Problem & answerF-11
Bottle Stuck at the Unscrambler Outlet
Also covers: Pocket wheel blocked · machine stops
Likely causes
- The two outlet guide plates (aluminium guides) not aligned with the pocket wheel
- Guide gap too narrow or too wide for the bottle
- Guide plate fixing screws loose
- Deformed bottle
- Wrong change parts for the bottle size
How to fix it
- 1Stop the machine and isolate it before reaching in.
- 2Remove the stuck bottle and any damaged bottles.
- 3Loosen the guide plate screws (slotted holes allow adjustment).
- 4Align both guide plates with the pocket exit so the bottle slides straight out onto the conveyor without catching an edge.
- 5Set the gap so the bottle passes freely without tipping.
- 6Tighten the screws and turn the wheel slowly by hand or in Jog mode to check each pocket releases cleanly.
- 7Run a production test.
Technical note
If a bottle catches on a misaligned guide, the pocket wheel cannot turn, every following bottle backs up and the machine stops on overload. Correct guide alignment prevents most unscrambler stoppages.Photos
It is fixed when
Bottles leave every pocket smoothly for a full run.
Stop it coming back
- Check guide alignment at every bottle change and after cleaning.
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