12-4 Canning Line

1. General Overview

The 12-4 integrated filling and seaming machine is an advanced, all-in-one solution for canning carbonated beverages such as beer and soft drinks. Engineered for medium-scale production, this machine combines a 12-head rotary filler and a 4-head rotary seamer into a single, synchronized unit.

It operates on the principle of isobaric (counter-pressure) filling, which ensures a fast, stable fill with minimal product loss and low dissolved oxygen pickup. Key features include superior sealing quality, smooth and stable operation, elegant design, and user-friendly operation and maintenance. With variable frequency drive (VFD) for speed control and an optional remote control system, this machine is the ideal choice for modern breweries and beverage facilities seeking efficiency and reliability.

This model represents a significant evolution from previous designs, incorporating key improvements to the filling valves, material cylinder, and cleaning processes to achieve higher filling accuracy and meet stringent food-grade sanitary standards. The integrated design ensures absolute synchronization between the filling and seaming systems, as the seamer's powertrain drives the filler.

2. Main Features

• High-Precision Isobaric Filling: Utilizes 12 high-precision mechanical valves for fast, accurate, and consistent filling. The counter-pressure principle is ideal for carbonated beverages, maintaining carbonation levels and product integrity.

• Advanced Sealing Technology: Employs a 4-head seaming turret using proven Taiwanese seaming roller and chuck technology to create a perfect double seam, ensuring package integrity and shelf stability.

• Smart "No Can, No Fill" & "No Can, No Lid" Logic: Integrated sensors prevent the machine from dispensing product if no can is present at the filling station and from dropping a lid if no can is detected at the seaming station. This minimizes product waste and reduces lid loss.

• Automated Control System: The machine is equipped with world-class electrical and pneumatic components, including PLCs and proximity switches from Schneider and Omron. This ensures highly stable and reliable automated operation.

• Flexible & User-Friendly Operation:

• The entire machine utilizes a bottom-support transport system for smooth and stable can handling.

• The filling tank height is adjustable via a worm gear lifting mechanism to accommodate a wide range of can sizes.

• An automatic liquid level float switch in the filling tank ensures a stable and consistent supply of product.

• Production speed is continuously adjustable via the HMI touchscreen.

3. Working Principle

3.1 Filling Section

1. Product Infeed: The pre-mixed and chilled beverage is fed into the machine's main filling bowl (material cylinder). A pneumatic butterfly valve, controlled by a level sensor, automatically manages the product level within the bowl, opening to refill when the level is low and closing when it reaches the high-level mark.

2. Can Handling & Pressurization: Empty cans are fed from the infeed conveyor and separated by a timing screw to ensure proper spacing. A star wheel then transfers each can to a lifting station beneath a filling valve. A pneumatic cylinder raises the can, pressing it against the valve's conical sealing gasket to create an airtight seal. A cam-activated valve then opens, first purging the can with CO₂ to create counter-pressure equal to that in the filling bowl.

3. Isobaric Filling: With pressures equalized, the product flows from the main bowl through 14 small guide tubes into the can. The liquid level rises until it covers the gas return port, at which point the filling process automatically stops.

4. Decompression & Exit: A snifting valve slowly releases the pressure in the can's headspace. The can-lifting cylinder then lowers the can, which is then transferred by a synchronized hook chain onto the seamer infeed.

3.2 Seaming Section

1. Lid Dispensing: Lids are manually loaded into a vertical chute (capacity of approx. 200 lids). A proximity switch on the infeed conveyor detects an incoming can and signals a pneumatic cylinder to separate and drop a single lid. A transfer finger then positions the lid onto the can.

2. Seaming Operation: The can, now with a lid placed on top, is raised by a lifter plate. The seaming chuck presses down, securing the lid, and the entire assembly (can, lid, lifter) begins to rotate at high speed. Under the action of a mechanical cam, the 1st operation roller performs the initial seam, followed by the 2nd operation roller which completes and tightens the double seam.

3. Discharge: After the seam is complete, a knockout pad ejects the sealed can, and a star wheel transfers it to the discharge conveyor.

4. Technical Parameters

5. Electrical Control System

The machine operates on a AC 380V three-phase, four-wire power supply. The main motor is controlled by a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) for stepless speed adjustment, which also provides short-circuit and overload protection.

The control system is designed by our experienced electrical engineers for optimal configuration and reliability. It features:

• PLC: Mitsubishi PLC for primary machine logic and control.

• HMI: An intuitive touchscreen interface allows the operator to set the desired production speed.

• Sensors: Mitsubishi proximity switches and Siemens analog output modules provide precise feedback.

• Pneumatics: South Korean brand solenoid valves ensure reliable pneumatic actuation.

The system includes an automatic alarm function for all common faults, displaying the cause and location on the HMI. Based on the severity of the fault, the PLC will automatically determine whether to stop the machine or allow it to continue running, ensuring stable performance and operational safety.