Precision is an important feature of packaging machines. This also applies to the carton erectors of the Dutch company Lantech in Cuijk. They have to work precisely and reliably - even at the highest production speeds. Lantech has been supplying carton erectors for almost three decades. Although the actual functional principle of the machines has hardly changed, the machines have been continuously developed and improved in recent years.

The folded cartons are removed from a blank magazine, unfolded and glued. The magazine, which can be filled ergonomically thanks to its horizontal position, can be adjusted for different carton sizes. The lateral guides are adjusted using handwheels. The height of the blank magazine is set automatically via the touch screen display. An electric adjustment drive from Linak is used here. The LA34 drive uses a scissor lift system to set the exact height of the carton magazine. The machine operator can set the desired height to the millimeter via a touch panel. Thanks to modern electronics, preconfigured sizes can be stored, which can then be called up quickly. Exact positioning was particularly important to Lantech when selecting the respective adjustment system.

Installation situation with adjustable drive. (Image: Linak)

"The use of an electric cylinder is particularly suitable for this solution," explains Ton van den Heuvel, responsible for purchasing and logistics at Lantech. Depending on the size of the delivery arm for the cardboard boxes, the entire cutting magazine can reach a weight of 600 to 700 kilograms. This requirement is no problem for the LA34. It offers a maximum pushing force of 10,000 newtons and a pulling force of 6,000 newtons. The stroke length is between 100 and 400 millimetres. With the integrated limit switch and the optional analog or digital position feedback, the LA34 - like all other adjustable actuators from Linak - can be integrated into an existing electronic system. "Even after months, the set height remains exactly the same. The accuracy of the system is impressive," continues von den Heuvel.

In addition to the equipment features and technical data, the reliability and quality of the components used are particularly important to the Dutch company. The carton erectors must function perfectly day and night. In the worst-case scenario, a failure can bring an entire production line to a standstill. "We want our customers to have a high level of security for the function of our products," emphasizes van den Heuvel. Numerous machines equipped with electric height adjustment leave the factory in Cuijk every month. pb

With more than 2,000 employees worldwide, LINAK is currently one of the leading companies in the development and manufacture of electric linear actuator systems for various applications in hospitals, care, the furniture industry and industrial manufacturing. With around 70 employees, LINAK GmbH is the largest subsidiary of LINAK A/S in Denmark. 80 percent of the products are customized solutions.