Packaging Applications, High Speed, Sorting, Eject, Cap Screw, Label, Long Life, Low Maintenance
Packaging Applications
SMAC actuators are often used in packaging applications including bottling, labeling, and product placement for blister packaging.
Precise and repeatable control of force and stroke, along with high operating speeds, make our linear and linear/rotary actuators ideal for many packaging lines. Feedback to the controller also allows for verification during the packaging process, reducing the number of errors that leave the line.
SMAC Advantages:
- Long Life (100million+ cycle) = Less Down Time for Maintenance.
- More production time at high speed operation.
- Quieter Operation = No noise from the compressed air.
- Cost Savings = SMAC is completely electric, no air leaks to keep on top of/chase down. No air consumption.
- Programmable position, speed and FORCE.
- Feedback of force, position and speed.
- Electric, Not Pneumatic
 Cup Dispensing
High speed dispensing at 400+ per minute. Replaces pneumatic cylinders for higher speed, longer life and quiet operation.
 Bottle Filling:
A programmable motion profile and speed of the filling process allow you to easily alter the motion profile based upon the material that you are running & the container you are utilizing at the time for the fastest fill time. Excellent flexibility.
 Deblistering (popping pills)
Automates dispensing of tablets from foil and plastic containers. Key points using SMAC actuators are speed, force control, stroke adjustment and noise. Conventional solenoid is open loop bang-bang between 2 end-stops and not controllable in terms of force, speed or position.
 The Bottle/Carton Ejector for Filling Lines
It is not possible to just push these bottles out if the fill level is not correct as the bottle will fall over. First the actuator must slowly make contact and start the bottle moving then do the high speed push after 10mm or so of movement. Total out and back is 50ms, 1200/min.
  High Speed on the Fly Labeling
The label applicator (SMAC actuator) matches the speed of the conveyor as the product comes through. Adjustable speed and height for the different kind of products and then Soft-Land with controlled force.
  Capping of Bottles
Cap rotates to engage slot. Detect and report no/obstructed nozzle. SMAC actuators can adjust force and torque, show the different quality check capabilities such as cap height, torque limit, force required to press in, and even check the clicks on child proof caps.
Bottle Filling Line Rejection System
This application rejects bottles or cans from a filling line. The level of liquid in the bottle determines if it is accepted or rejected. This is sensed as the bottle passes through an inspection process upstream from the actuator station. If it fails this test a signal is given to the SMAC controller to perform a cycle. There is a delay between the bottle being sensed and the signal being given, which is controlled by a PLC on the line.
There are two routines programmed into the unit. The first (program "A") is a two-stage move consisting of a slow move out to an interrupt position, followed by a fast out and retract move. The second (program "B") is a simple out and retract, for high speed applications. There are three "A" profiles set in the controller and one "B" profile, along with an edit routine for each. The three different "A" profiles are selected using input channels, the program has to be stopped and MS240 typed to run profile "B." There are a number of registers used to store the three positions (start, interrupt, final) and two accelerations (initial, final). Editing is done through an OMRON PLC using the RS232. All setup is by touch screen via RS232 to the controller. The operator sets the profile needed.
The LAL90-50 actuator and LAC1 controller sit inside a stainless steel box. This is necessary as the unit will be in an environment that will be washed down regularly. The rod exits the box through a 10mm wiper seal. The cable from the actuator will have the 25-pin D-type connector replaced by a 15-pin connector and will plug directly into the controller.
The SMAC system improves upon the previous method because:
- The previous system was pneumatic, and if the cylinder did not reject any bottles for several hours and then had to reject one, static friction in the seals would cause the first cycle to be slow and ejector could be hit by the next bottle in the line.
- The profile can be changed for different bottle shapes. Slow approach then high speed means bottles do not fall over, an important factor for high-cost liquid bottling. This could not be done with the previous system.
- Out and back movements in 50ms means the actuator is suitable for lines up to 1,200 bottles per minute, good for filling glass bottles. (Cans run about 2,200 per minute and are usually split into two inspection lines of 1,100 per minute each.)
LIguid Nitrogen
Dose Liquid Nitrogen Efficiently - Precise control on valve and improve its life
Manufacturers of beverages generally use liquid nitrogen for their bottle packaging to add package strength to eliminate paneling and palletizing problems. Nitrogen also protects the drink against oxidation, which can lead to drink spoilage and lost revenues.
Problem with dosing valve
Traditionally the pneumatic cylinder is used to control a valve for liquid nitrogen dosing.
The pneumatic cylinder gave an impact on the valve when closing. The liquid nitrogen is cooling the valve seal to temperatures that metal seals are like glass and become brittle. Impact damages the closing seal so that they need replacement every half year. This shuts down the line for quite a long time.
Precise force control prevents damage to the valve.
SMAC’s unique Soft-Land function prevents damage to the valve when closing which increased valve’s life time. This will increase uptime and make the end user more profitable
The movement with SMAC actuator. Returning to zero is closing the valve gently.
SMAC actuator can operate over 1800 cycles per minute. Most line speed is 1200/minute.
Other advantages with SMAC actuator
- SMAC actuator’s long life over 100,000,000 cycles increasing uptime and lowering replacement cost.
- Better accuracy control of liquid nitrogen dose for cost savings on the amount of liquid nitrogen used.
- Do you need to run multiple products on the same line and change the amount of liquid nitrogen used for the container?
- SMAC actuator is fully programmable in force, speed, and position.
- SMAC makes quick change over as easy as pushing a button to run a different motion profile for the liquid nitrogen valve. No mechanical adjustments required.
SMAC Advantage Summary
- Force control (soft land) prevents damage to liquid nitrogen valve.
- Higher speed allows for increase production.
- Repeatable linear position and speed cuts waste of liquid nitrogen.
- Programmable force, speed, and position allow for quick change over with a push of a button.
- Long life, only wear piece is a replaceable long life linear guide and bearing.
- SMAC actuator’s life is over 100,000,000 cycles.
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