Italian-based OCME (distributed in Australia by HBM Packaging Technologies) showcased its Altair wrap around case packers at the company’s open house in March.
The Altair wrap around packers has the ability to handle delicate glass bottles, by inserting a partition for extra protection. The range includes different models with speeds ranging from 20 to 100 packs per minute, handling containers such as bottles, cans, jars, tins and multipacks, as well as unusual shapes such as triangular products.
According to OCME, the high end models (70 – 100 cpm) have the ability to insert partitions, making it suitable for packing glass bottles. The first high speed machine was delivered to China Resources Breweries who pack glass beer bottles at a speed of 70 cartons per minute.
The Altair handles both traditional cardboard partitions and pre-formed partitions. Corrugated cardboard partitions guard against knocks and are recommended for products which are being exported or transported over long distances. The partitions are fed from various insertion magazines that are placed along the case packing line.
Pre-formed partitions use low cost, preassembled solid pressed cardboard which protect the products and labels from abrasions. The pre-formed insertion system consists of a side loader, readily accessible for re-fill and a three-axis Scara type robot that picks the partition from the magazine, opens it and then places it between the containers as it runs down the line.