Bosch Packaging Technology integrated topload cartoner

Company: Bosch Packaging Technology

Equipment Snapshot: At PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2017, Bosch Packaging Technology will unveil its revolutionary concept in cartoning machinery – an integrated topload cartoner Kliklok ITC. Developed in partnership with Kliklok-Woodman in the U.S. and Kliklok International in the UK, both part of the Bosch Group since 2015, this solution integrates three packaging processes – carton forming, product loading, and carton closing – into one machine with a minimal use of floor space. Designed for flow-wraps, roll-wraps and die-end wrapped products, it is a perfect fit for the growing bakery and confectionery industries in the U.S., as well as other applications for multiple flow-wrapped products.

“Keeping in mind that the midrange market in U.S. for cartoning is growing, but that the production facilities are often smaller and the space is a premium, we developed a solution for food producers who want simple, streamlined and easy to operate packaging systems that don’t occupy a lot of floor space. After a successful debut at interpack 2017 in Germany, the revolutionary Kliklok ITC will be presented to the American audience at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2017,” commented Bruno Oberle, general manager at Kliklok-Woodman in the U.S.

The ITC’s small footprint of 12 ft x 6.5 ft is enhanced by its ergonomic design. For easier operation the low-level carton hopper, swingarm-mounted HMI 4.0, glue tank and product infeed are all on one side of the machine. The forming and closing sections can also be accessed without crossing the production line. Toolless jigs and a change part numbering system allow for changeovers in less than 15 minutes. As a result, one operator can efficiently manage the forming, loading and closing packaging process.

The Kliklok ITC provides a very fast output for such a compact system. It can form, load, and close up to 80 cartons per minute. The solution also offers a wide variety of formats and styles on a single machine, allowing the cartons to be formed with locks or glue.

Once the cartons are formed with a single servo-controlled plunger – a proven technology from the Kliklok TransFormer – they are placed directly onto independently-controlled carton shuttles riding on a linear servo racetrack. The ITC can accept up to 550 products per minute in its adjustable collator chain, which moves the products into position for loading. In the next step, Bosch’s proven Delta pick-and-place robotic loader tracks the carton shuttles and loads products ‘on the move’ for a speed advantage over two-axis loaders. In the end, the loaded cartons race around the track into the closing section, and exit the ITC in the same direction as incoming products.

“The small footprint saves you space. The ergonomics save you labor costs. The fast, toolless changeovers save you time. The three-in-one design saves your budget,” summarized Bruno Oberle.

Developed with the new HMI 4.0 touch screen – the next generation of intelligent human machine interfaces – the new Kliklok ITC offers users an enhanced experience, guiding the operator through each step of the production process. With a clearly structured menu, operators can immediately access the production status. The HMI offers troubleshooting support, significantly reduces the risk of unscheduled downtime and allows employees to minimize planned maintenance time. It has the ability to optimize production schedules for greater efficiency leads, resulting in a faster return on investment (ROI) and lowering overall total cost of ownership (TCO).

To learn more about this solution, visit Bosch at PACK EXPO Las Vegas (September 25th to 27th, 2017, Central Hall, booth C-2800), where Kliklok ITC will be displayed as a part of the gentle system solution for packing cookies and crackers on pile.