Two Servo motors are used within the Case Feed to ensure gentle handling of the product and the filled case. The use of Servo motors also reduces the number of parts and the complexity of the system, to greatly increase the reliability of the machine. Eliminated parts include the side belt and gear train assembly, the pneumatic lift cylinder, the clutch brake, and the table positioning sensors. An additional benefit is reduced air consumption.

Through the use of this technology, we were able to develop and perfect our proprietary "Soft-Catch" principle. Many of our customers have asked us to take the "drop" out of drop packing. With "Soft-Catch", we are able to safely pack many products thought to be unsuitable for drop packing.

The trend toward light-weighting bottles continues, yet this often makes many containers too fragile for the sudden stop in drop packing. The "Soft-Catch" principle uses onboard computer calculations and a Servo motor to actively catch the product without impact (see diagram). We also use this principle for loading HDPE bottles into shallow trays. With the "Soft-Catch", we are able to greatly reduce the bouncing effect of the bottles and load them in the trays without mispacks or damage to the product or cases.

Positive control of the case from infeed to the packing area is guaranteed by a second Servo. The Servo motor gives the Case Feed the ability to accelerate the case and keep it under positive control through each station in the case packing process. The addition of the second Servo completely eliminates high maintenance items, such as side belts and clutch brakes.

Other items that we've added to reduce the maintenance cost are commercially available conveyor chain and inductive proximity sensors for case detection. Many of our customers asked us to eliminate photoelectric sensors, which are prone to becoming blinded by cardboard dust, cleaning solutions and water.

As with all of our case packers, this machine is available in right angle, in-line, and counter-flow configuration. We also offer the Servo Case Feed as a retrofit kit for existing Standard-Knapp packers. Current machine owners with mechanical or pneumatic tables should consider this technology if they would like enhanced speed capabilities, a softer packing cycle, or enhanced machine reliability.

Benefits of "Soft Catch" Technology
• Protects product - gentle handling
• Reduces maintenance - fewer moving parts
• Saves money - reduced air consumption
• Flexible production - 15 minute changeover
• Increased capacity - higher speeds and reliability

By John LaSpada Supervisor of Technical Documentation In today's competitive packaging market, making an effective connection with the customer is the key to building lasting relationships. Since our company's inception in 1894, Standard-Knapp has made it a point to gain customer confidence using a two-fold platform ­ making it easy for the customer to contact us, and even easier for the customer to do business with us.

A lot may have changed since the early 1900s, but our commitments to effective communication and quality services are still the same. Standard-Knapp's latest communication tool includes a 24-hour toll-free Customer Service number (1-800-628-9565) that automatically forwards customer messages to our nationwide sales and service network. This system keeps our customers in touch with a Standard-Knapp representative, not voice mail, 7 days a week. This contact network has enabled Standard-Knapp to solve even the most pressing service issue during hours that other companies are relying on voice mail for their technical support.

Standard-Knapp understands our customers' daily demands to keep their machinery up and running, with minimal downtime, and this is the framework around which we have built our service practices.

We currently offer several programs that are geared toward enhancing the operation and performance of your new or existing Standard-Knapp equipment. We recognize that new machinery is ineffective unless you have effective personnel. So, over the past two years, we have developed machine-specific training programs that quickly and effectively train personnel on machine operation, changeover, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Experienced trainers will deliver the training program at your plant, utilizing your existing machinery.

Standard-Knapp also understands the needs of today's companies to keep each piece of in-house machinery operating at peak performance. This is the main drive behind our popular Machine Audit program. Under this program, a Standard-Knapp field service engineer will visit your plant and give your machine a factory tuneup.

Customers have also requested help from Standard-Knapp in regard to their inventory control problems. As part costs continue to rise across the market, companies are trying harder and harder to stock only those necessary parts for their existing machinery. Yet many find themselves storing parts which are actually obsolete. Under Standard-Knapp's Stockroom Audit program, a qualified Standard-Knapp parts representative will visit your site to conduct an in-house inventory of our machine-related parts. After the inventory, we will help you eliminate obsolescence, adjust min/max reorder ranges, and add any "critical" items as appropriate for your Standard-Knapp machinery. Following the visit, a detailed report, with associated savings recommendations, will be presented. The end result will be a more efficient inventory of common wear parts and use items.

Standard-Knapp even makes it easy for customers to conduct daily business activities with us. The advent of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) allows those equipped Standard-Knapp customers to instantaneously place part orders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are also one of the few packaging machinery manufacturers to accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express for part orders as well as service billings. These services are all just elements of our plan to keep our customers happy and their machines running at optimal performance.

If you would like to learn more about any of the services mentioned in this article, please contact us at 1-800-628-9565, or email us at info@standard-knapp.com.