March / April 2008 — Ware Handling is part of the Hot End Production where you can only lose! The forming is completed and the container is standing on the dead plate after the release of the take out. The challenge now is to bring the containers into the lehr without any loses and without creating defects on the containers.

The start of the ware handling is the Pusher mechanism which makes a significant contribution to a high level of performance. Emhart Glass developed and introduced the new FlexPusher Mechanism, a two axis servos driven system, providing precise handling from the dead plate onto the conveyor belt in single, double, triple and quad gob applications.

High speed capabilities have been proven on 12 section triple and quad gob machines. The unique motion without pneumatics allows for maximum dead plate time and a smooth sweep out motion. The FlexPusher is available fully integrated into the FlexIS process control system using standard components, and, for some applications, as a stand alone system for upgrades of existing installations.

The FlexPusher features a new Pusher Finger concept that allows for exact adoption of the finger to the container shape by means of small exchangeable finger liners. This makes the FlexPusher a valuable system not only to increase ware handling performance on high speed lines, but also to increase flexibility on lower speed lines that have many job changes and difficult containers.

For more information on FlexPusher and Ware Handling solutions, please contact your local Emhart Glass representative.

Please forward inquiries and comments to the following address:
glass.tidings@emhartglass.com