SMI solutions for exceptional co-packing
With the CSK 50P ERGON latest-generation shrink wrapper from the SMI Group, Refresco Finland (part of Refresco Group) is now able to provide a more effective response to the high standards requested by customers and offer tailor-made solutions for safe and visually appealing packaging. With its guaranteed excellence in the processing of different formats, the line delivers high performance and is versatile and eco-friendly.
Refresco Finland, the country’s leading producer of juice, soft drinks, water and energy drinks, provides tailor-made solutions to the world's leading retailers and private label customers. The products are sold in a wide and diversified range of packaging, including PET or glass bottles, cans, briks and pouches.
The company recently installed a new CSK 50P ERGON compact shrink wrapper from SMI at its Kuopio plant as part of an investment aimed at automating and optimising the end-of-line secondary packaging process, particularly for PET bottles.
In addition to its advanced automation and flexibility, the new plant stands out for its low energy consumption and respect for the environment, two aspects that are of great importance for the Finnish company. The company’s environmental policy aims to reduce energy and water consumption in every step of the production process and to protect the surrounding area through the use of highly innovative and environmentally friendly bottling and packaging solutions.
Focus on the shrink wrapper
The CSK 50P ERGON is capable of packaging various types of PET bottles (from 0.33 l up to 1.5 l), creating bundles and packs in layers/pad+film and film only formats. In particular: 4x3 film only format for 0.33 l, 0.4 l and 0.5 l bottles.; 3x2 film only format for 0.5 l and 1.5 l bottles; 6x4 film only and 6x4 pad + film format for 0.33 l bottles. Numerous other configurations are ready for future use.
The shrink wrapper is part of SMI's CSK ERGON range, which includes single and twin lane models with a compact and ergonomic design capable of working with all types of rigid packaging (not just PET bottles but also glass, metal or cardboard jars and bottles). The range offers the best shrink wrapping technology on the market with a maximum speed of 50 packs/minute in single lane and 50+50 packs/minute in twin lane configurations (the speed varies according to the size of the container and the pack format).
The advantages of CSK 50P ERGON
- Motorised system of oscillating guides at the machine infeed, which facilitates the correct channelling of loose containers on the conveyor;
- continuous grouping of loose products in the required format;
- cardboard blank magazine located underneath the infeed conveyor;
- alternate motion cardboard picker;
- curved cardboard ramp to facilitate the insertion of blanks under the products;
- film cutting unit with a compact design that uses a direct-drive brushless motor to ensure maximum cutting precision;
- easy maintenance;
- ICOS motors equipped with integrated digital servo-drivers to ensure greater energy efficiency, less noise and reduced component wear and tear;
- shrink tunnel equipped with optional metal chain and lubrication, which ensures that the film under the pack is joined perfectly;
- optional system to automatically adjust the format changeover;
- high finished pack quality thanks to optional devices such as the product stabiliser and the conveyor at the tunnel outfeed which allows the pack to cool rapidly.
