Starting with MetaPure recycling systems, equipment for preform production (including the Krones Prefero injection-moulding system added through the recent acquisition) and MHT tools and moving on to ErgoBloc for stretch blow-moulding, filling and labelling PET bottles, the company comes full circle with its machines and systems for the dry end. All of that is complemented by comprehensive digitalisation solutions and soundly based expertise in preform and bottle design, making the Krones Group the only supplier that can cover the beverage industry’s entire PET value chain with its own portfolio. But what exactly is the Prefero injection-moulding system, and what are the advantages it offers for the production of PET preforms and closures?
The injection-moulding machine in the Prefero system is a side-entry unit with fully electric clamping force and five-point twin toggle. Characterised by smooth running, low wear and a small footprint, the Prefero preform machine achieves hourly outputs of between 300 and 1,600 kilograms of PET. Its servo-electric drive uses high-dynamic-response synchronous motors promising second-to-none dynamics and energy-efficiency. Prefero can be relied on to provide homogeneous melt qualities and better colour blending and to process one hundred per cent rPET.
Sustainable solutions using only small amounts of packaging material for optimum product characteristics
More mould cavities per surface area and an adaptive injection-moulding process that permits ultra-fast cycle times combine to achieve higher performance levels with the same machine size. A total of 144 cavities on a 400-tons machine make the PETX screw, which has been newly developed for the injection unit, the ideal option for the ongoing trend towards ever smaller and ever lighter preforms. Depending on the wall thickness and weight of the preforms, typical cycle times lie between five and 14 seconds. An intelligent hydraulic unit with adaptive drive prevents the oil from deteriorating so much at low temperatures. Moreover, it is now also possible to set lower temperatures at the dryer because the shearing and heating stages have been optimised.
Dryer, cooler and other peripherals have been integrated with Euromap 82. The post-cooling options include preform inside cooling. The high-dynamic-response removal drive is standard-fitted with a double belt and features up to four post-cooling stations in the removal plate. No fixed place at the movable side has been specified for the removal system, so it can be freely positioned. The PET production tools from MHT that are used by Prefero are known for being one hundred per cent industry-standard compatible. The standard coating for the cores is titanium nitride (TiN) and that for the neck rings is diamond-like carbon (DLC).