two lane 265 series, of 65 strokes per minute. As regards the rest of the line, this is identical to that of the two 44,000 compact lines described above, both as regards the automatic material changeover systems and as regards the palletiser and stretch wrapper models. Thanks to this supply, the Coca-Cola Femsa Group can count on a bottling system with high performance and great flexibility.