Whether it’s a flavor or
packaging size, equipment manufacturers must keep on top of trends to stay
competitive. Can sizes have gone from the traditional 12-ounce size to
multi-sizes and also slim cans. As diameters change on can sizes, can seaming
and filling equipment must be flexible to handle constant changeover.
Alex Grossjohann, vice
president and managing director at CMC-Kuhnke, Albany, N.Y., says he has seen
some changes in semi-automatic can seaming equipment. With this in mind, the
company has been focusing on its VSM 5, which uses an automatic measurement of
the seam. The VSM 5 is a significant upgrade for many facilities using manual
inspection, he says. Although the VSM 5 requires an operator for a part of the
operation, the machine also is a budget sensitive unit, and it provides faster,
more accurate measurement with automatic measurement of the double seam.