Besides field-proven solutions, visitors to Krones’ stand will also find innovations, such as a new shell-and-tube heat exchanger for producing milk, milk-based mixed drinks, tea or juice. Heat exchange takes place on the product-against-product principle: the still-cold product flows through the inner tube and is heated up by the already-warmed product in the outer tube. In this version, the energy recovery rate can be increased in comparison to the product-against-water model.
Various subsidiaries of the Krones Group will also be represented at the Anuga FoodTec: HST Maschinenbau GmbH will there be showcasing its Type HL6 homogenizer, which handles 27,000 litres of milk per hour, and is particularly well suited for upgrading the physical stability of UHT milk and desserts, and of milk-based mixed drinks. The HL6 is the economical variant among the high-pressure homogenizers. Thanks to the HST MultiGap valve, it consumes up to 25 per cent less energy, and a demand-responsive control system produces water savings of likewise 25 per cent.
Evoguard, Krones’ specialists for valves and pumps, will at the Anuga FoodTec be showcasing an example of an Industry 4.0 design for components:
A component in the valve, such as a seal, will in future include a feature enabling it to continuously collect data on its status, and signal when a replacement is necessary – before the valve actually fails. The ageing and wear status is optically displayed using LEDs on the RAG principle, or with cloud solutions, including Lifetime Analytic on mobile terminals. In addition, Evoguard will at the Anuga FoodTec also be showcasing a selection from its extensive range of valves, which has meanwhile established itself on the market and is integrated as a standard feature in all Krones’ lines.
Krones is continually expanding its specialised corporate qualifications: a good eighteen months ago, in the shape of Milkron GmbH a subsidiary was founded that focuses on planning and engineering production plants for all liquid to paste-like dairy products. Its performative capabilities cover not only planning, order processing, automation, and installation, but also commissioning and acceptance-testing of the kit on site. Moreover, spare parts and service support, plus the upgrading and expansion of existing plants, constitute an important part of the firm’s operations.
Milkron develops customised solutions for its clients –from the milk acceptance station and finishing treatment of the products right through to filling. The staff at Milkron are sectoral experts, thoroughly familiar with milk as a raw material, and its stringent requirements for processing.
But Krones doesn’t only concentrate on process technology, of course. In what is called the “House of Krones”, it also offers kit for filling and packaging, digitalisation, plus intralogistics, all backed up by responsive after-sales service. Krones’ superlative corporate competence, covering all areas of a filling factory, is unique in the sector. No matter what solution beverage and liquid food producers are looking for, they will find it at Krones.
