Cermex, for comprehensive packaging equipment solutions
Shrink-wrapping without sealing bar: the latest news from Cermex for the first quarter of 2010
Innovation to create value for its customers
Cermex is introducing three major innovations into its range of shrink-wrappers. A completely redesigned injection table, running with thinner films and with factory settings requiring no future adjustments, whatever the thickness of film used. A new control system architecture, even more reliable and economic. A shrink tunnel, for a 10% saving in energy.
Designed and manufactured at the dedicated production site in Lisieux (Normandy, France), Cermex shrink-wrappers present the characteristics required in most industrial configurations: speeds of up to 110 cycles per minute, the possibility of running on one to three lanes and the use of blank film as well as print registered film. However, since the first machine launched in 1990, their performance has gone far beyond market standards, thanks to a constant obligation to innovate. Consequently the three innovations presented during the first quarter of 2010 fall within the genetics of the TS range, enhanced generation after generation with exclusive developments at all the delicate stages of pack forming.
Three major innovations
A new injection table
While still on a removable rack for total access and tool-free maintenance, it also benefits from an entirely new design, offering 4 advantages:
- Handling of thinner film, the scope varying from 27 to 80 microns
- Factory settings which do not require future adjustments, whatever the film thickness used
- Servo-motors
- Compact footprint
The Human/Machine Interface, PLC and axis cards of the new control system are sourced from the same supplier. Uniformity in the origin of components guarantees reliable and simplified diagnoses and procurement with a reduction in maintenance cost into the bargain. This uniformity offers total communication between the components, authorizing the activation of complementary functions.
An optimized shrink tunnel
Re-designing the insulation and air circulation generates a 10% saving in power consumption. This considerable improvement is a contribution from the GreenUP eco-behavior and sustainable development program.
An industrial model turned towards useful innovation
Shrink-wrapping presents a large number of general technologies. Like its competitors, Cermex is committed to a program to optimize costs. Even so, the company continues to create value for its users, advancing the evolution of the TS range with a series of innovations regularly made available to users. Expert in complete ends of line, Cermex firmly believes in anticipating requirements and accompanying the market, with a view to improving machine added value and performance.
In the case of shrink-wrappers, this expertise is reinforced by belonging to the Sidel group, world leader in solutions for packaging liquid food. Partnerships between the two companies to improve the process and anticipate new requirements give Cermex an increased ability to imagine the most suitable solutions.
The Cermex teams are in fact already working on a new generation of shrink-wrappers. Bearers of a real technological breakthrough, the machines will be presented successively at the Emballage show in Paris and Pack Expo in Chicago in November 2010, then Interpack in Dusseldorf in May 2011.
Exclusive advantages enhanced with each new evolution
D.I.S.: patented system for automatic film reel changeover without stopping the machine
Exclusive to Cermex, with the Dual Injection System (D.I.S.) the machine can run continuously and hence achieve total production. Reel changeover is carried out thanks to an injection system with independent dual heads. It does away with machine stoppage and the need for operator presence during permutation. The operator's only role is to prepare a new reel that can be done while the machine is still running with the previous film reel. Changeover time is consequently reduced to a minimum, so as to optimize the conveyors and tables managing the accumulation upstream from the shrink-wrapper.
CCO: a patented 45° product infeed system for savings in space
The CCO diagonal infeed system is the most compact solution on the market. Direct flow infeed does away with accumulation downstream from the filler. The saving is also economic, thanks to the reduction in conveyor lengths and no need for lane dividing.
The continuous selection carried out by its lateral pin-gating system keeps the products perfectly intact. A unique patented system, the CCO enables quick size changeover thanks to simple compact tooling.
SFR: a patented regulated flow selection system, for handling formats from 55 to 127 mm with a changeover time of less than a minute.
A unique cassette means that the format changeover time is reduced from 10 minutes to less than a minute, with a very quick return to nominal speed. Managing the cassette with servomotors increases the accuracy of adjustments. In fact, motorizing the fingers for format changeovers even does away with the notion of tooling.
Its exclusive size range encompasses the selection of both individual products and packs. All the data is managed by the Human/Machine Interface.
Thanks to the superior reliability, the time saving and the ergonomics, the return on investment of the SFR system is guaranteed when three or more formats are handled on the same machine.
A complete set of product infeed solutions for optimal adaptation to each requirement
In parallel to the patented CCO and SFR systems, the Cermex TS range offers a range of selecting systems to adapt completely to the type of product (shape, nature, resistance etc.), the speed demands, the flexibility requirements and the cost constraints. Consequently, the CLP system (by pneumatic channels), based on a lock chamber system is the appropriate solution when the economic constraint is very strict. Another example, the SDI system (lower pin-gating) with a removable cassette per format is the obvious choice if adjustments are to be avoided.
Options to further enhance the contribution potential of the TS shrink-wrappers
- The BW module for integrating trays or boards, with its three advantages: speeds of up to 100 cycles/minute, an exclusive belt bypass system to form batches without support or flat board in a more secure way than the traditional system of dead plate between bracket chains, optional 90° case magazine for easy refilling
- Modules for stacking products and trays
- Devices for inserting leaflets
- A system for perforating the film so that the pack can be torn open more easily, without reducing its rigidity and without reducing speed.
The HMI pilots the shrink-wrapper and supervises the production functions. The follow-up of parameters is done in real time. The maintenance agenda, machine manual and remote maintenance procedure are simple to access on the HMI.
A Modem link enables remote diagnosis and assistance for the shrink-wrapper. Exclusive to Cermex, these services are free throughout the machine life cycle.
A generator and anti-static bars for reinforced operator protection
This system for neutralizing electric charges is fitted to the whole of the TS machine range.
A factory dedicated to shrink-wrapping
As with all the shrink-wrappers proposed by Cermex, the machines within the TS range are designed and manufactured in Lisieux, Normandy. This concentration of expertise on one site particularly explains the company's ability to bring real innovations to each revision of its range of shrink-wrappers without sealing bar.
Specialized in shrink-wrapping and continuous wrap around case packing, the site, established in 1968, contributes considerably to Cermex's international development as 80% of its production is exported.
Application markets for Cermex shrink-wrappers without sealing bar
- Water
- Soft drinks
- Wines & spirits
- Food
- Detergents
- Shampoo
- Tins/jars
- Cans
- PET bottles
- Glass bottles
- Transit packs with or without cardboard support
- Promotional batches
- Multipacks
More information
Continuous innovation for shrink-wrappers without sealing bar
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