INLINE INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY

Eagle Product Inspection, Tampa, Fla., showcased its inline inspection technology and launched a number of cutting-edge x-ray inspection machines.

For example, new to the market is the Eagle FA3/M inline fat measurement and contaminant detection machine that provides automated quality checks on fat analysis and contaminant detection of loose meat products. Designed as a multi-application system, the FA3/M is capable of handling various forms of meat product, including fresh, hot-boned, chilled and frozen in different formats such as loose bulk and frozen. The FA3/M uses the third generation of Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) technology to discriminate between fat and lean in meat products with 100% throughput. In collaboration with Eagle’s SimulTask inspection software, throughput is further enhanced with the FA3/M’s ability to inspect over 2,400 plastic crates or frozen blocks per hour or up to 35 tons of bulk meat per hour.

The Eagle Pipe is a pipeline x-ray inspection system for contamination in liquids, slurries and solid meat products. Designed to provide thorough x-ray inspection for products like tomato sauces, ice cream and processed meats, the Eagle Pipe provides a wall of defense against contamination before the product hits the packaging stages, where smaller contaminants are more difficult to find and expensive to remove. The Eagle Pipe is available with a 2.5-, 3-, 4-, or 6- inch pipe diameter, ensures security by dispersing product into an even rectangular platform prior to inspection and provides a uniform image to better identify contaminants.

On display for the first time was the Eagle Bulk 540 PRO, which uses advanced x-ray inspection technology for high-volume, loose flow dry or wet bulk foods. Featuring a cutting-edge cupped conveyor, product depth is more uniform across the belt while simultaneously reducing waste by preventing product spillage along the conveyor edge. The Bulk 540 Pro is also designed to meet rigorous hygienic standards.

Eagle also showcased the Eagle Pack 430 PRO, which is equipped with Material Discrimination X-ray (MDX) technology and designed for mid-sized plastic containers, carton/boxes and pouches, both standard poly-wrapped products and those in foil or metalized film packaging. Using atomic numbers to decipher between contents, MDX enables the detection of contaminants that were previously undetectable in products with multi-textured ingredients, such as cereal bars, bags of fruit and nuts and prepared salads.

Ideal for manufacturers of products in rigid containers with limited line space, the Eagle Tall PRO XSDV x-ray inspection system uses high-performance, dual-view x-ray technology to provide 100% package inspection for contaminants. The technology is capable of running multiple high-speed line inspections for cans, jars, bottles and composite lines at rates of more than 1,000 products per minute.

Eagle Product Inspection
877-379-1670
www.eaglepi.com

AUTOMATIC FILM SPLICER FOR CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS

Butler Automatic, Middleborough, Mass., announced its new SP3HSL Series automatic film splicer, an automatic web splicing system for printed sleeve films for consumer packaged goods.

Film roll changes must occur in shrink sleeve packaging applications as frequently as once every 18 minutes, however with the SP3 automatic sleeve splicer, roll change time is eliminated.

Capable of running up to 450 feet per minute, the SP3HSL automatically splices the end of each expiring roll of film onto the new roll. It’s also ideal for new production lines as well as for retro-fit installation on existing packaging lines.

Butler Automatic
508-923-0544
www.butlerautomatic.com

START-TO-FINISH SOLUTIONS

Dallas, Texas-based tna presented complete turnkey system solutions, including processing and packaging equipment, controls integration and SCADA reporting.

For example, tna’s flagship high-speed vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) packaging machine, the tna robag FX 3ci, is a compact, easy-to-clean machine designed to package a wide range of applications at rapid speeds. Features include the tna intelli-weigh omega multi-head scale, the patented tna hyper-detect metal detector and tna intelli-read barcode verification scanning system.

The tna intelli-flav 5 is an on-machine seasoning system that provides both powder flavoring and liquid oil in a single drum to deliver consistent coverage and flavor.

The tna roflo^HM 3 is a horizontal motion distribution system designed to minimize product loss with low force operation and total control over speed and direction.

tna roflo^VM 3 is a vibratory motion distribution conveyor designed to rapidly, yet gently transport any product with continuous product flow, smoothing out any buildup for optimal conveying of product.

Controls integration and SCADA reporting consists of extensive range of integrated controls solutions, site support, project management and training services.

tna
972-462-6500
www.tnasolutions.com

INSPECTION SYSTEMS WITH ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY CAPABILITIES

METTLER TOLEDO, Tampa, Fla., exhibited a variety of its checkweighing, metal detection, x-ray and vision inspection equipment, including METTLER TOLEDO Safeline's unique Profile Advantage system, which employs multi-simultaneous frequency technology to minimize false rejects of high-moisture products such as meats.

Also on display were gravity flow and pipeline metal inspection systems, as well as several of the X-series x-ray inspection systems that combine low-energy generators with higher sensitivity detectors.

TRAYSHRINK PACKER FOR CO-PACKERS

Standard-Knapp, Portland, Conn., featured its flexible 298 Tritium trayshink packer, which is a single machine capable of tray, pad and unsupported pack styles, making it ideal for co-packers.

Adding to the 298 Tritium’s innovative nature is its high-speed Robo-Wand wrapping module, capable of running up to 120 trays per minute and providing a consistent tight, wrinkle-free wrap. The Robo-Wand also offers multi-axis control for limitless packing possibilities without the need for change parts. To ensure that the tray blank magazine doesn’t run out too quickly, Standard-Knapp offers a standard magazine capable of holding 1,500 blanks, with an optional 3,000-blank extended capacity.

The horizontally loaded tray blank magazine is ergonomically designed for operator comfort and simplified maintenance. Operators can load blanks without bending or stretching, and can quickly spot any operational issues. In addition, changing from one pack style to another is easy. It only takes operators about 15 minutes to change over pack styles by selecting a new product on the operator interface screen and changing over a small number of parts.

Standard-Knapp
860-342-1100
www.standard-knapp.com

AUTOMATED BLOWMOLDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PET BOTTLES

Agr International, Butler, Pa., exhibited the Process Pilot automated blowmolder management system in conjunction with Agr’s Pilot Profiler system interface with the re-heat stretch blowmolder, which provides precise material thickness distribution management and defect detection for PET bottles. 

The Process Pilot offers bottle producers the ability to aggressively light weight bottles to the absolute minimum. Features include overall improved bottle quality, reduced variation in top load and volume and production efficiencies that significantly decrease scrap and incidences of downtime in the blowing operation and filling line. 

Agr International, Inc.
724-482-2163
www.agrintl.com

FLOW WRAPPING MACHINE

Bradman Lake, Rock Hill, S.C., debuted the FT120 horizontal form-fill-seal flow wrapping machine.

Features include:

• Operates at the highest level of efficiency and seal integrity even for difficult heat seal applications.
• Reduces number of operators, as it can be integrated with complete range of product-specific handling systems for semi and full automation.
• Flexibility, "future proof" principal. Handles a wide range of products, formats and sizes.
• Quick and simple changeover parts.
• Robust and well-built to the latest safety and hygiene standards required in the bakery and frozen food industries.

Bradman Lake Group
704-588-3301
www.bradmanlake.com

VERTICAL FORM-FILL-SEAL MACHINE

Bosch Packaging Technology, New Richmond, Wis., presented several technologies from its extensive portfolio catering to the needs of food manufacturers.

From its most recently acquired company, Osgood Industries Inc., Bosch displayed the 6400-S servo inline machine for filling liquid, viscous and various other food types into pre-formed cups. The S-series features a solid, low profile and stainless-steel weldment base designed to meet 3-A certification as well as clean and ultra-clean hygienic levels. The consolidated tank style pump features clean-in-place capabilities due to the lack of piston O-rings. Servo-driven indexing and filling motions provide smooth and accurate filling with superior control of individual lanes, limiting product spillage. Downtime is reduced with the inclusion of slide out systems for easy refills of packaging material and sampling without stoppages, resulting in a throughput of up to 60,000 cups per hour.

Bosch offers a modernization kit for its SVB 3601 VFFS bagger for enhanced efficiency and high throughput of fresh and frozen foods. The rebuilt bagger features upgraded Allen Bradley controls and a full mechanical rebuild to eliminate the risk of obsolescence. This provides manufacturers a high-quality vertical bagger that includes up-to-date controls. Downtime is reduced with the updated control platform providing greater connectivity, Overall Equipment Effectiveness and the ability for remote service from Bosch experts.  

The new Remote Service Portal is a connected industry solution designed especially for the packaging and processing industries. The portal provides a safe data connection between customer machines and Bosch experts to provide fast and efficient support all over the world. For instance, it is suited for machine set-ups, the preparation of field service visits, remote diagnostics, troubleshooting or software updates.

Also new is the Transver SDI product distribution system, which distributes products to the Pack Feeder 4 infeed system and rejects misaligned products. Developed by Rotzinger AG, Switzerland, the Transver SDI (smart distribution downwards indirect) is capable of handling high row rates. The movable waiting belt allows for a wide range of applications, and can be easily integrated with Bosch’s broad portfolio of packaging solutions, such as the low-pressure Pack Feeder 4 infeed system and Pack 401 horizontal flow wrapper. How it works is, the distribution belt tilts downwards to separate a single row of products from the product flow onto the waiting belt. This product row is then transferred onto the cross feeding belt immediately after the preceding row has left, independent of the incoming product flow. To discharge the row, different options can be selected—the waiting belt gently deposits the products with horizontal movements onto the cross feeding belt or the waiting belt feeds the products onto the cross feeding belt at high speed without horizontal movements. The Transver SDI operates at production speeds up to 120 rows per minute and distribution speeds up to 40 rows per minute.

Bosch also displayed its Pack Series of horizontal flow wrappers, which range from entry-level models to fully automated technologies. Flexibility and gentle handling will be enhanced thanks to two new technologies—the Transver SDI product distribution system for a wide range of applications and the Sigpack Two- in-One biscuit packaging system for delicate handling of biscuits.

Bosch also displayed vertical solutions, including the new SVE 2520 DZ vertical bagger providing high output for doy bags with zipper, the SVC 2620 with corner seal technology and the SVI 2600 with coffee aroma protection valve application.

These new product launches come on the heels of Bosch’s announcement to acquire Kliklok-Woodman.

Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc.
715-246-6511
www.bosch.us