News

Posted On: 10/22/2004

Bosch to Unveil New Packaging Technology at Pack Expo

Booth No. S-830

At PACK EXPO International 2004, Bosch Packaging Technology will feature two cartoners that offer Allen-Bradley controls as an option. The CUT 120, an intermittent motion machine, and the CUC 3001, a continuous motion cartoner, are both designed to meet the specific needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

“These two cartoners provide reliable, high-quality performance for pharmaceutical manufacturers,” said Fred Homuth, operations manager for cartoning systems at Bosch Packaging Technology in Brooklyn Park, Minn. “With Allen-Bradley controls, these cartoners – and their end users – benefit from the strong support, flexibility and quality that Allen-Bradley is known for.”

The machines feature integrated architecture from Rockwell Automation, which provides seamless connection, communication and cooperation between all aspects of the control system. Kinetix® Integrated Motion from Allen-Bradley® enables the CUT 120 and the CUC 3001 to eliminate many mechanical components that complicate other cartoners and increase maintenance, assembly and changeover times. Kinetix, the integrated motion aspect of Integrated Architecture, includes Allen-Bradley Logix® controllers with SERCOS™ digital interface, Kinetix® 6000 servo drives, MP-Series motors and a VersaView® human-machine interface (HMI) running on EtherNet/IP.

By integrating discrete and motion control into one platform, Kinetix eliminates the need for multiple controllers, each with their own I/O, wiring and programming. Programmed with RSLogix™ 5000 software from Rockwell Software®, ControlLogix includes tag-based structures and ladder logic that greatly reduce programming times. With SERCOS, a single fiber optic ring serves as the sole interface between control and drive. It removes up to 18 discrete wires per axis, significantly reducing wiring time and related costs and providing electrical noise immunity.

CUT 120
The CUT 120 is a high-speed intermittent motion cartoner that can run at speeds of up to 120 cartons per minute. Because it is driven by Kinetix 6000 servo drives, the operator can easily and quickly adapt the machine to different products by pushing a few buttons on the VersaView HMI. For example, if a certain product is very delicate, the loader motion can be programmed to move the product gently, slowing down just before it picks up the product, speeding up as it moves it toward the carton, and then slowing down again just as it loads the product. With capabilities provided by servo drives, the CUT 120 also can double-index the infeed buckets and load two products into a single carton.

Because it is designed for the pharmaceutical industry, the entire cartoner is cantilevered to a back wall, in effect suspending the machine above the floor. This ensures that any leaflets or other materials that fall through the machine are easily seen and picked up and not trapped in any machinery below the machine. The cartoner’s surfaces are tapered to prevent product accumulation, and parts that come into contact with product are stainless steel or sanitary plastic.

The eight-axis CUT 120 can handle cartons that range in size from 20 x 15 x 50 millimeters up to 110 x 100 x 200 millimeters.

CUC 3001
The CUC 3001 is a continuous motion machine designed for applications that require higher speeds than the CUT 120 can handle. It can run at speeds up to 400 cartons per minute. Primarily designed for pharmaceutical applications, the CUC 3001 features many of the same benefits as the CUT 120, including an Allen-Bradley control system and cantilevered design. It also is used in the food industry.

The nine-axis CUC 3001 is offered with four, six or eight-inch pitches. The eight-inch machine is often used in the food industry, as well as pharmaceutics. The smaller, four-inch pitch machine can handle sizes as small as 30 x 15 x 63 millimeters. The eight-inch pitch machine can handle sizes as large as 155 x 105 x 200 millimeters.