MIXING, WEIGHING & CONVEYING FEATURE
GOING SOFT ON FRUIT AND VEG WEIGHING
Ilapak’s linear weigher with ‘softer’ handling technology helps prevent damage to fruit and vegetables during packaging. Tony McDonald, the company’s director of sales and marketing, explains
D
ue to their fragile nature, susceptibility to bruising and shorter
shelf life, weighing fruit and vegetables has been a longstanding challenge for fresh produce packers, with high giveaway prevalent. In an effort to reduce waste, which
according to advisory body WRAP equates to 100,000 tonnes, and 11 per cent of avoidable manufacturing food waste1
,
flexible packing specialist ILAPAK has designed an innovative linear weigher featuring ‘softer’ handling technology and vibration channels to help eliminate produce damage and promote best practice. Offering an alternative
weighing option to rival vibratory systems, which are usually dedicated to a particular product, the new Weightronic 1200 SF weigher can switch easily between fruit and vegetable items like small potatoes, apples, citrus fruits and onions. “Many retailers are removing loose fruit
and veg due to shoppers rummaging through trays to select the ‘best’ looking produce, leading to higher spoilage and waste,” said Tony McDonald, director of sales and marketing at ILAPAK.
“Consequently, fresh produce packers
are seeking systems that integrate a gentler weighing and a filling line that can accommodate different retail tray configurations, for example, four apples, six jacket potatoes or a twin pack of kiwi fruits.” For seasonal packers that switch
regularly between different types and sizes of products the flexibility is a real benefit. “Rather than being limited to one product type, the
Rather than being limited to one product type, the Weightronic 1200 SF enables manufacturers to widen their packing operations and flex to seasonal fresh produce demands
vibratory channels and distribution plates in just a matter of minutes, to accommodate different product shapes, sizes and weights. Gentle handling and product integrity is
assured thanks to special Soft Fill design features like minimised drops, adapted collector bins and vibratory channels. Additionally, weighing buckets are arranged in a linear manner for low drop heights. Accurate weighing also helps to
Fresh produce
packers are seeking systems that integrate a
Weightronic
1200 SF enables manufacturers to widen their packing operations and flex to
seasonal fresh produce demands,” added McDonald. Quick changes can be performed on the
gentler weighing and a filling line that can accommodate different retail tray configurations
http://www.wrap.org.uk/ content/how-grocery- supply-chain-can-save- £millions-tackling-food- waste
1 BENCH SCALES THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON
Adam Equipment has introduced the Cruiser CCT bench counting scales. Suitable for use in warehouses and manufacturing and production facilities, Cruiser (CCT) scales are useful for any counting application. Constructed of durable grade 304 stainless steel, CCT platforms are compact, easy to clean and feature
contours to help keep items on the pan. The scales can be used for inventory and stock control tasks or check counting during packaging processes. Quickly verify the number of pieces in a container to reduce waste when filling orders or packing shipments. Intuitive software is user-friendly and keeps track of the count, automatically optimising the unit weight for greater accuracy. Easily visible in any lighting conditions, three separate backlit displays simultaneously show total
weight, piece weight, and count in one convenient location. For fast configuration and easy operation, the CCT stores up to 199 PLUs in memory. Colour-coded keys allow fast recognition of the most frequently used buttons, speeding up counting tasks. Results can be transmitted to computers or printers using the RS-232 connection, and an optional USB interface is available. The level indicator and non-slip adjustable feet ensure proper scale setup to ensure optimum weighing results. Cruiser CCT contains load cell protection, helping prevent damage to internal components from overloads.
Adam Equipment
www.adamequipment.com
eliminate another waste source - product giveaway, which in turn helps to maximise profits for fresh produce packers. “Packing regulations for pre-packed fresh produce can be somewhat confusing, especially for exporters to Europe,” said McDonald. “Many today pack to the average weight system rather than minimum weight in order to avoid hefty fines.” Those that do pack to minimum weight
will typically overfill by several percent in order to comply with legislation. However, this inevitably eats into already tight profit margins, with large production runs magnifying the loss even further. Such giveaway also increases distribution and airfreight costs. With 12 linear weighing heads, the
system is capable of accurately weighing up to 28 portions a minute. What’s more, the Weightronic 1200 SF has been engineered for ease of cleaning and robustness - two key criteria when handling fresh fruit and veg. To prevent the accumulation of dirt and
debris, the unit features an open, stainless steel, self-draining frame, quick change distribution plates and 45° sloping surfaces. The system also uses high speed stainless steel load cells, eliminating the chances of corrosion in damp environments. For ease of maintenance, ILAPAK can
supply the complete weighing and packing line, pairing the 12-head linear weigher with a tray denester, filling station and a flow wrapper system.
Ilapak
www.ilapak.co.uk
PROCESS & CONTROL | FEBRUARY 2019 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
