MACHINE BUILDING, FRAMEWORKS & SAFETY FEATURE
SEAL OF APPROVAL for FFS machines
Temperature control plays a vital role for Form Fill and Seal (FFS) machines, ensuring a reliable seal that enables product to reach consumers in the optimum condition. To help, Omron produces a temperature controller range that helps deliver accurate seals consistently, safeguarding the end product and protecting brand integrity. Jodie Commercial, product marketing manager – components, at Omron, explains
A
s consumers, we all want to receive product
in perfect condition. This means the focus during the packaging process must therefore be on how to guarantee product integrity through packaging quality. Form, Fill and Seal (FFS) machines are
often used to pack large quantities of goods including food items such as nuts, savoury snacks, chocolate bars and confectionery, at high speed. Output growth can be achieved not only from the introduction of faster machines, but also by producing packs with accurate and repeatable seals from the very first pack off the line. However, temperature control plays a vital role as it influences the productivity of the process and ultimately the quality of the end product. As a result, the temperature control
needs to be as accurate as possible to ensure a good seal. Too cold and the seal won’t be made correctly, meaning that goods could fall out of the pack and perishable items may spoil. Too hot and the seal could become a weld which would affect pack presentation due to burn or scorch marks, or it could melt causing holes in the packaging.
SOURCING TEMPERATE CONTROLLERS To create the best quality seal, FFS machine builders should be looking to use a temperature controller with the highest precision performance, such as Omron’s E5CC standalone system. When sourcing a stand-alone
temperature controller, one of the primary / DESIGNSOLUTIONS DESIGN SOLUTIONS | APRIL 2014 17
considerations is ease of use. Easy set-up, either using the dedicated menu structure, or CX-Thermo software for configuration from a PC, plus the system’s large, bright, display which shows process value, set point, output and alarm status, virtually eliminates the possibility of human
error. It has a 50ms sampling rate for fast and precise regulation, and provides excellent control when handling disturbance-sensitive applications commonly caused by complex products, packaging or environment traits. For machine builders looking to
Improved temperature control, using products like Omron’s E5CC range, enables manufactures to create a robust production process which helps ensure product quality
“The
Omron’s intuitive menu structure groups together machine elements to minimise the number of finger presses required to complete the necessary tasks. Another consideration is control quality,
ensuring that the temperature controller is able to accurately reach the pre- determined application set point and then maintain that temperature during the course of the production run. Should there be any disturbance in the process, it is imperative that the controller can return to the set point quickly and maintain it. During the FFS process, which is a
fast-disturbance application, the packaging film absorbs heat from the equipment’s sealing jaws, causing it to drop in temperature. Therefore, before the next seal can be started the sealing jaws need to be at the right temperature again. Features of Omron’s E5CC technology
temperature control needs to be as accurate as
restrict their equipment footprint, the E5CC – which measures just 48 x 48mm – requires a maximum panel depth of 60mm. Furthermore, its IP66 certified front cover protection can withstand humid environments, suiting it to use in the food industry. To configure the temperature controller during production,
possible to ensure a good seal. Too cold and the seal won’t be made correctly... Too hot and the seal could become a weld which would affect pack presentation”
include a patented 2-PID algorithm to aid fast recovery when temperature reduces after each seal. In addition, the auto-tuning (AT) functions make system set-up both quick and easy. Ultimately, improved temperature control enables manufacturers to create a robust production process which, in turn, guarantees product quality for retailers. As well as stand-alone single-loop temperature controllers, Omron also offer single and multi-loop in-panel controllers and PLCs with temperature option cards, ideal when the packaging
process requires greater functionality. These
products enable you to scale- up your temperature application,
achieving more packs at higher speeds.
Omron
www.industrial.omron.co.uk Enter 210
A LOW-NOISE SMOOTH RUNNING ROLLER CONVEYOR
A new product has been added to the item Line D30 profile tube system – the aluminium Roller Conveyor 6 40x40 E. With this, its low-noise ‘gentle’ rolling motion ensures individual articles and containers are transported safely and, thanks to the close spacing of the roller axles, it can easily transport small objects. Optional aluminium guide rails, which attach to grooves on the side, stop objects from falling off. According to the company, this resists deflection thanks to a much higher resistance moment than that found in conventional steel roller conveyors. The Roller Conveyor features a Line 6 groove so can be
combined with a large selection of accessories from the MB Building Kit System. Furthermore, it is easy to assemble, and the right rigidity and high-strength fastening options help to boost the overall rigidity of the supporting frame. As a result, frames can be built with fewer reinforcing struts.
Machine Building Systems
www.mbsitem.co.uk Enter 211
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