Page 13 - Food&Drink Magazine November-December 2021

Foodmach bottle/can depalletiser, reject table, inline container accumulator and conveyors, a Markem-Imaje can coding system and an X-ray fill height inspection system.
Foodmach CEO Earle Roberts says it is the
company’s mission to make life easier for “operators, line managers and the people with their reputations on the line”.
“One of the biggest challenges facing
production line managers is ensuring that equipment efficiency is optimised, expert level integration is the key to making that happen,” Roberts says.
The Markem-Imaje high-speed primary package coding unit features a hygienic full stainless-steel design with no retention zones,
considered an important step towards Industry 4.0 open- source communication standards that simplify system designs. Combined with the skill of the integration team, they provide a way to unlock the potential of legacy OEM equipment and connect it to a line management system with Industry 4.0 capability.
Willcock says: “We did our research before embarking on this project. We’re pleased to have developed a partnership with Foodmach to introduce the very best-in-breed to 4 Pines.
“Their integration skill is the cherry on top. They’ve combined all the new and old equipment with a line control system that gives us a full view of the filling operations in real-time.”
The installation took place during COVID-19 lockdowns, with Foodmach’s in-house safety expertise ensuring there were no safety incidents during the strip
runs post-commissioning. When the first can run on the
new line – Nitrogenated Ben and Jerry’s Ale – won silver at the 2021 AIBA awards it was the ultimate confirmation Foodmach’s solution for 4 Pines wasalsoawinner. ✷
Below: The 4 Pines ALL IN ONE filler was specified to fill 10,000 containers per hour (based on 330ml).
COVER STORY
The new line is designed for:
• 330/500ml bottles with
pry-off crown seal;
• 330/375/440ml classic/
standard beverage cans; and
• 330ml sleek beverage cans.
4 Pines’ master brewers can now test more beers faster and at a lower cost. It is essentially several filling machines in one.
INTEGRATION
The All in One is only as efficient as the conveying and upstream/downstream equipment it is linked with. Line integration and a top-notch management system are also critical factors in overall performance. Foodmach worked
with the 4 Pines team to develop the rest of the line to best meet the challenges of providing speed, flexibility, and highest product quality in a small space. The final parts of the state-of- the-art upgrade included a
which means it can be washed down efficiently.
Foodmach also specialises in using industry standards to connect machines on a packaging line. PackML or Packaging Machinery Language standardises machine interfacing and tag names. It was developed by OMAC, the Organisation for Machine Automation & Control, and is
out and installation. Gentler container handling throughout the entire 4 Pines line ensures both cans and bottles are in perfect condition when they leave the brewery as well as a much quieter and more pleasant working environment for the team.
The filler also achieved its Site Acceptance Testing for speed and quality on the first product
“ There were a number of factors Foodmach had to take into consideration – 4 Pines’ sustainability ethos, commitment to quality, and its desire to produce innovative products and packaging – all in a limited space.”
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