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When a special closure meets smart conveying technology
KM Packaging GmbH utilises automated solutions to transport components and products from A to B in its production operations. Conveying technology from item plays its part by keeping processes efficient and workflows smooth. One particularly good example is the rotary indexing assembly system. This automated production process manufactures a special closure.
The project at a glance
item components and solutions
✓ item Conveyor Belt System
✓ Machine cabins made of Line XMS profiles
✓ Integrated cable conduits and sealing grooves
✓ item Stairway/Platform System
✓ Roller conveyor
Sector
✓ Tube industry
✓ Pharmaceuticals
✓ Food and beverage sector
✓ Cosmetics
Benefits
✓ All components obtained from a single manufacturer
✓ Flexibility for layout changes
✓ Protection from external influences
✓ Rapid production
✓ Simple assembly thanks to groove geometry
✓ Functional design
Capping it all off – item conveying technology keeps processes running smoothly
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Packaging specialist KM Packaging
Each year, KM Packaging produces over 6.5 billion injection-moulded parts, including tube and bottle caps, cannula caps, jar lids, and customer-specific packaging. The products from KM Packaging are known and appreciated by prestigious customers all round the world in the tube industry and major brand manufacturers in the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries. With just under 500 employees at six sites in Germany, Austria, Poland and the USA, the business has solid international credentials. The closure solutions specialist meets challenges in the sector with innovative and dependable solutions. KM Packaging has been utilising item components for decades, and has recently discovered the benefits of item conveying technology.
The challenge
KM Packaging was looking for a solution that would help with the production of a 3-part applicator for a skin cream at its Karlsruhe site. One of the major challenges in this project was meeting the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For example, maximum cleanliness is essential to ensure products cannot be contaminated by particles from machinery or tools. The idea was to implement automated production and automated transport using conveyor belts. To ensure cleanliness, production would take place in a sealed machine cabin. The company set out strict requirements for the conveyor belts, which would need to be durable, reliable and robust. Rapid and simple assembly was also important, as was adaptability, so the system could be modified in response to changing requirements.
A customised solution
To meet all these needs, the company opted for a rotary indexing assembly system with an enclosed carton conveyor belt system that utilises Double Timing Belt Conveyors and Flat Belt Conveyors in various lengths and widths. The system employs an automated production process to manufacture a special closure consisting of three parts – a cannula component, a threaded ring and a cap. The cannula component is inserted at the first station, then the table turns in a clockwise direction. Next, the threaded ring is put in place and pressed into position. Once a check has been carried out, a robot screws on the outer cap. The successfully assembled parts are then transported to a filling station. When the system has been filled manually, it will produce finished closures for 45 minutes before its container needs to be topped up again. Staff use the item Stairway/Platform System to fill new parts into the container.
„The item Building Kit System also makes it exceptionally easy for us to add components such as sensors, even after commissioning. Components of this kind are quickly screwed into the system groove instead of having to be laboriously installed, as is the case when using conventional systems."
– Tobias Vowinkel, technical management/die-making at KM Packaging
Find out more about conveying technology
item conveying technology
Discover the components and applications
Whether automated or manual material flows – item conveying technology offers you the optimum basis. The modular design makes it easy to perfectly coordinate transport and handling.
The building kit system for your intralogistics
Lean Production Building Kit System
The flexible Lean Production Building Kit System from item can adapt perfectly to new process workflows. Profile Tube System D30 is the basis for all constructions.