Innovus Engineering’s new 10VGT vacuum and gas seamer is constructed entirely in stainless steel and is designed to meet the specific needs of the canned milk powder market, achieving residual oxygen levels of less than 0.5%.
It follows the design guidelines of the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG), which ensures easy washing and avoids dust traps. All surfaces are smooth, and the close faces above have been separated for easy access for cleaning.
Innovus has developed the 10VGT automated seamer based on the success of its semi-automatic machine model 10VG. The sealing head technology is identical on both models, allowing repeatable performance on both the small-scale laboratory model 10VG and the automated production of the new machine.
The 10VGT features a completely new control system, designed by Innovus and utilizing industry-preferred Siemens control technology. A low backlash Siemens servo motor is used to index the cans from the infeed conveyor to the transfer table. The lids are dropped by means of a fixed end feed module through a centering ring, to place the loose end on the can. An end placement sensor checks for proper end placement on the can before the can reaches the seaming station.
Once the can is positioned on the lifting plate, it is lifted to the vacuum and gassing position, where a silicone ring is inflated around the can to create an airtight chamber for the headspace. The solenoid valves control the opening and closing of the vacuum and gas ports located inside the sealing head.
Vacuum and gas levels are determined by a hygienic three-clamp pressure sensor attached to the sealing head, which constantly monitors the chamber pressure. A double evacuation option is also available if required, which is easily adjusted on the touch screen HMI.
The HMI has a full range of machine settings for vacuum and gas flush pressures, conveyor speeds, turret indexing speed and positioning, as well as the option to select vacuum only, gas flush only, vacuum and gas flush, or atmospheric seal. Vacuum sealing is achieved by means of an integrated high-performance vacuum pump.
The can seaming process is completed with a hardened cam to ensure repeatability. The first thirteen operating revolutions, a feature of all Innovus can seamers, ensure optimum seam formation. The 10VGT is unique in its ability to complete the modified atmosphere seaming of 2.5kg 189mm diameter dairy cans. It can be used for cans from 99 to 189 mm in diameter, with a height range of 119 to 217 mm.
Another advantage of the 10VGT is that the input and output conveyors are parallel. This allows customers to add the closer to any length of conveyor without the need to modify the existing layout.
The first 10VGT model was successfully manufactured and installed at Ornua Nutrition Ingredients in Leek, UK, to pack 2.5kg cans of Kerrygold.
The option to retrofit a second closing station to the 10VGT gives customers the flexibility to increase the capacity of their existing machine. In the single head configuration, the output is 10 cans per minute with 99 mm diameter cans. Output is 18 cans per minute in a two-head configuration using both vacuum and gassing.
