Page 47 - Food&Drink magazine July 2021

QR CODE CONFIDENCE
With growing concerns about food waste and the demand for more consumer product information, Raymax Applications Australia managing director John Grace says having QR codes on products provides a super solution for the retail food sector.
Around 20 years ago, we introduced permanent coding to the wine industry. Hard coding on glass offers protection against counterfeiting, but it can easily include bottling date, provider and even information about the grape variety.
Establishing just what you want to include in a QR code, also known as a 2DCode, can be determined by the producer and cover batch, serial number, and use-by-date. This is information that can be scanned at any time during distribution or point-of-sale for better product safety and traceability. It is also a way to improve in-store product management if for example, markdown or recall information is included.
QR codes specifically targeting consumers can build confidence in a product. Using a
✷ PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
PRODUCT NEWS
CABLE AWARD WINNER
The igus e-skin flat is a modular cable guidance system made of high- performance polymer, which shows almost no visible wear and is abrasion-resistant.
Every year, the Fraunhofer Institute honours the most innovative developments with the REINER! Award. This year, the motion plastics specialist igus was awarded 2nd place for its e-skin flat energy supply chain. The alternative to the flat belt guide is compact, modular and has cleanroom class 1. The cables can be easily inserted into the chain using the zipper principle and can be quickly replaced in the event of maintenance.
The award was presented to igus for the development of the e-skin flat energy supply system as part of the Digital 365 Cleanroom Process.
Energy supply systems can be easily extended with so-called “single pod” profiles when using the igus e-skin flat. A zipper system allows easy replacement of the cables. In combination with CFCLEAN cable cores for the transmission of energy, motor control, bus and Ethernet signals, the user receives a ready-to-connect energy supply system.
Tests by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA have shown that the system achieves Class 1 according to ISO 14644. This means that the e-skin flat meets the strictest cleanroom requirements.
The igus range of particle-free energy supply systems has been in production since 2003. Since last year, the company has also been operating a cleanroom laboratory for in-house development, which was installed at the main site in Cologne in co-operation with the Fraunhofer Institute. In this laboratory, igus tests its e-skin flat as well as other motion plastics such as cables and plain bearings. Contact Treotham Automation for more information about the e-skin flat.
BUY IT FROM
smart phone, consumers can scan the code to access use-by-dates, product content information, and product recipes.
Laser coders are easily installed on production lines and offer the flexibility of three-axis coding. Coding control is simplified with an on-location touch screen. Easy to use with no consumables required, up to 90,000 items per hour can be coded on this laser system. Lasers have a rating of IP65 to handle all factory environments.
This solution from Raymax Applications has the capacity to improve product management and grow consumer confidence.
AGITATING FROM THE BOTTOM UP
TERALBA has expanded its range of Mixquip Series 500 Bottom Entry Agitators allowing large beverage tanks to be fitted with bottom entry mixers. Positioning an agitator on the base of a mixing vessel has advantages over top entry mixers or side entry agitator mounting positions.
Base Entry Agitators are ideal for mixing products where solids or higher SG liquids settle in bottom of the tank. Mixquip Series 500 Base Entry Agitators provide a powerful axial flow up through the tank contents. The Mixquip can also mix down to less than 5 per cent of the total tank volume
Other advantages include mixing a tank when 1/2 or 1/3 full. The short shaft equals lower cost than top entry mixers and ease of access at floor level, for servicing.
The bottom entry agitator can enable mixing from 5000 litres to maximum capacity of 220,000 litres.
SMC DRIVES FLEXIBILITY
SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand has added the LECSN-T series of AC servo motor drivers (network card type) to its product offering in the region.
The series supports three types of network cards, particularly PROFINET, EtherCAT, and EtherNet/IP.
SMC digital transformation and global accounts manager Jozef Ceh said the introduction of this series adds another level of smart flexibility, further enhancing the company’s local offering of its AC cylinder range.
“This is testament to SMC’s commitment to the local market, while showcasing our ability to support a broader range of specifications,” said Ceh. “All drivers are fitted – as standard – with a Safe Torque Off (STO) safety function, adhering to the highest level of ISO safety certification.
“It is equipped with a 22-bit encoder which can be utilised as an incremental or absolute coordinate system and can accommodate motors ranging from 100-750W.”
The new LECSN-T series is now available through SMC ANZ.
Treotham Automation
E: nswsales@treotham.com.au T: (02) 9907 1788
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | July 2021 | Food&Drink business | 47