HAMBA Filtec has applied ELAU’s PacDrive automation technology in its new Flexline machine for plastic bottle, cup ad tub filling and sealing of food and beverage products.

Benefits include rapid pushbutton changeovers and convenient operation and maintenance. For example, with two lidding station magazines accessible from outside the machine, one can be reloaded while the other remains in operation. The upper section of the sealing station pulls out for easy cleaning, setting and maintenance access. A new generation of diagnostics makes fault detection and troubleshooting easier than ever for operators.

“A high end automation solution is essential to control such a flexible machine, one requiring up to 34 servos,” explains Uwe Gerasch, Development Manager for HAMBA. “Performance was the basis for us to use ELAU’s PacDrive. We simply implemented a completely modular control software structure with the help of ELAU’s programming template and software libraries.”

The Flexline machine is equipped with ELAU’s most powerful PacDrive controller, capable of running modular control software because it integrates motion and logic control in the same IEC-conforming program and executes on a single embedded Pentium processor for maximum performance.

The container station uses PacDrive servos for container gripping, automatic de-nesting, tub transport, and scissors operation. The metering unit uses servos for lifting, piston and valve rod actuation. The lidding station uses servos for lid gripping, application and drum movement. The sealing station, sealing bridge, lift mechanism, support and closure systems all are servo-operated, as are leak testing, container ejection and chain cycling functions.