The Sleevematic sleeve applicator has been part of Krones portfolio for almost 20 years, and this year Krones celebrates the assembly of its 1000th Sleevematic at Krones’ Neutraubling plant. It is slated to be brought online at the Italian beverage maker Acqua Sant’Anna in 2nd quarter 2025.
The Sleevematic is now in its 4th generation, and its continuous development over the years is evident, particularly in terms of performance and efficiency. The Sleevematic TS model, which can be dimensioned for up to 50,000 containers per hour, is the fastest inline sleeve applicator on the market. This unparallelled speed is made possible by a rotating perforation unit, which forms the heart of the Sleevematic. As the name suggests, the unit perforates the sleeve in a continuous process instead of in intermittent motion. All without compromising the quality of the sleeve.
Another benefit is the machine’s exceptional flexibility: During change-overs, the cutters can be set to the new container size automatically – saving time and handling parts. Spare parts needs are also reduced thanks to the impressive longevity of the cutters: one set can make 70 million cuts before wearing out. Conventional cutting units can do only a tenth as much before needing to be replaced.
But sustainability is not only about the machine itself but also the materials it consumes. Besides standard labels made from PET-G, the Sleevematic can also handle newer sleeves made of polyolefin and crystalline PET plastics, which are ideally suited for recycling. Retrofitting the machine for increased sustainability takes just a few small changes – which Krones has already implemented successfully for a number of customers.
The Sleevematic can also be fitted with additional options, such as the Multireel S magazine for label reels, a Shrinkmat steam tunnel and Checkmat systems with a variety of inspection units.
The classic configuration of the Sleevematic is as a stand-alone machine within a line, though it can also be integrated into a block solution as what Acqua Sant’Anna has chosen. Marco Balbiano, Plant Manager and Chief Information Officer at Acqua Sant’Anna said, “We have been thinking about integrating a sleeve labeller for some time. This new 36,000-bph line was the perfect opportunity to try it out on various container types and sizes. After all, labels are a highly effective means for us to communicate with our customers – and now between wrap-around labels, pressure-sensitive labels and sleeves, we’ve got plenty of options for that.”
For more information, click on: Krones (Thailand) Co. Ltd
