This lidding machine has been designed and manufactured to automate the lidding process for biscuit, confection and other foodstuff manufacturers. The lidding machine processes both metal and plastic packaging containers. The system fits into the existing packaging line and makes the process less dependent on the operator.

The lidding machine has tool-less change parts for the machine, enabling it to put lids onto different shapes and sizes of metal and plastic containers. The change parts are non-adjustable and do not require tools during change over; instead hand operated clamps are undone, the machine tool changed, then the clamps re-tightened. The lidding machine is servo driven, with servo actuators for lid stacking, body container rotation and lid placement.

The lidding machine has an infeed conveyor where the operator places stacks of lids. The lids run into the lidding machine through a guarded opening, get singulated and are then placed on the tins; the tin bases run along a factory conveyor onto the machine tin base conveyor and into the lidding machine through another guarded entrance.

The lidding machine is designed to be semi-automatic, in as much as the operator still needs to load the machine with stacks of lids.

  

Click here to play a (.wmv format) lidding machine animation.

The main features of the lidding machine are:

• The machine is chassis mounted on four anti-vibration feet; it also has four swivel castors to aid the movement of the machine as required.
• Clear polycarbonate panels enclose the machine.
• An infeed conveyor transports lid stacks into the lidding machine.
• There are interlocked doors to access the machine and change parts; these cannot be opened while the lidding machine is running.
• The stack singulation section receives a stack of lids and separates them.
• Lid placement section picks up lids and places them onto the container.
• Container orientation section delivers and positions tins for lid placement.
• The HMI panel is mounted upon a swinging arm and provides an interface for set up and monitoring of the lidding machine functions.
• An electrical control cabinet containing all of the electrical control elements for the lidding machine, such as PLC, servo drives, inverters, Ethernet interfaces and power supplies. This is located at the front of the lidding machine.