Marco pointed out that optical sorters can further enhance operations when leveraged as an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connected ‘information centre’ that collects, analyses and shares data about the sort process and about every object flowing through the sorter. “Equipping a sorter with information analytics software will help confectionery manufacturers to identify patterns and trends that can improve sorting and help control upstream and downstream processes in entirely new ways,” continues Marco.
“There are almost as many examples
of how this data can be used as there are processors. For example, at the start of a production line an optical sorter analysing the quality of incoming product, by lot or by supplier, can be used to enable a payment scheme that rewards higher quality. A sorter located after a transformational process can collect data to control the upstream process, or it can offer predictive analysis, issuing an alarm if certain conditions begin trending in a problematic direction. For processors that operate multiple sorters on different lines or production facilities, data can
Weighing in to meet growing demand
In order to meet growing consumer demand for its Velvetiser drinking chocolate brand, Hotel Chocolat made the decision to convert existing warehouse space into a give it a four-fold increase in capacity. Coming in a wide range of sizes – from retail packs to larger variants aimed at cafés and businesses, and over a dozen a critical requirement for the success of the packing lines, that formed part of the expansion project. Simon Wood, Head of UK Manufacturing Projects at Hotel Chocolat, had used Ishida in a previous food production role so he turned to the company once again
the Velvetiser are small but non-uniform in size, and there is always a residue of cocoa dust created during production,” explained Simon. “Our choice of weigher had to be able to cope with these factors, as well as delivering ease of changeovers during 24-hour operation.”
Two Ishida 28-head multihead weighers
handle smaller target weights at high speeds. Ishida’s feeder technology uses pulse width modulation and an integrated Automatic Feeder Drive (AFD) system to through the weigher at high speeds. The weigher’s software is able to calculate three optimal weight
combinations, double check them and then select the one nearest to the target weight in a single cycle. This delivers accurate weighing at speeds of up to 210 weighments per minute.
The multihead weighers have formed part of a multi-level system for Velvetiser 2021. The Ishida weighers sit at the centre of a three-level facility. On the top and chilled, before being broken into then conveyed to the middle level, where the multihead weighers weigh them into the required portion sizes, before they drop down to ground level to be bagged and inspected.
KennedysConfection.com Kennedy’s Confection November 2024 25
also be compared to help optimise line performance across the factory. “Today more than ever, labour is also becoming a factor, argues Marco. “Beyond automating what may have been a manual inspection process, the latest optical sorters can help to reduce human intervention during operation and allow minimally-skilled operators to manage the system intuitively after a short training session. Easy to operate technology helps processors cope with the tight labour market and the high turnover rates they are experiencing, concludes Marco.
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