Page 65 - Food&Drink Magazine Aug-Sep 2021

MEMBER NEWS
FLETCHER TURNS TO SMC FOR REAL SAVINGS
KRONES TO COMBINE ALL DIGITAL ACTIVITIES
Krones is bringing both the fields of mechanical engineering and digitalisation closer together, with everything now under the Krones Ecosystem.
Krones’ IIoT platform is the key element and the hub of the new portal – Krones.world
– which now offers customers central access to Krones’ digital solutions.
When beverage producers log on to Krones. world in future, they will be able to access not only all cloud services, but also other digital services of the Group. The long-term goal is to bring together all the Group’s digital solutions on Krones.world.
Syskron will retain its role as the technical enabler of Krones.world and the services it provides. The Krones subsidiary will continue to operate autonomously within the Group as its digitalisation specialist. However, the first point of contact for all customers and the general partner for everything to do with digitalisation will be Krones.
Beverage producers will thus obtain both innovative machine technology and matching digital solutions from one central point of contact in future. A variety of cloud services and other services are available to reduce downtimes, economise on resources. ■
Australian agribusiness company, Fletcher International Exports, turned to SMC Corporation Australia & New Zealand to help it along its energy saving journey.
Bill Blythe, SMC’s energy conservation group manager (pictured), who heads up the energy saving task team, explains that they work closely with customers to find sustainable solutions based on exact requirements.
Most of the work was focused around analysing and updating existing factories and processes.
Speaking to the partnership, Blythe says SMC has been collaborating closely with Fletcher’s for the past few years to help bring their energy saving vision to life.
“From our early discussions, it was clear that Fletcher’s wanted to lead the way in terms of efficiency. We knew that we were in it for the
long-haul and that our vision wouldn’t be achieved overnight,” explains Blythe.
“SMC worked closely with the team on-site to understand the most cost-effective approach and to establish a plan that would see improvements introduced in an efficient and cost-effective way.
“In addition, SMC worked closely to support Fletcher’s with accessing government funding for energy reduction projects.”
Components installed include: EX600 Ethernet manifolds and sensor interfaces; many standard ISO air cylinders fit for purpose (MGPM, CG1, CG5 and CS1 air cylinders including Australian-designed guided rodless cylinders); air preparation; flow and pressure monitoring; vacuum components; rod lock cylinders for precision positioning; analogue cylinder position sensing; SY valve manifolds and proportional control valves; and smart valve positioners. ■
OPAL, BANDALL INK ANZ DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Opal has gained exclusive distribution rights for Bandall’s internationally patented banding and branding packaging systems, across Australia and New Zealand.
Bandall, headquartered in Netherlands, specialises in the field of bundling and banding solutions with its machines banding products in more than 100 countries, while Opal is one of Australasia’s leading packaging companies focused on sustainable fibre packaging solutions.
The inking of this new agreement brings together two market leading companies and will provide Opal’s ANZ customers with a full packaging solution complete with banding and branding.
Bandall offers stand-alone solutions scaling up to fully automatic systems, backed by professional technical support, which can be integrated into a production line.
Each band provides on-pack real estate for branding and key product information. Precise brand positioning is one of the advantages offered through Bandall’s patented technology.
Key product features include a user-friendly patented feed; a low maintenance and energy- efficient system; a band that can provide a tamper evident solution; and the opportunity to reduce packaging material. ■
MACHINERY MATTERS SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 5