The KHS Group will be presenting its technologies for primary and secondary packaging at interpack this May. A new can packaging line will form the centerpiece at booth A31 for KHS. With its further developed palletiser infeed, the supplier will also be continuing to provide greater sustainability, efficiency and process reliability in the production. In addition, smart service solutions for the “long and reliable” operation of plant machinery will be in the spotlight.
Dr Johannes T. Grobe, CSO for KHS, said: “We constantly develop our systems and solutions with the aim of saving on materials and providing efficiency in operation. Here, we take all packaging materials into account – whether these be plastic, cardboard or paper. In this way, the KHS Group want to continue to consolidate its position as a reliable partner for flexible and futureproof packaging systems.”
At the show, KHS will present systems designed to satisfy demands for packaging alternatives that are both economical and environmentally friendly. This focus of interpack 2020 will be on a new development in secondary packaging that, according to Dr Grobe, “usefully supplements the KHS packaging portfolio and thus further strengthens it”.
This format can replace the shrink film used to package packs of 12 or 24 containers for transportation. The first stage in this new project has been completed together with an international beverage producer.
With this further develop, KHS aims to support its customers to save more CO2 in the production process and the packaging itself, and in this way reduce their overall ecological footprint. The Nature MultiPack already constitutes an ecofriendly system with a carrying handle that removes the need for shrink film by holding the containers together with dots of adhesive.
Further development of the intelligently controlled KHS palletiser enhance process reliability and line availability
An intelligently-controlled KHS palletiser with a pressureless container infeed provides benefits not just pertaining to sustainability. It also optimises time sequences and simplifies work steps in production, among other things. Besides gentle pack handling, the elimination of railing facilitates and shortens format changeovers. This, in turn, increases line availability.
According to KHS, the palletiser is of particular interest to customers specialised in the palletising of non-returnable packs and cartons with different formats, and who often feed in packs alternatively on one, two or three lanes. The machine can also be used for returnable containers.
KHS services extend machine service lines
KHS builds upon its strengthens in consulting expertise in the service sector, for instance concerning “old” machines with discontinued components with the aim of extending the machine’s service life. Unlike mechanical components, in the age of Industry 4.0, the lifetime of an electronic component is sometimes shortened to just two years, according to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA).
“Our various services enable our customers to operate their plant engineering reliably in the long term regardless,” Dr Grobe claimed.
If a component is discontinued, this means that parts can be replaced accordingly or conversions carried out to ensure that the machine continues to function and operation runs smoothly at the respective beverage producer’s plant. For instance, older KHS palletisers containing discontinued KUKA KRC2 control units can be operated without issues by converting them to new controllers, said KHS. The supply of spare part is therefore also ensured.
