A bottle unscrambler site survey should record the physical line geometry, bottle handover, utilities, controls boundary, operator loading route, maintenance access and safety interfaces. The survey must show both the space occupied by the machine and the space needed to install, load, clean and service it. Dimensioned drawings and referenced photographs are more reliable than photographs alone.
Site survey
What information is needed for a bottle unscrambler site survey?
A site-survey checklist covering layout, conveyor heights, access, utilities, controls, loading and installation information for bottle infeed projects.
Direct answer
The practical answer in brief.
Technical guidance
Measure the complete operating envelope
Machine footprint
Record the available length and width, fixed obstructions, columns, kerbs, drains and floor condition.
Vertical limits
Record ceiling height, overhead services, pipework, lighting, doors and any lifting or installation restrictions.
Conveyor interfaces
Measure working height, belt or chain width, direction of travel, guide position and distance to the retained downstream machine.
Access envelope
Show operator loading, routine adjustment, guard opening, parts removal, cleaning and maintenance access.
Technical guidance
Document the operating environment
Utilities
Confirm available electrical supply, compressed air where required, isolator position and service routes without assuming the final machine demand.
Controls
Identify existing panels, sensors, emergency-stop zones, network or signal requirements and the owner of modifications.
Bottle logistics
Show how empty bottles arrive, where they are stored and the safe route an operator or bulk feeder uses to replenish the machine.
Site constraints
Record hygiene requirements, washdown expectations, environmental conditions, production access windows and any permit or induction requirements.
Decision aid
Minimum site-survey pack
| Information | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensioned layout | Machine positions, conveyors, walls, doors, columns and access zones | Confirms the machine and installation envelope |
| Conveyor data | Height, width, direction, speed range and transfer location | Defines mechanical handover and guide geometry |
| Photographs | Wide context views and close-ups with a known scale | Shows obstructions and conditions that a sketch may omit |
| Utilities | Supply types, positions, isolation and routes | Supports final engineering and site readiness |
| Controls boundary | Panels, sensors, signals, safety zones and responsible parties | Prevents gaps between machine and line packages |
| Bottle handling | Storage, loading method, replenishment quantity and operator route | Confirms practical production use and ergonomics |
Buyer questions
Questions to resolve before the route is accepted.
Which site dimensions are essential?
Measure the available footprint, conveyor working height and width, distances to adjacent machines, access doors, columns, walls, overhead restrictions and the space needed to open guards or remove service parts. Include a datum so every measurement relates to the same reference point. The installation path may require more clearance than the final operating footprint.
A marked general arrangement or simple dimensioned plan is preferable to a list of unrelated dimensions.
What utilities and services should be confirmed?
Confirm the electrical supply available at the installation point, isolator location, compressed-air availability where the proposed route needs it, cable or pipe routes and any site standards affecting connections. Do not assume the final machine demand before the supplied configuration is confirmed. The survey should identify who provides each connection and when it will be ready.
Utility information should be checked against the final supplier data before installation.
What access and maintenance space must be shown?
Show operator loading position, normal controls access, guard opening, adjustment points, change-part handling, cleaning access and the route for removing motors, belts, guides or other service items. Also show emergency egress and neighbouring work areas. A machine can fit geometrically while remaining impractical to load or maintain.
Review the layout with production, maintenance and safety representatives.
Which photographs and drawings reduce project uncertainty most?
Use a dimensioned line layout plus wide photographs from the operator and service sides, close-ups of each conveyor transfer, the existing control panel, services, floor conditions and the route into the room. Include a tape, marked dimension or known machine feature for scale. Video is useful for current bottle flow, but it does not replace dimensions.
The site survey should be issued with a revision and date so later layout changes are visible.
Related guidance
Continue the specification process.
Bottle unscrambler integration
Continue with this related specification or integration resource.
Existing line-survey page
Continue with this related specification or integration resource.
Installation checklist
Continue with this related specification or integration resource.
Controls and signals
Continue with this related specification or integration resource.
Next step
Send the bottle and line details for a practical shortlist.
Use the existing enquiry route with bottle dimensions, photographs or samples, target sustained output, downstream machinery and available layout information.