PROCESS AUTOMATION PERFECTING PASTA PACKAGING
Machine controllers and sealing technology from Omron improve the speed, accuracy and sealing quality of pasta packaging
MCRS-VD packaging system enables the packaging of up to 180 packs of pasta/min. At the heart of the solution is an OMRON NX701 1600 machine controller. This manages the movements of the MCRS-VD. OMRON’s NX-TC Perfect Sealing technology enables the end user to improve the stability of the thermoregulation and reduces the costs associated with the use of packaging films. The MCRS-VD automates all the stages of
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packaging - including folding, sealing and labelling. The system was created by Martini to meet the growing need for greater speed, efficiency and flexibility from pasta producers all over the world. A key aspect of the structure of the new machine is two continuous, vertical box-motion packaging machines. These are mounted on a segmented belt with
NO WEAK LINKS WITH LINEARCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
The Grob LinearChain is a special product in linear drive technology as it functions just like a bar, with the capability to both pull and push. What seems like a contradiction at first glance is, on closer inspection, an ingenious solution in linear drive technology – and it is available in the UK from R.A. Rodriguez (U.K.). A simple concept, LinearChain offers many possibilities over other drive solutions such as
traditional chains, which can only pull, and cylinders, which unlike LinearChain need to retract a distance equivalent to their length. A combination of cylinder and chain without the disadvantages mentioned would be ideal, hence the development of LinearChain. The product consists of specially formed, high-precision mechanical chain links that
engage positively with one another to provide mutual strength and support (as a rigid unit), thus facilitating both pull and push capability. Importantly, LinearChain is a mechanical movement actuator and is environmentally friendly, reliable and requires little maintenance. Stroke lengths of up to 30m are easily achievable. A frequently requested task for LinearChain is lifting. Applications such as table and
platform lifts benefit from the space-saving and easy positioning attributes of the product. Stroke force of up to 35kN is possible with one chain, a factor that also makes this solution suitable for further types of lifting system, including scissor lifts and lifting columns. Often, a single motor is sufficient to drive two parallel LinearChains. A recent customer project saw a LinearChain installed in a lifting column with a length of
6m for the safe transportation of heavy loads between building floors. Two directional changes of the LinearChain through 90° enable parallel storage of the chain in the system. Consequently, installation engineers could either mount the lifting column directly as a free-standing unit on the floor, or with additional fastenings to the ceiling or wall without requiring further space for chain storage. Ultimately, LinearChain ensures the lifting column can position large loads precisely within constricted space conditions. Systems that require horizontal motion can also gain from the adoption
of LinearChain. For example, the provision of infeed and outfeed motion to an industrial washing machine for pharmaceutical transit boxes. Thanks to high positioning accuracy, constant stroke speed and
shock-free motion with no elastic hysteresis under load, the potential uses for LinearChain are virtually endless. R.A. Rodriguez
www.rarodriguez.co.uk
ased in Italy, Martini srl produces high- precision weighing and packaging machines for the food sector. Its new
intermittent feed and are fed by a double weighing system that uses Infinity - a digital, multi-head model. Martini's Infinity weighing system enables
users to dose the pasta quickly and very precisely, with the doses conveyed to the two packaging machines. A digital filter, equipped
with the control electronics of each head of the weigher, ensures the accuracy of each dosage. The creation of the new system was
largely supported by OMRON's automation technology and technical advice. The final performance of the packaging system is managed by the OMRON NX701 1600 machine controller. This coordinates and synchronises the operation of the weighing system with the packaging system. The machine controller was chosen mainly because of its speed capabilities. Thanks to its CPU and available memory, the NX701 1600 can manage up to 128 axes in real time. It supports all of the main industrial communication standards, including EtherCAT (to the field), EtherNet / IP and OPC-UA. The OMRON controller manages 34
OMRON 1S servos and six 3G3MX2 inverters. Part of the drives are responsible for sealing the package based on OMRON’s NX-TC Perfect Sealing thermoregulation system. This technology stabilises the temperature by filtering all disturbances related to thermoregulation so that end users can vary the thickness of the packages. In particular, the possibility of operating in very low temperature ranges (about 2˚) allows pasta manufacturers to use thinner or eco-friendly films (down to a minimum of 7μm). This reduces both waste and material costs. The Martini MCRS-VD can pack up to 180
packs of pasta per minute per pillow and 160 double-square packs. Associated with the packaging system, there is also a double volumetric weighing system, or a mixed dosage version consisting of a multi-head weigher and a volumetric doser for packaging various types of products (including cereals, rice and legumes). The new system has been designed to deliver maximum reliability with minimum waste.
Omron
industrial.omron.co.uk
NOVEMBER 2021 | PROCESS & CONTROL 39
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