Linkx Systems has developed and manufactured an automatic tray erector loader for UK-based dry food products supplier Huegli. The machine has been designed to fit into an extremely restricted space at Huegli's facility in Redditch, England.

According to Linkx Systems, the compact machine occupies less space compared with the existing manual loading station at Huegli's facility.

The equipment has been designed primarily for use with rectangular footprint Ceka Can, which makes efficient use of retail shelf space. It produces erects and glues trays in three user-selectable sizes, including the 1 x 6 can shelf-ready format.

Featuring a two-gun hot melt gluing system to maximise tray integrity, the tray erector loader has a maximum infeed rate of 60 cans per minute, and output of 10 loaded trays per minute.

In addition, it can optionally operate as a tray erector, forming and gluing trays from pre-cut blank board, without loading them with product.

This is a useful option for Huegli as it allows stocks of empty trays to be produced ready for manual loading.

Image: The automatic tray erector loader has a maximum infeed rate of 60 cans per minute, and output of 10 loaded trays per minute. Photo courtesy of Linkx Packaging Systems.