KHS Advanced automatic film reel changeovers

The Advanced series by KHS enables automatic changeovers from one reel to the next on its packaging machinery. The film storage facility means it is no longer necessary to stop the machine or throttle the production speed.

With a machine stop of up to 21 s/reel, change up to 1.2% more capacity can be achieved per year in two-shift operation, the company claims. This efficiency is brought about by a built-in buffer; once the current reel of film has been unraveled to a certain minimum, the storage facility is automatically filled parallel to production.

The switch is triggered by a sensor that scans the diameter of the active film reel and recognises when a change of reel is imminent. Once the store has been filled and the active reel reduced to the absolute minimum, with clear film the drive stops directly and not at a defined position. With printed film it stops right at the eye mark.

The size of the storage facility and the short time needed for film splicing mean there is enough cooling time, thus creating a stable splicing seam. This function can also be retrofitted on existing systems to process shrink film. Adaptations to the machine control system and, depending on the machine version, mechanical and/or electrical conversions are required for operation. There is no need for special electronic components or a separate controller.