Krones AirCo conveyors keep things moving

What is the quickest way to bring PET containers that have just been produced in the blow-moulding machine to the filler? A classical connection with buffer capacity for blow-moulder and filler is the air conveyor. With the AirCo air conveyors, Krones offers high functional dependability combined with a solid basic structure.

The most important features are

• The triangular chute
  The new triangular AirCo chute prevents bottle jams caused by rising bottles. The pressure is homogenously distributed in the chute thanks to small nozzles and a cover above the nozzle duct. The conveyor can be supplied in standard version as well as in Enhanced Hygienic Design.
• Plastic neck ring guides
  The guides’ PE material with its extremely good sliding properties allows safe handling of different perform qualities and a large variety of container shapes. The geometry of the neck ring guides individually matches each container type. The guides are fastened with clips and therefore can be easily replaced, without need of adjustment.
• The filter technology
  Filter systems with different separation applications clean the conveyor air. The air conveyor with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters meets the highest standards.

The guides can be precisely adjusted with multi-position cylinders that allow up to twelve positions, providing maximum flexibility. Pneumatically driven shifting units distribute and combine the PET containers. The low-noise drives which have been redesigned especially for the air conveyor require 30 % less energy. Moreover, the noise emission of these drives considerably falls below the values prescribed by the worldwide noise protection regulations.
To reduce the installation time for the AirCo air conveyors at the customer’s, Krones has devised the Plug and Run System. The pneumatic components are piped and the chute carriers are pre-assembled. Guides and rails are adjusted to the containers to be handled. Pressure and performance have already been tested in the factory. The new overall concept reduces the installation, maintenance and expansion costs. The air conveyor segments are completely assembled in the factory and therefore they can be installed and commissioned within a short time at the customer's.