Automated warehouse solution for intermediate storing of Dairy bottles

AUTEFA Automation of Augsburg Germany, has sold another installation of their unique system for the intermediate storage of Extrusion Blow Moulded (EBM) Dairy bottles.

The system eliminates the need for packaging materials, palletizing and handling of bottles when they are produced using the typical ‘hole-through-the wall’ manufacturing system common to the fresh milk markets in the UK, USA, Australia & New Zealand.

Traditionally bottles are produced 24/7 and the production is then sealed and stored in plastics bags onto pallets before being depalletized, debagged and then fed to the fillers that normally run on a one shift basis. This system has high direct labour costs together with substantial packaging and handling costs.

Autefa’s system automatically stores the empty dairy bottles in sealed trays thereby ensuring cleanliness and then allows the bottles to be drawn down on an as need basis to meet the needs of the milk filling lines irrespective of container size. The system virtually eliminates all labour requirements from the blow moulder through to the filler.

The flexible system can be custom designed to fit existing warehousing or alternatively optimized for minimum floor area in a new facility. Storage of 2 days or more production can be achieved.

A UK dairy facility running five filling lines was able to re-allocate 40+ warehouse staff to more productive functions after installing the Autefa buffer system.

Benefits of the systems are:

• Improved efficiency on the filling line

• Reduced damage to bottles and neck finish due to gentle handling and protected storage

• Elimination of packaging materials

• Improved hygiene

• Elimination of labour/handling and fork hoist movements

• Improved inventory management

• Reduced ‘Total Cost of Ownership’ TCO using a robust, reliable & proven technology

The system can also be used for non dairy applications where bottles are produced in house