Air conveyor is a common system to handle empty plastic bottles, using air generated by fans. Bottles are held by the neck ring and air moves them along the conveyor, sliding on the neck guides. Bottle must have a neck ring (like PET bottles) or any other shape on the neck that allows them to hang on the neck guides (HDPE milk bottles with moil, for example).
Empty plastic bottles behave differently in different types of airconveyor, depending on the manufacturing design and the line layout.
It is key to understand what to focus on, before purchasing, to avoid making wrong decisions.
Optimal layout and design of the airconveyor:
- Curves and incline sections in the wrong placemay have a negative effect on the control of the bottles, creating jams and line inefficiencies.
- Some OEMs use neck guide lubricants to offset design flaws, increasing the cost of operation with consumables and not meeting the hygiene requirementsof the food and beverage industries.
- Instead, look for an airconveyor supplier with an advanced airconveyor design, who helps to decidewhich is the optimal line layout, given your bottles and the space constrains in your plant. Both bottle shape and line layout must be studied carefully.
- In addition, make sure the air conveyor includes an accurate electronic speed control system for the bottles.
All this will guarantee a high efficiency of the line. Do not consider an air conveyor a commodity for transporting bottles, but an essential piece of equipment on the packaging line, like the blowmolder or the filler.
Bottles quality:
Running the bottle through an air conveyor must not compromise the quality of the bottle and the final product. PET bottles have a delicate surface that can be easily scuffed, unless the best materials are chosen for the side guides. This is especially critical for coloured PET bottles in dark colours like black or red.
Supplier support through the complete process:
Demand from your supplier continuous support during the decision-making process, as well as during the engineering, installation, start-up, and training process. For a successful complete project from start to end, make sure you’re given technical support during the life time of the equipment to cover not only maintenance, but also future upgrades.
Make sure you’re given technical support during the life time of the equipment
Future formats on the airconveyor:
Ask your supplier what will be needed, if future formats are added to the airconveyor. Consider not only costs of materials but also the delivery time, so you can plan accordingly, when the time comes for adding new formats. Also take into account the resources and downtime needed for installation and start up.
In case you run (today or in the future) multiple formats with different shapes, consider automatic infinite position side-guides, which allow adapting the conveyor to each bottle shape and dimensions, instantly. This will save cost and downtime in the future.
Consistency of results through the life of the airconveyor:
Another important aspect is what can be done in order to guarantee consistency of performance and efficiency through the years. How much maintenance time and costs should be planned yearly? Can the maintenance be done by your Team or a visit from the supplier is mandatory to guarantee consistency of performance?
When an airconveyor (or any other piece of equipment) is purchased, it is often not taken into account, and it should not be ignored, that, in time, some electronic parts will go obsolete. The air conveyor manufacturer must be ready to inform you upfront and advise you regarding equipment upgrades, before is too late, otherwise your line could be facing unexpected downtime.
Base your purchasing decisions on facts, not words:
Taking into account all of the above, before making a purchasing decision, ask for a real test with your bottles in a close loop, simulating real continuous operation. Monitor the trials via live streaming or in person and don’t forget to check the quality of the bottles after the run. Take into account that a Factory Acceptance Test is not possible due to the layout, therefore testing upfront will save potential issues during the Site Acceptance Test.
Before making a purchasing decision, ask for a real test with your bottles in a close loop.
Don't you ask for a drive test before purchasing a car? Your air conveyor is going to last much longer, therefore your decision should be based on facts, not only on words or promises.
