What is a can flipper?
A can flipper is a device used to flip a can body. In the industrial production process, especially in the food, beverage, chemical and other industries, it is often necessary to flip various canned products, such as cans,canned goods , etc. The can flipper is a specialized equipment designed for this purpose.
Advantages of can flippers
Improve production efficiency. The ability to quickly and continuously flip cans greatly increases the processing capacity per unit time compared to manual flipping. For example, in a large beverage production line, the can flipper can process thousands of cans per hour.
The flipping accuracy is high. It can be adjusted appropriately according to the size and shape of the cans to ensure that most cans can be flipped at the required angle, reducing product damage or subsequent process failures caused by improper flipping.
Limitations of the can flippers
There are certain adaptability requirements for the shape and size of the jar. If the shape of the can is too special or the size exceeds the design range of the can flipper, it may cause flipping failure or equipment jamming.
Regular maintenance is required. Due to the wear and looseness of components such as conveyor belts and flipping mechanisms during long-term operation, regular inspection and maintenance are necessary, otherwise it will affect the normal operation and flipping effect of the equipment.
The main function of a can flipper
The can flipper is mainly used to flip various canned products (such as beverage cans, food cans, etc.). For example, on a beverage production line, when it is necessary to inspect, code, or package the bottom of a can, it is necessary to flip the can from its normal standing position.
The working principle of the can flipper
It usually works by combining a conveyor belt with a special flipping structure. The conveyor belt runs at a certain speed, driving the cans forward. During the movement, the can will enter the flipping area of the can flipper. The flipping area of the can flipper has a unique design, usually consisting of a track with a certain curvature or a rotating mechanical structure. When the jar enters this area, it will gradually change its posture along the track or under the action of the rotating structure, thus completing the flipping.
There are various types of can turners, how to choose the one that suits you
one、Factors related to tank characteristics
Tank shape and size
1.Different can flippers have different adaptability to the shape of the can body. Common can shapes include cylindrical (such as cans), square (some specially packaged cans), etc. If it is a cylindrical tank, most can flippers can adapt well, but for square tanks, it is necessary to choose a flipper specifically designed for flipping square tanks, or ensure that the flipping mechanism of the selected flipper can effectively handle the corners of the square tank.
2.The size of the tank is also crucial. Accurately measure parameters such as the diameter and height of the tank body. For example, when selecting a can flipper, the width of its conveyor belt should be able to accommodate the diameter of the can body, and the size and range of motion of the flipping mechanism should match the height of the can body to prevent it from getting stuck or falling off during the flipping process. Generally speaking, the product manual of the can flipper will include the size range of the can body it can adapt to, which needs to be carefully checked.
Tank weight and material
1.The weight of the tank affects the load-bearing capacity requirements of the can flipper. If it is a heavy metal can, it is necessary to choose a can flipper with sufficient strength, including the strength of the conveyor belt and the power of the flipping mechanism. For example, in the chemical industry, some large metal cans containing thick liquids are heavy, which requires the conveyor belt and frame of the can flipper to have a high load-bearing capacity to prevent conveyor belt breakage or frame deformation during operation.
2.The material of the tank can also affect the selection of the can flipper. For example, plastic cans are relatively lightweight and may be more susceptible to damage during flipping compared to metal cans. So for plastic cans, it may be necessary to choose a flipper with a softer flipping method, such as a track type flipper with a buffer device, to reduce scratches and collisions on the can body.
two、 Factors related to production demand
Production efficiency requirements
1.Consider the number of tanks that need to be flipped per unit of time. If it is in a large-scale beverage production factory, the production line speed is fast, and thousands of cans may need to be flipped per hour. In this case, it is necessary to choose a high-speed and large capacity can flipper. These can turners usually have more powerful motors to drive the conveyor belt, and the design of the flipping mechanism can quickly and stably handle a large number of cans.
2.We also need to consider the matching between the can flipper and the upstream and downstream production equipment. For example, if the upstream canning equipment can produce 1000 cans per hour, while the downstream packaging equipment has specific requirements for the posture of the cans, then the production efficiency of the can flipper should be coordinated with the upstream and downstream equipment, neither causing a backlog of upstream equipment nor making downstream equipment wait.
Flip accuracy requirements
If the production process requires high accuracy in the angle and position of the can body after flipping, such as on a high-end food can production line, where precise flipping of the can to a specific angle for labeling or inspection is required, then a robotic arm can flipper may be a better choice. The robotic arm can flip the can body to a very precise angle through precise programming and control. However, if the can body is simply flipped over, the requirement for angular accuracy is not high. For example, for the flipping of the bottom of some ordinary beverage cans before coding, a track type can flipper can meet the requirements and the cost is relatively low.
three、Factors related to work environment
Space limitations
Consider the size of the space inside the factory or workshop. If space is limited, it is necessary to choose a compact size can flipper. Some can flippers are designed to be small and exquisite, but their functions can still meet basic flipping requirements. For example, in some small food processing plants with smaller workshop areas, it is possible to choose a can flipper with a smaller footprint, and the installation method of the can flipper (such as whether it can be installed against the wall) also needs to be considered to maximize the use of space.
Environment condition
If the working environment is harsh, such as dust, moisture, corrosive gases, etc., it is necessary to choose a can flipper with protective functions. For example, in chemical enterprises, there may be corrosive gases, and in this case, it is necessary to choose a can flipper made of anti-corrosion materials for the shell and internal key components, such as stainless steel frames and corrosion-resistant rubber conveyor belts, to extend the service life of the can flipper.
four、Cost and maintenance factors
Purchase cost
There are significant price differences among different types, functions, and brands of can flippers. Generally speaking, the robotic arm type can flipper is more expensive than the track type can flipper due to its high precision and complex structure. On the premise of meeting production needs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the budget. If it is a small business or a cost sensitive project, you can choose a can flipper with a relatively low price, but also pay attention to whether its quality and performance can meet the basic requirements.
Maintenance cost and difficulty level
The can flipper requires regular maintenance during use. Some can turners have simple structures, such as simple track type can turners, which are relatively easy to maintain, mainly for inspection and replacement of conveyor belts, cleaning of tracks, etc. The maintenance of the robotic arm type can flipper is relatively complex, which may require professional technicians for repair, and its component costs are also high. So when choosing a can flipper, it is necessary to consider the subsequent maintenance costs and whether it is convenient to obtain repair services.