Page 32 - Food & Drink - June 2018

PRODUCT NEWS
✷ PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
FOODMACH TAKES ON ROBOPAC RANGE
FOODMACH has taken on the agency for Robopac pallet stretch wrappers as part of a new agreement with the Italy-based company. The range of pallet wrapping solutions complements existing palletising solutions in the portfolio, and enables Foodmach to supply complete end-of-line packaging solutions to Australian manufacturers.
In addition to pallet wrappers, the agreement gives Foodmach access to the complete range of Robopac case packers, including Dimac and Prasmatic. Robopac’s fully automatic pallet wrappers come with cube technology, which automates the pallet-wrapping process and provides the right amount of film, at the right position on the load, with the right containment force to correctly wrap loads. This ensures they reach customers in as-made condition, says product manager Tim Baron.
The announcement follows Foodmach’s distribution agreement with Markem Imaje in December last year, and helps position the
company as a partner in
premium packaging automation
suppliers from Europe. The new solutions boost
Foodmach’s ability to design and deliver a complete packaging line solution from end-to-end, with local automation supplied from its Echuca factory.
SMC’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE VACUUM PAD
SMC has released a rubber vacuum pad designed to offer optimum absorbing performance.
The ZP3P features a blue, silicone rubber pad that prevents wrinkles and is compliant with FDA
regulations; and the colour makes it easy to spot during contamination inspections.
The ZP3P has a thin and soft pad skirt, with reduced
leakage and a strong grip, which suits thin workpieces that deform during absorption.
The flat shape of the vacuum pad with a central stopper creates a surface that does not damage or deface the product and prevents wrinkles on thin materials such as vinyl and film.
The pad design of the ZP3P is suitable for a wide range of applications such as film packaging,
palletising, printing and labelling. There are seven different types of adapters for customers to choose from, as well as the option of a buffer.
LOW-RISK POTATO CHIPS
HEAT and Control, in partnership with ScandiNova, has developed a potato processing machine which lessens the occurrence of acrylamide, which is a growing concern for health-conscious consumers.
E-FLO can fit into any potato processing line and requires low voltage, minimal maintenance, and has a patented transformer design.
Peeled and washed potatoes are supplied
in measured quantities by upstream
equipment and delivered to the E-FLO infeed
chute. The rotating E-FLO wheel transports
the potatoes through the processing area as a
compact packed bed through a water bath. Processing has to take place in a water bath for the electrical pulses to influence the product as desired. After a short exposure to the electric field pulses, to perforate the cell walls, the potatoes are lifted and discharged from the water bath by the continuing rotation of the wheel into the discharge chute. The potato then continues down the production line where greater amounts of sugars and amino acids can be removed during the slicing and washing stages. The result is potato chips with a reduction in acrylamide of over 50 per cent in some test cases.
EASY-SERVICE PINCH VALVES
Festo Australia has released a range of pneumatic pinch valves which provide reliable control and shut-off in food and drink production processes.
The valves are durable, energy efficient, easy to service, and flexible due to their simple construction, and they provide a cost-effective alternative to diaphragm and ball valves, according to the company.
VZQA pinch valves offer a clean, straightforward solution for use with a wide range of media such as liquid, fibrous, particulates, or granular substances. They provide smooth media flow, suit optimising filling and metering systems, and their compact design saves on installation space.
The valves are easy to service, which enables managers to save on downtime and associated costs. The sealing cartridge can be changed in four simple steps without special tools, and they can be cleaned easily due to a full media passage flow and very little dead space. The sealing cartridge is available in EPDM, NBR, and Silicone to suit a wide range of applications and media.
Made from aluminium or stainless steel, the pinch valves prove themselves in challenging environments, and the internal parts offer the same durability against aggressive media. A patented sealing cartridge means the valves can withstand high demands in continuous daily operation, whether abrasive, corrosive, highly viscous or neutral media is used.
BUY IT FROM
Festo Australia T:1300889696
W: www.festo.com.au
32 | Food&Drink business | June 2018 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au