THE recent upgrade of James Boag’s brewery in Launceston included delivery of their third SMI machine: a WP-800 capable of filling 80 cartons per minute.
The machine is said to run so fast that standard hot-melt hoppers would be run dry, so it is fitted with a high-capacity OEMasterfill glue module that continually delivers small doses to the gluepot, matched to the filling rate. It also features an extended carton magazine said to substantially increase storage volume, making it easy for the line operator to maintain board supply, using cartons from Boag’s choice of supplier.
Because all moving components are co-ordinated by computer, the SMI machines have proven faster, smoother and more reliable than drop packers.
Product changeovers can be done in minutes from the control screen, without the need for change parts.