End of Line Machine for Plastic Drums

Fully automatic assembly line for after post-cooling.

The fully automated assembly line for plastic drums is installed directly after the cooling line. This machine assembles the drums and includes an integrated differential pressure test. The system has been entirely developed and manufactured by Verborg Engineering in close collaboration with the customer. Thanks to its high processing speed, this machine does not create bottlenecks in the production process.

Process Overview

The assembly line can process up to seven drums simultaneously. Almost every station, except the leak tester, is equipped with a bypass option. The drums move smoothly along the line thanks to a specially developed product shuttle.

Each drum passes through the following stations in sequence:

The first step in the process is punching. In the neck of the drum, just above the flange, a slotted recess is created to mount a plastic vent nipple. The punching head, which is fixed in place, lowers over the neck of the drum. A rotation station ensures the drum is correctly positioned. A hole is then punched from the outside in, at the center of the slot. The punched disc is automatically removed using a venturi system.
After punching, the ventilation valve is installed. The punching head aligns the valve precisely above the punched hole, and a pneumatic cylinder places the valve. The ventilation valves are simultaneously separated, supplied, buffered, and oriented as part of this process.
Next, the leak test is performed. Using a differential pressure test, the system verifies whether the drum is leak-proof and whether the nipple has been correctly installed. Approved drums are moved by the shuttle system to the next station, while rejected or untested drums are automatically removed from the approved product flow.
After the leak test, the drum is ready to receive a lid. Lids are supplied via towers on a separate buffer track. Once the drum is correctly positioned, a pick-and-place unit retrieves the top lid from the tower and places it on the drum.
The buffering, placement, and closing of clamping rings is currently under development and is expected to be realized in 2025. The same timeline applies to the buffering and placement of handles.

Key Features:
The machine is fully adjustable for different drum diameters and heights, providing flexibility in processing a wide range of formats.

Feel free to contact us for more information.