Page 106 - Packaging News May-June 2021

MEMBER NEWS
Schmalz has added the SAOF 180x90 to its range of suction plates. Together with new grippers for the JumboFlex portfolio and new beams, the user has even more customisable configuration options.
Until now, the only gripper solutions available were for the JumboFlex series 20 and 35, with a maximum lift capacity of 20 and 35kg respectively. The new size means it can also now be combined with the vacuum tube lifters JumboFlex and JumboFlex High-Stack designed for workpieces weighing up to 50kg.
This new arrival adds another gripper to Schmalz’s JumboFlex modular system. In combination with new beams, it allows the user to
FOODMACH INKS PARTNERSHIP WITH THERMO FISHER
configure double or even four-head suction grippers. Elongated suction plates offer an alternative to
round suction cups. They are primarily used in intra-logistics, where unstable cardboard or slightly curved parts need to be lifted securely and gently.
The suction plates in the SAOF series are made from wear-resistant nitrile rubber (NBR).
Schmalz is also introducing new beams for the new grippers. These beams can be used to connect up to four suction plates of choice. Since the position of both the suction plates and the cross beams can be adjusted, the user can find the perfect gripper for every workpiece size.
SCHMALZ ADDS NEW SUCTION PLATES AND GRIPPERS
Packaging automation specialist Foodmach has secured the national distribution for global technology supplier Thermo Fisher Scientific’s product inspection range.
The Thermo Fisher Scientific partnership adds to Foodmach’s growing portfolio of packaging technology agencies. The inking of this agreement means Foodmach can now supply Australian customers with the complete range of Thermo Fisher quality and safety inspection solutions, which includes X-ray detection and inspection, metal detection, checkweighing and combination units.
Rym Kachouri, GM of Service and Agency Products at Foodmach said, “Coupled with our own conveying, line control and rejection system capabilities, this partnership enables our customers to gain a completely integrated detection, inspection and rejection solution from Foodmach. All of our agency technologies are available as discrete solutions, or as a part of a complete turnkey engineered packaging line.”
To launch the new Thermo Fisher partnership, Foodmach is offering a significant trade-in incentive, and with the current focus on reinvestment in local manufacturing, it is timely for manufacturers to upgrade their product detection capabilities.
Foodmach’s portfolio includes Thermo Fisher’s new Sentinel 5000 MultiScan Metal Detector. As its name implies, the metal detector uses multiscan technology to overcome the limitation of fixed single or dual-frequency metal detectors that can miss metal contaminants hidden in product signals.
According to Foodmach, MultiScan technology scans a combination of up to five user-selectable frequencies making it a universal solution for multiple applications. The company says this enables users to identify contaminants that are up to 70 per cent smaller in volume than previous technologies and provides a high probability of finding ferrous, non-ferrous and stainless steel metal contaminants.
SMC SHOWCASES NEXT-GEN COMPONENTS RANGE Answering to the call by manufacturers for components to support robotic applications, SMC has released a range of lightweight, compact and energy efficient products.
The EX600-W (wireless) fieldbus system, which according to SMC is the world’s first integrated wireless valve system, is designed to benefit any robotic application. It offers less cables and connectors, less installation and maintenance, less breakage and disconnection risk, as well as an increase in machine availability (OEE) improvement.
SMC’s EX260 integrated fieldbus system, which is lightweight, offers quick connection time, and has the ability to be mounted directory onto a robot arm.
SMC has also introduced its JSY series, a compact, flexible and lightweight solution that comes with one of the narrowest 5-port solenoid valve on the market, at just 6.4mm.
According to SMC, despite its compact size, the JSY series can achieve an ‘incredible’ flow rate of 170-1551 l/min.
For applications where suction pads and grippers will not perform optimally due to uneven or porous surfaces, SMC suggests the magnetic gripper (MHM series) as a possible solution.
SMC’s components can be used for robotic applications, such as welding, glass handling, gripping, lifting, vertical handling, vacuum manipulation, wrapped food transportation, energy efficient packaging, and more.
4 MAY-JUNE 2021 MACHINERY MATTERS