RP125 Rotoplant

The ‘RP125′ is an eight head, continuously rotating high-speed container handling solution. Filling can be via auger, cup filler, counter or high-speed weigher such as multi-headed combination weighers.

Containers of a wide range of geometric shapes and neck configurations can be handled. Changeover from one container type to another is accomplished with the minimum of fuss due to quick and easy replacement of change-parts (no tools required).

Photo Gallery

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The main turret has eight stations, each incorporating vibratory overflow funnels with variable vibration frequency to suit a broad cross section of product types. An optional, totally enclosed dust extraction system is available as part of the central turret, to ensure ‘cleanest filling performance is achieved when running dusty products. RotoPlants are produced in high quality stainless steel finish providing a durable easy to clean machine. Painted finish of customer’s choice is also available upon request.

Machine safety guarding incorporated around machine turret, in-feed and out-feed conveyors, provides complete protection when machine is in operation. Access doors front and rear allow full operator access for clean down / re-tooling operations. Machine start-up / running is inhibited at any time access doors are open. Doors are automatically locked during machine operation.

Rotoflex

The optional revolutionary ‘ROTOFLEX’ split turret option can also be specified for applications requiring a swift changeover in container base sizes. This provides packers with the ability to carry out extremely fast changeover / clean down procedures, and is done without any requirement for tools or support engineers. All parts of the turret & dust extraction system may be easily withdrawn by simply removing locating pins and operating quick release catches, these functions can be carried out by the line operator in situations where line support engineers would generally have been used in the past.

Operation

Containers are transferred via unscrambler / in-feed system onto the RotoPlant in-feed conveyor. Containers are then delivered via the in-feed scroll into a star-wheel and in turn onto the bottom support platter within the central turret. The platter rises as it collects the container, and lifts it against a location collar within the product overflow chute above. This chute is mounted on fibreglass flexures that will allow it to oscillate as the vibratory drive agitates the container through the bottom support platter. The detection of container along with turret position is synchronised to start the product discharge as the overflow funnel passes below the filling machine. The overflow chutes and containers are vibrated for the remaining cycle time of the turret and exit via another star-wheel onto the out-feed conveyor. In continuous filling applications, the central turret is fitted with a disk above the overflow chute. This disk is precision machined with knife edged pockets to accurately split the discharge into equal portions as the product enters the overflow chutes. The amount of one product discharged is directly related to the turret speed and the speed of product delivery, therefore adjusting the speed of product delivery (usually an auger) for a given turret speed controls the amount of product dispensed into each container.

Specification

Control

A high resolution 10.4″ color touch screen sealed to IP66, that can be optimally positioned to suit the operator via a pivoting arm is used for all machine set-up and control functions.Animated mimic displays indicate machine status and operation, with active indication of inhibits / alarms. All container specific parameters are saved against unique recipes providing instant machine control configuration for all containers being handled. 1,024 recipes are available, with recipe naming being totally flexible and meaningful.

Single display also provides full control of auger filler (EasiFill or ServoFill) if present. In this case, intelligent check-weigher feed-back is also included as standard.

All motors are variable speed (Conveyor, Scroll, Turret, Turret & Vibration, plus In-feed & Out-feed Tables, auger drive, Stirrer drive if the additional equipment is present). The conveyor & scroll drives are synchronized to the turret speed and track accordingly if machine speed (entered in containers / minute) is changed. All Servo & inverter drives connect to the central control panel via CAN bus link that also monitor each individual drives status and error conditions in the unlikely eventuality of a problem occurring.

Sophisticated diagnostic monitor and alarm reporting is included, providing both pictorial & informative information on any problem, both within the machine itself & if connected, peripheral equipment both downstream & upstream of the Rotoplant.

Ethernet port is included to allow connection to factory network. This allows for remote backup / restore of recipe & machine parameters, and the option to view the control screen in real time remote to the packing line, this can be useful for monitoring production and line efficiency.

An RS232 printer port is also provided allowing hard copy reports to be produced of recipe & machine parameter settings.

The operator panel is multi-lingual, allowing for instant language switching.