Proco Machinery Inc. debuted its first integrated take-out system that incorporates a deflasher and a leak-testing system at NPE2012, held April 1-5 in Orlando.
“Our new technology has taken the take-out system to a new level, providing a reduced footprint and substantial cost savings, since processors don't have to purchase all three machines separately,” said John McCormick, president of Proco Machinery, in a news release.
The system incorporates the company's patent-pending Robopik Plus, which is an upgrade of its original Robopik model, according to Siva Krish, sales manager for Proco Machinery.
“The Robopik is so successful that we've sold more than 200,” he said.
Krish added that the newest model accommodates a wide range of shuttle extrusion blow molding machines, including the Bekum H style, without modification or adjustment.
“Everything is on a single platform,” he noted.
The Robopik takes a container and transfers it directly from the deflasher where the tail and top flash is removed. An optional spin trimmer is available to spin off any dome flash. After deflashing, a special telescoping vacuum conveyor extends into the deflasher and retracts with the container in an upright position. The container is leak tested on this same conveyor.
“We've gotten really good feedback,” said Krish.
With the telescoping conveyor mounted on wheels, the setup actually cuts down on the machine footprint and the whole system is hooked up to a single touch-screen control system. The system also permits the use of one set of tooling and makes for easy changeovers.
Krish said new take-out system replaces a setup usually designed as an elbow shape but that now it fits easily in the footprint of the blow molding machine.
Container heights can range from 2-15 inches and the unit is designed to keep up with the cycle times of extrusion blow molding machines. It also has less scrap, utilizing one common scrap conveyor rather than the typical two.
The best thing about the whole system, he noted, is that it is plug and play.
Proco, which employs 50, is based in Mississauga, Ontario, and manufactures a line of Robopik take-out systems, automatic deflashers, ultra test leak detectors, flame treaters, dome spin trimmers, robotic case packers, as well as a palletizing Multipak packaging system.
The company has been in business since 1979.
