Automation concepts for direct decoration

Dr Christian Maas is Chief Technology Officer and Co-Managing Director at Kammann Maschinenbau

Dr Christian Maas discusses the glass decoration-related equipment innovations announced by Kammann Maschinenbau at the recent glasstec exhibition.

Germany’s Kammann Maschinenbau GmbH has successfully inspired glass decorators worldwide in recent times with the latest technology for innovative packaging. Active in the glass industry since 1955, in 2010 the company introduced its Kammann K15 CNC series, which sets standards in productivity, quality and operator-friendliness.

The intelligent platform structure allows bespoke customer machines to be configured without sacrificing affordable prices. An entry level machine concept for one or two colours, either with UV or ceramic ink was launched at glasstec under the name Kammann K9 CNC, completing the company’s range of machines for the cosmetic and perfume market.

“With its vertical indexing table, the K9 CNC combines user-friendly machine operation with a cost-effective transport system” explains Nils Steinau, Kammann Sales Manager Asia Pacific region. “Customers take advantage of the modular platform, which comprises many components of the bigger K15 CNC series. Parts inventory, maintenance, software and hardware training can be reduced to a minimum for those customers that are already using Kammann machines.”

FOCUS on COSMETIC packaging

Kammann K9 CNC and K15 CNC-XS (eXtra small version of the K15 CNC) models fully cover premium cosmetic decoration requirements. Traditionally, perfume brand owners feature their products with a stylish packaging design and few printed colours to achieve a precious shelf appearance. Additionally, long periods of use require perfume flacons to withstand alcohol exposure on the outer surface of the bottles. Consequently, labeling as well as UV direct printing reaches their limits, making ceramic inks the only long-lasting alternative for decoration.

Both machines focus on these one or two color perfume flacon decoration jobs. However, the XS-as insiders nickname it – allows for more features (options) to be integrated. This includes true conical printing feature (that can print on a conical shaped bottle), ‘hot foil stamping’ and ‘pad printing’, whereas the K9 CNC plays to its strengths with straightforward one/two color screen printing and low printing costs per piece.

HANDLING INNOVATION

Another glasstec highlight was the Kammann K24 A infeed handling system. The four-axis robot for handling and unpacking of trays is a real upgrade for the decorating machine and gave many visitors a very good impression. It is installed upstream in front of the printing machine or downstream for packing the decorated product back into the trays.

Nils Steinau, summarized customer feedback: “People were excited about the ‘pick-and-place’ system as it allows reducing labor costs, as well as tooling (fixture) costs. Worm screws become redundant. Scratch sensitive surfaces are perfectly protected as the glass bodies do not touch any guiding rails or other mechanical parts anymore. The K24 A amortizes in a short period of time. Currently we cannot serve all customer enquiries for trial systems.”

These robot handling systems have become ubiquitous in the food packaging industry, mainly to put sensitive products like vegetables, fruits or chocolates into boxes. Cameras usually identify the lateral and angular position of the prodwomens nike shoes