Page 47 - Food & Drink Magazine July 2018

LINEAR GUIDES GLIDE FREE
TREOTHAM Automation has launched a new Igus liner with FDA conformity for linear systems. Igus linear guide systems ensure the precise adjustment of food and beverage machines due to
integrated, maintenance-free, wear-resistant liners used in the carriages which enable the guides to glide without lubrication.
The FDA-compliant liner is made from high-performance plastic iglidur A160, which suits the hygienic requirements of the food
industry and offers a long service life. The iglidur A160 has a high and
online-calculable service life on stainless steel shafts, even in wet areas. The high-performance plastic is also characterised by its high media resistance. Another advantage: the liner is impervious to contamination thanks to the integrated dirt channels, and is easy to clean and replace. The new linear bearing component is currently available in eight dimensions.
TAN AND TBN SAMPLE SOLUTION
METROHM has come up with a fully automated solution for determining Total Acid Number (TAN) and Total Base Number (TBN) in up to 112 samples.
The solution is based on the OMNIS Sample Robot, and addresses the needs of QC laboratories in the petrochemical industry as well as contract labs looking for a solution for high sample loads at the lowest possible cost per sample.
On the OMNIS Sample Robot, the entire analysis is performed in a closed system, so there is no risk of physical contact with solvents or reagents at any time. For reliable and reproducible results, the sensor of the system is rinsed and conditioned after
each determination.
For increased safety and convenience, the system can be operated in any standard size fume hood.
The OMNIS Sample Robot can be expanded in three steps from size S to M to L, which accommodates up to 112 samples evenly distributed over
seven racks. Racks with urgent
samples can be prioritised and placed on the Sample Robot while the system keeps analysing.
MICHELL’S MOISTURE SPOTTER
MICHELL Instruments has released a newly enhanced QMA401 low-maintenance Trace Moisture Analyser, available via AMS Instrumentation & Calibration.
Maintaining the quartz crystal oscillator-based analyser is simple, infrequent, and inexpensive, according to the company.
No service is required for at least two years, at which point the desiccant dryer could need replacement – a process that can be carried out by the user in less than 10 minutes. It’s straightforward to replace the internal moisture generator in the field with a freshly calibrated
NPL or NIST traceable reference unit from the factory, which will last for a full three years of operation.
The newly designed quartz crystal technology- based hygrometer features an improved touch-screen interface. The menu system is intuitive, following the structure known from Michell’s premium range of chilled mirror hygrometers. Operators and service engineers will be able to switch easily between the
S8000 chilled mirror range and the QMA401. The case of the QMA401 has also been redesigned with a modern, easy-clean surface, which is similar in
look and feel to the S8000 precision hygrometers.
✷ PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
PRODUCT NEWS
UNIVERSAL’S NEW
COBOT PLATFORM
Universal Robots has rolled out its new flagship cobots under the name of e-Series.
The e-Series cobot platform includes tech advances that enable faster development for a wider variety of applications, according to the company.
Improvements include the ability to economically deploy more applications due to the precision and sensitivity provided by a built-in, tool-centric Force/Torque sensor.
It takes one hour to unpack the cobot, mount it and program the first task, and a wrist-join-tool communication interface
reduces production line integration time and complexity – and all joints can be replaced in two to six minutes.
A re-designed intuitive and responsive touch user-friendly interface streamlines program development by simplifying programming to a few clicks on a new wide-screen Teach Pendant, says the company.
The 17 safety functions, including customisable stopping time and distance, are certified by TÜV Nord and comply with the industry best-practice EN ISO 13849-1 and EN ISO 10218-1 (Cat. 3 PLd) machinery safety standards for unobstructed human-robot collaboration.
“Our e-Series platform is leveraging our years of experience as the market leader within collaborative robots,” president Jürgen von Hollen says.
With the e-Series launch, Universal Robots now provides two different technology platforms. For customers interested in cobot capacity expansion for proven applications, the G3 is recommended, while the e-Series benefits businesses with advanced applications.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, an average of 83 industrial robots have been installed per 10,000 employees in Australia, with fewer in New Zealand.
However, for advanced economies, uptake of robotics has been comparatively low.
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | July 2018 | Food&Drink business | 47