Ishida makes automation easy

With a number of fully integrated packing lines on display, Ishida Europe will be showcasing its expertise in automation, safety and QC systems at Interpack 2008, along with weighing and packing solutions for a variety of end markets including fresh and frozen foods and snacks.

A key highlight will be a line solution that focuses on end-of-line pack handling processes and the increasingly important area of quality control.

The QC system features an Ishida IX-GA-2475 X-ray inspection system, which reliably detects contamination by metal, glass, bone or plastic, as well as incomplete packs. Packs are labelled using a high-performance WPL 5000 weigh-price-labeller, which positions the labels precisely even on irregular product surfaces. The line also incorporates a new sealtester for trays, which ensures reliable detection of out-of-spec sealing edges. An automated label check then verifies the position of the label and whether the printed data is correct and legible. Defective packs are automatically rejected.

At the end of the line, the product is placed into secondary packaging using a brand-new Ishida Packing System (IPS) that is able to pick-and-place up to 120 packs a minute. The line therefore offers the food industry a total quality control and end-of-line packing solution.

A weighing and traysealing solution for fresh and frozen products in trays will also be demonstrated. Both sticky fresh products and frozen food can be weighed and sealed with excellent total line efficiency. Output is up to 120 trays per minute, with minimal waste.

The system integrates different weighing and packing systems that provide the ideal complement to one another. At the start, a tray denester positions the trays quickly and precisely. This is followed by Ishida’s CCW-R high-performance multihead weigher, which delivers products in accurate and consistent portions to the tray filling system. A sophisticated tray tracking and filling system connected to the weigher deposits the portions neatly into the trays. The filled trays are then sealed by Ishida’s award-winning QX-1100 traysealer. Thanks to its double-track configuration and the use of servo motors, the QX-1100 is superbly efficient. Sealing can be carried out with inside cut profile to enhance pack presentation.

Further benefits of this line are low manpower and maintenance requirements, and close to zero downtime levels.

The Ishida stand will also feature two high-speed, high-efficient snack food packing systems as well as a number of individual exhibits. Three models from Ishida’s range of X-ray inspection systems will be on show, including the new IX-GA-65100, which provides quality control for larger-sized products at high speeds.

In addition, two models of Ishida’s new range of screw feeder weighers will be displayed.

The CCW-NZ-214-SF screw feeder weigher is ideally suited for weighing sticky fresh products and ready meals such as meat, rice and spaghetti at speeds of up to 60 weighments per minute. It uses robust plastic hoppers with ripped scraper gates to allow smooth, non-stick product handling.

The high-performance CCW-R-214-F screw feeder weigher is designed specifically for dedicated meat and poultry lines with fewer product changeovers, delivering high weighing speed and accuracy despite the sticky nature of the products being handled.

Ishida products are highly versatile. They are simple to operate, very reliable and product changeovers can be carried out in a matter of minutes. Food producers are thus able to respond quickly to new requirements. Increasing pressure on margins can be countered by greater output and flexibility, high weighing accuracy, minimum downtime for product changeovers and reduced labour costs.