Trainee at fair: Krones’ exhibits at the Brau 2014 – Vol. 3: the Linatronic empty-bottle inspector

Today, Nina and Markus once again investigate some interesting questions: what exactly happens with empty bottles? How precisely are these prepared for being refilled? Which machine makes sure that the bottles are in actual fact clean and safe after being washed?

Al this is assured by an empty-bottle inspector from Krones, called Linatronic. All the things that the exhibit at the BrauBeviale 2014 can do, how it works, what Markus and Nina learned about the machine: this is what the two of them, of course, will be telling us about here.

At our meeting with Thorsten Gut from Product Management, we were first familiarised with the basic information on the topic. For instance, empty-bottle inspection quite generally involves checking the bottle after it’s been washed.

The steps involved in empty-bottle inspection

We learned what steps precisely are involved in empty-bottle inspection: firstly, the containers are checked for what is called scuffing, which is wear and tear on the sides of the bottle. The machine then checks whether the bottle is the right size and is currently in the correct position. Any bottles that have fallen over are ejected.

The next step is to inspect the bottle for soiling and damage to the sealing surface or sealing edge, and to the bottle’s base. Thereupon the thread is inspected, and the sidewall. The bottle is also checked for residual liquid, such as caustic residues from the washing process, using infra-red and high-frequency methods.

What are called “monoliths” are the modularised units in the Linatronic. They can be easily added to at a subsequent retrofit.

This is what the Linatronic can do

But it didn’t stop with the theory: for the next explanations, we went into the hall with Thorsten Gut, where we could see the empty-bottle inspector live. He explained to us that the Linatronic being exhibited at the Brau 2014 will already be one of the new “full-front” machines. What does that signify? He explained that to us as well: thanks to a new layout, the machine is more compactly dimensioned and can thus be integrated without any problems into an existing line. By using fewer but high-performance cameras with a resolution of 4.2 MP fixed focal length, better results are achieved while nonetheless saving space!

What’s more, the new Linatronic has been ergonomically optimised. This means simplified operator control, hinge-mounted assemblies and a tiltable monitor mounted lower down. The conveyor belt, too, is now driven directly using servomotors, thus minimising power losses and improving energy-efficiency.