New cartoner offers productivity gains and cost savings
The US-based company said its Criterion 3 Large Center Cartoner streamlines cartoner design, set up and changeover times. The equipment, which was brought to market last month, is an upgrade to the Criterion 2000 model and is typically used to pack cereals, snacks, crackers and biscuits.
“We believe the new machine will bring significant productivity gains”, R.A Jones technical sales manager Craig Walker told FoodProduction.com.
The Criterion 3’s ‘debris fall through’ design means that more of any product spilled falls directly to the floor thanks to a reduction in horizontal surfaces on the fully-welded stainless steel frame - making the machine easier to wipe down and clean.
The constant motion model machine is available in two pitch sizes for greater flexibility. The 9-inch centre can process up to 330 units a minute while the larger 12-inch centre has a speed of 250cartons/minute, Walker confirmed.
Fast changeovers
The machine also has full access perimeter guarding with hinged full length doors to provide greater ease of access and operator ergonomics, said the company. It also offers fast repeatable changeovers and accommodates a wide range of chipboard cartons using the Jones rotary carton feed system.
An ergonomic low level carton magazine and open flap detect and reject come standard on the Criterion 3. The latter feature, which was only optional on the previous model, detects any package that remains unsealed at the end of the filling process. Feature options for the new model include cycle stop flap closers, date coding by deboss or laser, coupon and premium inserts, and product infeeds.
High levels of precision in flexible production operations is assured thanks to state-of-the-art control technology using Allen Bradley ControlLogix PLC and Panelview 1500 Plus Touch Screen Interface, said the firm.
Servo drives provide accurate feedback on positioning accuracy and fault diagnostics, while enabling programmability for fast changeovers between different carton configurations.
“Enhanced accuracy and better changeover features are two major gains from this equipment,” said Walker. “It also offers opportunities for significant savings thanks to quicker and cheaper installation costs.”
