A.Celli Nonwovens’ (Italy) reports that it is successfully operating a robotized system that allows re-use of paperboard cores employed in the production of large-sized rolls, once they have been accurately selected and suitably retained. Typically, these large cores are disposed of after the product wound around them is used in the production process, impacting logistics and industrial costs. With the installation of Extra[+]Core, A.Celli Nonwovens reports that it has solved these issues.

Extra[+]Core is a totally integrated and automatic system that entails taking the cores from a portable metal bin with a forklift, analyzing and assessing them for suitability, and then putting them back into the production process as needed.

The cores are taken by a 4-axes robot equipped with an intelligent head capable of checking the position of the cores and collecting them, thanks to a vacuum system generated by micro-injectors. Once the core is picked up by the robot, it is positioned on a machine where it is checked for suitability, verifying dimensions and integrity. The cores that pass this test are automatically sent to the loading line; those that do not, are placed inside of the discarded cores bin.

Extra[+]Core has several advantages, such as generating less waste due to core recovery and to the reduction of the quantity of new cores to be purchased, with substantial savings in costs. Since it is completely automatic, Extra[+]Core does not require the presence of operators in charge of waste recovery and guarantees objective, repeatable, and reliable checks on the cores, A.Celli says. Additionally, it offers the possibility to create automatic reports useful in periodical industrial assessments, which include savings and respect for corporate recycling and recovery programs.

A.Celli notes that "everything boils down to the core—and Extra[+]Core gives you the possibility of having more than one."