Whether you’re starting a new line or adding a bottle to an existing one, there are important considerations when it comes to container handling. It is often in between packaging applications that container handling can have the biggest impact on line throughput.
Below are some things to consider to enhance productivity in times of new line configurations.
1. Lead with the Container
- First things first, look at your container. This is often a mistake made in the field. Companies will build their machines first and think about container compatibility second. The rest of your line is determined by your container dimensions, so this is a critical first step when adding any new equipment or modifying existing equipment for a new container.
- Solidify and communicate with your team about the height, weight, width, length, and shape of your container. This is your foundation to a successful line layout.
As container handling experts, we recommend that you should know how your container performs in just about any condition. Think about the temperature in the room or how stable it is on a conveyor – this is critical when purchasing equipment and understanding what types of timing screw drive units you may need to maintain positive control of your product.
2. Know Your Timing Screws and Change Parts
The basic container handling that needs to be changed when modifying an existing line to run a new container involved timing screws and change parts. These are wear items on your production line that are specific to the container they run.
You’ll need to take an inventory of what screws, stars, and guides you have on your line that will need to be ordered. They are critical to the production.
It can also be a great time to consider quick change parts. On new and existing lines, we recommend quick change stars and guides to speed up changeover time between bottle sizes and make this process easier for your personnel. Less downtime due to changeover means more production and throughput.
3. Choosing Your Equipment
Ask yourself what do I need my container to do? To get a better idea of the equipment your line will need you should map out what will happen to your container at each step. Do you need to clean it, combine/divide, fill it, weigh it, cap it, inspect it, and case package it?  If you are building on to an existing line, it’s always beneficial to ask:Â
- What machines do I already have? 
- Are my machines compatible with my new container?
- What change parts do I need to alter my machines?
- How much space do I have for new additions?
4. Consider Current Lack of Communication Areas in Your Plant
What machines could communicate better with each other on lines you already have? What communication issues cause jams or delays in production?
Evaluating and learning from these gaps can help you understand what machinery components you may need in your new lines.
Consider photo eyes that can note containers present to various areas of the line.
5. Spacing and Container Pitch is Critical
While it may seem minor, container pitch (spacing between containers) is often critical to efficiency of your packaging machine applications. Think about adding timing screw drive units that meter or index containers to improve this component on your line.
6. There are Unique Ways to Meet Your Throughput Goals
When building your line or modifying an existing one, there are unique ways you can meet your throughput goals. Change parts, lanes combiners, and lane dividers are just a few container handling products that are compatible with your lines to be retrofitted or added on to help improve production speed and make your current machinery configurations work for you.
Don’t be discouraged by having one lane and needed to divide into two inline fillers or other problems like that. Container handling can help.
7. Embrace the Learning Curve
It can often take up to 3 months to see full efficiency if your team is still learning but embrace it so you can learn your line. Your OEM partners will help you navigate installation and training to speed up the process.
