Sidel Bottle Switch mould changeover system

The Bottle Switch is a quick format changeover system which is used to improve blow moulder flexibility by reducing the mould changeover time. The system provides the ability for faster product changeover times on the filler: less than 1 min to change a mould. This flexibility helps reduce machine downtime and therefore improves TCO. It is also a solution that helps users avoid investing in storage silos or intermediate palletisation.

The principle involves a simple, semiautomatic solution that places the required blowing station right in front of the operator. Easier unlocking of the mould support units ensures automatic opening. The operator just has to change the moulds and removal/installation in the mould support units is done tool free.

The results are an easy-to-use system with no tools, optimal ergonomics, increased safety and a 50% decrease in machine downtime. On an SBO 20 Universal2, for example, full format changeover is now 18 min ‘bottle to bottle’ for a single operator, instead of 33 min for two operators with the previous system. This changeover consists in replacing the shells, body and mould base as well as the stretching thrusts.

The system is available in options and upgrades for all the most-recent generations of SBO Universal blow moulders and will be available by the end of 2010 for all SBO Series2 and Combi machines.