The cooperation with Krones AG, which plans, develops and manufactures machines as well as systems for bottling and packing technology from its headquarters in the Bavarian town of Neutraubling, began in 2014. Instead of a cast iron boiler, Krones and BUTTING used the prototype of an annular tube boiler as a central vessel for collecting and subsequently directly bottling beverages and food. The vessel body is completely flangeless, eliminating the need for maintenance work involving changing seals, for example. Besides the reduction in maintenance, the fast and simple cleaning of tube geometry is a further benefit.
BUTTING manufactures and supplies the complete system element for Krones: From tube manufacture, forming into a tube ring using welding and mechanical processing, to surface treatment along with checks and acceptance, all work steps take place in the factory in Knesebeck. The size of the rings available ranges from 1 800 to 5 400 mm in diameter.
We generally ensure compliance with the tightest tolerances during the entire production process. Since the ring is also used for collecting and distributing beverages and food, the requirements for the inner surfaces of the vessel that come into contact with the media are also high.
After manufacturing an initial version of the ring this is mechanically processed and is given on average about 200 holes. The bottling outlets are then welded, which is where top technical welding expertise is required. Finally, the annular vessels are subjected to a pressure test, which is followed by full bath pickling for the purpose of passivation, as well as glass bead blasting of the external surfaces.
We have recently been able to send the 400th tube ring to southern Germany, where this occasion was accompanied by a small ceremony. We are proud of the fact that we have already been able to deliver numerous annular tube boilers to the satisfaction of our customers.
BUTTING – Progress by Tradition
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