W. Amsler Equipment Inc. (www.amslerequipment.net) unveiled its latest redesigned semi-automatic empty-bottle palletizer that provides greater operator ease, less operator involvement, greater automation, and increased output and productivity. It is the basis of a recently designed modular system which allows the machine user to tailor a system and add options for individual needs. The latest empty-bottle palletizer runs almost 8000 bottles per hour and delivers 30 percent greater output compared to previous models.

According to President Werner Amsler, the company has upgraded their machines in the past but this total redesign was in response to customer demands. The first unit is under construction at the moment and it will be completed this June. The latest redesigned palletizer will be placed in the company’s testing lab in Richmond Hill, Ontario and will be ready to customers for production trials and testing.

The 64 inches x 132 inches modular palletizer has a rigid frame gantry for accurate and easy transfer of bottle layers to the pallet, which results in straighter pallets, easier operation, reduced labor, and elimination of a hoist crane. The bottles are conveyed to the palletizer through a 20-foot standard conveying system. For proper nesting, bottle rows can be staggered.

When completed, each layer of bottles is moved into the pallet integrated in the rigid frame gantry. When a precise, repeatable position is achieved, the frame gantry is lowered into the skid with a 2-speed electric-lifting device. A previous layer is being held in place by a pneumatic clamp and an adjustable frame. For reloading of the next layer, the slip-sheet supports are removed and then the frame is raised and the frame gantry is repositioned back to its original position. Collating of the next layer of bottles continues during layer transfer to increase output.

A strong vacuum system allows the use of recycled slip-sheets and holds the slip-sheets flat. The new palletizer can handle an array of bottles sizes from 50 milliliters to 10 liters. It is constructed of rugged heavily-gauge tubular steel. Dozens of options are available such as a right- or left-side bottle in-feed and a pallet dispenser.