Quick-change star wheels for Eurostar MEC LD 16/1V
The Eurostar MEC LD 16/1V is a filling and capping block for glass bottles. On the line we equipped it ran wine bottles in two formats. With conventional star wheels, every format needs its own complete star wheel, and every changeover needs a technician and re-adjustment. We fitted Bottleneck bases and one gripper set per bottle, so the operator does the format change by hand.
What we built for the MEC LD 16/1V
Star wheels in two colours
Each bottle format has its own colour, blue and green. The operator sees from across the room which set is on and does not have to measure or remember codes, so the changeover is done right by anyone, even by someone new on the shift.
Base on the Eurostar geometry
The base was designed by reverse engineering the dimensions of the station and the height the machine allows. It goes on once and never comes off. The grippers keep the centres of the machine, so no changeover needs any adjustment.
Bottle guides
Before the star wheel takes the bottle, it runs through white curved guides that centre it. If the bottle arrives crooked, the star wheel hits it instead of picking it up, and that is where jams start.
Photographs from the installation
What changed on the line
Two wine bottle formats on the same line, with two gripper sets. Switching from one to the other is done by hand, with no tools, no technician and no machine adjustment.
If the customer decides to add a new bottle, the base is already there. A new bottle takes a phone call and the drawing or a sample of the bottle. The new gripper set is ready in 3-5 working days, with no visit and no measurements on the machine.
Eurostar MEC LD: common questions
I have a different version of the MEC LD series. Does it fit?
The base is designed per model. If yours is a different version we measure the station again. The grippers are per bottle and carry over.
How long does a new bottle take?
A new set of grippers in 3-5 working days from our workshop. You fit it yourself, by hand.
Do you run a Eurostar MEC LD?
Send us a photo of the station and the bottle you want to run. We will tell you what is needed and what is not, with no commitment.