Page 17 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 5th July 2021

comments: “Cans are much
better for the environment,
are easier to pack and
transport so we gave
ourselves a challenge to
design and build a system
where we could filter,
carbonate and can beer, on a
relatively small budget.”
Their first canning
machine relied on optical
sensors to detect foam in the
can and they quickly realised
this was not an effective or
robust enough option and fill
levels could not be relied
upon. Also the sensor
counting the cans was a
photoelectric optical eye
sensor and due to its shiny,
reflective nature the
aluminium would give false
or multiple readings.
These issues were
resolved once the Baumer
sensors were installed with
the LBFS sensor providing
accurate and repeatable fill
levels regardless of the
presence of foam, meaning that the cans did not though we are a small microbrewer. They gave us
need to be manually wiped. good advice from the concept of the canning
Secondly, the IFRM proximity sensor overcame machine, right through to completion, even visiting
the reflective issues of the aluminium cans, us to advise, nothing was too much trouble.”
providing the required levels of accuracy and Even though a Baumer 9701 Flex Programmer
repeatability. was an added cost they soon appreciated that when
Tim confirmed: “The success of canning combined with the LBFS sensors, they
machine project was a real in-house team effort acknowledged it was much more versatile and
with design and manufacture down to himself and meant they could adjust the foam sensing range
his brother Pete Hobbs, along with Oliver Ursell’s without having to carry out a sample test, unlike
electronic wizardry. We received great customer other sensors on the market.
service and technical help from Baumer even www.baumer.com/gb/en

July 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p17