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MACHINERY UPDATE — ISSUE 3, VOLUME XVIII. MAY/JUNE 2007
Issue 3, Volume XVIII. May/June 2007
The only ‘machinery only’ journal for processing and packaging
EXHIBITION PREVIEW
Machinery at Total 2007
SACHET FILLING • SLICING AND DICING • TOTAL EXHIBITION PREVIEW
SLICING AND DICING
Knife edge with a decisions Versatility range of products SACHET FILLING
CONTENTS I S S U E 3 , V O LU M E X V I 1 I . M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
FEATURES 15 Total Show preview THE JOURNAL OF THE PPMA
Editor: Michael Maddox Sales Manager: Angela Rosenberg Production Manager: Bill Lake Production: Miriam Naisbett ISSN 0969-4145 A PPMA Publication. PPMA Ltd, New Progress House, 34 Stafford Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9AA Tel: 020 8773 8111 Fax: 020 8773 0022 E-mail addresses: [email protected][email protected][email protected] Web site: www.ppma.co.uk Applications for free copies of Machinery Update are considered from specifiers, managers and purchasers of processing and packaging machinery in the UK. Annual subscription £33 (UK), £45 (Continental Europe), £55 (rest of world). The Processing and Packaging Machinery Association assumes no responsibility for the statements or opinions, whether attributed or otherwise, in Machinery Update. Typeset and printed by: Manor Creative, 7-8 Edison Road, Highfield Industrial Estate, Hampden Park, Eastbourne BN23 6PT. Tel: 01323 514400.
Some 900 exhibitors are taking part in this year’s Total Processing & Packaging Show at the NEC, Birmingham, 15-18 May.
65 Sachet filling
The Total Show takes place in May at the NEC, Birmingham. 15
Liquid products demonstrate sachet versatility: Sachets and stickpacks are finding increasing application for liquid and wet products.
Total Show 2007 Hall 5 Stand 5665
70 Robotics A quiet revolution: Upstream applications are the new growth area.
Also on display machinery from:
74 Slicing and dicing Knife edge decisions: Demand for fixed weight and count is being met by new control systems for slicing machines.
Will be showing the Omas GDL 250 Monobloc
Marchesini is using a new dosing unit in the MS235 sachet filler. 65
DIARY DATES sponsored by sponsored by
Forthcoming events. 77
REGULAR FEATURES 6 News and people Seminars boost appeal at Total Show: New safety standards for robots and pallet wrappers: Company news.
10 Machinery in action Automatic weighing for Yorkshire pud: Three-robot cartoner handles flow-wraps: Bag-in-box wines move faster.
79 Component matters The case for servos: A new machine that produces a film and board transit pack illustrates the benefits of servo drives.
82 Labelling, coding, marking Item-level 2D codes adopted by AstraZeneca: Shrinkfilm labels for difficult shapes: Print-apply meets bar code standards.
84 New machinery Automation for plasterboard wrapping: Relocatable tray sealer: Bagger from Poland: Integrated top load cartoner.
CLASSIFIED
Pizzamatic slicing and placing machine supplied by JBS. 74
PROCESSING SPOTLIGHT Machinery in action: Sieve screens building materials: Bakery opts for stainless motors: Cook/chill plant extends shelf life.10 Total Show preview: Adelphi Manufacturing, Allied Pharma and Engelmann & Buckham are among many exhibitors with processing equipment on display. 15
85 Machinery and services BUYERS’ GUIDES 86 Ancillary equipment 88 Processing equipment 90 Packaging machinery M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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P P M A M AT T E R S
A new tradition of excellence
Faster bagging for less The Autobag bagging system offers a typical
E
stablishing a totally new tradition of excellence for processing and packaging exhibitions is not an easy task. But I am confident that visitors to this year’s Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition will find that the ethos of the PPMA Show and what was once Pakex have come together for the second time in a highly successful format. This year there is a combined effort by the organisers Reed Exhibitions, the PPMA and by IOP: The Packaging Society to add extra value with a full seminar programme, designed so that visitors can handpick the sessions they want to attend, leaving plenty of time to visit the exhibits in the show itself. Naturally there is a special slot for machinery, but the way in which the seminar programme is balanced means that there is plenty of scope for visitors to focus on the wider issues – materials, waste management and recycling for example – that could seriously affect everyone within those industries that rely so much on packaging. As you might expect, the machinery session will be very much concerned with the future of processing and packaging machinery design and I am looking forward in paricular to Unilever’s contribution in this area. But in just the same way that the Total exhibition brings together all the elements in the supply chain – making the links, as it were – so the machinery sessions will look at the ways in which brand owners, designers and machinery suppliers can work together successfully in new product development and innovative packaging. The more we see of the economic power simmering in the Far East, the more important it becomes to recognise the importance of innovation in the global market. And that means innovation not only in terms of products and services, but also in the means of manufacturing and delivering those products and services. For example, the Chinese - and indeed their neighbours - are particularly apprehensive of the robotics technology used in the West and its potential for eating into the advantages of their extraordinarily low labour costs. Compared with the US and Germany, uptake of robotics in the UK may be currently fairly slow, but is accelerating as even smaller manufacturers come to appreciate the huge potential savings and also the quality enhancements that automation of this type brings in its wake. In fact, this is where Total comes in. Not only are robotics well represented but the exhibition generally shows how processing and packaging machinery suppliers are continuing to concentrate on developing better and better machines to stay ahead of the game themselves and ensure their customers do likewise. At Total you can see it all. The PPMA Show’s tradition of a focussed, nononsense machinery and technology event is now every three years a major component of the Total exhibition and the input from Pakex is no less substantial in terms of the reputation it earned within the front rank of international packaging exhibitions. So be assured, the best traditions of the PPMA Show and Pakex have not gone away. They are embraced and enhanced by the new tradition and standard that is being established with Total Processing and Packaging. We are confident you will like what you find at the NEC 15-18 May. The PPMA stand is 4380 and we will be pleased to help visitors with any machinery enquiries they may have. See you there.
Chris Buxton Chief Executive, PPMA
payback in less than 12 months...
...and is a proven winner for high speed, high quality bagging...
...with operational flexibility that’s a cut above the rest
So whatever your application, if it involves bagging components, Autobag offers a lot
Automated Packaging systems Ltd, Enigma Business Park, Sandy Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 1JJ
NEWS AND PEOPLE
T OTAL P ROCESSING & PACKAGING E XHIBITION
C OMPANY
Seminars help boost visitor appeal for Total Show 2007
IWKA to sell packaging machinery division
Some 900 exhibitors from over 30 countries are taking part in the Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition 2007 at the NEC Birmingham 15-18 May and the PPMA will be helping present an afternoon seminar entitled: The Total Machinery Design Process. In addition, the Association will be providing a consultancy service to help machinery buyers find the equipment they seek. The seminar is part of a wider series organised by IOP: The Packaging Society under the banner ‘Open Innovation in Consumer Packaging’, which also covers the packaging needs of brand owners, retailers and consumers, as well the design function, global and regional trends and smart and intelligent packaging. Companies taking part include Unilever, Tesco, Asda and United Biscuits. Further seminars include a series on RFID that will shed light on this emerging technology while the latest developments in pack design and materials will be highlighted at the Packaging Innovation Show which runs concurrently with Total. Registration is now open at www.totalexhibition.com, where visitors can indicate all products and services in which they are interested and receive a list of exhibitors fitting the specified criteria, with links to each company’s listing. The machinery sessions of the seminar programme take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 15 May, the opening day of the show. Under the umbrella title ‘The Total Machinery Design Process,’ the programme will be chaired by the PPMA’s chief executive Chris
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Total Processing & Packaging: Added value for visitors
Buxton who will deliver the keynote address: Are you an ostrich or a phoenix?–The importance of innovation in a global market. Further presentations are: Widening the design window: Andy Cole, Unilever director laundry category simplification, and Dave Penrith, Unilever global packaging and machinery manager, Unilever supply chain, will consider how to balance the choices with the users and providers in the design process to deliver the best design solution. The innovation machine: Simon Strothers, business development manager, Molins ITCM, will discuss working with brands in new product development. Machinery design futures: Martin Keay, technical consultant PPMA, is to look at future trends in machine design. Holistic innovation approach from packaging technology suppliers: Bernard Fenner, head of
M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
global marketing, Bosch Packaging will examine how brand owners can achieve innovative packaging by early involvement of the machinery supplier to create an holistic approach. The seminar programme is free of charge and has been designed so that visitors can handpick the session they want to attend leaving plenty of time to visit exhibits. All seminars will be held within the Packaging Innovation Seminar Theatre, located in Hall 3a. Full seminar details are available on the exhibition web site (www.totalexhibition.com). Meanwhile the traditional strength of the PPMA Show in showcasing the very latest in processing and packaging machinery continues in full strength with a considerable number of exhibitors planning new product launches. See our exhibition preview, Machinery at Total, starting on page 15.
NEWS
IWKA is selling its packaging division to Berlin-based investment company Odewald & Compagnie for around €255 million. With sales of more than €400 million in 2006, IWKA’s packaging division includes A+F, Hassia, Hüttlin and IWK VPT in Germany, Erca Formseal in France, Aerofill, Dawson and Manesty in the UK, and Fabrima in Brazil. Albro Dico Gravfil brands – powder and liquid fillers and cappers – have been sold to newly formed ADG Packaging Systems by the Bradman Lake Group which aquired them in 2004 as part of GEI Packaging. Romaco has sold Italian pharmaceutical processing and handling equipment manufacturer Zanchetta to IMA subsidiary Vima Impianti. IMA says the move continues its policy of enlarging its range of products for the pharmaceutical industry.
E DUCATION
AND TRAINING
Lean powder processing conference to be repeated Powder handling specialist Matcon is to repeat a two-day conference on ‘Lean manufacturing in powder processing’ held twice recently and attended by almost 80 manufacturers involved in powder processing from the UK and continental Europe. Industries represented by delegates included food, pharmaceuticals, printing, ceramics, chemicals and adhesives. The conference, which featured live full-scale powder demonstrations involving the latest IBC
Pan handling: RTS has won an award from Warburtons the bakers
Weber Marking Systems has become one of eight UK coding companies – and the first in Scotland – to achieve GS1 UK accredited solution provider status. “Our customers will benefit from the very latest knowledge, ensuring they are fully up-to-date with GS1 standards and that their bar codes achieve consistent readability,” says Bill Knox, Weber managing director for UK and Ireland. TNA has struck up a strategic alliance with processing equipment manufacturer Kiremko, Holland, to provide complete, integrated turnkey processing and packaging lines for the potato snack food industry. Kiremko supplies and installs equipment for automatic and semi-automatic processing of potatoes into French fries, snack products such as potato chips,
pellets, tortilla chips and other potato by-products such as flakes, salads and mash. The company also supply machines for processing vegetables, for the fresh and deep-frozen and chilled markets. RTS Flexible Systems, the robot and automatic handling supplier, has won a Suppliers Award from bakers Warburtons in recognition of consistently good performance in supplying pan handling equipment. RTS has 27 robotic bread tin handling and storage systems in service at six Warburtons sites. S+S Inspection the metal detector and X-ray specialist, has moved to larger premises at 6 Kingdom Close, Kingdom Business Park, Segensworth East, Fareham PO15 5TJ, T: 01489 553740, E: [email protected] Guttridge Services, the bulk powder handling equipment manufacturer, has been appointed exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for the Cuccolini range of vibratory and magnetic separation equipment.
Lean manufacturing in powder: FurtherTwo-day conference planned
and related technology as well as academic presentations on current thinking in the field, will next be staged on 27-28 June at Matcon’s headquarters at Moreton-inMarsh, Gloucestershire. Topics include minimising work in progress, mixing without clean-
ing, efficient traceability, packing with total flexibility and maximising overall equipment effectiveness. Further details can be obtained via www.matconibc.com/conference or from the Matcon stand (5726) at the Total Exhibition.
M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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NEWS AND PEOPLE
M ACHINE
B RITISH B OTTLERS ’ A WARDS
SAFETY
Safety standards reflect technical developments New European standards on robot and pallet wrapper safety show how the authors are keeping pace with technical developments, writes Martin Keay. One of the challenges facing the authors of European safety standards for packaging machinery – which include representatives from the PPMA has been to keep pace with technical developments in general and the increasing use of industrial robots and other software synchronised mechanisms in particular. For instance, it is increasingly common for case and tray loading machines to be based on an industrial robot and for the guards around the robot to be positioned to suit the programmed limits of the movement of the robot, rather than the mechanical limits of movement of the mechanism. This raises some significant safety issues because most robots are quite capable of demolishing a set of guards if they are inadvertently programmed to move to a point outside the guards or deviate from their programmed area of movement for some reason. The new standard that covers case loaders EN 415-7: 2006 Safety of packaging machines – Part 7: Group and secondary packaging machines, offers four methods of tackling this problem. The first is to position the guards outside the maximum area of movement of the robot. This solves the problem but typically means that the footprint of the machine is much bigger than necessary, which is never popular. The second method is to fit mechanical stops to the robot that prevent it from moving in certain
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areas even if programmed to do so. This technique works well to limit the rotational movement of a robot but is not usually practicable for limiting the reach of the mechanism. The third technique is to fit an interlocking device to the robot head that can stop the mechanism if it encounters resistance. Such a mechanism is unlikely to prevent damage to the machine’s guards if it connects with them at full speed but will almost certainly prevent the head from breaking out from the guards, since the stopping time of most industrial robots is now very short. These three solutions represent the traditional approach to machinery safety, which takes the view that electronics and software cannot be trusted but that mechanical devices and hardwired electro-mechanical controls can be relied upon. However the fourth solution offered by EN 415-7 recognises that electronics and software can be very reliable if they are designed in accordance with a standard such as IEC 61508-3 and that the most likely reason for the robot trying to break out of the guards is not component failure or electromagnetic interference but operator error. Consequently the fourth solution, which relies on programming alone, requires that the software for altering the movement of the robot is password protected so that only a competent person is allowed to make alterations. Changes in technology also had to be taken into account when drafting EN 415-6 – Safety of packaging machines Part 6:
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Pallet wrapping machines. With this standard the particular focus of attention was the ubiquitous rotary turntable pallet stretchwrapper. When drafting first started, a distinction was drawn between semi-automatic machines which do not have to be guarded provided certain requirements, such as having a 500mm gap between the mast and the load, were satisfied and fully automatic machines that did have to be guarded because of their additional mechanisms and higher output speeds. However, halfway through the drafting process new fully automatic, but low speed machines produced by Lantech and Robopac called this distinction into question. The line now between machines that need to be fully guarded and machines that do not is no longer semi or fully automatic, but is based on the speed of rotation of the turntable and the hazards presented by the various mechanisms that can be found on both types of machine. The following standards were published by BSI Standards during September 2006. BS EN 415-5 – Safety of packaging machines Part 5: Wrapping machines. BS EN 415-7 – Safety of packaging machines Part 7: Group and secondary packaging machines. The following standards will be published later this year. BS EN 415-6 – Safety of packaging machines Part 6: Pallet wrapping machines. BS EN 415-8 – Safety of packaging machines Part 8: Strapping machines.
BBI presents bottlers with nine gold medals in 2006 awards Nine Gold medals were awarded in the British Bottlers’ Institute Awards 2006 which took place at the end of last year at the Vintners Livery Hall in the City of London. Medals and certificates were presented by Colin Barker, national chairman of the BBI. Gold Medals and Certificates are awarded for the outstanding products in each class of the competition, and Silver Medals and Certificates awarded to high attainers in each of the classes. Diplomas of excellence are awarded for other especially meritorious products in each class. The Gold Medal awards were to: Greene King, Bury St Edmunds: three Gold Medals for its IPA and Hens Tooth and Strong Suffolk. George Bateman & Son, Wainfleet: one Gold Medal for Triple XB. Timothy Taylor & Co, Keighley: one Gold Medal for Landlord Pale Ale. The Chiltern Brewery, Aylesbury: one Gold Medal for 300’s Old Ale. Shepherd Neame, Faversham: one Gold Medal for 1698 Bottle Conditioned Ale. Carr Taylor Wines, Westfield: two Gold Medals for their Alexis and Brut wines. A further 11 Silver Medals were awarded to The Chiltern Brewery, Shepherd Neame, Greene King, Hogs Back Brewery, The Gaymer Cider Co, and Merrydown for their various products. Additionally 14 Diplomas of Excellence were awarded to Caledonian Brewing Co, Hall and Woodhouse, The Chiltern Brewery, Aspall Cider, The Gaymer Cider Co, Broadfield Court, Shepherd Neame and O-I Europe.
EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES
Selling to overseas buyers at Total B USINESSES ATTENDING THE T OTAL P ROCESSING AND PACKAGING SHOW IN M AY ARE URGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND SELL TO OVERSEAS BUYERS The inward mission of overseas buyers, organised by UK Trade & Investment in partnership with the PPMA, is bringing key buyers from Brazil, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore and Vietnam to the Total Processing and Packaging show – for one reason, to find new UK-based suppliers. These overseas buyers are major industry players in the food, drink, toiletries, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals sectors and will all be participating in prearranged face-to-face meetings with UK suppliers. This is all part of a strategy to help UK-based businesses in the processing and packaging machinery sectors to look to export to emerging markets such as Brazil and Russia as their economies and therefore demand are growing fast. In the growing economies of Russia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brazil, organisations are expanding their range of products and improving the quality of their equipment. They are aware that UK suppliers in the processing and packaging industry can offer them new technology and innovative business solutions at competitive prices and they will be attending the event to develop new business relationships. A similar event was held at the PPMA Show last year with great success, with many buyers finding new UK-based suppliers. Some 76 per cent of UK suppliers who participated in the inward mission at the PPMA
Show last year were confident of winning new business as a result of the pre-arranged brokerage meetings with buyers. Michael Barlow from Typrewrite gave the following comment on the benefit of his meetings: “I would not have had the opportunity to meet some of the companies attending without going to the UK Trade & Investment inward mission”. Stuart Ralph, Cap Coder, highlighted “the opportunity to meet senior members of global companies at the same time as exhibiting our products is excellent.” This year, attending buyers and decision makers are attending for one reason only – to meet UK companies to discuss future business opportunities. This free event is open to UK companies who are currently exporting or thinking about exporting their products and services to overseas markets. UK Trade & Investment will ensure you have a highly productive time by getting you in front of up to 20 International buyers for a series of private introductory meetings in the Toute Suite (opposite Hall 5) at the NEC, Birmingham on 15 and 16 May. No unreturned phone calls, or torn up mailshots – just face-toface meetings with the buyers you want to meet. To book your free place now, or for more information, telephone Angela Sobers on 0207 700 0008 or alternatively email [email protected]
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MACHINERY IN ACTION
R USSELL F INEX
I SHIDA E UROPE
Sieve screens foreign matter from building materials
Automation for Yorkshire pud also brings pack changes
A Blow Thru Sieve unit supplied by Russell Finex to a building materials manufacturer has helped the firm identify the source of foreign matter found in raw materials and is now screening all deliveries. Initially, the manufacturer was finding oversize contaminants such as gravel in its process and installed a Blow Thru Sieve to be used between delivery tankers and the receiving silo to help identify whether the two tanker companies or other sources were responsible. The sieve was assembled with a 2mm mesh screen and the tanker’s blower pressure was set to 1.7 bar. The sieve retained large pieces of foreign material on the mesh screen, identifying the source as a quarry rather than road tankers, and removed other oversize contaminants from the product with no reduction in the unloading
Tryton Foods has automated the packing of Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire puddings following the installation of a bespoke Ishida weighing system, which has also allowed the company to change from flowwrapped trays to bags.
Sieving at delivery: Blow Thru unit removes contaminant from raw material
rate of 25 tonnes an hour. Russell Finex points out that although the Blow Thru Sieve operates in the same way as a traditional screener, there is a difference in the way material is passed through the sieve. With the Blow Thru Sieve product is conveyed under pressure
into the sieve through a tangential inlet which ensure high throughput with minimal pressure losses. There are also glass viewing ports that allow the operation to be monitored and the sieve adjusted for optimum performance. T: 020 8818 2000 E: [email protected]
C AVANNA
Three-robot cartoner handles 400 flow-wraps a minute Cavanna has built a robot top load cartoning system to allow a food manufacturer to produce cartons of six flowwrapped cereal bars – two layers of three – at the rate of 400 bars a minute. The machine uses three compact G35 robots to form, fill and close the cartons in an integrated system that reduces the floor space required compared with the three separate machines used before.
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High speed cartoning: Cavanna machine incorporates three robots to erect, load and close cartons
The first robot arm picks and forms four cartons at a time and inserts them into a chain conveyor while the second arm picks products from the vertical collator – fed continuously
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from the flow-wrapper – loading 12 cereal bars into four cartons on each cycle. The third arm applies hot melt to the cartons and closes the flaps. In the UK Cavanna is represented by Quest Equipment. T: 01727 843136 E: [email protected]
Automation: Tryton Foods has bought a bespoke weigher from Ishida
Central to each line is an Ishida multihead weigher operating in ‘twin’ mode, which enables the machine to weigh and pack product into two packs simultaneously. Ishida has also supplied feed conveyors, vibratory conveyors, crosshead feeders and gantry supports for the weighers. Count priority software on the weighers uses the average individual weight of each Yorkshire pudding to calculate and count the required number by weight into bags of 12, 15 and 25 puddings. To minimise downtime for cleaning between production runs, washing facilities have been installed at the top of the gantry by the weighers. Due to the lightweight nature of the product Ishida has employed 5 litre hoppers in order to help keep the product moving during the weighing process. T: 0121 607 7700 E: [email protected]
MACHINERY IN ACTION
E NDOLINE M ACHINERY
M ARLIN S TAINLESS
Final packaging uplift sees bagin-box wine move faster
Bakery replaces motors with stainless steel units
Endoline has supplied a UK filler of bag-in-box wine with a new final packaging line to handle increased throughput and reduce manual case and tray loading. The original line of case erecting, closing and gluing machinery ran at eight cases a minute but has been replaced by a specially designed Endoline Type 208 case erector to run at speeds up to 25 cases a minute.
Tray loading: Endoline 310 pickand-place machine
This was complemented by a Type 501 tray erector and a Type 310 pick-and-place machine to load the product into cases or trays, so reducing manual work. “The 310 is a cost-effective solution for customers who are looking to improve levels of automation and efficiency,” says Endoline managing director Tony Hacker. “Typically, customers should achieve payback on their investment between six and 18 months.” T: 01767 316422 E: [email protected]
Machinery Finder:
ppma.co.uk UPDATED DAILY
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A programme to replace existing standard motors exposed to moisture with stainless units from Marlin is now under way at The Village Bakery Coedpoeth, Wrexham, where engineering director Christien Jones estimates payback time is less than six months. “The economics of installing Marlin stainless motors is just as much a driver for using them as the enhanced hygiene they offer,” he says. “They reduce downtime, simplify cleaning operations and avoid the need to replace standard motors after around two months.” Currently The Village Bakery, which supplies customers all across the UK, is concentrating on replacing motors on the several egg glazing machines in its savouries department. This is a particularly trying application, explains Marlin, because the inherent adhesive nature of egg makes cleaning difficult, as well as encouraging
Easy clean: Village Bakery is putting Merlin stainless motors on glazing machines
mild steel motor shafts to bond to the driving mechanisms connecting the motor to the egg dispersal fan. Normal end of day cleaning operations with standard motors involves dismounting the motor guards used to minimise egg deposits, removing a mounting manifold that accommodates the motor and egg dispersal fan and then cleaning the assembly.
First the motor is cleaned by hand, a time consuming operation, then covered for protection while the other parts are steam cleaned. Now, however, with the Marlin IP66 smooth bodied motor, the manifold and assembly is simply removed – no egg guard – and steam cleaned as a total unit in considerably less time. T: 01270 270022 E: [email protected]
DC N ORRIS
Cook/chill plant helps extend shelf life to 45 days A £1.5 million turnkey CapKold cook/chill plant installed by DC Norris at a US food manufacturer is helping provide a shelf life up to 45 days. It was chosen, says the company, also for its ability to retain taste, texture and aroma in products such as ready meals, soups, sauces, fillings and liquids with shear sensitive particulates. Based on the cook-to-inventory concept, the system includes DC Norris inclined agitator cooking
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Cook/chill: Pump-fill station with conveyor to a tumble chiller
kettles, jacketed and with direct steam injection to provide optimum flexibility and control of the cook cycle. Finished product is transferred to a DC Norris pump-fill station and filled into pliable plastic casings, which are sealed and
trimmed by the integral clipper unit then taken on an inclined conveyor to the tumble chiller. The casings are gently tumbled in chilled water reducing the product temperature to below 5deg C. T: 01767 677515 E: [email protected]
B OSCH PACKAGING S ERVICES
Robotic top loader handles seven tray sizes and 14 products The installation of a robotic Sigpack tray-loading machine in the Carribean is demonstrating how this type of equipment is able to consolidate packing operations by handling a wide number of different products and container sizes. Chocolate confectionery, snack food and biscuit manufacturer Associated Brands Industries Ltd (ABIL), based in Trinidad, has installed a Sigpack TTL-i Toploader which is packing 14 different products in seven different tray sizes and can be changed over quickly between the different formats. A compact machine, the TTL-i combines three functions – tray forming, tray top loading and tray closing – in a single machine. The robot’s product gripper is secured to the arm by a connecting plate, which carries all supply lines for vacuum, air pressure and electrical sensors, making changeover for a new product format a simple operation, with no need for the operator to reconnect cables and plugs. In addition, tray forming and closing tools are adjustable for the whole format range which, points out Sigpack, allows line operators to handle format changeover without supervision. T: 01332 626262 E: [email protected] boschpackaging.com
Wide range of formats: Sigpack Systems TTL-i Toploader at ABIL packs 14 different products in seven different tray sizes
Every fourth bottle in the world !T KRONES WE LOOK BACK ON A LONG TRADITION OFß DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND THE CONSTANT OPTIMISATION OF ½LLING AND PACKING MACHINES000e /URß INNOVATIONS SET THE STANDARDS FOR THE MARKETS OFß THE FUTURE AND OUR SUCCESS PROVES US RIGHT000e %VERYß FOURTH BOTTLE OPENED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ISß ½LLED LABELLED OR PACKED WITH KRONES EQUIPMENT000e
Multiple lines: ABIL handles all these flow-wraps on a single machine
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M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
C3 panel labeller and the LS40 low cost labelling machine. Able to run at speeds up to 100 packs a minute the 8100 can accommodate up to eight labelling heads for optimum flexibility and added capacity. The C3 machine offers wraparound labelling on two or three sides of a tray or container and can be interfaced with a weigh-price labeller or AEW Delford’s integral weighing unit to handle variable information. T: 01255 241000 E: [email protected]
A DELPHI M ANUFACTURING * Stand 4200 A new Response automation system that turns up to four semiautomatic fillers into a fully automatic machine, a new Response semi-automatic BPS bag and pouch filling machine, and Cerberus monobloc and peristaltic filling systems are on demonstration. Joining this equipment is a range of 316L stainless steel containers in sizes 1-150 litres from Adelphi Coldstream, supplied to the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. The Model S420 tube filling machine with hot air sealing jaws from Technomachines of Italy is also on the stand. This model can be adapted to fill heavy pastes. T: 01444 472300 E: [email protected]
A DPAK M ACHINERY S YSTEMS Stand 4528 Shrink-wrapping equipment on display extends from L-sealers to automatic in-line systems while there is also the compact GSP45E flow-wrapper available with both fixed and adjustable forming boxes. Adpak’s new range of food packaging equipment is being launched and extends from simple benchtop single tray lid sealers through to multilane units. In addition there is the BVM Compacta 5022 high speed trim sealer capable of wrapping product of infinite length, with or without a shrink tunnel. Adpak’s associate company Adpal is also on the stand, featuring Kuka robot systems and
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Adelphi: Response system automates semi-automatic liquid fillers
a ring-style pallet stretchwrapper from Italian manufacturer Tosa. T: 01282 601444 E: [email protected]
A DVANCED DYNAMICS Stand 4121 The latest KöRa-Packmat BM 25 banding machine complete with batch counting LB feeder and a Eurokett top and base labelling system are on show. There is also the new Irplast linerless labelling system, a KöRaPackmat PPR rotary vacuum feeder for sachets and the Strubl “plug and pack” bagging machine for hanger packs. The updated KöRa-Packmat BM 25 provides automatic banding of collated products with a new banding module that can be integrated into an existing packaging line or used as a stand-alone machine. T: 01274 220300 E: [email protected]
automatic Robopac Helix system. The Euroimpianti pallet handling automated Laser Guided Vehicle is also being shown, together with a Euroimpianti Skilled 504 robotic palletiser. This offers a working area of 360deg and can palletise up to 1600 cases an hour, working to an accuracy of ±0.5mm. T: 01234 825050 E: [email protected]
AEW D ELFORD S YSTEMS Stand 5348 The 8100 weigh-price labeller with integrated top and bottom labelling is on demonstration along with two standalone machines, the
A LLEN C ODING S YSTEMS Stand 4666 A new ITW Foxjet inkjet printer and the recently launched LaserSystem Plus range of laser coders are among coding systems on display, as well as hot foil and thermal transfer machines. LaserSystem Plus K-1010 (10W output) and K-1030 (30W output) lasers can both be used for static or dynamic coding on a variety of substrates. By changing lenses, the marking area can be extended to 250mm x 250mm. Among thermal transfer printers on show is the TP 4000 multihead, multilane unit, which is able to accommodate up to six heads with a maximum of six prints per head, and operate at speeds up to
A ETNA UK Stand 5270 Pallet-wrapping equipment on display includes a range of semiautomatic machines, such as the Rotoplat 506, as well as the new Jolly turntable entry-level machine, Aetna’s mobile battery operated unit, and a high speed
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AEW Delford: C3 panel labeller for two or three side wraparound work
All-Fill International: Series 100 single head in-line automatic powder filler
250mm a second. There is also Allen’s high speed 55SST thermal transfer printer that incorporates software to give instant changeover between continuous and intermittent printing – with no changeparts. T: 01707 379500 E: [email protected]
A LL-F ILL I NTERNATIONAL Stand 5640 Specialist in the design and manufacture of auger-based powder filling systems, All-Fill is exhibiting a selection of semi and fully-automatic machines. The AFI Series 100 single head in-line automatic filling system is on demonstration dosing a fine, dusty non free-flowing food powder into wide-mouth plastic pots, with container lift for bottom-up compressive dust-free filling. A selection of AFI Series 10 floorstanding pedestal semi-automatic units is also shown. In addition, volumetric versions of the Series 10 filler with standard flux vector drive, including one unit without powder, show the ease and speed of stripdown for product changeovers, cleaning and reassembly. T: 01767 691100 E: [email protected]
A LLIED P HARMA M ACHINERY * Stand 5016 Equipment for the pharmaceutical and allied industries includes an AF40 capsule filler capable of 40,000 an hour and a BP102 blister packer with an output of 300 blisters a minute, both made in India by P+AM Pharmaceuticals. Riva, Argentina, is showing the Hexa Tablet press for the first time. This mid-speed machine has an interchangeable turret, is fully instrumented and can produce 200,000 tablets an hour. From Pace Packaging in the USA comes an Omniline 400 bottle unscrambler while Oli, Germany, is showing the Olimat 1A auto tray erector for the first time. Specifically designed for small trays with tuck and fold closing it can handle up to 30 trays a minute. Information is available also on the German built Gernep range of rotary wet glue and pressuresensitive labellers while Italian inspection specialist Brevetti Cea is using a test bench to demonstrate the capabilities of its automatic systems for monitoring vials, ampoules and syringes. T: 01252 356789 E: [email protected] M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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A hire, repair, testing and certifying service is also offered. In addition, specialist custom lifting equipment can be designed, built, erected, commissioned and tested by the company. T: 01767 312125 E: [email protected]
A UTOBOX Stand 4451
Automated Packaging Systems: FAS SPrint bagging system for food
AMBAFLEX S PECIALITY CONVEYORS Stand 5146 The SpiralVeyor is described as the ultimate solution for bridging height differences, using a spiralshaped incline as an alternative to inclined conveyors and vertical elevators. Available in belt widths from 100 to 800mm, it is said to meet all the requirements currently placed on vertical transport, namely: no control system, low incline slope, high capacity, compact construction, flexibility and high reliability. Latest innovations include a dual lane SpiralVeyor for a parallel flow of goods and a Multilevel version that accepts or delivers items at multiple levels. T: + 31 229 285 130 E: [email protected]
Simotion drive system and recently expanded format. This machine, capable of dry cycling at over 70 a minute, is shown running an eight-impression fruit punnet in PET at a speed of over 40 cycles a minute. In addition, Anchor is demonstrating a recently developed tool change system based on the pit stop philosophy. T: 01895 824301 E: [email protected]
A NGLIA H ANDLING S ERVICES Stand 4126 Reel lifting and turning equipment, pallet trucks, stacker trucks and mobile scissor lifts are among exhibits from Anglia, which specialises in lifting, materials handling, height safety, construction and weighing equipment.
The company is inviting visitors to see at first hand how easy it is to make boxes with its range of short run box-making machines. Equipment is aimed at companies making boxes for resale or end users who can benefit from in-house production. The Hipak, a single pass boxmaking machine is on demonstration and features in-line printing, as well as a choice of over 50 Fefco case styles. T: 01525 379359 E: [email protected]
A UTOLOGIC S YSTEMS Stand 5423 The latest version of TOPS Pro software for package design, case and pallet optimisation is on demonstration along with previews of a new RFID capability for optimising placement of tags to improve readability. Further features demonstrated include support for blister packs and inverted nesting of products. Also to be seen are computer based modelling capabilities for demonstrating, testing and analysing the performance and control of various packaging
and materials handling systems. T: 01753 647664 E: [email protected]
A UTOMATED PACKAGING S YSTEMS Stand 4626 Automated Packaging Systems is launching its new FAS SPrint bagging system particularly for the food industry and other packing environments that require fast changeovers and daily washdown procedures. “FAS SPrint reduces labour costs and delivers significant increases in operator productivity, compared with manual or hand load operations,” says Paul Hayden, marketing manager at the company’s European headquarters. Further exhibits include established bag-on-reel Autobag bagging systems and the Airpouch void-filling system, which provides protective air-filled cushions for transit packaging. T: 01684 891400 E: [email protected]
A VERY D ENNISON FASTENER E UROPE Stand 4600 Plastic fastener and packaging systems include the Variable Needle System which allows products such as toys, cosmetics, tools and kitchen accessories – often displayed in blisters and clamshell packs, or secured by twist and cable ties – to be attached to backing cards with polymer staples.
A NCHOR P LASTICS M ACHINERY Stand 5746 The new Koch KBS KF blister form-fill-seal line, with a 20 per cent larger working area than its predecessor, is on demonstration running a PET blister pack for packing CDs at 15 cycles a minute. There is also the Kiefel KMD 78B Speed-former with a new
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Anchor Plastics Machinery: Koch KBS KF blister form-fill-seal line is shown packing CDs in PET
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and non-food products, such as pastries, bars, frozen food and pharmaceutical products. Further exhibits include the Sigpack Pull Pack easy-opening system for flow-wraps which can be integrated into existing packaging lines. T: 01332 626262 E: [email protected] boschpackaging.com5110
B RADMAN L AKE G ROUP Bosch Packaging Technology: Sigpack Pull Easy system for flow-wraps
Manually operated, or installed in automated systems, it uses two needles to punch small holes in the backing card on either side of the product, simultaneously feeding an elastic staple through the needles and toggling the ends behind the card. T: 01628 859500 E: [email protected] eu.averydennison.com
B ELT T ECHNOLOGIES E UROPE Stand 4458 A steel belt system based on an aluminium or stainless steel machine frame and complete with motion control, tracking and tensioning components is available off the shelf from the company. It can be customised to suit specific needs and be delivered in a container, with an unlimited length of conveyor belt, direct to the customer. The belt itself is solid, perforated or plain stainless or carbon steel and is also available with custom attachments, coatings or tooling nests. T: 0191 415 3010 E: [email protected]
B OSCH PACKAGING S ERVICES Stand 5113 Bosch Packaging Services and Bosch Rexroth are demonstrating their combined approach with new
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machinery and components in addition to equipment integration and project management. Bosch Packaging Services is exhibiting a Doboy B500 bag closing machine and portable hand sealer and Bosch Rexroth a modular conveyor and a number of drive/control and linear/pneumatic products. T: 01332 626262 E: [email protected] boschpackaging.comnd
B OSCH PACKAGING T ECHNOLOGY Stand 5110 Bosch Packaging Technology is demonstrating a wide variety of equipment and putting forward “system solutions that streamline production processes and as a result total operating costs.” On show is the Tevopharm Pack 201 flow-wrapper, which employs robot technology to handle delicate products such as bakery items, biscuits, crackers, confectionery and frozen food. There is also the Bosch CUT 130SW cartoning machine which handles smart wallets as well as traditional folding cartons, while the SVE 2510 vertical form-fillseal machine is suitable for dry and frozen products and will create pillow packs, gusseted and corner sealed bags. The KB curve conveyor from Transver transports delicate food
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the machine can handle products such as tree bark, potting soil, peat, compost and perlite. A new vertical dosing system for powders is also on show, engineered to ensure minimum contamination and maximum ease of cleaning. Information is available on further bagging equipment as well as palletisers and stretch-hood machines. T: 01773 570570 E: [email protected]
Stand 5710 A range of equipment combining the skills of Bradman Lake’s three brands, Autowrappers, Bradman Lake and Europack, is on show. The group offers packaging machinery to the bakery and biscuit, chocolate and confectionery, consumer and healthcare, dry food and frozen food sectors. A fully integrated system aimed at the medium sized confectionery business is on display, consisting of an automatic distribution system (ADS), a Flowtronic 120 flowwrapper, an LJ robotic pick-andplace system, an SL 903 end-load cartoner and a case packer. T: 01603 441000 E: [email protected]
BTH B AG T REATMENT H OLLAND Stand 4313 Wood pellets are being bagged on a vertical form-fill-seal machine cabable of speeds up to 1800 bags an hour. As well as wood pellets,
CAB P RODUKTTECHNIK Stand 4520 CAB is showing its entire range of label printing and print-apply systems including the new Mach 4 business class printer as well as the A+ premium class printer, which can be equipped with cutter, rewinder, unwinder or applicator. T: + 49 721 6626 282 E: [email protected]
C AMA G ROUP Stand 5262 A high-speed, electronic continuous motion cartoning machine is on show alongside Cama’s latest Monobloc robotic loading unit with integral forming, closing or electronic lidding features for packing trays, single flap or three flap cartons or display boxes. The Cama Monobloc handles up to 50 trays a minute, 20 single or three flap lid cartons a minute or 50 display boxes a minute. The
Cama: Monobloc robotic carton and tray forming-loading-lidding unit
FILLING · PACKAGING · MACHINING · ASSEMBLY
BTH Bag Treatment: Vertical form-fill-seal for bigger bags
Cama two or three-axis robot can be integrated into the machine depending on the application. The company now offers its horizontal cartoning machines with the latest electronic controls which allow speeds up to 400 cartons a minute to be achieved. T: 01793 831111 E: [email protected]
C AMPAK Stand 4543 The CAM high speed KO horizontal continuous motion cartoner is on demonstration and can erect cartons or sleeves and load product at speeds in excess of 800 to 1000 pieces a minute. Principal applications include pharmaceutical and confectionery products as well as soaps and smaller items. Also on show is the AVC vertical continuous motion cartoner, capable of speeds up to 300 cartons a minute, and the RV/P high speed overwrapper able to handle up to 180 cartons a minute. Options include servo driven size change. The ZP1 fully automatic palletising system operates from a
basic machine footprint of only 2000 x 2000mm, said to make it one of the one of the smallest machines of its kind. T: 01536 261501 E: [email protected]
C AMSENSOR T ECHNOLOGIES Stand 4265 The company designs and manufactures high speed smart camera systems for machine vision applications such as quality inspection, production control and process optimisation within industries such as food, canning and plastics production. A range of high speed vision applications for the plastics industry is on show. T: 01524 793738 E: [email protected]
C ERMEX Stand 5115 Cermex is launching the new SW series of side-load case-packers able to handle both RSC and wraparound blanks and so cater for a diverse range of secondary packaging on a single machine. Built on a balcony basis, the SB
M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
series employs a choice of pneumatic, mechanical or robotic loading devices and can be changed over quickly as a result of centralised setting points. Speed is up to 13 cases a minute and the machine occupies a footprint of just 4sq metres. Also featured are two new packaging concepts for refrigerated storage of products such as drinks cans or bottles, using a combination of cartonboard and film to reduce materials costs by up to 70 per cent compared with an all-board pack. T: 01480 455919 E: [email protected]
C HRONOS R ICHARDSON S YSTEMS Stand 4326 To complement the range of bagging systems available from the company, a new palletiser – the RP500 Cartesian – is being demonstrated, palletising filled bags onto manually positioned empty pallets. This palletiser incorporates the same bag gripper used on the company’s Compact palletiser, consisting of a grid to pick up the bag and a pneumatically actuated pusher to deposit the bag close to the previous bag on the layer and so provide a more stable load. The bag gripper has four-axis mobility, taking the bags from the feeding conveyor and depositing them on the pallet according to the pre-selected programme. T: 0115 935 1351 E: [email protected]
C OBALT IS A UTO ID Stand 4230 Cobalt is launching a linerless print-apply labelling system said to reduce material costs by 30-50 per cent compared with die-cut labels. For shelf ready packaging and case applications the machine is integrated with a top and bottom case sealer, which guides the pack
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C ONVEYOR S YSTEMS Stand 4616
Cermex: SW side-load case-packer handles RSC or wraparound cases
into position for simultaneous application of both tape and label. Also on view is the Cobalt Sentinel packing line control system in which data including BBE dates, serial numbers and product coding is collected centrally and passed to coding, labelling, weigh scale and other equipment on the line. In operation, the system monitors actual activity against expected, checking that outer packaging and ingredients labelling match the actual contents of the pack. T: 01606 42500 E: [email protected]
C ONSTANT I NSTRUMENTS Stand 5543 The Ceia THS/FB flat belt metal detector complies with the latest standards of supermarket reject confirmation, QA test procedures and HACCP criteria. The system has been designed so that it can be adapted to any line direction and reject formation and employs a conveyor driven as standard by a variable speed inverter. T: 01903 739333 E: [email protected]
A fully operational automated conveying system that demonstrates the company’s ability to provide conveying solutions, from interfacing and integration of other OEM packaging machinery through to complete turnkey material handling systems, is on display. The system includes a range of powered roller conveyors for handling cases, shrinkwrapped packs, tote bins, boxes, dollies or pallets. The compact high speed pneumatically operated switch sorter is said to provide a new dimension in integrated system design. CSL is also displaying spiral conveyors including the new twin lane reversible spiral elevator/deelevator, which caters for dual lane packing lines. T: 01283 552255 E: [email protected]
C REMER S PECIAAL M ACHINES Stand 5564 Cremer says it guarantees accuracy of 100 per cent for its counting machines on which, to maintain precision, the count
C OMITRONIC Stand 4538 French safety equipment manufacturer Comitronic has expanded its machine switch range with the latest version of its Massimotto switch – a tamper proof, contactless, coded, magnetic safety switch with an integrated M12 connector. The Massimotto switch is fitted with the Acotom system which is a fully electronic, tamper proof, magnet-based decoding system specifically designed for protection on dangerous machines. T: + 33 143 030303 E: [email protected]
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Conveyor Systems: Fully operational system demonstrates capabilities
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process starts while the product is in freefall, rather than in contact with the machine. Gravity being a constant, its position is always known. High speed ‘memory flaps’ travel between the products of one count and the next while in flight, holding them and retaining them in memory while the filled container is moving and an empty one arrives. Typically, a single head CF1220 has an output of about 55 containers a minute on a 100 count and there are double and quad versions for nominal outputs of about 100 and 200 discharges a minute. T: 01276 35053 E: [email protected]
CS I I NDUSTRIES Stand 4460 The Hybrid Palletiser being launched at the show brings together the accuracy and reliability of a robot with the high speed capacity of a layer palletiser. A small robot is positioned in front of the layer forming table of the palletiser and is used to orientate cases quickly, accurately and carefully before palletisation. CSi says this development is a significant advantage over conventional turning posts and conveyor turning solutions, as it negates the problems of varying case weights, shape and frictional properties of the product and guarantees layer formation accuracy. It also ensures cases are not damaged as they are orientated at high speed prior to palletising. T: 01244 341298 E: [email protected]
C YKLOP UK Stand 5590 The Cyklop range of hand held battery-powered strapping tools are joined by the Cyklop ES600A, a battery operated mobile semiautomatic pallet strapping system,
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Domino: Introducing the M-Series of print-apply machines
which can apply either polypropylene or polyester strap. Also on display is the Rainbow, a low cost automatic strapping machine, with an oval arch design, which can apply up to 32 straps 915mm wide a minute at tensions up to 80kg. T: 01480 216777 E: [email protected]
D2 F OOD S YSTEMS Stand 5335 Equipment for convenience food includes the new Ulma Scorpius 600 tray sealing system, the compact Suresleeve board sleever and examples of the Smoothseal series of tray sealing equipment. The Scorpius 600 tray sealing system incorporates a purposedesigned facility for handling dome-shaped lids as well as standard trays – with or without MAP – and is said to provide a strong, peelable seal. The Suresleeve pre-glued board sleever is fully automatic and operates on a continuous basis at speeds up to 60 packs a minute. Smoothseal tray sealers on show include the compact rotary 2700R entry-level model and the in-line 2800A machine for speeds up to 30 packs a minute. T: 01582 622111 E: [email protected]
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D AN -PALLETISER Stand 5580 This Danish company develops, produces and markets individually adapted internal transport systems to meet customers’ current and future needs. The product range includes palletisers, depalletisers, pack conveyors and pallet conveyors suitable for the food, beverage, graphic and chemical industries. T: + 45 58 38 91 64 E: [email protected]
D OMINO UK Stand 4310 Ink jet and laser coding specialist Domino is entering the market for print-apply labelling systems with the launch of its new M-Series and
also previewing a new range of thermal transfer printers. In addition, there is the entire ‘plus’ range of coders including the recently launched S-Series plus scribing laser and A-Series plus continuous ink jet printers. The new M-Series print-apply range consists of a modular system of printers, applicators and accessories to meet a variety of applications in adding variable data, text, graphics and RFID data to outer cases. Blow, tamp, tampand-blow and wipe-on applicators are available. Domino is also demonstrating DSL Laser and A300+ ink jet printing for displaying 2D Data Matrix and batch code data, C-Series Plus outer-case coding on both sides of sleeves or cartons, and two C6000+ ink jet heads and bar code validation kit. T: 01954 782551 E: [email protected]
E ASIWEIGH Stand 4340 Easiweigh is showcasing the latest additions to its range of automatic weighing and packaging equipment. This includes the recently launched DRP1010 high speed linear weigher capable of 70 drops a minute, the Midi Starter Pack entry level system, a combination metal detector and checkweigher , and a two-lane counter. Other products on show from
CSi Industries: Hybrid Palletiser combines robotic and layer-forming systems
Pegasus
Endoline: The 734 automatic random size case taping machine
parent group GSH include the Verti-pack PAL-108S palletiser and the Verti-pack W12-126 weighing machine. T: 01905 28075 E: [email protected]
EFFE 3 TI Stand 4363 Two pallet wrappers are being launched on the UK market by Italian manufacturer EFFE. The Spinny S semi-automatic turntable machine is equipped with a touch screen control panel through which ten preprogrammable wrapping cycles can be selected. The Spinny S500 machine is fitted with a film clamp and filmcutting device offering a higher level of automation. T: + 39 0163828911 E: [email protected]
E NDOLINE M ACHINERY Stands 4250 and 4251 A new compact case erecting and packing system is being introduced as a result of the alliance formed last year between Endoline and Quin Systems. Quin’s high speed automatic RTheta case packer has been teamed up with an Endoline 221 case-erector to provide high speed case-packing in areas where, says
Endoline, automation may not currently be possible. Speed is 20 cases and 100 picks a minute. Machinery on demonstration includes the Endoline 221 case erector, the 310 series pick-andplace robotic case-packing machine for low speed applications and a 602 case sealer. In addition, Endoline is showing the 20-a-minute 734 automatic random case taping machine, which has recently been bought by United Biscuits, a 102 case former and a PS6 semi-automatic tape sealing machine. T: 01767 316422 E: [email protected]
E NERCON I NDUSTRIES Stand 4400 Enercon is demonstrating how packaging weight and costs can be reduced through induction cap sealing. Advantages include reduced oxidation, elimination of leakers, extended shelf life, tamper evidence and reduced risk of counterfeiting. In addition, says the company, the sealing process reduces risk of bacterial contamination while increasing consumer confidence in the product. T: 01296 330542 E: [email protected]
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intelligent DC servo motors featuring fieldbus interfaces for Profibus and CANopen – together with a new series of flexible CPX valves and I/O options. T: 0800 626422 E: [email protected]
E NGELMANN & B UCKHAM * Stand 5767 Processing and packaging machinery on view includes a scaped surface heat exchanger, flowmeter filler and polybag lining system for cases, trays and crates. The Consistator vertical scraped surface heat exhanger from Gerstenberg Schröder is one of a range for medium to high viscosity products including confectionery, dairy products, fruit concentrates, sauces and starches, and products containing particles. The filler is a six-head inductive flowmeter machine from Breitner able to handle fills from 20ml to 5 litres and store up to 999 different product formats for press-button retrieval. The Flexim-21 polybag case lining equipment is made by Pattyn Packing Lines and, in addition to established uses for packing oils and fats, frozen foods, caps and closures, frozen bread, confectionery and tobacco, is now being used for a number of new applications. These include crates and trays of frozen meat or fish, cases of delicate products loaded by robot, plastic tubes, and to provide a cover over filled crates and trays. T: 01420 82421 E: [email protected]
E UROFLOW E NGINEERING Stand 4500 Euroflow builds stainless steel equipment for the food industry and is showing an adjustable tray denester, depositor, transfer pump, rotary table and pick-and-place system. There is also a new denester capable of handling both plastic and foil trays. Information is available on further equipment available from the company, which includes lid placers and presses, transfer pumps, depositors and conveyors
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F LEXICON (E UROPE )* Stand 4015
Excel Packaging: ‘Ecogenius’ carton made on Curti’s AVM rotary cartoner
of various types such as elevators and indexing units as well as bespoke systems. T: 01205 357887 E: [email protected]
E UROMARK C ODING & M ARKING Stand 4660 Euromark is launching a range of laser coders from Vespalase. These can be set up either from the local control panel or a network connection and incorporate the facility for the depth of mark to be varied. Specific models include a fibreoptic laser with a projected tube life of 100,000 hours, described as a viable alternative to thermal transfer printing. Also shown are exmples of the new Hitachi PXR ink jet printers, said to set new performance standards for speed and print definition. T: 01942 228882 E: [email protected]
for packing glass products such as ampoules, vials, syringes and carpules by 10 to 35 per cent. Curti also specialises in vertical and horizontal cartoners, casepackers, palletising systems and bespoke automation machinery. T: 01865 400489 E: [email protected]
F ESTO Stand 5617 The company is unveiling a new series of electrical piston-rod cylinders said to provide high accuracy programmable positioning and to be completely compatible mechanically with Festo’s DNC pneumatic cylinders. Also shown is the latest additions to the Festo range of electric drives – including two new
The Swing-Down bulk bag filler features a pivot-down filling head to enable the operator to connect empty bags at floor level and resume filling operations rapidly. This feature eliminates the need to climb steps, strain to reach overhead connection points or risk injury associated with the operation of conventional bulk bag fillers, says Flexicon. Alongside is a working dilute phase pneumatic conveying system. Using downstream vacuum transfer, it demonstrates the efficient transfer of material from the hopper, entering the system via an upstream rotary air-lock valve into a 5 metre high vertical pipeline and exiting the system via the filter receiver. T: 01227 374710 E: [email protected]
F LEX L INK S YSTEMS Stand 5140 A multi-product handling concept solving potential bottlenecks in conveyor lines is being demonstrated. Features of the
E XCEL PACKAGING M ACHINERY Stand 5665 The Italian built Curti AVM rotary cartoner for the pharmaceutical industry is being shown for the first time in the UK and is able to make the ‘Ecogenius’ carton from a single flat blank. This reduces the material cost
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Flexicon: Swing Down bulk bag filler system accepts bags at floor level
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system include the Classic range of conveyors, accumulation and elevation along with the second generation Hygienic System and the Automatic Guiding System. This is an automatic system to reset conveyor guides when product dimensions alter and allows up to 220 guiding units to be controlled from a single cabinet for quick changeover. The Hygienic System employs a new chain which, combined with improved conveyor rigidity, provides speeds up to 100 metres a minute. Speed control is integrated into the drive units, allowing dynamic buffering and soft start and stop to be provided. T: 01908 327200 E: [email protected]
F LEXTRACTION Stand 4551 Dust collecting, mist separating and fume extraction equipment on show for the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries includes Dutch manufacturer Kiekens’ new Dustmaster DM9000 for filtering very fine dust. There are also single phase KE1000 and three-phase KE2000 industrial mobile vacuum cleaners with accessories including primary separators for picking up liquids and larger dust particles. From Fumex, Sweden, comes a new series of 100mm diameter polypropylene extraction arms and a range of filtration systems. T: 01664 410641 E: [email protected]
and packaging applications, the new ATEX range comes in a number of configurations from compact directly driven models to V-belt arrangements with optional sealing upgrades. T: 01264 889001 E: [email protected]
F RIEDHEIM I NTERNATIONAL Stand 4480
FlexLink Systems: Automatic Guiding System resets width of conveyor guides
F ORDS PACKAGING S YSTEMS Stand 5346 The Meurer TP25-B traypacker with wraparound facility loads cartons, trays, bags and bottles into corrugated or cartonboard trays and wraparound cases at speeds up to 25 cases a minute. The stainless steel unit, of balcony construction, is on demonstration running film wrapped trays into a retail ready wraparound case. Also on show is the Jakob Wienmeier Carton King semiautomatic vertical cartoner, a compact machine available at a competitive price. Its modular construction allows bespoke solutions at speeds reaching 60 cartons a minute. T: 01234 846600 E: [email protected]
istics of an individual product. The Phantom detector also includes a Vector conveyor system which gives easy access for both hygiene and maintenance and the Contact data collection package. This can run over an Ethernet system for data collection from an unlimited number of machines. T: 01295 256266 E: [email protected]
FPZ UK*
Beck Packautomaten is demonstrating its latest shrinkwrapping machine, the Multiplex Pico, with feed conveyor, shrink tunnel and delivery conveyor, handling a variety of items including books, magazines, food tins, and plastic bottles. From Imanpack there is the Microvert vertical form-fill-seal machine with attached counter, as well as a machine from its horizontal form-fill-seal range. Products being handled by these machines include nuts, bolts, screws, dog treats and plastic vials, as well as other non-food and domestic items. T: 01442 206100 E: [email protected]
Stand 4621 A supplier of side channel blowers and vacuum pumps, FPZ is showing the latest ATEX approved versions of its K series. Said to be well suited to process
F RISTAM P UMPS UK* Stand 5343 Reductions of up to 93 per cent in the time required to mix powders and liquids are claimed for the
F OCKE & C O Stand 4457 The 542 gantry palletiser being shown by Focke can be used as a standalone unit, as part of a line, or in association with a case packer. Various models are available to suit different performance and size range requirements. T: 01483 756094 E: [email protected]
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F ORTRESS T ECHNOLOGY (E UROPE ) Stand 5201 The Phantom metal detector includes systems designed to provide simple operation, production reliability and high levels of sensitivity for products in either pre-packed or bulk formats. The AutoCal function enables the machine to learn the character-
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Focke & Co: The 542 gantry palletiser is being shown
A ,
Friedheim International: Imanpack Microvert vertical form-fill-seal machine
latest system from Fristam, which combines an advanced liquid ring pump with the latest generation of high shear pump. The system is also said to improve product quality as a result of more efficient breakdown of constituents and can be quickly cleaned in place. T: 01323 849849 E: [email protected]
GLENVALE PACKAGING* Stand 5381 The Sejong Pharmatech GRC-15S tabletting machine, a 15 station unit with D style turret is being shown for the first time, alongside the larger 30 station MRC-30 and an automatic SF-40 capsule filling machine Also on display is a range of semi-automatic capsule filling equipment from Multipharma including the recently launched OPM filler. A small V mixer and a capsule counter complete the display. T: 01933 673677 E: [email protected]
G RUNWALD UK*
diameter pots with fruited yoghurt. The Grunwald 6.000/4-lane will run at speeds of 8000 to10,000 cups an hour, depending on product viscosity, while the double step facility means a second format can be handled with no need for downtime to change parts. Preparation and high shear process mixing equipment developed in co-operation with Advanced Engineering (Middleton) can also be seen. T: 01529 414999 E: [email protected]
H EPCO M OTION Stand 4461 Linear motion components include the new Dual-Vee anti-friction guidance system range which caters for all requirements from light to heavy duty – made in stainless or carbon steel to suit the application. Hepco says that the linear driving packages are proving popular in a range of packaging machinery with standard units individually specified to suit customers’ applications. T: 01884 243400 E: [email protected]
Stand 5656 The latest design of the Grunwald Linear Double Step filling machine on show has been sold to J&E Dickinson, and will be used primarily to fill and close 71mm
H OLMES M ANN & C O Stand 4628 One of the latest Siat pallet stretchwrappers is on show together with examples of the Siat M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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range of case sealers, which extends from semi-automatic to fully automatic in-line machines. T: 01274 735881 E: [email protected]
IMA UK Stand 5366
HPC G EARS Stand 4201 Exhibits are taken from HPC’s range of gears and drive components, consisting of over 60,000 stock items. These include spiral and straight bevel gears, simplex, duplex and triplex sprockets and chains, racks, spur gears, helical gears, anti-backlash gears, moulded gears, timing pulleys and belts, worms and wheels, ratchets and pawls as well as plastic chains. The new extended range also includes belt guides and tensioners. T: 01246 268080 E: [email protected]
IFM E LECTRONIC Stand 4228 Specialist sensing and control on display includes the latest versions of Efector octavis – detecting and signalling imbalance or wear in bearings; Efector dualis – a visiontype sensor in the price range of standard optical devices, and Efector metris – measuring and indicating any compressed air leaks. The TAD range of temperature sensors and new versions of optical devices are also shown along with further advances in AS-interface, especially in the fields of RFID or process environments. T: 020 8213 0000 E: [email protected]
I GUS UK* Stand 5121 The stainless steel version of the Igus DryLin W linear guide has been designed principally for process and packaging applications in the food industry and for chemically exposed and underwater applications.
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Ilapak: Launching the high performance Vegatronic 4000 bagger
Resistant to temperatures of 250deg C, the guide is said to require no lubrication or maintenance during normal operation. Also shown is the Igus Triflex R flexible Energy Chain System to guide and protect cables around a robot as well as Chainflex cables for drive systems. T: 01604 677240 E: [email protected]
I LAPAK Stand 5653 Two new machines are being launched: the Vegatronic 4000, a high performance vertical formfill-seal machine, and the Carrera 1000 PCR inverted flow-wrapper. Also represented is Ilapak’s Delta VacMap flow-wrapper said to produce packs with the extended shelf-life of thermoformed packs but at lower cost. Aimed at delicate products such as prepared salads, potatoes and IQF foods, the Vegatronic 4000 is a continuous motion machine capable of 140 packs a minute and can produce a wide range of formats, including pillow bags, block bottom bags and four-corner seal bags.It can produce packs up to 420mm in width. The Carrera 1000 PCR inverted
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flow-wrapper is aimed at loose, unsupported products such as avocadoes, apples and other fruit and vegetables, reducing packaging costs by eliminating the need for a tray. Further exhibits include the Delta 2000 LDR designed for similar applications, but with the facility to produce modified atmosphere packs, and the Vegatronic 500 bagger equipped with a ten-head Weightronic multi-head weigher as an entrylevel system. T: 020 8797 2000 E: [email protected]
Solid pharmaceutical packaging machinery from IMA is represented by the Kilian Synthesis 500 tablet press, able to produce up to 360,000 tablets an hour. Mechanical and compression areas are completely separate, preventing product penetrating the lower compartment, so reducing maintenance and cleaning times. The turret can be removed for cleaning or tool changes. Blister packing machinery is represented by the IMA C80R, a medium speed machine capable of processing up to 400-600 blisters a minute. The machine is available in its standalone version or in line with the IMA A81 cartoner. It can also be linked with all existing IMA cartoners as well as with wallet machines. IMA Swiftpack is showing the Swiftpharm multi channel electronic counter for tablets and capsules, said to deliver twice the output of existing multi-track counters for a set footprint. Speed is 100 bottles a minute or 200 a minute from the twin version. Aseptic and pharmaceutical filling equipment is represented by IMA Libra’s Sterifill F2000, a high speed in-line filling and stoppering machine for aseptic
IMA: Swiftpharm multi-channel electronic counting machine
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environments. Speed is up to 600 vials a minute and the narrow width of the machine, some 850mm, allows operation from one side. Finally, Comadis is showing its new C960 automatic aluminium tube filling machine. Speed is up to 60 a minute and there is a new type of automatic tube feeder with a capacity of 2000 containers. T: 01189 772323 E: [email protected]
J ENTON I NTERNATIONAL Stand 4010
I NDUSTRIAL T ECHNOLOGY S YSTEMS Stand 5755 A range of traceability, machine vision, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and process control systems is being demonstrated, showing how benefits including improvements in quality, productivity, genealogy, waste and cost can be achieved. As a Cognex partner, ITS is showing Cognex machine vision systems performing a range of tasks including verification and inspection of alphanumeric characters, code reading, part location and measurement. Visitors are invited to bring a sample to the stand to receive a free vision evaluation. T: 01642 222232 E: [email protected]
I SHIDA E UROPE Stand 5510 The Atlas iTPS is Ishida’s dedicated packaging system for snack products and consists of an R Series multihead weigher, Atlas high-speed bagmaker, seal tester and checkweigher, all operated via a single control panel. Speed is up to 180 packs a minute. Also on demonstration is the recently introduced IX-GA X-ray
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Ishida Europe: IX-GA X-ray machine can spot contaminants down to 0.3mm
inspection system, able to detect contaminants down to 0.3mm and also spot missing items or damaged products, and the new QX-1100 tray sealer able to handle up to 200 a minute. The DACS-W-CTS series checkweigher is shown with a new intuitive graphic interface said to simplify operations and training by providing easy to follow instructions for line operators with online help, self-diagnostics and fault finding. Further exhibits include the latest CCW-R multihead weigher, said to offer improved accuracy, and the Ishida Fresh Food Weigher, an in-line combination machine able to handle sticky products otherwise weighed and packed manually. T: 0121 607 7700 E: [email protected]
diameter with a fill volume up to 400ml and can be changed over without tools. IWKA blister packing machinery is represented by the company’s latest mid range model, the BP10, suitable for speeds up to 330 packs a minute. The blister transfer system from the blister machine to the cartoner is said to offer the shortest transfer distance on the market. Servo driven, the machine can be changed over to a new product and pack, including cleaning, in less than an hour. T: 0870 0113794 E: [email protected]
The new Jenton Ariana BCS 570 converging machine automatically creates a single lane from a batch of thermoformed packs and is said to be simpler and cheaper than previous convergers but more adaptable and easier to use and maintain. “Automatic converging is now an affordable option for users of smaller thermoformers,” says the company. The BCS features quick change belts and accepts packs directly from the thermoformer with no extra conveyor required. T: 01256 892194 E: [email protected]
KBA-M ETRONIC Stand 4471 The UDA 150-S is a compact, stand-alone feeding system for coding and marking items such as folding cartons, labels and all kinds of material blanks up to 4mm thick. It is used in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries and can be equipped with a variety of printing systems such as a CO2 laser, hot stamping or continuous ink jet coder, depending on the application. Both of the contactless printing
IWKA PAC S YSTEMS Stand 5367 Tube filling and closing machinery from IKWA is represented by the TFS 80-1 model, shown in the UK for the first time. Capable of speeds up to 100 plastic or metal tubes a minute, the servo driven machine will handle tubes up to 60mm
IWKA PacSystems: TFS 80-1 tube filling machine runs at 100 a minute
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systems can be networked using various interfaces. T: + 49 931 90850 E: [email protected]
L ACHENMEIER Stand 4450
KHS Stand 5571 The new Innopack CSM carry handle applicator attaches prelaminated handles to all types of product or pack as standard although handle laminating can be integrated within the machine if required. Maximum handle width is 25mm with length variable according to the product. Speed is up to 70 cycles a minute. T: 0121 713 6900 E: [email protected]
K LIKLOK W OODMAN I NTERNATIONAL Stand 4640 Kliklok is introducing the Celox high-speed end load cartoner, said to achieve new levels of performance in terms of efficiency, access, sanitation, size change, and reliability. The stainless steel machine is aimed in particular at the prepared foods industry – ready meals, pizzas, bakery – and bag-in-box applications such as cereals. T: 01275 836131 E: [email protected] kliklok-woodman-int.com
K ÖRBER M EDIPAK Stand 5760 The MediSeal BIB-BOB system blisters into box – blisters out of box – for late stage customisation operates with blisters from a high speed thermoformer fed into cassettes for short-run printing and cartoning on separate machines. It allows very small, country specific packaging lots to be combined for blister packaging, typically improving machine utilisation by 30 per cent, according to simulated trials run by MediSeal, using actual
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KHS: Innopack CSM carry handle applicator runs at 70 a minute
production data. Also shown is the CP400e blister machine claimed to offer “an unbeatably attractive price/performance ratio”. This single lane blister packing line – nominal output up to 400 blisters a minute – is said to be particularly flexible, with modular construction allowing it to be readily customised. Servo drive allows format changes to be carried out in less than 30 minutes. Also shown is the new Flexible Feeding system, which enables tablets with wide dimensional tolerances and tablets of different sizes to be fed into larger pockets using a single format set, and the P1600 cartoner. T: 01753 754865 E: [email protected]
wraparound plastic labels from Kosme. Capping machinery is represented by equipment from Zalkin of France while Spanish manufacturer Posimat is staging the UK launch of the new Posilite bottle unscrambler, a small footprint machine giving speeds up to 100 bottles a minute. Dry-end equipment is represented by the Variopac, the latest generation of Krones’ shrink-wrapping machinery. T: 01942 845000 E: [email protected]
The Power Flex stretch hood machine is on demonstration securing a Euro pallet of drinks cans for transit. With a speed of more than 170 pallets an hour, the Power Flex replaces two, sometimes three traditional spiral stretchwrappers, and is well suited to fragile goods says Lachenmeier. As well as working two or three times faster than traditional stretchwrappers, the stretch hood machine also uses thinner film – providing materials savings – and can run for 15 hours on a single reel of material. T: 0161 205 3666 E: [email protected]
L AKE I MAGE S YSTEMS Stand 4619 Digital high speed imaging systems from Lake allow fastmoving machinery to be studied at slower speeds, highlighting the synchronisation – or lack of it – of different motions and enabling adjustments to be optimised. The equipment extends from hand held units for a quick visualisation to advanced
K RONES UK* Stands 5130 and 5230 Krones is exhibiting machinery from bottle unscramblers through to dry-end equipment and also featuring its latest capabilities in process technology. Labelling machines include the Krones Modul range, in which a choice of labelling methods can be combined in a single rotary machine using wheel-in stations, and also a reel-fed labeller for
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Körber Medipak: MediSeal BIB-BOB system for late stage customisation
Lachenmeier: Power Flex stretch hood machine wraps 170 pallets an hour
instruments for quantitative analysis and is available for purchase or hire. T: 01442 892700 E: [email protected]
L ANDOR C ARTONS Stand 5761 Landor is launching a crash lock base carton erecting machine to allow users of these cartons to move from a manual loading operation to automatic without the costs of a change in carton style. “In a number of installations, manual working can be retained in certain packaging cells while on a higher volume line automation can be implemented close by, using exactly the same carton,” explains the company. The machine is compact, taking up less floor area than the average desk, and can be size changed in less than 2 minutes without tools. T: 0121 359 8511 E: [email protected] landorcartons.co.uk
L ELY-W ELGER R ECYCLING Stand 5020 Welger waste compactors to be seen include the industrial SB
3000 hydraulic model, capable of baling 3000kg an hour. It automatically handles big-bags, plastic film, cardboard, wrapping straps, foam off-cuts, sheets or strips of paper, fleece and other special materials. Best suited to medium quantities of waste – baling up to 1000kg an hour – is the SB 1000 model, while there is also the RC 660, a completely automatic waste roller producing 25-30kg cylindrical bales. T: 01480 266888 E: [email protected] lely.co.uk
L IMPET TAPES Stand 5717 The latest development of the Lock n’ Pop pallet stabilisation system is on demonstration showing how pallet stability can be significantly increased while reducing, and sometimes eliminating, packaging waste. FDA approved, it is suitable for use on a wide range of materials and will allow partial pallet destacking without affecting the stability of the remaining load. T: 01480 459461 E: [email protected] M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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with NexygenPlus test and control software. Hardware includes a twin column LR10KPlus instrument equipped with an EX800Plus extensometer, a single column LRXPlus instrument and an FTPlus friction tester and MFI-10 melt flow indexer. T: 01489 486399 E: [email protected]
LOCK I NSPECTION S YSTEMS Stand 5720
Linx Printing Technologies: Introducing the new 6900 ink jet coder
L INX P RINTING T ECHNOLOGIES Stand 4325 The new Linx 6900 ink jet coder can print up to five lines of text, graphics and barcodes at speeds of up to 8.4 metres/sec – the output for a single line. The colour control panel incorporates a Wysiwyg display and navigable menu system for ease of message set-up and preview while messages can also be created and edited while the unit is running. The printer is washdown rated to IP55 to ensure ease of cleaning, with an optional IP65 rating for dusty production environments requiring an extra level of protection.
Further exhibits include two Linx 4900 CIJ printers, capable of printing up to two lines of text and logos at production line speeds up to 6.25 metres/sec. There is also the Linx 500SL laser coder which uses steeredbeam technology for clarity at high speed, such as label coding applications in the bottling industry, and the IJ600 twinhead outer case ink jet coder for simultaneous two side printing. T: 01480 302100 E: [email protected]
L LOYD I NSTRUMENTS Stand 3044 A range of high performance materials testing equipment for the processing and packaging industries is being shown together
Lock’s MET 30+ 3f/hf is a fully automatic triple frequency metal detector, capable of monitoring goods packed in both plain film and metallised materials. The 3f/hf features an in-built automatic frequency selection facility which chooses the optimum frequency, whatever the product or packaging. High frequency is selected to inspect dry foods such as cookies or snackfoods at 875kHz – said to be four times higher than standard food industry detectors. Further exhibits include a WeighChek CK belt-style checkweigher for products packed in cartons or bags. A built-in Smartweigh facility indicates the weigh-pulse for each product and displays any mechanical interference experienced by the loadcell. There is also the MET 30+ range including an ATEX
approved vertical fall system and the MET 30+ Pharmaceutical capable of checking up to 30,000 tablets a minute. T: 0161 624 0333 E: [email protected] lockinspection.co.uk
LOGIC TPS Stand 4425 As well as examples of blister packing, tablet counting, inspection and feeding equipment from several of its principals, Logic TPS is demonstrating a new high speed bottle unscrambler which it has designed and built itself. Speed is up to 120 a minute with no need for changeparts. One of the blister packers on the stand comes from Korean manufacturer Hoonga. The HM400R features balcony construction and can handle a full range of materials at speeds up to 400 blisters a minute. It measures just 2.7 metres long. From German machinery manufacturer Collischan there is the Mincount Twin, a compact tablet counting system for clinical trial and small manufacturing operations, as well as a checkweigher. Zellweg, Switzerland, is showing a compact system for filling and capping tablet bottles of all sizes with no need for change parts. It runs at speeds of 30 to 35 containers a minute. Further exhibits include a new
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MJ M AILLIS UK Stand 5546
Logopak International: Shown for the first time, the 515TK keg labeller
tablet feeding system from Elizabeth EPMO. This combination unit for blister lines can be switched between brushbox, rotary drum, waterfall chute or inclined vibratory chute feeding systems. T: 01344 750101 E: [email protected]
LOGOPAK I NTERNATIONAL Stand 4531 Three print-apply labelling machines are on show, two for the first time in the UK. Making its UK debut is the 515 TB /600 high-speed unit for handling cases and trays of soft drinks or beer and is shown working with multipacks on a rotary table at speeds of 60-80 a minute. Also on demonstration for the first time is the 515TK keg labeller, housed in a stainless steel enclosure and mounted on a raising and lowering support structure built by Microdat, Logopak’s partner in the brewing industry.
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The third machine is a Logopak 920PF two sided pallet labeller, shown in automatic mode with an integrated on-demand RFID system. This minimises the high cost of RFID tags by only applying the tags to those labels and pallets that require them. Logopak Vigilance software is running on all three machines. This bar code checking software collects data from a scanner and reports good and bad reads in a pie chart as a simple measure of readability. T: 01904 692333 E: [email protected]
End-of-line packaging specialist Maillis is taking the largest stand at the event – 585sq metres – to present the latest developments in its range of strapping and wrapping equipment. Mancon high-performance stretch-wrapping machines are on display, together with horizontal and vertical strapping machines, hand tools and various Maillis Group semi-automatic stretch wrappers, case sealers and shrinkwrapping machines. T: 01773 539000 E: [email protected]
M ARDEN E DWARDS Stand 5560 The Evo-Fold automatic end-fold overwrapper shown for the first time by Marden Edwards is an entry level machine capable of speeds up to 40 packs a minute, typically for applications such as tea, confectionery, cosmetics and tobacco products. “The price of the Evo is actually less than many automatic shrinkwrappers capable of wrapping products at similar speeds,” says Marden Edwards. “In addition, BOPP overwrapping film is less expensive and less wasteful than
the shrink film equivalent and overwrapping consumes much less energy than shrink tunnels.” Also shown is the WR200s high speed overwrapper capable of speeds up to 150 packs a minute and the B125LH8 compact overwrapper with an integral collation unit to provide distribution and transit packs. Bio-degradable film can be handled by the machine. T: 01202 861200 E: [email protected]
M ARKEM S YSTEMS Stand 4421 Markem is unveiling a new retail coding compliance package that relies on a combination of hardware and software to ensure that packaging and coding matches the product and are correct. For example, SmartDate thermal transfer coders now incorporate features to remove the risk of invalid or incorrect date codes while networking systems allow code management to be centralised and coding operations automated. This extends to checking the variable information output of end-of-line ink jet coders, printapply case labelling equipment and pallet labellers. T: 0161 333 8400 E: [email protected]
LONGFORD E UROPE Stand 5515 Exhibits are taken from the Longford range of customised friction feeders, bandolier feeders, sachet feeders, 3D premium and desiccant feeders, pile sheet feeders, and rotary pick-and-place feeders. All the feeders integrate with any flow-wrapper, cartoner, vertical form-fill-seal, or shrinkwrapping machinery, while many are also integrated with bar code scanners, glue systems, ink jet printers and vision systems for turnkey packages. T: 01327 844000 E: [email protected]
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Marden Edwards: New Evo-Fold entry level end-fold overwrapper
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M EYPACK Stand 5150
Mettler-Toledo: Introducing a new series of checkweighers
M ASTERFIL Stand 4321 Filling and capping machines include single head semi-automatic and fully automatic flowmeter based units which, as a result of flexibility, ease of cleaning, size change and accuracy are now used in a wide range of industries. These extend from personal care products through to mineral and edible oils, fruit juice, bulk chemicals and paint. The Multifil range of automatic filling and capping machines has continued to be refined. Suitable for use with a wide range of products, the equipment handles containers of 5ml to 10 litres at three variable fill speeds, with nozzle rise patterns to suit both product consistency and the shape of the container. T: 01296 425001 E: [email protected]
M ASTERFLEX T ECHNICAL H OSES * Stand 5068 Masterflex makes flexible hose and ducting and is showing a range of polyurethane hoses and connecting systems for carrying powders, granules and other abrasive materials. Also on display is a new range of hoses and connecting systems for
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the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. T: 0161 626 8066 E: [email protected]
M EECH I NTERNATIONAL Stand 4100 The new Model 992v3 Static Generator will be shown among a number of static control solutions. The new unit can be operated to generate a controlled level of static charge that will create a temporary bond between materials. Static control equipment includes the 915 AC system and the 976 Pulsed DC system, which provides ionisation at distances up to 1 metre. T: 01993 706700 E: [email protected]
Designed and built for RHM’s Manchester plant, the new VP 451 case packer in CleanDesign execution is on demonstration. The mid-speed machine is equipped with a paddle chain as well as an expanded magazine for blanks and packs five different types of blister packs containing Indian poppodoms. In this way, diverse product formations can be created before being packed into wraparound cases. “With this machine we are able to show that CleanDesign is the right route for the food industry to be taking,” explains Meypack’s project director Brian Gannon. “The open design makes operation, maintenance and cleaning of the machine much easier.” T: + 49 2509 940 E: [email protected]
T HE N EEDHAM G ROUP Stand 4371 Continuous ink jet printers and laser coders are on demonstration. Citronex ink jets extend from the entry-level ci500 to high-end ci1000 systems and are shown with features including the ciLink web browser interface, which enables complete control of a system or a network of systems locally or remotely.
The Macsa K-1000 series of CO2 laser coders on show are demonstrating their full range of capabilities, from applying simple codes to complex graphics, barcodes and 2D codes. User interfaces, including the hand held terminal, touch screen terminal and Marca software demonstrate the flexibility of the systems. T: 01948 662629 E: [email protected]
N EWMAN L ABELLING S YSTEMS Stand 4554 Two pressure-sensitive labelling machines for the pharmaceutical industry are on display. The 4VAL tray-to-tray machine applies both clear and paper labels to a range of rigid cylindrical containers, such as ampoules, vials, and bottles at speeds in excess of 200 containers a minute. Standard features include stepper motor drive of the label web, straight label arm, virtually no change parts, hand wheel adjustment for rapid size change and interlocked guarding. Aimed at cylindrical, flat and square containers the NV2 labeller is able to handle containers of 10-150mm diameter with minimal change parts, at speeds up to 150 a minute. T: 020 8440 0044 E: [email protected]
M ETTLER -T OLEDO Stand 4560 Product inspection equipment includes the latest Profile metal detectors and X-ray inspection systems. There is also the new X-Series checkweigher, with a USB download facility for quick and easy data retrieval, as well as automatic and manual weigh-price labelling equipment. T: 0116 2357070 E: [email protected]
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Newman Labelling Systems: The 4VAL tray-to-tray labelling machine
& PRINT & APPLY LABELLING SOLUTIONS FROM DOMINO
Masterfil: Single head liquid filling machine from the Masterfil range
N ORD G EAR
O/K I NTERNATIONAL
Stand 5536
Stand 4131
The new Nordbloc generation consists of seven two- or threestage gearbox sizes which are available now or will be introduced shortly. The new design is based on diecast aluminium housings which have been optimised through FEM calculations. This allows larger and stronger bearings to be integrated resulting in a higher capacity for overhung and thrust loads or a longer bearing lifetime. T: 01235 558088 E: [email protected]
A redesigned case lining machine, the Superliner SL220, is being introduced with enhanced controls and an improved sequence that make the machine capable of 18 cycles a minute. Built in stainless steel, the SL220 makes bags of variable length from rolls of continuous gusseted tubing. The bag is opened and placed into a case, crate, drum or tray with the neck cuffed over the edges, providing a hygienic container ready for filling with a variety of food and non-food products. T: 01359 250705 E: [email protected]
N OVOPAC (UK) Stand 5361 Two variants of the Novopac CD range of shrink-wrapping machines are on view. The first is specifically designed for wrapping oval bottles, and the second is a budget version with a simplified control system. Also on the stand is a PR100 palletiser from Novopac’s sister company Ital Pal. T: 01403 740003 E: [email protected]
O N -L INE C ODING Stand 5400. Distributors for Danish manufacturer Easyprint, On-Line Coding is showing a wide range of thermal transfer printers for intermittent, continuous and traversing motion applications. There is also the touch screen Unicontrol system with on-board M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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back and wraparound labelling Other machines include a Pagosystem 270i collapsible tube labeller capable of 100 a minute and the Pagosystem 148 for decorating cylindrical products at speeds up to 50 a minute using a three-roll system. T: 01206 755206 E: [email protected]
design software and network ready capabilities. T: 0118 988 8300 E: [email protected]
O RION PACKAGING S YSTEMS Stand 5596 Pallet stretchwrappers, orbital wrappers and reel wrappers are on display as well as a selection of materials handling equipment. The company offers a full range of automatic and semi-automatic systems available as either standalone units or fully integrated into production lines. T: 01432 851129 E: [email protected]
PACEPACKER S ERVICES Stand 4335 A C21 sack placer is on demonstration operating with a gusset reforming total bag control system, conveyors and a Fischbein stitcher. The system also includes a print-apply labeller on the sack placer to identify each pack. There is also a Fanuc M710-iC robotic palletiser with vision system for handling sacks, crates and trays. T: 01371 811544 E: [email protected]
PALS L ABELLING Stand 5700
Packaging Automation: Fastfill 100 filling sealing and overlidding machine
vegetables and convenience foods. It is capable of sealing plain or printed film to cPET, aPET, aluminium foil, polypropylene, PVC and board and has a maximum speed of 21 cycles a minute. There is also the PA182 semiautomatic hand turned rotary table tray sealing machine. T: 01565 755000 E: [email protected]
PAGO Stand 4557 The Pagomat 6/3 labelling head uses an air cushion to support a variable length buffer loop of labels between the unwind and dispensing beak, eliminating inertia in the system and allowing high speed without risk of web snatch or breakage. Also shown is a Pagosystem 80 entry level model for front and
Labelling systems include models from the Pals standard HS series of heavy duty machines for the food and pharmaceutical industries as well as the Solo lowcost automatic labelling head. There are also semi-automatic systems for labelling both round and shaped products. T: 0161 620 0236 E: [email protected]
PARAMOUNT PACKAGING S YSTEMS Stand 5511 Four examples of the new Alpha 6 series of flow-wrappers built in Japan by Fuji are being demonstrated by agent Paramount Packaging. These form part of the new range of Alpha 6 flow-wrappers,
PACKWAY Stand 4320
PACKAGING A UTOMATION Stand 5310 The Fastfill 100 twin head filling, sealing and overlidding machine operates at speeds up to 100 pots a minute. Containers up to 130mm diameter and 140mm deep can be accommodated and sealed with pre-cut or reel-fed film and foil lids. For lower volume filling requirements, the low cost compact Fastfill 40 machine is being demonstrated. Tray sealers on display include the fully automatic Vision 400 high speed machine suitable for a wide range of meat, poultry,
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Two machines are being demonstrated by Taiwanese manufacturer Packway: the PW563 semi-automatic case erector and packing station and the PW0840BUAT automatic strapping machine. The case erector handles blanks from 250 x 200 x 100mm to 500 x 400 x 500mm and can be integrated with any case sealer to secure the top flaps. The automatic strapping machine has a capacity of 30 straps a minute using 5mm strap. Arch size is 850mm wide x 400mm high. T: + 886 4 2359 1858 E: [email protected]
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Pago: System 148 labeller uses a three-roll system for cylindrical products
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all built as standard in stainless steel on a balcony basis for hygiene and ease of cleaning. The FW3410B for MAP uses a new design of long dwell sealing jaws that move with the film to give extended sealing times for hermetic seals at speeds of 130 items a minute or more, for both food and medical devices. There are also the FW3710B machine designed for harsh environments, a second FW3410B equipped with a lugless belt infeed and the FW3710B, Fuji’s latest high speed extended dwell sealing inverted flow-wrapper. T: 01252 815252 E: [email protected]
T OM PARKER * Stand 5382 Colder Products’ new DrumQuik PRO dispensing system is being shown by UK distributor Tom Parker. It provides safe, easy and economic extraction of chemicals from rigid containers, helping to reduce spills, contain hazardous fumes and enhance safety. The closed-system design allows users to dispense chemicals by simply removing a shipping plug and then connecting the dispense head. The DrumQuik PRO system comprises a low cost, disposable drum insert assembly and a reusable quick disconnect coupler. Applications include acids and solvent delivery, paint and coating dispensing, fragrance and flavouring production and pharmaceutical sterilant handling. T: 01772 251405 E: [email protected]
Vetta 3348 able to produce a variety of styles including bags with rigid corners, EasyPak reclosable bags, zipper-reclosable bags and stand up pouches. PFM is also exhibiting its MBP14 multihead weigher, one of a range that extends from eight to 24 heads. T: 0113 239 3401 E: [email protected]
P IAB Stand 5716 Paramount Packaging Systems: Demonstrating Fuji Alpha 6 flow-wrappers
motion end load cartoner from US based MGS Machine Corporation is aimed specifically at the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries with a ‘walk-in’ design to give clear access for cleandown and maintenance. Speed is up to 90 cartons a minute and the machine is said to offer a particularly broad carton size range within a compact footprint. Pressure-sensitive labellers from Italian manufacturer Etipack include the System 1 for cylindrical bottles and jars, capable of handling products from 18 to 80mm diameter at speeds up to 300 a minute. Further exhibits include examples of US based Theile Streamfeeder’s range of universal friction feeders and collators, such as the newly developed Flow-fold Pro series. This folds U cards and feeds them into flow-wrappers and is said to offer major savings over
the more traditional means of feeding and folding base cards. In addition, there is the new twin magazine Isis tray de-nester. T: 01706 369000 E: [email protected]
PFM PACKAGING M ACHINERY Stand 5360 Flow-wrappers on display include the new Pearl servo-controlled model, said to be a versatile machine for companies producing a number of different size packs, particularly in the bakery, confectionery and produce markets, and for contract packers. There is also the Scirocco, a high speed, long dwell, high integrity seal flow-wrapper for MAP, shown equipped with an automatic feed system, and the Swift entry level machine capable of 80 packs a minute. Vertical form-fill-seal machinery is represented by the
Industrial vacuum technology specialist Piab is demonstrating quick and easy changeover with the VGS 3010 (vacuum gripper system), designed to increase reliability at higher speeds in a variety of packaging applications such as carton erecting and palletising. There is also a new plastic bag handling system aimed at applications within the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and medical industries, and the Piab Vactivator vacuum-handling cylinder. This features automatic stroke control for low energy consumption. T: 01509 814280 E: [email protected]
FJ P ISTOL M ACHINE S ERVICES * Stand 5266 German manufacturer Heino Ilsemann is demonstrating its BMP-300 blister packing machine in monobloc with the CMP-100
PARTNERS IN PACKAGING Stand 5610 New machinery is being introduced for cartoning, labelling, product feeding and tray denesting. The new Eclipse intermittent
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Partners in Packaging: Eclipse intermittent motion cartoner for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries
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PFM Packaging Machinery: The new Pearl flow-wrapper
cartoner while Innojet is demonstrating its Ventilus IEV 1 fluid bed drier for coating, granulation, agglomeration, drying, hotmelt and mixing of powers, crystals, granules, pellets and tablets. From Mueller comes a selection of drum storage and process equipment and from Scanware there are vision and inspection systems for the pharmaceutical industry. Rommelag is displaying a selection of products produced on its latest blow-fill-seal Bottlepack machines. T: 01727 823461 E: [email protected]
PPMA AND PPMA P UBLISHING Stand 4380 Full details are available on the range of services provided by the PPMA, particularly the Machinery Finder service, which is running from the stand. Copies of the current 20062007 PPMA Processing and Packaging Machinery Directory are on sale at a special exhibition price of £25 and there is also a range of PPMA publications covering the latest safety regulations and EU Directives. Full details are available on the current series of PPMA training courses and seminars, while visitors to the stand can register
for their own free copy of Machinery Update, the journal for buyers and specifiers of processing and packaging machinery. T: 020 8773 8111 E: [email protected]
P ROPACK A UTOMATION M ACHINERY Stand 4610 Propack is demonstrating filling and capping, flow-wrapping and case-packing equipment as well as a 12-lane stick-packing machine from Inever, which is being shown packing sugar. Liquid filling for personal care products is represented by an eight- head Ronchi rotary flowmeter machine able to handle a wide range of liquid from thick and viscous to thin and foamy products. In addition, from Comas there is an ATEX specification semiautomatic RTS6 filling and capping machine, which uses adjustable pucks and an elliptical track to present the containers to the operating stations around the machine. Component sorting machinery from DMP is represented by a ZHS 1000 cap sorting and orientating Model, which can reach speeds of 300 a minute. For flexible packaging Propack is showing the Synchropack Pack 90 flow-wrapper aimed at regular shaped products and low to
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support device to hold the transport ring on the neck of the bottle during sealing. Speed is in excess of 3600 containers an hour. T: 01923 241231 E: [email protected]
medium production runs and the J+P KV250 case-packer loading liquid filled sachets into trays. Maximum operating speed of the KV250 is 300 sachets a minute. T: 02476 470074 E: [email protected]
R ADIX S YSTEMS *
R OVEMA PACKAGING M ACHINES
Stand 4116
Stand 5251
Making its debut is the Autosort MC-D, the latest model from the Autosort Multichromatic range of opto-electronic colour sorters. Specially configured to handle larger products such as carrots, florets, diced vegetables or nuts, the new unit complements the existing MC-A which sorts smaller products. In operation, two or four cameras are positioned to give an all-round view, detecting defects at top, tail and round the product. A new ejector configuration, combined with fast acting pneumatic valves, is said to ensure highly accurate removal of defects and contaminants with greatly reduced wastage of good material. In addition to colour, the Autosort MC-D can also sort by size and shape, also removing broken or undersize product. T: 01794 830240 E: [email protected]
Rovema’s latest high speed bagging machine, the VPL 180, breaks new ground by employing linear motors to drive the two axes of the box motion sealing jaws. This gives speeds up to 200 bags a minute and improves seal quality, even on difficult films, by allowing pressures up to 6000N and sealing dwell times equivalent to a maximum of 200mm of vertical jaw movement to be set. The machine can detect product in the jaw at speeds of 170 a minute and makes a double bag without stopping. The VPL 400 stainless steel continuous linear motion bagger for frozen foods and fresh produce is also shown, offering the same features as the VPL 180 but with a speed of 150 bags a minute and a wide format range of 80-400mm wide and length up to 600mm. The VVI 200 machine allows three and four-side seal bags to be made and has a motorised adjustable former. T: 01296 642060 E: [email protected]
R AQUE F OOD S YSTEMS S ALES Stand 5420 Shown for the first time, the PF2.5-4 piston filler can handle the same range of liquids and semi liquids – with or without particulates – as other fillers in the Raque range but has a smaller footprint and greater flexibility. This includes capacity to change hopper configuration from gravity to blender to auger. Also new is a lane converging unit that takes four lanes of trays direct from a thermoforming machine and combines them for checkweighing and freezer loading.
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Rovema: VPL 180 bagger employs linear motors for the sealing jaws
In addition Raque is demonstrating how a vision system and lane divider can be used to identify a product by size, shape, or colour and sent to the appropriate packaging machine. Defects can also be recognised in the same way and the pack rejected or recovered for re-work. T: 01905 642820 E: [email protected] uk
RDM T EST E QUIPMENT Stand 3346 Instruments on show include the first unit to be able to measure both residual headspace oxygen as well as package leak rate, allowing one quick analysis of two critical variables in determining pack performance. Made by US manufacturer Mocon, the system is joined by the Mocon Aquatrace, a new unit for measuring ultra-barrier films and the low cost Permatran-C Model 10, which measures the CO2 transmission rate of plastic carbonated beverage bottles. The HT1-XS Hot Tack Tester on show measures the strength of the heat seal made by vertical formfill-seal machines. T: 01279 817171 E: [email protected]
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R ELCO UK Stand 4111 Relco is exhibiting a capless induction sealing machine similar to a custom unit built for Lee Kum Kee the Chinese cooking sauces manufacturer. The Relco FCS-Auto cuts the sealing membrane from a reel, locates it on the bottle neck and induction seals it in place with no need for a cap. The machine is made in stainless steel to a foodgrade design with an IP55 rating for washdown. Other features include an over pressure enclosure with HEPA air filtration to ensure a clean sealing environment and a new neck-
Radix Systems: The Autosort MC-D colour sorter is being launched
M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
Sealpac: The new SP-A8 is one of a new range of tray sealers being launched by the company
RTS F LEXIBLE S YSTEMS Stand 5311 Visitors are invited to take part in a ‘Five-Minute ROI Check’, an informal assessment to give a snapshot insight into new opportunities for automated handling and robotics. “We are hoping to give people a new vision of how flexible automation, integrated into their processes, could release extra capacity, reduce waste and even help improve product quality,” says RTS managing director David Bradford. There are two separate robotic demonstrations on the stand - an ABB IRB 340 Flexpicker and a Staubli TX40 robot. T: 0161 777 2000 E: [email protected]
R USSELL F INEX * Stand 4650 A specialist in fine mesh separation technology, Russell Finex is showing the latest additions to its sieving and filtration units: the Blow Thru sieve and the Mini Sifter. The Blow Thru sieve is designed to check-screen materials in pneumatic conveying lines, allowing processors to sieve and transport material simultaneously, while the Mini Sifter is aimed at smaller processing and pilot plants. The Finex Separator offers increased productivity, lower noise levels and upgrade flexibility and
can grade or size powders. Joining this unit is a fully working demonstration model of the Horizontal Eco Filter and the 3in1 sieving station. T: 020 8818 2000 E: [email protected]
S ANTON S WITCHGEAR
Features include an automatic shutter on the print head, said to improve ‘up time’ substantially when using solvent inks and three different levels of programming that can be selected by operators according to their requirements. T: 01932 355191 E: [email protected]
Stand 5440 Enclosed switch isolator and disconnector switches are on display, including Atex approved, heat resistant, IP65 mild steel and stainless steel, thermoplastic and heavy duty glass reinforced Noryl enclosures. T: 01633 854111 E: [email protected]
S ATAKE ESM* Stand 5541 Satake supplies equipment for size reduction, sifting, colour sorting and separation. ESM optical sorters for the food and plastics industry include the ScanMaster series to remove discoloured material, foreign material and defects as small as 0.3mm from good product. T: 0161 406 3888 E: [email protected]
S AUVEN M ARKING Stand 4523 Sauven Marking is launching the CJ 6000 plus, a new range of ink jet printers said to represent an alternative to continuous ink jet printers at less cost and with virtually no maintenance needed.
S CHUBERT UK Stand 4440 The robotic TLM – top loading machine – on demonstration is creating multipacks of drinking yoghurt bottles at speeds up to 300 bottles a minute. In place of a grouping chain the machine uses Schubert’s latest approach – a grouping robot – to create collations on a grouping belt to be picked up by a further robot and placed in the multipack. All TLM machines can be created from just seven different modules, all of which are employed in the machine on show. T: 01676 525825 E: [email protected]
S EALPAC Stand 5566 Sealpac has extended its range of tray sealers with the new A5, A7, A8, A10 models, incorporating what are said to be the largest single and twin lane machines available, offering speeds up to 200 trays a minute. Features of the A machines include intelligent tool recognition, simplified cable-free tool change M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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within 10 minutes, and orientation of trays with flanged ‘ears’ such as snack bowls as well as higher speeds than their predecessors. Sealing pressures are also higher and there is larger and deeper tool capacity together with graphical representation of production data. Machines can be equipped to cater for MAP, vacuum only, gas flushing or a combination of both vacuum and gas. All incorporate the inside cut system for the film, which is shaped and sized to sit neatly within the edge of the tray flange. T: 0118 977 3400 E: [email protected]
S ESSIONS OF YORK Stand 4415 Sessions is launching its new Cat Sleeve 500 shrink sleeving machine and introducing the latest addition to its range of multi-task thermal transfer printers. The RCP64 has been developed specifically to print and apply labels to round containers, from the smallest vials up to wine bottles, and incorporates a powered bottle jig facility to give quick and easy changeover. Further exhibits include an improved version of the RC30 pressure-sensitive labeller for small cylindrical items and difficult-to-handle products such as vials, syringes, inhalers, pencils, batteries, tubes and lipsticks. T: 01904 659224 E: [email protected] sessionsofyork.co.uk
S ILVERSON MACHINES * Stand 5547 Shown for the first time, Silverson's new ultra-hygienic in-line mixers are the first of their type to gain EHEDG Certification recognising, says the company, the highest standards of hygienic construction and performance. Features include interchangeable single or multistage rotor/stator
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erectors, case sealers, pallet magazines, pallet roller conveyors, pallet loaders, palletising robots, and pallet stretchwrappers. T: 01782 274100 E: [email protected]
S OLLAS UK Stand 5173
Sessions of York: Cat Sleeve 500 shrink sleeving machine
arrangements as standard, giving faster mixing times and finer particle size. The mixer’s outlet can also be configured to tangential self-draining or vertical self-venting positions as required. Also to be seen are Silverson's new L5 Series laboratory mixers, while a range of standard batch and in-line mixers and Flashblend powder/liquid mixing systems are on demonstration. T: 01494 786331 E: [email protected]
S MITHS H EIMANN Stand 5463 X-ray inspection specialist Smiths Detection is showing two of its machines – the Eagle Pack 240 and Eagle Pack 430 – and introducing the new MDX (material discrimination X-ray). This uses technology developed by Smiths for use in security operations and is able to discriminate materials by their chemical composition, allowing historically undetectable inorganic contaminants to be found. Also being launched is the SimulTask 4.0 image analysis software which provides enhanced operation for the Eagle X-ray inspection systems. T: 01923 294400 E: [email protected] smithsdetection.com
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S OCO S YSTEM UK Stand 4410 The modular construction of components and parts in Soco System’s conveyor system makes it possible to meet practically any demand says the company. It is available in different lengths, widths, and heights for both vertical as well as horizontal transport. Modules include roller conveyors, wheel conveyors, flexi conveyors, driven conveyors, flexi curves, belt conveyors, controllers, vertical lifts, rotary tables, weighing units, side pushers and tilt tables. Soco is also showing elements of its complementary packing line system that includes case
The Universal Folding Street (UFS) is a new system which eliminates the need for size parts on the Sollas S60 overwrapping machine, and is to be made available to fit further overwrapping machines in the company’s current range. Also making their debut are the new Miniflex semi-automatic overwrapping machine for small batches, also incorporating the UFS, and the Bandum UB ultrasonic banding machine. This hand operated unit has been developed specifically to handle heavy banding materials such as ribbon. T: 01256 896930 E: [email protected]
S PARC S YSTEMS Stand 5215 Checkweighers from Sparc are represented by the TS210, an IP65 machine for packs up to 50kg and speeds up to 350 a minute, and the TS310 combined metal detector and checkweigher, which is controlled from a single screen and available with ferrous,
Silverson Machines: New ultra-hygienic mixers on show for the first time
M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
ferrous-in-foil and multi-product frequency detection options. There is also a carton weigher that fits beneath existing roller track conveyors and provides accuracy of 1g in 50kg for diverse applications such as soft fruit packing, mail cost monitoring and bulk goods checking. Weighing equipment shown includes a linear machine for weights up to 1kg per weighpan and a multihead capable of 160 weighings a minute. T: 01684 310000 E: [email protected]
in-weight metering feeders. Spiroflow’s flexible screw, aeromechanical and vacuum conveyors are able to handle a full range of products from free-flowing salt to sticky lumps of broken chocolate. There are also nine types of big bag discharger ranging from simple bag support frames to advanced models offering total containment. T: 01200 422525 E: [email protected]
S PECTRUM I NSPECTION S YSTEMS
Machinery suitable for the food, medical devices, pharmaceutical, chemical cosmetics and toiletries industries includes the Langenpac Vento horizontal cartoning machine. A continuous motion machine, the Vento is built in stainless steel and is available with a wide range of infeed options. Changeover is said to be particularly fast and simple. From UET comes a compact top load cartoning machine on which, as a result of the starwheel design, various carton sizes can be handled without tool changes. Bossar is showing a pre-made pouch filling machine that is capable of being converted in the future to form-fill-seal operation. Speed is up to 120 a minute
S PRINGVALE E QUIPMENT Stand 5561
Stand 5231 New inspection solutions are being demonstrated by Loma Systems and Cintex, suppliers of metal detection, checkweighing, X-ray inspection, temperature measurement and management information systems. These include the new Loma IQ3 metal detector – sealed to IP69K for harsh environments – said to be a true a multi-frequency machine with the ability to select the correct operating frequency in a matter of seconds. There is also the Cintex CS Combo, a combined metal detector and checkweigher, and the new Loma X4 range of X-ray inspection systems which use a new high speed USB sensor and Windows XP operating system. The Loma XR X-ray machine is said to offer the advantages of Xray inspection at a cost comparable with metal detection systems. T: 01252 893300 E: [email protected]
Supreme Plastics: Pronova-Joker bag filling and sealing line
although a Quatro variant can handle four pouches at a time to give 240 a minute. Feige is featuring filling machinery from its range capable of handling containers of 101000litres while Pack’Realisations is showing a compact weigh filling-capping machine that handles 5 litre containers at 50 a minute from a footprint of just 1.4sq metres. From Behn+Bates there is an Impeller powder/granule filling machine on which, for cleanliness, filling and sealing units are integrated in a closed cabinet. Machines in the range handle fills of 1.5-1800kg. T: 01420 542505 E: [email protected]
S UNALA Stand 4221 A new Wolke m600 thermal transfer inkjet printer is on demonstration along with the latest version of Sunala’s Pharmacarton Coding Station, designed for in-line printing of lot, expiry and barcodes on pharmaceutical and medical cartons. The Pharmacarton II has been designed around the Animal Health requirement of mass serialisation using Datamatrix codes and the proposed future changes to European pharmaceutical traceability requirements. In addition, there is a new highspeed print traversing unit for coding on pharmaceutical blister lines using newly developed inks suitable for aluminium foil – the Travtec TR-750 Speed-Feeder. T: 01942 674440 E: [email protected]
S UPREME P LASTICS Stand 4258
S PIROFLOW * Stand 5604 Conveying and big bag handling equipment includes a demonstration of flexible screw conveyors and their capabilities as accurate loss-in-weight and gain-
Spectrum Inspection: Loma X4 X-ray machine with high speed sensor
Pronova-Joker bag filling and sealing equipment can now handle an extended range of packs including those that require hermetic sealing, stand-up pouches and wet-wipe packs with peel-off labels as well as laminate
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uous motion cartoner is being demonstrated fed by the Robovision four-axis robot able to cycle at speeds up to 100 a minute. Further exhibits are the Millennium 120 tube filler and the Multipack FA04 balcony-style carton bander/bundler giving speeds in excess of 50 bundles a minute. T: 01525 216201 E: [email protected]
bags with gas barrier properties. The Pronova machine works with a continuous chain of preformed bags which feature channels that allow the bags to run along two fixed guide rods, supporting and opening each bag at the point of filling. T: 01947 601012 E: [email protected]
T EEPACK S PEZIALMASCHINEN Stand 5151 A new vertical form-fill-seal machine with optional ‘air free technology’ is being launched to allow block bottom bags with minimal air content to be produced in continuous motion for the first time. Called Zenobia, the machine allows users to choose between continuous or intermittent operation, depending on the nature of the product and the particular application. It is said to be ideal for packing frozen food, pasta and fresh produce as well as non-food items. There is also an option to equip the Zenobia with an edge sealing system as well as a flavour protection valve unit. The machine can process bags with a cross section of 60 x 40mm to 200 x 100mm and a filling height of 55-250mm. T: + 49 2132 976-0 E: [email protected]
T ENEO (UK) Stand 5733 Teneo is launching a number of new products including two sealing systems and a printer. The KF800H I-Bar Sealer is an extra long design of table-top unit while the ME-455AI Automatic Sealer for sealing thermoplastic films is controlled by a plug-in
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TNA E UROPE Stand 5631 Teepack: Zenobia vertical form-fill-seal machine for block bottom bags
transistorised circuit board to maintain consistency. The ME-655HS printer is capable of two lines with a maximum of 14 characters per line and can be fitted to any of Teneo’s continuous band sealers, providing a batch number or expiry date during the sealing process. T: 01472 250868 E: [email protected]
T HERMO S CIENTIFIC Stand 5664 Thermo Scientific is highlighting its new 16-model strong Powerx series of X-ray inspection machines. The equipment is capable of inspecting a variety of products from small pharmaceutical glass vials to large, multipack cases while the D models feature double beam X ray architecture to detect glass slivers or chips inside glass containers. Also on show are the EZx and PROx X-ray systems, a selection of industrial bulk weighing and monitoring products, and the Apex metal detector. The GP range of checkweighers now includes two recent additions, purpose designed for the food and pharmaceutical industries. T: 01788 820300 E: [email protected]
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TMG M ARCHESINI UK Stand 5521 Machinery on display for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics packaging – liquids, solids and creams – includes the Neri BL600 linear labeller capable of handling 600 items a minute and the Vasquali FTC12 electronic counting machine able to process tablets, coated tablets, and hard and soft capsules at speeds up to 300,000 an hour. There is also the MB430 blister line, a servo driven machine that can produce up to 300 blisters a minute. The MA155 horizontal contin-
TNA’s new Robag 3fx 320 rotary flat jaw bagger is on show for the first time integrated with a TNA 514 delta scale, a Markem SmartDate 5 date coder and Safeline metal detector, to form block bottom bags for the snackfood industry as well as goods such as pet food, biscuits and confectionery. The integrated outfeed conveyor ensures that each bag remains standing after filling to reduce possible breakage and damaged product. For pillow packs TNA is showing a Robag 3fx 180 rotary triple jaw bagger, integrated with a TNA 320 Delta scale,TNA Intelli-date 53T date coder and Safeline metal detector. The machine is able to produce flat bag
TMG Marchesini: Neri BL600 labeller can handle 600 items a minute
M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
widths of 180mm at speeds up to 220 a minute. The Robag 3fx 320 rotary double jaw stainless steel machine is also on demonstration making pillow packs. Built with a stainless steel exterior the machine is aimed in particular at produce such as potatoes, salad and cut vegetables. In addition, there is the TNA Roflo product distribution system. T: 0121 628 8900 E: [email protected]
T RAMPER T ECHNIEK Stand 5211 Dutch manufacturer Tramper is introducing its servo-controlled tray sealing line on the UK market for applications such as salads, ready meals, meat and fish, nuts and tropical fruit, and olives. Each model is available with one or two lanes and can be expanded with servo-controlled options such as de-stackers, product filling and dividing systems and denesters. T: + 31 113 312811 E: [email protected]
easy system modification and upgrade. To complement the new conveyor, different versions of the Belt Band are included on the stand, as well as a spiral chute. T: 01684 291100 E: [email protected]
U HLMANN UK Stand 5531 Said to be the fastest single lane blister line in the world, Uhlmann’s latest integrated blister line is on show. The Blister Express Centre 500 operates at speeds up to 500
blisters a minute – 20 metres a minute web speed – and requires just 20 minutes for a full threedimensional size change. Made up of a B1550 thermoformer, MultiTab feeder and C2504 cartoner, with automatic size change, the line is aimed at providing high efficiency for batches between 30,000 and 150,000 blisters. A continuous motion machine, the B1550 employs a system of contact-free film heating based on near infra-red. T: 01252 743120 E: [email protected]
Liquid filling, cap tightening and container handling equipment on show includes the new Posifill V semi-automatic volumetric filling machine. Available with two, three or four filling heads, the Posifill V is aimed at bridging the gap between single head semi-automatic and automatic filling machines. Universal is also showing the Posimatic EV automatic puck filling and capping system, an EV5000 four head automatic 5 litre filler and a selection of semi-automatic vacuum and volumetric fillers. T: 01233 643666 E: [email protected]
Stand 4150
Stand 4525
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Stand 4223
W ALDNER UK
T RANSNORM S YSTEM A supplier of turnkey conveyor systems and modular units Transnorm is demonstrating its next generation of conveyor system – Moduline – which minimises the drive units required and allows
U NIVERSAL F ILLING M ACHINE C O
Uhlmann: Forming station on the Blister Express Centre 500
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The compact rotary three lane pot filling and closing machine on display is described as an ideal entry level unit and has full CIP and either servo or mechanical control. Tool-free changeover can be achieved in minutes. Speed is up to 120 containers a minute and a secondary overclosure can also be applied. T: 01722 782625 E: [email protected]
M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
W ALSALL E NGINEERING G ROUP *
W ILLY A B ACHOFEN (WAB)*
Stand 4524
Stand 5572
Specialist engineering services to the food, beverage and packaging industries are being featured, including installation of new equipment, line re-installations, conveyor and guide rail modifications, overhaul and breakdown services, conveyor covers, guarding systems and contract assembly of conveyors and equipment. Fabrication work from Wallsall’s latest acquisition Colwall Sheet Metal is on display, together with examples of processing equipment from Powder Technology and guarding systems from Milpass of Bologna. T: 01922 405355 E: [email protected]
A laboratory scale version of the Dyno Mill is being launched on the UK market by Swiss manufacturer WAB, aimed at R&D work that requires dispersion and grinding of liquid and viscous products into the nano ranges. Small batches up to 100ml can be produced, using the smallest grinding media from 0.05-1mm. Also shown is the Turbula threeaxis shaker mixer for powders, wet and dry components or different wet components. Models extend from lab scale to machines capable of handling containers up to 55 litres. T: + 41 (0) 61 6867 100 E: [email protected]
WDS Stand 4260 Exhibits are taken from the WDS range of stainless steel and plastic components for food processing and packaging equipment, including a new range of levelling feet in a variety of materials including stainless steel and antimicrobal plastics. T: 0845 606 6677 E: [email protected]
W EBER M ARKING S YSTEMS Stand 4210 Examples of Weber’s print-apply machines, label applicators and label printers are on display, including a number of RFIDenabled machines. In addition GS1, the association specialising in cross-sector supply chain standards for bar codes and all types of electronic business communications, is represented on the stand and visitors are able to obtain independent advice on their coding requirements. Further exhibits from Weber include bar code scanning and
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Weber Marking Systems: Print-apply labellers include RFID-enabled machines
verification equipment to help endusers ensure that bar codes are accurate and readable. T: 01875 611111 E: [email protected]
WESTERN MECHANICAL HANDLING UK* Stand 5743 The company specialises in equipment for loading and unloading spiral freezers, chillers and linear ovens, as well as systems for depositing oils, batters and custards and tray handling lines for Yorkshire puddings, quiches and pork pies. Infra-red grilling units are supplied for surface treatment and colouring of chicken pieces, potato and cheese topped ready meals in cPET or cardboard trays and are often used to add capacity to existing cooking lines. T: 01579 383788 E: [email protected]
versions, the H-400 can be supplied with options that include external label rewinds and guillotines and incorporates sensors that allow labels to be printed in bulk, or peeled individually with the next label printed automatically following removal of the last. Routine maintenance is said to be simplified by a new printhead mounting system that allows untrained personnel to change it over in less than 30 seconds, without tools. T: 01642 490121 E: [email protected]
W IRE B ELT C O * Stand 4000 The new Compact Grid conveyor belt is designed to handle smaller, more delicate products while providing a lower mass, openmesh belt design ideal for high speed processing operations. Lighter weight and lower mass, along with an open mesh framework, make the belt a more energy efficient solution than
W EYFRINGE L ABELLING S YSTEMS Stand 4478 The H-400 is a new desktop label printer that comes ‘ready to use from the box’, with Easylabel design and print software, a choice of interface cables, ribbons and labels ready to connect to a PC. Available in 203 and 300dpi
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Willy A Bachofen: Laboratory scale version of the Dyno mill
M A C H I N E RY AT T O TA L
sealers and shrink tunnels as well as a fully automatic L-sealer and shrink tunnel. A complete range of sleeve wrapping systems for transit packaging including inline and side feed is also shown. T: 01924 441355 E: [email protected]
conventional belts, says the company. Information is also available on customised belting for industries such as food processing, electronics, pharmaceutical, automotive and textiles. T: 01795 421771 E: [email protected]
W ITT G AS T ECHNIQUES
Y TRON -Q UADRO (UK)*
Stand 5417
On display is the Trimix range of vacuum processing units for use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and toiletries industries for producing creams, lotions, pastes and so forth. There are also Microfluidizer high-pressure processors for production of emulsions and suspensions in the nano particle size range and examples from the Ytron mixer range, including the Ytron Y Directed Jet Mixer, for homogeneous air-free mixing within the food, dairy, pharmaceutical, chemical and beverage industries. The Ytron ZC powder incorporation unit handles incorporation of difficult-to-wet powders such as CMC, pectin, and xanthan gum. From the Quadro range comes a U20 Comil size reduction mill with simulated oxygen analyzing and nitrogen purging and the Quadro Smart ID system for tooling identification. T: 01494 792898 E: [email protected]
The Leak-master Mapmax is a new non-destructive automatic in-line leak detection system for MAP packs using a low cost CO2 detection technique. There is also the portable Leakmaster micro leak detection system, which uses CO2 as a trace gas and is designed for quality control on a random basis immediately after the packing process. Further exhibits include the Pack-Vac leak detection system, gas analysers to measure the O2 and CO2 content in MAP packs and hand held gas analysers for factory, warehouse and supermarket use. T: 01925 234466 E: [email protected]
W RAPS UK LTD Stand 5462 The W700-80 fully automatic Lsealer and shrink tunnel has recently been redesigned and now features a new perimeter guarding system providing easy access into the machine as well as a new touch screen control panel that gives the operator more information. There is also the Kallfass Universa 400 automatic L-sealer with side sealing, which allows higher running speeds and a larger range of pack sizes to be handled.
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Stand 5768
Yorkshire Packaging: The SMAF continuous side sealing shrinkwrapper
Wraps UK is now British representative for Paf Interpack, which builds fully and semiautomatic sleeve wrappers as well as tray erecting and loading machines. On show is the Paf Interpack Easy 700 semi automatic twin reel sleeve wrapper. T: 01202 880204 E: [email protected]
clear product window between discharges. In addition, the machine is said to use unique algorithms to retain accuracy even at speeds of 210 drops a minute from an 18 head model. The G series checkweigher is also on demonstration. T: 0113 271 7999 E: [email protected]
W RIGHT M ACHINERY * Stand 5435 A complete flavouring system for snackfood or cereals is on display. It includes a tumble drum in which the powdered flavouring is applied to a continuous flow of product and a Scarf feed system that allows the amount of flavouring to be accurately matched continuously to the weight of food within the drum. The entire system is mobile for use on a number of different production lines. T: 020 8842 2244 E: [email protected]
YORKSHIRE PACKAGING S YSTEMS Stand 4011 Yorkshire Packaging is introducing the SMAF 4020 continuous side sealing shrink-wrapper equipped with a new intuitive touch screen control system, a new pack detection system and servo control for higher speed. In addition there are Rochman shrinkwrappers, including semi automatic combination unit L-
YAMATO S CALE D ATAWEIGH (UK) Stand 5530 The Sigma Frontier multihead weigher is being launched as an environmentally friendly machine that produces less packaging waste and less product waste by the use of a special discharge configuration that produces a
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Ytron-Quadro: The U20 Comil size reduction mill from Quadro
SACHET FILLING
Liquid products demonstrate
Sachet versatility ONCE THE PRESERVE OF POWDERS AND GRANULES, SACHETS, POUCHES AND STICKPACKS ARE FINDING INCREASING FAVOUR WITH MANUFACTURERS OF LIQUID AND WET PRODUCTS, INCLUDING PHARMACEUTICALS AND YOGURTS. ASEPTIC SACHETS ARE NOW ALSO A REALITY.
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t’s been a while in the making, but the world’s first aseptic machine for stand-up pouches is finally up and running. The machine in question is the SMA-260 from Italian equipment manufacturer Volpak, represented in the UK by Integrapak. The form-fill-seal system, which builds on Volpak’s Ultraclean machines, represents a breakthrough in aseptic flexible packaging as, up until now, the only aseptic packaging options were bottles or brik style packs. The problem with that, as Integrapak sales manager Michael Lindsay, points out, is that “bottles are expensive and brik packs are getting a bit stale and, being rectangular, don’t offer much differentiation.” Mr Lindsay sees massive potential for the technology in dairy applications, for, say milkbased drinks and yogurt and fromage frais products. “Basically it is suitable for any product that needs an extended shelf life or is presently distributed via the cold chain. The other advantage is that you can put a spout on the pouch, so the format isn’t just limited to drinking yogurts.
‘Spoonable’ products such as fromage frais, for example, can be squeezed.” Several of the systems have already been installed and validated at an undisclosed dairy in France and, predictably, Volpak’s competitors are intent on developing equivalent technology. So with the competition eager to muscle in on the action, it’s understandable that Volpak wants to keep its cards close to its chest when it comes to explaining how it has succeeded where others have yet to do so. “Because we’re the only people who can do it and our competitors are desperately trying to copy us we can’t give away too much about what we do, although I’m sure they’ve got a pretty good idea,” says Michael Lindsay.
Decontaminating the pouch Essentially, the concept is based on the principle of decontaminating the formed pouch using a vaporised H2O2 solution inside and out. By sterilising the formed pouch the aseptic area is kept to a minimum, making it easier to control. However, besides making strides in aseptic
High speed tissues: German built Pilz FB530 ten-lane tissue line from FJ Pistol is capable of 750 a minute
pouches, Volpak has made further progress in form-fill-seal technology for retort pouches. Michael Lindsay reports that a principal manufacturer of cat food has switched from premade pouches to form-fill-seal pouches using a Volpak SM machine running 220 packs a minute, which is twice as fast as previous formfill-seal machines. He says Volpak has achieved this by overcoming seal integrity issues. “The SM range has several features which enable us to offer better seal integrity, such as parallel motion seal bars and double sealing. “On most horizontal form-fill-seal machines the seal bar is hinged at one end and opens like a fan then closes and applies pressure. This means that on a bigger pack or heavy material, there is more pressure on the bottom of the seal bar and therefore on the bottom of the pack because you’re closing there first. Parallel motion seal bars open and close along the full length, distributing sealing pressure more evenly.” Equally impressive speeds are being achieved by Volpak’s SM range on spouted pouches for fruit purees. Historically, many food manufacturers have shied away from form-fill-seal pouches on the basis of slower production speeds and inferior quality. However, as illustrated by Volpak, the speed gap between pre-made and form-fill-seal pouches is rapidly closing. So too, is the quality gap, according to Bramigk’s Phil Price. “Today, the quality of a pouch made from the reel is equal to that of a pre-made pouch, which alters the argument of fill and seal versus form-fill-seal. It’s no longer about quality, but about flexibility.” Bramigk distributes the German-built Laudenberg range of horizontal form-fill-seal and fill-seal machines, which have just been modularised to improve on costs, delivery times and flexibility. Laudenberg has also launched a high
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speed continuous motion machine, capable of producing up to 500 stand-up pouches a minute. This uses existing technology for the film feeding, which links to a new continuous motion filling arrangement. The style and shape of the pouch is unlimited as is the inclusion of fitments, zippers and so on. The first machine has been sold for packing a yogurt product into a pouch with a spout fitment. In addition, Bramigk has just secured an order from a pet food manufacturer to install a Laudenberg form-fill-seal machine in one of its UK plants. The manufacturer already has identical machines – capable of producing six different stand-up pouch sizes – in operation elsewhere in Europe.
Round seamless pouches
even quadruplex machinery for producing up to four pouches per cycle. For example, Clan Packaging has delivered several quadruplex machines for filling facial creams into flat pouches with a top cap to a high profile multinational company. The pouch equipment industry might be a hotbed of innovation at present, but sachets are still widely used, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Bristol-Myers Squibb, for example, packs powders for oral application in a three-shift operation with a Sigpack Systems RGS/KG3 sachet maker/cartoner at its factory in Meymac, France. The system occupies less than 7.5sq metres and consists of a six-lane vertical sachet machine, which produces 750 sachets a minute, and an integrated intermittent cartoner, which runs at 100 cartons a minute. In the UK Sigpack equipment is marketed by Bosch Packaging Services. At the heart of the machine is a pulsing auger filler, which completes 125 cycles a minute. An in-line weight checking system continually controls and adapts the dosing volume by regulating the speed of each respective scroll. Every sachet is checkweighed on line and over or underweight sachets are sluiced out via a dump gate. With pharmaceutical products, seal integrity is clearly paramount. On the Sigpack sachet maker, web preheating and escorting cross-seam sealing units are said to guarantee seal integrity at high cycle rates. In neighbouring Germany, pharmaceutical manufacturer and contract packer Lindopharm recently installed its fourth sachet machine to cope with
increasing orders for the product ACC, which it produces on behalf of Hexal. Lindopharm wanted a machine that could pack a minimum of four different powder and granule products for 33 countries into fouredge-seal sachets, in a multiple shift operation. It opted for the LA500/P700 from Mediseal – represented in the UK by Körber Medipack – on the basis of its high output, high dosage accuracy and ability to switch the embossing unit on the sealing seam to an ink jet. Within six months the LA500/P700 was up and running six days a week on a two-shift pattern, producing over 700,000 sachets a day. Another MediSeal pharmaceutical sachet machine, the LA 400, which was launched at Interpack 2005, is now in operation in France and Asia. Indeed, Flexibility was a key focus for Medi-seal in designing the LA400 edge-seal sachet machine, according to the company’s Stephan Plewa, who led the team that developed the new system.
But pouches are no longer limited to the more conventional stand-up pouch formats. Laudenberg’s new Cyclero machine produces round, seamless pouches, with flat tops or bottoms to resemble a can, which can be fitted with a screw top spout. Ever shorter batch sizes Flexibility in terms of formats, fitments and “The ever increasing number of products, sizes has been a key driver behind Mespack’s accompanied by ever shorter batch sizes, is a latest research and development efforts. trend in edge-seal sachet packaging which has At this year’s Total exhibition, the Spanish gained importance in recent years. MediSeal’s manufacturer - via UK agent Clan Packaging - is experience in this area has been applied in full introducing its H-150-FE system, described as a to the new development.” “highly versatile machine, offering a real alterThe LA400 can be deployed to package both native to larger and more expensive machines”. liquid and highly viscous products, powders, tisThis horizontal machine can form-fill-seal flat sues and contoured bags or sachets. Fast conthree or four-side seal sachets and stand-up version from one product to another is assured pouches up to 150mm wide and 300mm high at by quick release tool holders, servo drive and speeds up to 120 a minute. It can be adapted to IQCP (Integrated Quick Cleaning Procedure) fill any product, from powders and granules to dosing systems. solids, liquids and pastes, and to incorporate any Another newcomer to the pharmaceutical fitment or closure requirements, from reclosable sachet packing scene is the Arcotronics PSF zippers to built-in drinking straws. It can four-sided sachet form-fill-seal machine also accommodate two filling stations, from the Italian Omag and Arcotronics allowing different products to be filled Group, which is now represented in the Propack Automation Machinery has recently supplied an into the same pouch. UK by Excel Packaging Machinery. Enflex Model F-14 Simplex horizontal form-fill-seal sachet Film transport through the Several of the machine’s design machine to R Sarant and Co, a UK company that packs powdered machine is via servo-driven rollers, features are patented, including soup ingredients. In choosing a new machine, Sarant’s key criteria allowing the pouch width to be set the intermittent motion sealing were reliability, ease of operation, maintenance and cleaning, and good via the touchscreen. The film reels system, the film draw-off system technical back-up. are fixed on pneumatically expandand the reel splicing system. The The F-14 can form sachets ranging from 50 x 70mm up to 140 x able reels, enabling quick reel film system for unwind uses tan200mm and fill them with up to 300ml of product at rates of 100 units changes. In addition, the electrical gential friction to drive the idle a minute. This increases to 400 units a minute with the Double Duplex cabinet is separate from the machine, film reel; reel splicing is carried out model, which consists of two machines – a left-handed and a rightwhich alleviates the risk of damage to outside the main body of the machine handed machine – in a frame. The machine operates with two the machine’s electrical components as a for containment reasons; and with the reels, one at each end of the machine. The pouches are result of vibration, heat and humidity. sealing system, when the machine is restmade from both reels and are finished at the Besides its standard line of horizontal forming, the sealing plates open and swing centre of the machine where the pouch outfill-seal equipment, Mespack offers triplex and upwards to ease access for changeover, cleaning feed is situated.
Souper sachet maker
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Precise dosing: Marchesini MS235 vertical sachet machine uses secondary screw feeders
or replacement of type when hot emboss coding is employed. Another Italian firm, Marchesini, has redesigned its MS235 vertical sachet form-fillseal machine for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, to incorporate a new dosing unit. To guarantee precise dosing every time, each dosing screw feeder is fitted with a motor-driven secondary pre-screw feeder device which accurately feeds the product into each dosing channel. The secondary screw feeder unit is driven by an independent brushless motor, which has enabled Marchesini to dispense with mixers around the dosing unit. The dosing system is set up to provide weight checking and feedback on each lane. Marchesini says it is easy to change the sachet length by simply altering a parameter on the display. In addition, the machine can be programmed so that the dosing device is automatically removed at the end of production. FJ Pistol Machine Services is the UK agent for the German-built Piltz FB range of sachet machines for pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, automotive, chemical and household products. It can deliver high capacity machines in various configurations ranging from one to 20 lanes. The machines are PLC controlled and said to offer low maintenance and full accessibility for size changes and cleaning, as a result of sealing stations that open 180deg. Installations to date have included a complete pharmaceutical line, consisting of a melting and mixing vessel and
FB330 medium output sachet machine, and a ten-lane tissue line capable of producing approximately 750 sachets a minute. Italian manufacturer Boato Pack, represented in the UK by Springvale Equipment, produces sachet machines based on three web widths: the Europa up to 150mm, the Optimist up to 250mm and the Tornado up to 450mm. Each base machine can be fitted with a range of servo controlled filling options including oscillating or tangential flow volumetric systems for powders, granules, tablets and small sweets, pumps for liquid dispensing, and a wet tissue feeder for non-woven material, folded as required with liquid inserted. Boato Pack says its machines have been designed to run at speeds up to 300 cycles a minute, but electronically limited to 250. Typical running speeds are: powders and granules up to 3600 sachets a minute, wet tissues up to 960 sachets a minute, ketchup at 960 a minute or more, and large packs, of up to 250g of margarine for example, at 100 sachets a minute.
Stick-packing branches out Stick-packing continues to branch out beyond its core application area of single-serve coffee and sugar packs and is emerging as a popular packaging format for manufacturers looking for a point of differentiation. “Stick packs are increasingly finding pharmaceutical uses for the same reasons that made them popular for foodstuffs – precise dosage of contents, convenience, low product wastage, M A C H I N E R Y U P D AT E • M AY / J U N E 2 0 0 7
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Pocket size stick: Gaviscon is packed on a Toyo stick-packing machine supplied by Selo UK
minimal consumption of wrapping material and ease of secondary packaging,” says Sigpack’s Holger Botsch. “These benefits are leading to a remarkable expansion of stick pack usage in the pharmaceutical sector, with some sources reporting up to 30 per cent annual growth.” One criticism that has historically been levelled at stick packs is that they are slow to fill, however, according to Mr Botsch, while this may once have been true, it is certainly no longer the case. “Modern modular multi-lane machines can fill up to 100 stick packs a minute in each lane. So with a ten-lane configuration, the overall throughput is 1000 packs a minute.”
Yogurt in stickpacks It’s not just in the pharmaceutical sector where stick packs are catching on. They are also being used in some unusual food industry applications. Through its distribution agreement with German stick packing specialist Schwarze Automation, Integrapak has just installed a six-lane machine for packing children’s yogurt into stick packs at speeds of up to 270 sticks a minute. “There are not many companies who would tackle this application as it’s a high care product, so it has to be packed in a clean environment by a fully stainless steel machine with CIP dosing equipment,” explains sales manager Michael Lindsay. Selo UK, representative for Toyo Machine Manufacturing, is another stick pack equipment supplier who sees massive potential in liquid applications, such as yogurt and single dose pharmaceutical products which eliminate the traditional ‘bottle and spoon’ approach. “The liquid stick side of Toyo’s business is a key development. Imagine how much easier and more portable a 5ml or 10ml stick is than a bottle of children’s liquid pain killing suspension,” says Selo UK’s special projects manager (packaging), Tom Dowling. Although not yet available in the UK, Reckitt Benckiser’s Gaviscon products are sold in pocket sized sticks in continental Europe. The line, based in Hull, is a full turnkey solution from
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Selo UK, and includes stick filling and case packing. The line is designed with full CIP capability and has full traceability for all packaging materials. Propack Automation Machinery has recently entered the market for stick-packing equipment by adding the Inever range of machinery to its portfolio. Inever designs both customised and standard machines for food and pharmaceutical applications. Key features of its machines include 180deg rotation of the vertical sealing bars and the absence of cooling pipes and external wires from the front of the machine to allow easy access for cleaning. A standard system can produce packs up to 200mm long and 45mm wide across five lanes and is suitable for filling liquids, semi-liquids, granules and powders. Two new fast size change Boato Pack stickpack machines were announced by Springvale Equipment at last year’s PPMA Show. On both the six lane Tornado S6 and the four lane Tornado S4 size changeover is achieved simply by exchanging the forming tubes, loading a new reel of appropriate width material and resetting the pitch of the slitter knives to create six or four webs to suit the new pack width.
Length is set from the control panel by adjusting the servo motor driving the drawdown mechanism while dosing is via a tangential flow volumetric doser or separately controlled augers for powders and servo driven pump for liquids. The Boato Pack Tornado S6 is able to produce stickpacks from 17 to 50mm flat stick width and is aimed in particular at contract packers being able, typically, to make 22mm diameter sticks of coffee powder, 35mm diameter sticks of cappuccino powder and also 50mm sticks of drinking chocolate. The S4 machine offers stick widths of 30100mm and can produce a pack up to 200mm long at speeds up to 240 a minute . I
For further information: Bosch Packaging Services T: 01332 626262 E: [email protected] Bramigk & Co T: 01245 477616 E: [email protected] Clan Packaging T: 01753 830196 E: [email protected] Excel Packaging Machinery T: 01865 400489 E: [email protected] Integrapak T: 01420 593680 E: [email protected] Körber Medipack T: 01753 754865 E: [email protected] FJ Pistol Machine Services T: 01727 823461 E: [email protected] Propack Automation Machinery T: 02476 470074 E: [email protected] Selo UK T: 0151 644 9393 E: [email protected] Springvale Equipment T: 01420 542505 E: [email protected] TMG Marchesini T: 01525 216201 E: [email protected]
Fast changeover: Boato Pack six-lane Tornado S6 stick-packing machine
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For full details of all PPMA members able to supply sachet filling machinery, consult the PPMA machinery finder service, tel: 020 8773 8111, or visit www.ppma.co.uk
ROBOTICS
Steadily, robots are staging a
Quiet revolution WITH ROBOTS WELL ESTABLISHED IN END-OF-LINE OPERATIONS, UPSTREAM APPLICATIONS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PACKAGING ARE THE NEW GROWTH AREA. THE UK IS BEGINNING TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS, BUT MUCH OF THE QUIET REVOLUTION IS BEING PLAYED OUT ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE, AS MICHAEL MADDOX DISCOVERED ON A VISIT TO GERMAN MANUFACTURER GERHARD SCHUBERT.
ritain may still be some way down the European league of robot packaging machine users but the pace of change is quickening. For example, when snack food manufacturer Walkers sought a more flexible and lower cost means of producing multipacks, the company opted for robotic systems that can place up to three different varieties of crisp bag in any chosen combination directly into the in-feeds of flow-wrappers. Four TLM-F44 picker lines from German manufacturer Schubert, each feeding two flowwrappers, were installed in 2006 and now, with efficiencies in excess of 97 per cent, more machines are to be installed later this year. Speed is up to 480 bags a minute with six and 12 counts fed to the flow-wrappers providing up to 80 finished multipacks a minute. “It was important to find an innovative and efficient packaging solution as we focus on reducing costs and raising efficiencies every day. The payback period had to be right because our return on investment target is very high and it is essential that every new investment reaches this target,” explains Mark Grover, director of potato crisp production at Walkers. “It was a challenging proposition to find a viable technological solution for packing our multi-packs, which delivered high efficiency and flexibility. While the Schubert solution was not the cheapest, it became the preferred solution when all aspects were considered.” Elsewhere across Europe the inherent flexibility, reduced labour costs and rapid format changes available from the latest robotic systems are, it seems, challenging traditional packaging concepts, particularly in creating primary, secondary and even tertiary packs on the same machine. For example, a Dutch brewer is soon to take delivery of a 26 metre long, 11-station Schu-
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bert robotic system that loads bottles into multipack clusters and then trays at the rate of 917 bottles a minute. While at first glance this speed may not be that exceptional within the bottling industry, the key to the brewer’s decision to buy this, its second line, lies very much in the rapid changeover between three bottle sizes, and four formats of clusters and final tray sizes. Apart from creating the clusters, inserting a partition and closing before erecting and loading the tray, the machine also erects and secures the lid. Up to 38 trays a minute can be handled.
Further expansion Although Schubert initially established its name largely in the confectionery industry with multiple picking systems to load trays and cartons of chocolate assortments, the company is now experiencing increasing demand from a broad spectrum of industry with the result that, early next year, Schubert will complete a further 5000sq metre extension to its factory and begin to expand the current workforce of 650 by a further 150 employees. Gerhard Schubert, who founded the company 40 years ago, agrees that the growing success of robotic packaging systems generally is very much down to fast changeover and flexibility to handle new products in the future but, he points out, space considerations and a quest for simplicity are important factors as well. “Years ago one used lots of different machines – cartoners, fillers, closers – all linked by conveyors. But that’s out. Now we can integrate the operations in the same compact machine – particularly primary and secondary packaging. “Electronics and software give us the overall flexibility but we have also reached the point where our mechanical components are so flexi-
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ble that our TLMs – Top Loading Machines – can be built up from just seven different types of module.” The Schubert philosophy is immediately apparent in the fact that robotics are used for virtually all of the packaging process, rather than, for example, the more conventional mix of robotic loading with more traditional methods of carton, tray or case erection and closing. For example, carton or tray blanks are usually held in multiple magazines at the transfer unit, a two-axis robot that delivers the blanks – or indeed other packaging such as thermoformed trays – into the line. Picking is usually on multiple tooling. Carton and tray blanks are usually plunge erected in multiple female dies – equipped with rollers to prevent scuffing the graphics – while blanks for open-ended multipacks will be plunge erected into pucks as carriers. Equally, closing is carried out by robotics with glue and tuck mechanisms handled by the tooling. Further modules are the grouping chain or “racetrack collator” to create collations, a vision system for applications involving random product in-feed, the high speed TLM-F44 picking robot for handling piece parts, a vacuum conveyor - one of the latest developments - and the TLM-F2 robot for loading collations.
Making tooling simpler Tooling for all tasks is clearly crucial and is currently very much under the spotlight as Gerhard Schubert explains: “The temptation for designers is to make tooling too complicated. We have always to think about how we can make it simpler and so make it more reliable. Currently the average price of tools is €16,000 but my goal is to reduce the average to €5000.” Machine frames are modular, sharing a com-
Crisp multipacks: Installation for Walkers loads mixed flavours into flow-wrapper infeeds
Yogurt pots: Multipack assortmernts are created and loaded into board sleeves by this line
Bottles: One of several machines for loading bottles into board multipacks, erected and carried in pucks
Collation by robot: Schubert’s latest system dispenses with racetrack collators and is faster to change over
mon style with all electrical control cabinets installed at the top for improved access and hygiene, and are all sized to the application. However, the grouping chain module may well give way in the future to Schubert’s latest development, the grouping robot, offering the flexibility of changeover mostly via software, rather than size and format parts. The system was demonstrated in the UK for the first time at last year’s PPMA Show and will return in May this year for the Total exhibition, but set up for a different product to further demonstrate its capabilities. Instead of directing a lane of product into the pockets of a racetrack collation system to achieve the correct count, the new system operates with product arriving at random orientation on the infeed conveyor. Four-axis robots guided by vision systems pick the products and build appropriately pitched collations on an intermediate conveyor. Further robots then pick whole layers from the intermediate conveyor and load the cartons or trays. The result is a system in which count, pitch, and orientation are all under software control, allowing this element of the line to be changed over instantly. A further time-saver is Schubert’s new vacuum conveyor in which lateral guides and interchangeable suction plates, sized to the job, replace flights. Located via pins on servo driven belts, and also held in place by the vacuum, these are able to transport containers between stations at speeds up to 9 metres/sec and to a positional accuracy of 0.1mm. However, for the future Gerhard Schubert is looking towards even higher levels of automation and, at Interpack next year, the company will unveil a system in which tools are stored and automatically changed, in very much the same way as a machining centre in the metalworking industry. Even further automation could also be on the way. “Lights-out operation is my vision,” he says. “It may of course never be possible, but it is a direction we have to follow.” This direction could lead to RGV-mounted robots, tool carriers and materials magazines that position themselves automatically around a base conveyor to carry out the job in hand. Each robot could be virtually self-contained and move off line in the case of a fault, to be replaced by a spare that moves itself into place. Schubert’s factory is now working to full capacity, hence the expansion planned for next
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year, and it is significant that of some 14 or so lines under construction in mid-March, just one was for the confectionery industry. Indeed, cereals, cheese, snack foods, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pet foods, yogurt pots and beer bottles are just some of the goods now handled on Schubert’s machines, illustrating the way in which the application of robotic packaging systems continues to spread across a broad sector of industry. In cereals, for example, four machines currently being built for a UK customer to handle flow-wraps each containing two bars will each be capable of producing three different carton sizes – for 12, 16 or 20 bars and 24, 30 and 40 bars – at speeds of 252 flow-wraps a minute. Two, three and four layers are loaded into an erected carton to achieve the desired count. The design of the machines also allows options of eight and 48 products to be handled in the future if required. In operation, the carton blanks are taken two or three at a time from the magazine, plunge erected and carried into the loading area on vacuum conveyors. Two or three collations of product are created in a racetrack collator and transferred by robot onto a grouping table where each collation is tightened between expanding flights to eliminate inter-product spacing. Layers are then placed in the cartons by a further robot. Each machine is also fitted with a station for loading premiums and the top load approach allows items such as CDs or booklets to be handled easily. For handling vials of eye drops at high speed
Tea bag cartoning: Product is loaded into the blue carriers and then tipped into the cartons
– up to 500 pieces a minute – Schubert has built a machine capable of providing packs holding 25, 50, 75 and 100 vials, which come supplied in trays in groups of five, moulded and filled together. Particular features of this machine include six robot arms to load the groups of vials alternatively at 180 deg in a nesting pattern, a packaging security system that reads 2D codes on the product, carton and leaflet, and a laser coder to mark each carton. In the dairy industry, Schubert has built a number of machines to handle various forms of multipack yogurt pots and has just completed a machine capable of sleeving four packs and mixed flavour eight packs at the rate of 800 pots a minute. It is built in stainless steel and to
an IP67 specification to enable wash down. Fed straight from the thermoformers the machine ends with an elevator that takes trays of sleeved product to an upper floor for end-ofline packaging. Teabag cartoning is not traditionally associated with robotic packaging systems, but Schubert is also just completing a third system for a customer to load up to 80 cartons a minute, with a choice of three carton sizes and counts – 40, 80 and 160. The key here is a carrier system of mini tote bins that accept the teabags in the appropriate count straight from the bagging machine and, once at the loading position, are lifted and tilted by the robot to empty into the cartons, preerected on the machine. As they travel to the robotic closing station the cartons are gently vibrated to settle the contents. Further machines recently completed by Schubert include a system to load pet food tins into trays at the rate of 650 tins and 80 trays a minute, and a machine to erect and pack octagonal slip-lid cartons with cheese at 80 a minute. One of the largest machines still to be completed is a 40 metre long line to provide a variety of multi-packs and final packaging for 200ml cups of babyfood. Meanwhile Schubert’s TLM-F4 robot has also been recently upgraded with carbon fibre arms to reduce weight by 25 per cent compared with the previous aluminium components, giving higher speed and also longer life by reducing stress on the gearbox. I T: 01676 525825 E: [email protected]
Continuous motion raises thermoform-fill-seal efficiency Schubert last year applied its TLM concept to thermoforming with the introduction of a continuous motion form-fill-seal machine - the TLM T800 - in which trays formed on two outer thermoforming lines are filled by its TLMF44 picker robots from product arriving at random on a central conveyor. Four Schubert thermoforming lines are now in operation in Europe. Applications extend from cosmetics to confectionery while the thermoforming process can be employed equally for solids, pastes or liquids. Continuous motion improves efficiency, allowing the robots to work uninterrupted with no dead time and avoids any problems with products that could move out of place or slop
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Continuous motion: The thermoforming lines are fed by robot from the central product infeed
when subjected to the stops and starts of intermittent motion. The machine creates the cavities with recip-
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rocating top and bottom tools that travel with the webs and run at speeds up to 20 cycles a minute. All types of thermoformable packaging films can be handled by the machine, which has forming areas of 300 x 400mm wide and can provide a maximum 80mm depth of draw. Depending on the type of product, Schubert is able to place up to 15 robotic picker stations in the loading area allowing some 3300 items a minute to be placed if necessary. The sealing and punching stations – which also move with the webs – are equipped with ultrasonic sealing tools that provide a particularly secure seal and handle all tray sizes. Only the bottom tool is a size part. Facilities to produce modified atmosphere packs can also be mounted on the TLM-T800.
SLICING AND DICING
Fixed weight and count bring
Knife edge decisions SUPPLIERS OF SLICING AND DICING EQUIPMENT ARE MEETING USERS’ NEEDS TO LIMIT GIVEAWAY ON HIGH-VALUE FIXED WEIGHT AND FIXED SLICE-COUNT PACKS, AVOID PREFREEZING OR CHILLING OF MEAT AND ENSURE OPTIMUM IN-PACK PRESENTATION. ne of the challenges, and the charms, of many of the best meat and cheese products is the variation in size, shape or consistency. As with any good void-filled Dutch or Swiss cheese, the consumer is likely to see this as part of the product’s specific character. The more irregular the profile, the less processed – or more authentic – it appears. From the processor’s point of view, this has meant that historically it has been extremely difficult to combine fixed weight with a fixed slice-count on this type of product. Automation has never sat easily with minimising giveaway and, at the same time, safeguarding quality. Of course, when handling cheaper types of meats with, for instance, a uniform round or square profile, checkweigher feedback systems can perform this task fairly accurately. But as Tony Ambrose, sales and marketing director at AEW Delford Systems, puts it: “It’s bit like driving a car looking in the rear-view mirror. It’s fine if you’re on a straight road.” The first “sharp intake of breath” in the industry came in the late 1980s and early 1990s, says Mr Ambrose, when retailers started to ask for fixed weight and fixed slice count for bacon. More recently, there has been a more general move away from water-filled commodity processed meats. Over the past two and a half years, this has fuelled growth in premium ownlabel ranges such as Tesco Finest, presenting many more suppliers with a similar problem. Clearly, with higher value products, the need to limit giveaway on fixed weight packs becomes more pressing. It would be easy, says Mr Ambrose, to consistently add an extra 10g to a 140g pack. But the latest systems are said to cut this giveaway to around 1g. This saving has been achieved thanks to a new generation of vision and laser systems. According to AEW Delford, its PolySlicer Vision uses these technologies to scan the con-
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tours and consistency of any meat or cheese product at the cutting face. Says Mr Ambrose: “For each new slice, it measures the surface area, any voids, ratios of fat to lean meat, and will make an adjustment of the slice thickness to suit.” The company says this means high onweights, low giveaway, consistently accurate grading and high output, all with minimal operator intervention. The system, introduced last year, has already seen installations in the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland and Korea. Depending on the value of the product, payback is said to be within around two years. This latest slicing system from Delford is available with either gripper or continuous feed. As with any product which is potentially fragile and needs to be attractively arranged, the compromise between precision and speed is a key one. Delford’s solution after the slicing stage involves a switch from a two-speed conveyor to a three-speed conveyor.
Shingling conveyor As they are shingled, the slices move at a slow speed on the first “jump” conveyor. As each collation is completed, the conveyor automatically ramps up from slow to high speed. As the line starts to slow again, transfer to a second conveyor occurs at an intermediate speed. The match in conveyor speeds has to be exact, says Tony Ambrose, as any mismatch will mean that the shingling pattern is either closed up or stretched. While the first conveyor continues to slow to the point where newly-sliced product is placed on the line, the second maintains the intermediate speed to allow each pack weight to be checked. Before the robot tray-loading stage, any product which is off-weight or rejected for quality reasons is diverted to another conveyor, which the robot picking head ignores. The Intelligent Portion Loading (IPL) Robot
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Tray loading: Delford Intelligent Portion Loading (IPL) Robot can have up to six picking heads
can be used with the PolySlicer or any other portioning machine or slicer. One unit can be equipped with up to six picking heads while a front-end vision system can be used to monitor product faults such as burnt portions, oversize items and orientation. Its C-frame design will sit over various tray-sealing and thermoforming lines, and can be moved from line to line to meet changing production demands. In the case of the IPL, Delford has patents on the gripper system. “We concentrate on products, especially in the protein industries, which you can’t pick up with a vacuum,” says Mr Ambrose. The robot is around two years old, but after a slow start, Delford says it has sold 15 in the past year in Europe and the Far East. Applications have included bacon, fresh meat and fish. In Poland, one installation is handling sliced cheese. For the past four years or so, the same sophistication found on the PolySlicer Vision has been available in AEW Delford’s SmartSlice Vision Plus. But this system is used for automatic, intelligent portioning of fresh boneless meat. Tony Ambrose explains: “It builds up a 3D picture of the bulk piece of product. The machine then decides, just as a butcher would
The Vision and laser measurement: PolySlicer Vision from Delford adjusts slice thickness to product area
including the variable frequency drive are now considerably more compact, and are fitted under the main body of the machine for easy maintenance.
Drive and feed rolls
Cut and place: Pizzamatic machine supplied by JBS slices and places product such as pepperoni
decide, the best way of portioning it for different cuts. It will prioritise on the basis of what particular customers will offer for certain cuts, and on the highest returns available.” Meanwhile, Urschel has launched the Model M6 machine which incorporates the company’s established dicing, strip-cutting and shredding technology, but now has hinged panels to allow easier access for cleaning and maintenance. “It is about hygiene and keeping the guarding off the floor,” says technical director Paul Bruce. “People don’t like having to lift the sides of the machine off, and the manual handling regulations are against it.” In addition, says Urschel, the electrics
For shredding, the M6 grips a slab of product between a drive roll and feed roll. Depending on the effect required, it is then shredded either by blunt cross-cut knives or shredding discs. In dicing mode, the machine grips the meat in the same way, but then uses a combination of circular knives and cross-cut knives to create first strips and then cubes. Unlike many competitor machines, says Urschel, the M6 can handle tempered product, with no need for pre-freezing. Recent customers include Sun Valley which has seen an upturn in its poultry business. The machine is being used to cut chicken into strips for use by fast-food chains. For dedicated dicing, Urschel’s US parent company has the DiversaCut range, with models suitable for meat products and vegetables. In the two years since its launch, says Mr Bruce, the machine’s popularity has grown. He explains: “Where it wins over our earlier Model G machine and competitor systems is that you can go down to 3mm cubes or up to 20mm. No other single machine can do that.” For cutting hard salami, sausages and preformed roasts, the DiversaCut uses a combination of a slicing knife to cut sections of product, circular knives to produce strips and then a cross-cut knife to dice. The machine can also be used to generate flat and crinkle-cut strips of
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SLICING AND DICING
meat. Like the M6, the DiversaCut range has hinged panels for trouble-free access. According to Urschel, not all applications fit neatly into established meat and vegetable categories. For more diverse shredding and milling applications, its equipment is now in demand for manufacturers of everything from Indian spices to fruit smoothies, says Mr Bruce. Other recent launches in the slicing area include the A500-W from Bizerba. First seen in the UK at last year’s Foodex Meatex, the automatic system offers built-in checkweigher feedback for dynamic portioning. Immediately after being cut, each slice is weighed to ensure it is inside the preset weight tolerance. Slice thickness is automatically adjusted, if necessary. The machine, which is built to IP65 standards, is operated from a touchscreen which can be used to access the various slicing programmes. Output is up to 250 slices a minute and product can be either shingled or stacked.
No freezing required The precision of the system means there is no need to pre-freeze fresh product, says Bizerba, and so slicing can be carried out anywhere in the -4 to +7deg C temperature range. Importantly, the blade can be sharpened when still inside the machine, reducing downtime and the risks associated with handling a sharp blade. A simple control activates the automatic bladesharpening programme. The Food Machinery Company supplies cutting and dicing equipment from Feuma, Germany, suitable for vegetables or meat products such as bacon with the AE10 model, for example capable of hourly volumes between 500 and 750kg. The smaller AE6 handles volumes of 100-200kg an hour. As such, the AE6 benchtop system is more appropriate for applications such as banqueting and hotels. However, it is used in development kitchens and in smaller-scale production. According to sales manager Lee Gapper, at least two food companies in the UK have installed the AE6 in this type of application in the 18 months since it was launched. One of these companies has also placed an order for the AE10. In this case, the machine will be shredding lettuce. Changeparts on the smaller of the two machines allow the drive unit to be set up for slicing and dicing operations, but also strip cutting, grating, mincing and even steak tenderising. Slice thickness on the Feuma machines can be adjusted between 0 and 8mm.
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Hand-cut by machine: Output from the GMC Cube King dicing machine supplied by Selo UK
Where the slicing operation is part of a more complex food process, two vital considerations are the consistent quality of the cut and placing accuracy of each slice. JBS Process Engineering now supplies equipment which addresses each of these issues for in-line applications such as pizza or open sandwiches. JBS markets linear and rotary slicer/applicators from the US Pizzamatic Corporation. Unlike other systems which use disposable band blades, says JBS, these machines have hardened rotary blades that can be sharpened for continual use. If this is done, the edge will remain sharp enough to cut even frozen meats and cheeses. This ability to maintain optimum sharpness means that the system gives above average weight-per-slice precision and “surgical-like” cuts without serrations.
For dicing, Selo UK supplies equipment from the US General Machinery Corporation (GMC). Sales manager Malcolm Griffiths explains: “As consumers have become more aware of food quality, and more discerning in what they buy, there has been a change in the specification of diced meat from supermarket buyers.” In the past, he says, ‘machine-diced’ often meant that meat was chilled down, then compressed and forced through blades. “However, producers and retailers now want an accurate, well-defined dice, indistinguishable from hand-cut product, with the minimum of labour,” says Mr Griffiths. He claims that GMC’s Cube King and Rotary fresh meat dicers are among the very few automatic dicers that can meet these requirements. They are suitable for red meat, poultry and even fish. Mr Griffiths continues: “The great advantage of these machines is that they do not put the product under physical pressure. There is no distortion of the product or blood loss, so that the final result is a well-defined dice that has retained its moisture, colour and bloom to give maximum yield and shelf life.” The GMC equipment allows product to be sliced at ambient temperature, with no need for chilling or case-hardening. According to Selo, many retail specifications now call for dicing either by hand or by a GMC machine. I
For further information: AEW Delford Systems T: 01603 700755 E: [email protected]
Locate and place product Rotary and linear models are available. The rotary RSA-125 can locate and place product on up to 125 random-spaced targets a minute on a single lane. This degree of accuracy in placing slices is due to the use of servo controls on the turret, says JBS. The cantilevered LS2000 linear machine can be independently mounted above an existing conveyor and will top 12in pizzas with sliced product at speeds up to 45 a minute, says the company. Slicer-applicators used extensively on pizza and sandwich lines are also supplied by Selo UK, manufactured by the Dutch parent company. According to Selo, the machine incorporates a method of blade lubrication which ensures a clean cut, even with difficult materials. The chute geometry is designed for easy loading, minimising damage to fragile products, points out the company.
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Bizerba (UK) T: 01442 240751 E: [email protected] JBS Process Engineering T: 01778 346168 E: [email protected] Selo UK T: 0151 644 9393 E: [email protected] The Food Machinery Co T: 01634 272345 E: [email protected] Urschel International T: 0116 263 4321 E: [email protected]
For full details of all PPMA members able to supply slicing and dicing machinery, consult the PPMA machinery finder service, tel: 020 8773 8111, or visit www.ppma.co.uk
C O M P O N E N T M AT T E R S
Board handling underlines
The case for servos A NEW MACHINE FROM EUROPACK THAT BRINGS FILM AND BOARD TOGETHER TO CREATE THE SMART KARTON TRANSIT CASE MAKES EXTENSIVE USE OF SERVO DRIVES, WHICH ALLOWED IT TO BE DESIGNED AND BUILT IN JUST FIVE MONTHS FROM INITIAL CONCEPT. rives specialist Lenze has worked with endof-line machinery manufacturer Europack – part of the Bradman Lake Group – to help create a custom-built machine for producing the Smart Karton transit case. This employs shrinkable or self-adhesive film, glued to the case inner, to secure the contents, with no void fill required. Typical applications are books, small electrical items and gifts while field tests have shown that smaller box sizes can be used, in one case reports Lenze, reducing warehouse shipments from seven to four vehicles a day. The Europack machine handles up to 40 case blanks a minute. A stack of pre-cut board is conveyed to the infeed de-stacker where a servo driven pusher mechanism presents individual boards to the infeed conveyor, correctly gapped to the preceding board. The servo driven infeed conveyor transports the board under the glue guns and then on to the compression rollers which are also servo driven and at that point the film is applied to the board under tension. A fourth servo drive controls the rotary knife which cuts the film between the boards in such a way that there is a film overlap to make it easy for users to grip and wrap over the product. Finished boards with glued-on film are stacked and removed by an outfeed conveyor. While the Bradman Lake Group’s engineers worked on the machine structure, glue process, film handling and external controls, the Lenze engineers established a detailed specification for the drives, wrote the software, gave drive training and helped with commissioning. The result was a machine running after just five
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months from the concept stage and approaching target performance one month later. With board speeds of up to 50 metres a minute, precise and smooth handling from servo drives was required. Lenze specified the Servo PLC model 9323 rated at 3.9A. This is a drive with a powerful built-in PLC running programs to the standard IEC61131-3. The control concept requires each drive to handle its own motion control while a central PLC looks after safety functions, the glue patterns and the conveyors. The four servo drives communicate
said to make them well suited for servo motor operation. The pusher axis is a good illustration of decentralised motion control, points out Lenze. As details of each new board are entered by the operator on the HMI, a new profile is created within the drive based on the board length and the required gap between boards, which can be set between 20 and 100mm. The drive
Servo driven: The Europack machine (above) secures film to board to create the Smart Karton transit case blank (left)
between themselves with an integrated CAN system bus, and each drive is fitted with a DeviceNet module to communicate with the central PLC. So the system can be considered a hybrid, with a mix of centralised and decentralised control. All four servo axes are driving Lenze synchronous geared motors of frame sizes 56 and 71 with type GKS helical bevel gearboxes. The high efficiency of the gearboxes at 96 per cent and low backlash at about 10 minutes of arc are
then directly controls the vacuum heads to pick up a new board from the stack before beginning the calculated profile. Meanwhile, the pusher drive fine tunes the motion profile to allow for small variations in timing in the operation of the vacuum heads. The drive accelerates the board smoothly to a speed above the line speed to catch up with the preceding board and then, as the required gap is achieved, the drive slows the board down to line speed and runs in gearlock. Once the board is taken into the infeed rollers, the pusher drive returns at high speed to the start position. The infeed is the master drive on the
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C O M P O N E N T M AT T E R S :
Europack machine. It is programmed to stop so that the board is always under the compression rollers in order to maintain the film tension. The compression roller drive follows the infeed except during start-up when it waits for the leading edge of the next board and ensures the gap between the boards is maintained. The knife axis is another example of effective decentralised drive control, says Lenze. The synchronous helical bevel geared motor drives a single blade rotary knife of 160mm diameter with the knife speed profile calculated for each new board. The drive accelerates the knife into position and then cuts at a speed synchronous to the line speed. This method ensures high accuracy and means that a single knife can handle all sizes of board. There are six glue heads on the machine. Four are high capacity twin nozzles that apply a carton-specific glue pattern on the base with different adhesives according to customer specification. The remaining two single heads apply a light tack of glue to the carton flaps.
Geared motors supplied Lenze also supplied all the other ac geared motors including worm and helical models for the outfeed, stackers and conveyors. The infeed destacker and out-feed stacker are specified to handle up to 500kg. Lenze supplied 1.5kW helical bevel geared motors, chosen to withstand high starting torques and to run efficiently. These geared motors inch the stack up and down with position feedback from an incremental encoder mounted on the output shaft and speed control from Lenze 8200 vector inverters. During operation, the machine reads bar codes from the cases and records a detailed profile of the output while an on-board wireless modem allows this data to be transmitted to the machine owner. In addition, the modem can interrogate the drives allowing diagnosis of faults and, potentially, correction without a service engineer travelling to site. Software for new box formats can be downloaded remotely. Europack technical director David Burlingham sums up the development process: “All the servo sizing and programming worked from day one so our partnership with Lenze was a great success. The machine is up to specification inside six months and we are already looking at the next generation that will run faster.” T: 01234 321321 E: [email protected]
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Camera-based safety system suits robotics A CAMERA-BASED GUARDING SYSTEM DEVELOPED FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY COULD PROVE VALUABLE IN MONITORING LARGER ROBOTS USED IN PACKAGING, PARTICULARLY END-OF-LINE MACHINERY. The SafetyEye camera system for three-dimensional zone monitoring now being introduced by Pilz has the potential, says the company, to reduce machine downtime significantly, as well as save floor space compared with traditional machinery guarding, safety light curtains and laser area scanners. In comparison with traditional hinged and sliding machine guards, safety light curtains and laser area scanners are highly advanta-
per cent less than safety light curtains, mainly because a typical SafetyEye system takes just two hours to install and configure. Each SafetyEye system comprises a sensing device with three greyscale cameras – to give three-dimensional coverage – and an analysis unit that contains high-performance computers for processing the images, plus a programmable safety system to deliver the safety-related functions and process safety-related and nonsafety-related inputs and outputs. The system is configured by means of an intuitive dragand-drop software package, with extensive diagnostics help to minimise the time required for troubleshooting. In operation, the system benefits from separate threedimensional ‘warning’ and ‘detection’ (danger) zones. If a person enters a warning zone, an Camera-based safety: New Pilz SafetyEye gives three-dimensional zone monitoring alarm is sounded geous for applications requiring frequent access and the hazardous machinery is slowed down; if by operators. Not only is opening a physical the detection zone is entered, the machinery is guard time-consuming and fatiguing, but main- brought to an immediate standstill. Pilz developed the SafetyEye system in coltenance can be hindered by the presence of the laboration with DaimlerChrysler. Pilz took guard and its supporting structure. Nevertheless, light curtains and laser area overall responsibility for system development scanners only monitor a flat plane – although and provided the expertise behind the safety mirrors and/or multiple light curtains can be functionality, while DaimlerChrysler specified the practical requirements, developed the used to create faceted protection zones. As a result, Pilz points out, the protected image processing algorithms and supported the area is often greater than the hazardous zone, test programme. The first SafetyEye application is in fact now which is a waste of floor space and can also mean that the barrier is triggered earlier than is on the production line for the new C-Class Mercedes-Benz. absolutely necessary, costing process time. In addition, Pilz reckons the cost of installing T: 01536 460766 and maintaining a SafetyEye system is up to 70 E: [email protected]
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LABELLING, CODING, MARKING
D OMINO UK
W EBER M ARKING S YSTEMS
AstraZeneca adopts 2D item- Print-apply meets standards bar coding level codes for traceability for chilled food AstraZeneca has adopted a coding system developed in conjunction with systems integrator Domino Integrated Solutions Group to provide authentication of drugs produced at a number of its worldwide sites. Laser and inkjet printers are being used to add a unique and random carton number (UCN), embedded in a two-dimensional Data Matrix code, to the item-level drug carton. As a result, the drugs will be traceable, allowing AstraZeneca to
S ESSIONS
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authenticate the product as it moves throughout the supply chain. The use of the UCN and bar coding on each carton enables automatic data collection and processing, said to result in greater supply chain control, patient safety and brand authentication. Simon King, director of Domino’s Integrated Solutions Group, explains: “Our flexible traceability solutions are tailored to meet the recommendations by global regulatory bodies and are in line
with EFPIA’s (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations’) recent recommendation concerning secure serialised code structures embedded in twodimensional Data Matrix code carriers for item-level coding.” In addition to a serialised number, the Data Matrix code can also include a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) as well as lot number and expiry date. T: 01954 782551 E: [email protected]
Y ORK
Shrinkfilm labels provide answer for difficult shape filters Sessions has supplied a labelling system based on shrinkfilm to provide a secure means of identifying respiratory and heat and moisture filters supplied to hospitals. Shaped like a spinning top, the filters presented inherent difficulties in handling as well as labelling, particularly since the flat
Shrink labelling: Secure identification of medical filters for hospitals
edge of the wide filter housing is not parallel but tapered.
Sessions’ machine division initially considered using rising pucks on an indexing conveyor but then went for the idea of using shrink vinyl, which was tested successfully. The rectangular shrink labels are pressure sensitive and applied by a Sessions Sequence Performance labeller to the major diameter of the filter body then shrunk and formed around the minor diameter. T: 01904 659224 E: [email protected] sessionsofyork.co.uk
N EWMAN L ABELLING S YSTEMS
Ampoules transferred to labelling at 500 a minute A handling system that transfers glass ampoules directly from production and inspection to labelling, without the labour cost of loading into trays or risk of breakage in traditional screw transfer system systems, has been announced by Newman. The Ampoule Transfer System (ATS) is said to provide delicate handling, with no need for synchronised starwheels to feed
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Strathmore Foods has switched from ink jet coding to print-apply labelling on outer cases to comply with GS1 standards for bar coding in chilled food distribution. Having expanded into the chilled food market following its acquisition of the McIntosh brand the company found the ink jet coding system used for its frozen food was not compatible with the
screw systems, and also provides an accumulation buffer between the labelling machinery and the inspection equipment. Ampoules of 1-20ml can be handled at speeds in excess of 500 a minute. T: 020 8440 0044 E: [email protected] Ampoule transfer: New system from Newman
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Chilled food labelling: Weber 2600 machine at Strathmore Foods
requirements of the new market. “Our previous coding methods did not comply with the GS1 system for chilled food and the requirements of the UCC/EAN128 bar code which holds all the relevant information for the supply chain,” explains Julie Nisbet, project manager at Strathmore Foods. “As a result, our bar codes were not reading properly and we were getting a lot of rejects from our customers.” Strathmore Foods has installed a Weber 2600 printer-applicator, a lightweight, in-line unit which runs Weber’s Legitronic software package to control the labelling operation itself and provide design, editing and storage of the label formats. In addition, Weber has supplied an on-line Geset label applicator to add pre-printed flash labels. T: 01875 611111 E: [email protected]
NEW MACHINERY
B RADMAN L AKE
S TRAPEX UK
Integrated top load cartoner offers extra flexibility
Pallet wrapper ranges cover rotating arm and ring styles
The Bradman Lake ICS – Integrated Cartoning System – is a top load machine in which the functions of forming, filling and closing trays are integrated into a single unit, eliminating the need for three separate machines and their demands on floorspace. It has the flexibility to form cartons from flat blanks either with or without a hinged lid, in lock style or as four corner glue versions, while pre-glued cartons can also be opened. The erecting sector has lightweight carbon fibre lock tools, adjustable glue tools and a powered hopper while the loading module, with pick-and-place robot, is available with single, double and triple race track collators to give speeds, respectively, of 300, 600 and 900 pieces a minute. Elements of Bradman Lake’s
N IRO P HARMA S YSTEMS
Strapex has added two ranges of pallet stretch-wrapping machines to its end-of-line equipment. The SWA range of semiautomatic wrappers are rotating arm machines which, since they avoid centrifugal forces by wrapping the pallet while stationary, are particularly suitable for heavy, fragile or unstable loads.
Three in one: Bradman Lake integrated system for top load cartons
Compact R Closer are used in the closing section, such as rubber fingers for carton control and quick size change. Closing options include cartons with a hinged lid, front flap glue or tuck-in, separate lid, and folding or gluing four upper flaps. “One of the key features of the
ICS is its small footprint and modularity which allows this system to fit into small spaces and adapt to meet the customer’s requirements for both the feed and discharge of products and cartons,” says Bradman Lake. T: 01603 441000 E: [email protected]
KHS UK
Top driven mixer granulator for laboratory work
e
The Collette MicroGral top-driven, laboratory scale high-shear, mixergranulator has been designed specifically for use in developing formulations for granulation and pelletisation. The equipment is available in two bowl sizes of 1 and 2 litres to provide a batch capacity of 100g700g. A double jacket and heating system option enables melt granulation and pelletisation to be carried out if required. For process control the MicroGral is equipped with product temperature and torque measurement. T: 023 8026 7131 E: [email protected]
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Keeping the heat in: KHS shrink tunnel uses air curtains at infeed and outfeed
Air curtains seal shrink tunnel By using air curtains at the infeed and outfeed of a shrink tunnel, rather than the more usual hanging curtains, KHS has come up with a system that can be remotely monitored by a camera. In addition, points out the company, there is no physical contact with packs being shrunk, eliminating any risk of damage.
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A camera can now monitor the shrink tunnel continuously although, says KHS the system is intended primarily for checking the process after a format change. Images are displayed on a monitor and can be linked into a factorywide communication system. T: 0121 713 6900 E: [email protected]
Ring style: Strapex SWR wrappers handles up to 50 pallets an hour
The machines require no turntable, ramp access or hold down device and can be pillar or wall mounted. Optional power prestretch gives up to 300 per cent film elongation for economy while speed is up to 35 pallets an hour. The SWR series of ring-style wrappers are fully automatic and can start and finish the wrap at any height The SWR30 is said to be ideal for applications where space is at premium and no top sheet is required, and can wrap up to 30 pallets an hour. The SWR40 and 45 can each wrap 50 pallets per hour without a top sheet, while the SWR50 is designed for applications where a top sheet is required and can again handle 50 pallets an hour. T: 01922 742500 E: [email protected]
New Machinery continues on page 104
NEW MACHINERY
A ETNA UK
X ACT PACKAGING
Automatic system wraps plasterboard at less cost
Vertical bagger from Poland gives up to 160 bags/min
An new automatic handling and stretch-wrapping system that allows packs of plasterboard to be wrapped directly after stacking on the production line has been developed by Aetna. First users are achieving full payback on the system within a matter of months of installation, says the company. Aetna points out that, historically, when stacking plasterboard to ensure protection from dirt or moisture, manufacturers had to choose between stacking the boards directly onto one way pallets and then wrapping with a horizontal wrapper, or using skids or bearers, manually placed onto the tops of the packs, as a more cost effective medium. Subsequent wrapping with shrink or stretch film holds the skids in place, but involves inverting the packs before transport. Both methods are expensive and particularly labour intensive. Aetna’s new handling and spiral
Faster board wrap: Aetna system is said to give rapid payback
wrapping system eliminates these issues. Skids are automatically delivered directly from the bulk pallet into the skid magazine by robot, and the system then automatically inserts the wooden skids under the stacked plasterboard packs at predetermined positions. This means that the packs can be lifted with fork trucks from the line, with no need to stop or invert the pack. These skids can be glued to the bottom board or stretch wrapped to the pack to secure them. The system, which incorporates a
film pre-stretching device for economy, can incorporate head and tail wrapping for fully enclosed packs and automatically measures loads for either 900 or 1200mm width and 1200 to 3600mm length. It then calculates the number of skids required and places them in the correct position. The whole operation is continuous, requires no operator and is capable of wrapping between one and two large packs a minute. T: 01234 825050 E: [email protected]
P ROSEAL
Tray sealer runs at 75 a minute and is readily relocatable Capable of speeds up to 75 packs a minute, the Proseal GT2 tray sealer is a fully mobile unit, mounted on castors for easy relocation from line to line. Servo-controlled pack transfer is said to create a smooth movement for trays throughout the sealing process, avoiding spillages and allowing speed to be raised, while self-centring pack guides ensure trays are accurately positioned for sealing, particularly after a tool change.
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Fully mobile: Proseal GT2 tray sealer can run at 75 a minute
Further features aimed at maintaining consistent operation include automatic film break and film end detection. For ease of changeover the machine also incorporates
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Proseal’s lightweight Auto Tool connection system, which enables tool changes to be carried out in around three minutes. T: 01625 856600 E: [email protected]
A continuous motion vertical formfill-seal machine capable of 160 bags a minute is being launched on the UK market by Xact, newly appointed UK distributor for the Polish manufacturer Radpack. Aimed at both food and nonfood applications the RM-25C is servo driven and is able to produce a variety of bag types including pillow, pouch, stand-up and squared corners. Bag size range is 50-250mm wide and 80-300mm long. In its basic version the machine’s features include adjustable sealing temperatures, auto film tracking, film splicing unit, and an encoder or photocell film measurement system. T: 0151 479 3020 E: [email protected]
B OSCH PACKAGING S ERVICES
Smart card checkweigher handles packs up to 30kg The KWE 4040 checkweigher from Bosch handles packs up to 30kg for weight and completion checks and incorporates a smart file card system for paperless production control. Up to 31 machines can be networked. The machine is said to offer accuracy to ± 50mg and can be supplied with a range of optional equipment including side press belts, acceleration belts, sorter deflectors and collapsible belts. Digital interfaces provide links with coding equipment such as lasers and ink jet printers. T: 01332 626262 E: [email protected] boschpackaging.com