New Agr blowmolder software promises one year payback

21-Sep-2009 - Last updated on 22-Sep-2009 at 10:31 GMT

Agr International presented new software for PET blowmolding at Drinktec last week that promises to improve quality consistently, replace an operator and deliver a quick return on investment.

The new the Process Pilot and works with the PETWall Profiler System to adjust blowmolder production settings to fit changing environmental conditions.

Changes in temperature and humidity can affect material distribution in bottles so too much material can end up in the base or the top. Normally a human operator is therefore employed to check bottle samples and adjust blowmolder settings accordingly.

Software versus operator

What Agr has developed is software that carries this process out automatically. The company claims the new software also does a better job than the best operator.

The PETWall Profiler begins the process by continuously monitoring material distribution. It is an LED based sensor system that can measure data in up to 32 locations and create a thickness profile over the container sidewall at up to 100,000 bottles an hour.

The Process Pilot program then uses this information to adjust blowmolder settings in order to maintain proper bottle thickness.

“Changes in ambient temperature, differences in material perform material and moisture content, and similar variables that cause blowmolder production and bottle variations, are compensated for automatically, producing consistent, high quality containers,” said Agr in a statement.

Potential savings

During a press conference at Drinktec in Munich last week Agr COO Robert Cowden said the new system helps users in the drinks industry save on labour and material costs.

He added that the software is not just suitable for high volume producers and for most applications it offers a rapid payback of about one year.

He said: “It is hard to imagine this not being attractive to a CFO.”

Partnerships and suitability

The newly developed control software was launched commercially at Drinktec, but Agr has already found partners in the beverage industry.

KHS Coroplast has agreed to integrate the systems into its family of blowmolders. Nestle Waters in Italy will also begin using the new software from October this year.