Cap Sorter

Challenge 

In 2018, Synlait found themselves let down by a supplier and asked RML to create a semi-automatic capper for them with an 18-week lead time.  The brief was to deliver a machine capable of orientating infant formula cans and caps so that the cap was always applied in a specific orientation to the can artwork. This semi-automatic solution ran reliably for three years at which time Synlait engaged RML again to deliver a fully automated solution to descramble caps and apply them to the cans in a specific orientation at a rate of 130 cans per minute. 

Solution 

The RML solution for this application was to separate the system into two different machines connected by line conveying that also delivered uncapped cans and transported away the completed product. One of the key machines in this line was the G104 Cap Sorter.

The G104 Cap Sorter has a hygienically designed Hopper and Conveyor feed system capable of holding approximately 2000 caps that are slowly presented to a flighted elevator conveyor. Caps are then singulated and presented label-side up through the elevator before exiting the machine in a single file at a rate of approximately 160 caps per minute.