Page 57 - Food&Drink Jan-Feb 2022 magazine

MEMBER NEWS
PROSEAL EXPANDS END-OF-LINE OFFERING
Tray sealing equipment specialist Proseal has expanded its portfolio to include high speed, fully automatic, case packing machines, and in partnership with sister company AutoCoding Solutions (ACS), is now able to offer customers a complete end-of-line packing solution.
Proseal’s patent-pending CP3 case packing machine has the capability to handle a wide variety of pack formats, including, but not limited to, trays, pots, sandwich packs, bags, bottles and cans, in materials such as A-PET, C-PET and board.
Combined with Proseal’s advanced control systems and range of conveyors, the CP3 provides a fast and efficient packing operation.
In addition, using ACS modular software packages, all packing operations from sealing, coding and inspection of the primary pack to case packing, and labelling and final pallet labelling can be centrally monitored and controlled.
As well as minimising coding and packaging errors and helping to improve overall efficiency, it also provides a variety of value-added benefits such as data capture and inspection reporting for line performance assessment and compliance requirements.
The automated solution also replaces manual paper-based systems to minimise the risk of errors and ensure full visibility and traceability of customers’ orders – from initial placement, through manufacture and packing, to onward dispatch.
“Customers are increasingly looking for single-source solutions,” said Tony Burgess, sales director of Proseal.
The combination of Proseal and ACS technologies enables the development of bespoke solutions to meet customer requirements, and delivers enhanced quality and efficiency throughout their production and packing operations.
SMC RELEASES NEXT-GEN FLOW SWITCH
Global packaging automation technology developer SMC has released its new PF3A8#H-L digital flow switch, which features an easy-to-read 4-screen display and is designed to cover a large flow measurement range.
The new flow switch has a modular flow sensor that offers a 100:1 flow ratio, and can detect small leaks (10LPM or more), monitor main line air consumption (up to 2000LPM) and pressure, while simultaneously measuring air pressure and temperature.
The accuracy of information sits at the heart of the PF3A8#H-L – the 3-colour and 2-line screen display can rotate in increments of 90-degrees, allowing operators to take notes and set the flow switch, while checking the measured value.
Guiomar Fernandez, product marketing manager at SMC Corporation ANZ, says the component’s IO-link compatibility, together with switchable NPN/PNP output, enables access to detailed information.
“It offers flexibility and functionality, and is simple to set and operate. This, coupled with low air loss, makes the PF3A8#H-L ideal for digitising processes while optimising energy efficiency,” Fernandez says.
SMART SOLUTION FOR SAFE PACKAGING MACHINES
Secondary packaging machines in the end-of-line area, top and side loaders, or sorter and ejector modules, can now be operated in a safe and user-friendly manner using the intelligent detec4 Smart Box Detection access protection system from SICK.
With the help of a reliable pattern detection logic, the detec4 system can safely differentiate rectangular objects, such as cartons, from persons and body parts in the inlet and outlet zones of packaging machines or intralogistics conveying systems.
This allows the cartons to be transported continuously without stops into and out of fenced-in machines. And, since the safety solution requires no external process signals or
muting sensors, it allows a flexible, compact and maintenance-optimised machine design, while also ensuring maximum operator safety.
According to SICK, the detec4 Smart Box Detection access protection system is “the first intelligent solution of its kind on the market for reliable human-material differentiation”. It can detect objects with a rectangular contour and measuring 13cm or greater in height as they enter the constantly active detec4 protective field.
An intelligent evaluation of the interrupted light beam ensures a safe differentiation between humans and materials, preventing erroneous safety stops of the conveying equipment.
The detec4 can be integrated without any additional programming, mounting or wiring.
MACHINERY MATTERS JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022 5