Page 40 - Food&Drink Magazine October 2018

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS
Change it up
Custom manufactured change parts have a number of benefits on the line. Alternative Engineering's Alan Smith shares the following tips.
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FIVE STEPS
AS consumer demands evolve, the need for more nimble changeovers and greater efficiencies on bottling and canning lines is on the rise.
This in turn means that quality change parts are becoming an increasingly important part of the food and beverage landscape.
Change parts are typically needed to accommodate a new type of bottle, jar, can or container on the line, or to maintain line efficiency, especially when using older equipment, according to Alan Smith, the general manager of Alternative Engineering, a Melbourne based engineering company specialising in precision-engineered components.
Custom manufactured change parts are also a good option when OEM parts are no longer available for older equipment, and sometimes even when OEM parts are available, Smith says.
That is because OEM parts
are designed to work on equipment as it was running when new, rather than with the equipment in its current condition.
“Wear and tear over the life of your equipment can cause alignment issues with OEM parts, especially if it’s been
Part accuracy prevents costly and unnecessary downtime and stress, less container damage, and improved improving production and bottling efficiencies.
With this in mind, Alternative Engineering designs its change parts using
HOW IT WORKS
Alternative Engineering’s change parts solution is based on a five-step process.
1 First the company maps and
measures the bottling machines using the latest technology. This requires an on-site visit
2 by one of its engineers. Company engineers meet to discuss and design parts that will provide the client with products capable of meeting
3 the required outcomes. Drafting of parts from the agreed design then follows. Manufacturing lead times are also agreed on to achieve
4anticipated outcomes.
Parts are manufactured and
an engineer attends the site 5to commission the parts.
Any adjustments are then made to ensure the parts do provide the capabilities they were designed for.
“ Your change part supplier should talk to staff at all levels, line managers, operators and engineers, to get to the bottom of the problem and discover the actual outcome that’s required before designing it.”
relocated or refurbished,” Smith says. This is where experienced change parts manufacturers can step in.
CORRECT STANDARDS
When deciding to go with a change parts designer, manufacturers must look for a company that offers a high level of accuracy, according to Smith.
a proven problem-solving process that taps into all the latest technology, materials, and solutions, Smith says
“Our engineers and account managers have the ability to make on-site visits to digitally measure up existing equipment and machinery to get exact information,” he says.
“By having in-depth
40 | Food&Drink business | October 2018 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au