High-Speed Tipping

In a tipping application, a friction feeder accurately places a flat tip-on product onto another product moving underneath the feeder (usually on a conveyor). The two products will typically be affixed together using glue sprayed from a hotmelt gluing system.

Multifeeder’s equipment is specially designed for high performance tipping applications. Our friction feeders utilize a 750 watt servo motor, the best in the industry, which makes our feeders strong enough for the most demanding tipping applications. In addition, our proprietary servo controls, on-board computer, and tipping software ensure that your Multifeeder system exceeds your stringent tipping requirements.

Multifeeder Technology has four primary software options that can be purchased to ensure that the tip-on product is accurately placed regardless of the speed of the conveyor. These options are: AccuTipping, AccuTipping Repeat, Encoder Timing Compensation, and Speed Compensation.

AccuTipping
This is Multifeeder’s trademark method of tipping,which allows the friction feeder to tip products in a continuous motion without stopping. This option is available on both our Industrial Performance Series feeders as well as on our Signature Series feeders (in a variation known as ezTipping). The AccuTipping software is quite simply the best in the industry, providing the ability for tipping at sustained rates of up to 500 products per minute with accuracies of up to +- 1/32nd of an inch.

Multifeeder Technology has extensive experience integrating its friction feeders into the most demanding tipping applications in the packaging and printing industries. If you have a tipping application that requires high speed and/or tight accuracies, then AccuTipping on a Multifeedeer should always be your first choice.

AccuTipping Repeat
This option is a variation of AccuTipping that is used to ensure that the bottom product (the one getting tipped onto) is always the same distance apart regardless of the speed of the line. Multifeeder Technology always recommends using this software for feeding the bottom product in tipping systems that utilize a vacuum conveyor. This software significantly reduces the variation in placement, which can dramatically improve the performance of the overall tipping system.

Encoder Timing Compensation
This option accurately tips the product by feeding at a set speed while varying the amount of time the feeder waits prior to feeding. At full conveyor speed, the feeder will be feeding instantly (a wait time of zero), and at a slow speed cutoff, the feeder will wait a full predetermined amount of time. Multifeeder Technology primarily uses this software in applications where AccuTipping is impractical, such as with drop tables, and in cases where some operation needs to run prior to feeding the product.

Speed Compensation
This is the simplest form of compensation, whereby the feeder simply matches the speed of the conveyor when feeding the product. Speed compensation is typically used in cases where accuracy is less important, such as when a tip-on product needs to land in a box or between two lugs.

Bobst Folder Gluer
Here we have an MFT 250 mounted onto a bobst folder gluer. The Multifeeder makes feeding CD’s onto a folder-gluer easy. The high speed capability makes the MFT friction feeder the machine of choice.

Modular In-Line Tipping System
Multifeeder Technology manufactures automatic tipping systems that are used to feed a product, and then attach another item to the first product with adhesive. The in-line tipping system consists of a modular frame that can be positioned, by forklift truck, above an existing product conveyor. As the product advances below the modular frame, it is automatically sensed by the hot melt adhesive system and places adhesive onto the surface of the product.
Multifeeder’s superior computer-controlled servo motor technology monitors and controls the feeding and counting process, and allows placement of the products with high accuracy. This cost-effective system presents a finished product with the promotional item attached, which can be separated by the consumer thanks to a low-tack adhesive. A variety of shapes, thicknesses, materials, and sizes can be fed automatically. The MFT350ip Friction Feeder automatically senses the prepared primary product, and with a timed placement, puts the second product on the adhesive. The combined unit passes beneath a compression roller that securely attaches the two items and is ready for final packaging. The system can be easily moved to another production line or for offline production with a forklift. For standard production, the system can be turned off to allow a normal production flow beneath the system.

Kluge Unifold CD Tipping System
The Kluge folder gluer machine feeds a base sheet; a hot melt glue machine applies glue to the base sheet. The MFT 250ip Friction Feeder feeds an insert into the pinch point of a Pressure Roller Assembly to assure proper place of the insert. An optional encoder can be mounted to the folder gluer machine connected to the MFT Friction Feeder to monitor the speed of the folder gluer machine. This allows the feeder to compensate its timing to assure proper placement of the insert regardless of the speed of the folder gluer machine.

Data Tracking Serialization System

General Information

The Track & Trace system offers turnkey product handling for serialization coding/printing, inspection and reject system providing a trackable data file. An infrared sensor allows for accurate count using double-detect and overlap detection. This integrated manufacturing system is equipped with a highly adaptable software package that ensures flexible and precise controls.

Typical Applications

• Bags
• Pouches
• Pamphlets
• Card Stock Products
• Gift Cards
• Clear-Film
• Plastics- Coupons
• Magnets
• Bandages
• Carton Blanks
• Tyvek®Sheets
• Pharma Inserts
• And more

Standard Features

• Mechanical design is modular for custom configurations to meet your product needs
• Highly adaptable software package ensures for flexible and precise controls
• Infrared sensor allows for accurate count using double-detect and overlap detection
• Single-sided controls provide for efficient operation
• Easy and versatile to interface using standard industry compliant connectors
• Performance designed for long production runs

Equipment Specifications

Typical Height    856mm                 (31.7”)

Typical Length (ED)                          645mm (25.4”)

Typical Width     537mm                 (21.1”)

Maximum Belt Speed                    140 Meters per Minute*

Power Requirements                     110/220V 50-60Hz 6A

Operating Temp.                              10°-35°C (50°-95°F)

Weight Ranges                                  75-125 lbs.

Operating Humidity                        30-90

Product Specifications

Minimum Size                                   25mm† (W) x 25mm (L)

Maximum Size*                                300mm (W) x 325mm (L)‡

Minimum Thickness                        0.075mm (.003”)

Maximum Thickness                       25mm

Lugged to Registration Stage

• Reject on Error
• Stop on Error
• Guarding with Safety Interlock
• Catch Tray

General Information

Uninterrupted production is the key to successful manufacturing. The Multifeeder Automatic Product Loader multiplies the product capacity of the MFT Feeder Systems. This addition maximizes the runtime between product reloads while minimizing the number of operators require to run the system, keeping production lines flowing. Multifeeder APLs are also used when the shape of the product itself doesn’t allow for a production stack height. Imagine a plastic bag enclosed at one end. How high can it be stacked vertically before becoming unstable? With an APL that same product can be easily spread horizontally across a flat surface. Another advantage of using an APL, better control of irregular product such as a packaging carton. Multifeeder APLs are available in a variety of widths and lengths giving you the best configuration for your application requirements. Contact one of our experienced Application Engineers today for complete details about this and other Multifeeder Technology solutions.

Specs

Capacity Multiplier
Provides a larger load capacity for longer runtime between reloads

Feed-on-Demand
Supplies the exact amount of product by the friction feeder

Product Control
Gives the ability to load irregular product at larger capacities than standard methods

Smooth Operation
30mm support rods and linear bearings allow the APL to be easily adjusted

Less Intervention
With a larger product capacity less operator intervention and operators are required

Depending on what type of material is being handled, friction associated with the feeding process can impart static onto products as they are separated and dispensed. When this is the case, a static reduction bar can be added to dissipate accumulated static as product(s) travel beneath the bar, typically just as they exit our machine.

The index support curve is an updated support curve option that was designed with ease of use and repeatability in mind. Laser engraved scales have been added to use as a visual reference for each point of adjustment. This allows the user to record recipes for their selection of products, and quickly changeover to the correct setup without repeating the fine tuning process each time a changeover occurs.

A pneumatic stack shaker makes use of compressed air to agitate product and encourage flow through the infeed of the machine. If there is a great deal of friction between individual products, or in certain high speed applications, a stack shaker can be the difference between reliable friction feeding and excessive downtime.

At times, the traction provided by standard feed belts isn’t enough; that’s when we turn to our vacuum track feed belts. They provide the best possible grip any time traction loss is an issue, whether it be from rapid acceleration, or lightweight, flexible product that doesn’t naturally lay flat against the belts.