Food & Drink Processing & Packaging - Issue 49 2023

FOOD & DRINK PROCESSING & PACKAGING Issue 49 2023

Material handling systems help food and beverage manufacturers offset rising energy costs

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Contents

Features The Team Editor Amanda Buckingham editor@fdpp.co.uk

Digital Sales Manager Jessica Bennett T: 01227 392571

Business Manager Josh Holmes josh@mhmagazine.co.uk

Sales Manager Jamie Bullock jamie@fdpp.co.uk Tel: 01227 392571

Publishing Director Martin Holmes martin@fdpp.co.uk

Studio Designer Richard Bland richard@mhmagazine.co.uk

M H Media Global Ltd.

18/20 Newington Road, Ramsgate Kent, CT12 6EE

Tel 01304 806039

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BERRY GLOBAL FORTRESS TECHNOLOGY GLOBAL HEAT TRANSFER KTC METTLER-TOLEDO ARLA ASHBURY TM ROBOTICS BECKHOFF WMFTS CORETIGO

< 32 < 40 < 46 < 52 < 58 < 66 < 67 < 70 < 72 < 74 < 76

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Overcoming rising energy prices Material handling systems help food and beverage manufacturers offset rising energy costs Given that energy accounts for 15 per cent of food and drink manufacturers’ costs, according research by Centrica Business Solutions, the continued rise of energy prices is a major concern for these companies. Indeed, the same study found that 56 per cent of manufacturers believe investing in energy efficiency technologies is “very important” for their business.

But where should they invest?

Here, Stephen Harding, managing director of Gough Engineering, looks at how improved material handling processes can help manufacturers overcome rising energy costs.

Energy costs were a significant worry for businesses across the UK, last year. In April 2022, 21 per cent of businesses surveyed by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that energy prices were their

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main concern, up from 15 per cent in February. These figures have remained consistent ever since.

So, how can food processors better offset these costs, and how can they do this while benefiting production and yielding a return on investment (ROI)? It all boils down to how businesses optimise their production processes — and that includes material handling.

Equipment schemes Proper material handling is about optimising the mechanical and physical relationship between products and ingredient flows, versus machinery and processes.

Equipment schemes describe bespoke systems that ensure a plant’s production line runs according to the manufacturer’s key performance indicators

(KPIs). KPIs would generally include the time, quality and quantity of production, and the manufacturer’s core value adding process to manufacture end products.

An equipment scheme can rely on equipment to automate the weighing, mixing, cooking, heating and cooling operations during a process. This equipment may have built-in quality assurance systems for sieving or screening processes to ensure products are transferred, or conveyed, from one process to another without them being damaged.

Weigher systems, for instance, check the quantity of produce or ingredients at certain stages of production. Industry 4.0 sensors can capture this data, relaying it to Supervisory Control and Data

In April 2022, 21 per cent of businesses surveyed by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that energy prices were their main concern.

Acquisition (SCADA) systems to control, monitor and visualise the information. Scheme controls can be integrated into existing systems, and controlled from a central SCADA location through easy-touse Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs).

But how can manufacturers achieve costs savings and an improved ROI through control schemes? This is where the partnership of a trusted materials handling expert is essential. A partner can review the sequential and functional needs of materials management on the customer’s production line, and plan how to optimise these processes in order to best serve the plant’s KPIs.

The right calculations Let’s look at food conveying systems as an example. Conveyors, whether they are floor-mounted or overhead, must transport produce safely, carefully and efficiently between the various machines on a production line — from the weighers and processing machinery, all the way to the packing line.

The first questions that Gough Engineering asks its customers at the start of a project are: “What type of material are you transporting?” and “What product throughput rate do you need to achieve with this conveying system?” For the latter, the customer will respond with a figure of tonnes or kilograms per hour. Gough Engineering’s specialists then establish further clarification of volume rates, bulk densities, transfer lengths and orientations, feed points, distribution points, and can then prescribe a suitable solution.

Bucket elevators are often overlooked when considering

material transportation, but they can be a more suitable option than linear conveyors.

This is particularly important for transporting dry bulk materials, ingredients and part-completed products. A materials handling expert can provide you with guidance on what’s best for you, based on your specific material.

To determine the best elevator design to convey a product, we must consider three factors. First, bucket capacity, which refers to the volume of product that can be held in each bucket. Every bucket is filled to a specific per cent of its overall capacity, to ensure that all of the product is retained — doesn’t spill over the edges — during transport.

The second factor is bucket pitch. For instance, when the bucket elevator system is mounted between two parallel chains, correct buck pitch means determining the correct distance between the centres of each bucket.

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Equipment schemes and automated material handling give manufacturers new ways to offset rising energy costs, while boosting production and ROI. This determines how much product can be transported. Third is bucket speed, or the rate at which the buckets are travelling.

These factors combined give us the total volumetric capacity moving through a specific conveying design. This allows the product to be transported correctly and carefully to suit the required distance of travel, while also integrating the process into the overall feed, distribution and production line requirements.

In some cases, a belt and bucket elevator, where buckets are fixed to a belt running at high speeds, might be the best choice. These systems allow high throughput rates of cubic metres per hour.

However, they also involve a lot of kinetic energy due to the centrifugal forces created, which can lead to product degradation and damage.

As an alternative, a pendulum bucket elevator system, mounted between two parallel chains, might be more suitable. As the name suggests, the buckets hang like in a pendulum, travelling in all elevator positions in a horizontal position, and are eventually tipped using a cam to discharge the product at the desired location. While this system can be slower than other solutions, it offers gentler product handling with less spillage than high-speed alternatives. A pendulum bucket elevator can convey buckets in many shape configurations, with multiple inlets (feeds) and controlled discharge positions.

Reducing waste Let’s imagine an instance where 25 kg bags are emptied

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into the necessary production processes. In this scenario, waste can accumulate in terms of lost produce during de-bagging, as well as packaging materials. Not only is this process wasteful, but the manual approach also creates safety concerns for human workers. There’s the repetitiveness of the material handling task itself, and the need to perform multiple operations in order to move pallets of product bags around for de-bagging — these factors can cause bottlenecks in the flow of production.

Bag Dischargers can eliminate product loss, capture any dust and prevent contamination thanks to their enclosed design. By automating the debagging process, the customer increases throughout and minimises waste.

As a solution, Gough Engineering recommends the customer install FIBC Big Bag Dischargers.

This technology provides lifting support to make emptying large bags easy and efficient. FIBC Big

To learn more about Gough Engineering’s material handling solutions, including custom bucket elevators and FIBC Big Bag Dischargers, visit its website: www.goughengineering.com

Equipment schemes and automated material handling give manufacturers new ways to offset rising energy costs, while boosting production and ROI. Moreover, these systems can also empower manufacturers to tackle the rising prices head-on.

Leverage Waste Reduction to Help Factories Improve Bottom-Line Profits Materials Materials and and Process Process Quality Quality

Energy Wastage Raw Material Wastage Labour Wastage Production Efficiency/ Profits

As an end-to-end MIS/MES provider with over 50 years expertise in the installation of cutting edge performance improvement systems, we take the time to fully understand your objectives, share your sense of urgency and provide unique and holistic solutions to help you

minimise wastage and improve manufacturing effectiveness.

The value of a 1% cost of sales reduction often translates into double-digit in net profit.

Let’s talk. +44 (0)1225 764461 www.harfordcontrol.com

Find out how a small reduction in production costs can dramatically increase your net profit adapting their supply chains and restructuring operations.

Additionally, 49% of respondents are planning to increase their capital investment expenditure over the next 12 months. These statistics underscore the majority of manufacturers’ commitment to growth, alongside their aspirations to reduce internal costs and enhance the bottom line.

We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic responses and the immense interest generated during the PPMA event. Many attendees expressed a keen desire for additional information on wastage reduction and cost-saving strategies in manufacturing. It’s great to witness the industry’s resolute commitment to enhancing performance.

Throughout the event, we had the privilege of listening to numerous manufacturers share their unique stories and challenges. During the event, we saw three types of visitors: 1. Some manufacturers recognised that they were lagging behind and were eager to initiate comprehensive improvements in their production processes immediately.

2. Others believed it was premature to take action and were not yet ready to invest capital in performance enhancements.

3. A few manufacturers preferred to maintain the status quo in their production processes, opting not to pursue improvements.

Drawing from insights gleaned through the FDF State of Industry Survey, we observed that 54% of manufacturers prioritise innovation, while 41% focus on

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In the words of Charles Darwin, “It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is best able to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.”

From the survey, we can see many manufacturers are awakening to the need for proactive adaptation in response to the evolving industrial landscape.

Unlock the Opportunities for Financial Growth Building on this backdrop of industry dynamics and the drive for excellence, our encounter with a vegetable manufacturer at the event stands as a potent example.

The manufacturer was seeking

a holistic MIS/MES solution to enhance their production process and reduce costs. To gain a deeper insight into their business, we delved into their annual accounts at Companies House.

What we uncovered was truly eyeopening. This company’s impressive turnover stood at £400 million.

However, a glance at their cost of sales justified a deeper look.

The cost of sales had escalated to £390 million, leaving the gross profit at a mere £10 million. When factoring in other operational and administrative expenses, their net profit (before tax) was just £5 million.

Imagine this scenario: even a mere 1% reduction in the Cost of Sales, as illustrated here, would result in a remarkable addition of £3.9 million to the bottom-line profit. That’s an almost 80% boost in the bottom line, all from a 1% reduction in the Cost of Sales.

Such a transformation is not only realistic, but also a recurring reality that we’ve witnessed in numerous production sites. We’re fully geared up to help many more manufacturers achieve similar improvements.

Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to uncover growth opportunities within your production process.

Our consultative approach consistently emphasises a deeper focus on performance improvement with a keen eye on the Cost of Sales, as this is often the largest area of expenditure and where substantial growth opportunities can be unlocked.

So, what can we do to reduce the cost of sales?

Don’t Underestimate the Impact of Wastage Wastage is a major issue, and it is everywhere throughout food manufacturing operations, from goods-in to despatch. Some obvious examples include wastage due to incorrect labels on packaging and overfilling.

During a visit to a coffee manufacturer, we were shocked by the quantity of wasted aluminised packs. The production line commenced at 8 am, and by 9 am, two substantial dump bags were already overflowing with this wasted, expensive packaging.

To investigate this wastage, we embarked on a Gemba walk. We discovered that one of the primary reasons for these wasted coffee bags was the absence of date codes on the labels. The heater was not

hot enough to imprint the date code, necessitating the disposal of many of these packaging bags.

Others were due to inadequate pack seals and checkweigher rejects.

Overfilling presented another critical and common wastage issue.

During a pack weight audit of a milk factory supplying to schools, we noticed that every carton was filled beyond the required level by circa 10%. You might think this is an insignificant amount of milk, not seriously affecting costs. However, when we tallied the costs of this overfilling, it amounted to a daily loss of £450. Bearing in mind this was just one product on one production line, scaled up across the factory, the losses through overfill alone amounted to more than £0.5million per year.

These instances represent just a couple of straightforward examples

of wastage. By addressing and minimising these forms of wastage and enhancing your operational efficiency, you can significantly improve your bottom line. This is where Harford can step in and provide invaluable assistance.

A Fresh Perspective for your Business The Harford system is built to scale across entire factories, from goods-in to dispatch.

Whether the challenges stem from mislabelling, quality issues, overfilling or lost efficiency, waste information can be collected, analysed and distributed in realtime to networked PCs, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. This empowers operators to make immediate adjustments, while managers gain the insights needed to make well-informed decisions on the spot.

Compliance, quality, efficiency and yield can be comprehensively improved upon through the excellence of the Harford MIS/ MES solution, coupled with the diligence and engagement of your production teams. This has frequently proven to reduce the cost of sales, thereby significantly improving pre-tax profits.

Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to uncover growth opportunities within your production process. If you’re ready to explore these possibilities, please reach out to us.

Contact us with your inquiries at info@harfordcontrol.com or give us a call on +44 (0)1225 764461.

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Wiseman Threading Tools Ltd Specialists in Tools & Gauges for Screw Threads We have been supplying threading tools and gauges since 1987.

Together with supplying plain plug and ring gauges this is all that we do, we therefore consider ourselves to be specialists in this field.

We supply worldwide.

We hold extensive ready stocks that include all of the standard stuff that others offer, but also includes taps, dies, die nuts, die head chasers, thread rolls and gauging for threads not normally available ‘off the shelf ‘.

Our real time stocks can be checked and purchased online at www.threadtools.com Just enter the thread details into the search box on the home page.

You will be directed to the item, if stocked, or to our specials, (custom manufacture), sales team. who will quote to supply at competitive rates, in good time.

As an account holder you can also order online from our listed in stock items, at your normal terms.

We realise that you need the right item at the right price and quality, and in a reasonable time frame.

We are geared to provide that.

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We can ship stocked items same day.

Our experienced sales staff can assist and advise you on any technical issues.

We welcome enquiries from resellers and can offer terms to suit.

WISEMAN THREADING TOOLS LTD 11 Padgets Lane South Moons Moat Redditch B98 0RA UK 0044(1527)520580 sales@threadtools.com For further information, please visit www.threadtools.com

Threading Tool Specialists

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Wiseman Threading Tools Ltd 11 Padgets Lane, South Moons Moat. Redditch B98 0RA Worcs UK +44(0)1527 520 580 sales@threadtools.com www.threadtools.com

THREAD THREAD GAUGES GAUGES all all types. types. Large Large stocks stocks for for standard standard and and SPECIAL SPECIAL threads. threads. Any Any non non stocked stocked can can be be quoted quoted for for custom custom manufacture. manufacture.

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Switch and save Go electric and increase your profits, says Impact Would you like to cut your operating costs and boost your productivity? Impact Handling can help you do both, with the latest small electric counterbalance models from Cat® Lift Trucks.

“Whether you’re replacing your existing electric forklifts or switching from IC engine, we can make that move pay,” says Richard Root, Impact’s National Sales Manager. “Our agile and intelligent 1.4 to 2 tonne Cat® electrics do everything better. It means you will achieve more in your operation, while spending less overall.”

The Cat EP14-20(C)N2(T) range comes in three-wheel (T) and fourwheel formats, with standard or compact (C) chassis. Impact has stocks of all variants, ready for immediate delivery nationwide.

“You’ll start saving straight away – and continue to save over a long lifetime,” Steve emphasises. “That’s because the trucks are more energy efficient, need less maintenance and are built with high-quality, durable components. From day one they will also raise your output.

They bring amazing agility, speed and precision to every job – as well as lower downtime. What’s more, they improve driver satisfaction and work rates with their superior ergonomics and safety. Those factors reduce the risks and costs of work-related illness and accidents too.”

Durable and economical Robust construction is an important starting point for Steve. “The trucks are ruggedly protected, inside and out, and their key components are effectively sealed. You can depend on them to cope with wet, dirty, dusty and other harsh environments. Their maintenance needs are minimal, and every servicing task has been made quick and easy. That includes battery checks and exchanges. It all saves on

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You’ll start saving straight away – and continue to save over a long lifetime. service bay time and expense.”

Fully electronic magnetic brakes not only require less servicing but save energy. Similarly, the trucks’ bright LED working lights are both energy efficient and long lasting.

The latest electric motors offer extra efficiency and a high RPM range. The results include more precise acceleration control and stronger torque at low speeds.

Customers can choose between lead-acid and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Li-ion technology gives further savings on the total cost of operation (TCO). It increases efficiency and runtime between charges, virtually eliminates maintenance, and greatly extends battery lifespan.

High-performing and productive “One of the most impressive things about these forklifts is the way they work with the driver,” Steve notes.

“It’s as if the truck understands and can instantly respond to

the drivers’ changing needs and wishes. They feel that their truck is totally in tune with them. It makes drivers happy, confident and highly productive.”

The Cat Responsive Drive System 2 (RDS2) is essential to this feeling.

RDS2 traction tuning adapts performance rapidly in reaction to the speed of pedal operation.

In doing so, it ensures all driving movements, starts and stops are smooth. Meanwhile, RDS2 mast tuning adjusts constantly to the driver’s hydraulic control behaviour. It matches functionality, sensitivity and reaction speed optimally to the driver’s needs, for the best possible user experience.

An optional load-sensing hydraulic system, known as SmoothFlow, adds even greater perfection to load handling. It automatically adjusts for weight, to maintain precise, smooth and consistent control. This continuous compensation applies even when two or more hydraulic functions are being used simultaneously.

Additional mast stability measures include passive sway control, automatic height-related speed adjustments and high-strength design.

Dual drive four-wheel steering makes manoeuvring exceptionally smooth and agile. The +100⁰ rear turning axle even enables instant side turns, with no need for initial backward movement. Drivers also enjoy automatic speed-related adjustment of steering ratio and force, as well as advanced curve control. These features optimise precision, turning speeds and stability. To maximise grip on slippery surfaces, electric differential locking is optionally available.

On the three-wheel models, 360⁰ steering is a time-saving option.

It allows the truck to turn and move in the opposite direction in one smooth manoeuvre, without stopping. By reducing G-forces acting on the load, it enables higher safe turning speeds.

For reliably powerful performance at every moment, even when heavily loaded, trucks can be optionally equipped with PowerBurst. This feature automatically gives a burst of extra torque, if needed, to maintain ramp speed or to accelerate strongly.

Customers can choose whether to go for lead-acid batteries or for the enhanced performance and runtime of Li-ion. With Li-ion, fast opportunity charging allows continuous operation without battery changes.

Ergonomic and safe “Above all, Cat electric forklifts are designed to get the best out of your drivers,” Steve adds. “They provide great comfort and control, and avoid the fatigue, stresses and strains which can reduce driver efficiency and eventually result in sick leave. Even more importantly, they help to keep your workers safe.”

A comfortable, spacious operator compartment accommodates drivers of all sizes. Its low, deep and wide step leads to a large ‘entry window’ and an uncluttered floor.

This smooths and speeds up on-off access while lowering the risk of tripping. A wide range of seat and steering column adjustment assures a comfortable driving position for every user.

From there, he or she has excellent all-round views, including forward, downward and sideways, with minimal obstruction. Quiet drive units and other low-noise technologies, including the option of market-leading SilentRun+ hydraulic pumps, add extra luxury.

Ergonomic controls include an adjustable armrest with an inbuilt fingertip hydraulic control unit.

This provides optimum hand

positioning and anatomical support. Dual joysticks are an alternative option, if preferred.

Customers can also choose to swap the conventional steering wheel for Palm Steering. It’s ideal for drivers who are seated for long periods, as it allows low-effort operation from a very relaxed driving position.

While precise control and clear views are fundamental to safe operation, the trucks also come with supplementary safety features. Their Presence Detection System+ (PDS+) is a good example.

PDS+. includes an automatic parking brake, hill hold and – if the operator is not seated – prevention of travel and hydraulic movement.

A variety of safety lights can be added to the truck as options.

Richard Root concludes: “With all these cost-saving and productivityenhancing advantages, there’s never been a better time to go electric. Or to swap your older electric trucks for more advanced models. We’re ready to supply you with the perfect applicationmatched model, specification and continuing support package to maximise those benefits.”

For further information, visit www.impact-handling.com.

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Fulton introduces two new larger outputs to expand its VSRT range and open new markets Claimed to be the most radical change to vertical steam boiler design since it first pioneered the vertical tubeless boiler in 1949, Fulton’s VSRT has rocked the steam boiler market since its launch in 2018 to become classleading and a symbol of efficiency, with many users benefitting from generous savings in gas and water consumption in addition to CO2 and NOX emissions.

At launch, the seven-model VSRT range was available with outputs from 160 to 960 kg/h, but with demand increasing for an energy efficient boiler with larger outputs like those of horizontal reverse-flame steam boilers, Fulton is now expanding the range and introducing two new re-designed VSRT models with outputs of 1565 and 1956 kg/h.

Commenting for Fulton, managing director Carl Knight says: “These new models are ground-breaking for their output range! When you consider the VSRT-100 and VSRT-125 models, there are no truly-efficient tubeless vertical steam boilers in the marketplace with similar output ranges, the VSRT is the only tubeless boiler available with the capability of efficiently producing nearly two tonnes per hour of steam.

“In short, what we are delivering with these new models is much higher output versions without compromising efficiency!”

investment. The latest models also

five-yearly, non-destructive testing,

continue to achieve ultra-low NOx

which contributes to reduced lifecycle

emissions of less than 20ppm and 10:1

costs when compared to standard shell

turndown capability.

and tube boilers.

The water volume of these latest VSRT

These advanced, energy-saving and

models is far greater than equivalent

environmentally-beneficial features

horizontal shell and tube boilers and

are standard across the now expanded

steam generators, combined with an

VSRT range. Compared to equivalent

impressive steam chest volume giving

vertical tubeless steam boilers, the

it the ability to react quickly to changes

VSRT is a more durable, and in many

in steam demand. The VSRT still boasts

cases, compact boiler that is energy-

a start-up time of approximately 20

efficient, produces an increased volume

minutes and achieves a 99.75% steam

of higher quality steam, is easy to

quality, a detail most manufacturers are

maintain and backed by an unparalleled

unwilling to publish.

warranty. Additionally, the VSRT

Like the existing models in the range,

complies with the City of London Air Quality Strategy and MCPD regulations,

These new, larger-output VSRT models

the two new models come with the

maintain exceptionally high operating

assurance of a 10-year “unparalleled”

efficiencies (up to 86% gross thermal

warranty on the pressure vessel,

efficiency compared to approximately

double that of the industry standard.

For further information on the VSRT,

80% from typical boiler designs),

Additionally, like all Fulton VSRT

call Fulton on 0117 972 3322,

which results in lower operating and

and electric boilers, they contain no

email sales@fulton.co.uk or visit

lifecycle costs and improved return on

refractory and have no requirement for

www.fulton.co.uk.

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is constructed to BS EN 12953 and UKCA/CE marked to PED.

Fluregiene 200 Protecting your surfaces for longer.

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Low friction PTFE based coating containing BioCote® antimicrobial technology Fluregiene 200™™ provides protection for hygiene conscious parts and surfaces •• Excellent Excellent corrosion corrosion resistance resistance •• Low Low friction friction anti-fouling anti-fouling and and anti-stick anti-stick properties properties •• Durable Durable and and easy easy to to clean/wipe clean/wipe down down •• Permanently Permanently applied applied to to metals, metals, alloys alloys and and plastics plastics •• Built-in Built-in antimicrobial antimicrobial technology technology actively actively reduces reduces microbes microbes on on the the surface surface of of the the coating. coating.

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New SKF maintenance product partner accolade is awarded to Acorn Industrial Services Ltd Leading power transmission stockist ACORN® has become the first company in the UK to be awarded new maintenance product partner status by the world-leading bearing and maintenance product manufacturer - SKF. SKF awarded the newly created accolade to ACORN in recognition of meeting criteria set out by the manufacturer that focused on stock

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holding and related maintenance services.

To achieve the certified partner status, ACORN met all of SKF’s requirements, including providing a range of maintenance equipment for hire, onsite training for customers and staff, and substantial stock investment, to ensure stock is readily available for same-day despatch.

ACORN’s Bearing Product Manager Andy Fletcher commented, “We are honoured to have been awarded such an important certification by SKF. It highlights ACORN’s commitment to providing the very best customer service and support, backed by the broadest range of SKF products available in the UK.” Andy added: “ACORN is also celebrating its 20th year as an authorised SKF

We are honoured to have been awarded such an important certification

by SKF. It highlights ACORN’s commitment to providing the very best customer service and support, backed by the broadest range of SKF products available in the UK. distributor this year, and in that time, we’ve amassed a substantial amount of product knowledge and expertise that we can pass on to our customers to give them the very best service and support.”

Acorn has several product experts who assist customers with queries, providing onsite assistance, training and solutions, making them a perfect partner to support customers with their maintenance strategies.

Axel Johnson International drives business development and growth through a long-term approach to ownership in strategically selected niche markets, primarily technical components and solutions for industrial processes. Axel Johnson International is organised into six business groups: Fluid Handling Solutions, Industrial Solutions, Lifting Solutions, Power Transmission Solutions, Transport Solutions and Driveline Solutions.

Axel Johnson International is part of the Swedish family-owned corporate group Axel Johnson.

For more information on maintenance products and services, contact Andy Fletcher or your nearest ACORN branch.

Email: enquiries@acorn-ind.co.uk Web: www.acorn-ind.co.uk

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd is part of Axel Johnson International, a global industrial group of over 150 companies in 30 countries.

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Bearings & Housings& Bearings Housings

T: 0800 8766 441 E: T: enquiries@acorn-ind.co.uk 0800 8766 441 W: www.acorn-ind.co.uk E: enquiries@acorn-ind.co.uk W: www.acorn-ind.co.uk

Power Transmission Power Transmission

Couplings & Drives Couplings & Drives

7 MILLION ITE 7 MILLION ITE SAME-DAY DE SAME-DAY DE

Ideal for harsh washdown environments, high an helping to maximise productivity levels and uptim Ideal for harsh washdown environments, high an helping to maximise productivity levels and uptim

Linear & Automation Linear & Automation

Maintenance Equipment Maintenance Equipment

Lubrication Lubrication

EMS AVAILABLE FOR EMS AVAILABLE FOR ESPATCH ESPATCH

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What are the primary drivers for choosing Ravenwood linerless labels?

We have seen interest in our linerless technology escalate dramatically in recent years. An increasing number of brand owners and retailers are opting for linerless over traditional self-adhesive labels.

These businesses are ‘turning the tide’ rather than simply ‘surfing the wave’. This shift can be attributed to several factors that cater to both economic and environmental concerns.

In this article, we explain the main reasons:

1. Sustainability Takes Centre Stage One of the primary drivers is its eco-friendliness. In an era where sustainability is paramount, linerless labels have a clear edge over self-adhesive ones. Businesses are actively seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint, and linerless offers a solution. These labels do not require backing paper or liner, resulting in less waste generated during production and reduced carbon emissions associated with transportation.

2. Cost-Efficiency Matters Cost savings are another compelling reason for the surge in popularity of linerless labels. These labels are cost-effective due to their reduced material usage, eliminating the need for liners and backing papers.

Additionally, linerless label rolls are more compact, allowing for more labels on a single roll, which can reduce storage and transportation costs. This affordability resonates well with businesses looking to optimise their expenses.

3. Enhanced Productivity Linerless labels also boost productivity in manufacturing and labelling processes. Traditional selfadhesive labels require frequent roll changes, leading to downtime and increased labour costs. In contrast, linerless labels can contain more labels per roll, reducing the

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frequency of roll changes and downtime, thus enhancing overall efficiency.

4. Versatility and Adaptability Linerless labels offer flexibility that self-adhesive labels often can’t match. They can be used in various industries and applications, from food and beverages to retail and logistics. Their adaptability to different surfaces and labelling methods makes them a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes.

5. Improved Aesthetics and Branding With their sleek and modern appearance, linerless labels contribute to enhanced product aesthetics and branding. These labels provide a seamless, wraparound look that is visually appealing to consumers. In a competitive market, where first impressions matter, linerless labels can help products stand out on the shelf.

6. Compliance and Regulation Linerless labels are becoming more attractive due to regulatory requirements. They can easily accommodate necessary information and barcode data while maintaining compliance with labelling regulations.

7. Increased Surface Print Area Linerless labels do not have a liner or backing paper, making it possible to print on both sides and utilise more of the label’s surface.

8. Faster Labelling Application Speeds Ravenwood’s range of Nobac 5000 linerless applicators are probably the fastest in the world, capable of applying labels at over 150 packs per minute.

In conclusion, the shift toward Ravenwood’s linerless labels over self-adhesive labels is driven by a combination of factors, including sustainability, cost-efficiency, productivity gains, versatility, aesthetics, and regulatory compliance. As businesses and consumers increasingly prioritise these aspects, the popularity of linerless labels is expected to continue its upward trajectory. To meet the evolving demands of the market, it’s crucial for companies to stay informed about packaging trends and consider the benefits that linerless labels offer in their labelling and packaging strategies.

By embracing linerless, businesses can not only reduce their environmental impact but also enjoy economic advantages, improved efficiency, and enhanced brand presence in a rapidly changing packaging landscape. As the demand for sustainable and efficient solutions grows, linerless labels are undoubtedly positioned to continue to play a pivotal role in the future of packaging.

For further information, contact Marketing on +44(0)1284 749144.

ViSWIR … Bringing Visible & SWIR into Focus Introducing the award-winning Computar ViSWIR-Series

A

B

ViSWIR Hyper APO Features: • Capable of fully corrected focus shift in visible and SWIR range (400nm - 1700nm) • Achieves spectral imaging with a single sensor camera by simply syncing the lighting • Floating design adjusts focus for different wavelengths • 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 25mm, 35mm* and 50mm* (*2023)

ViSWIR Lite Features: • High transmittance at whole wavelength of 400nm - 1700nm by adopting hyper wideband AR coat • Outstanding cost-performance for single-wavelength lighting & narrow-band imaging • Compact design • 5mm, 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm

info@cbcuk.com 020 8457 2618

computar-global.com catalyst of optics

Innovative cost effective solutions Based just outside Glasgow, G & M Precision (Plastics) Ltd was formed back in 2009 to provide innovative and industry leading subcontract machining services to the manufacturing sector.

The ethos of the company is to provide High-Quality, cost-effective solutions and machining services with short lead times and all orders delivered on time every time.

In order to achieve and maintain this ethos the company invested in Brand New state off the art Doosan lathes and machining centres. This investment has continued with the addition of SolidWorks CADCAM, HASS machining centres and an Aberlink CMM. G & M achieved ISO 9001 certification in 2013. This continued investment allied to a highly skilled workforce with a combined total of close to 200 years industry experience ensures G & M are well positioned to provide their customers with the highest standards and service at all times.

We currently operate in a wide variety of sectors including Oil and Gas, Subsea, Food and Drink, Electronics & Medical to name but a few. We are a very customer focused based company with an emphasis of building strong and long-lasting relationships resulting in a repeat order rate of well over 90%. With that in mind we look forward to continuing to build new relationships and offering our experience and assistance to all new

customers. Due to our innovative cando approach, we are able to help all our customers remain competitive in these highly challenging times.

For all machining requirements contact paul@gandmprecision.co.uk robert@gandmprecision.co.uk www.gandmprecision.co.uk

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 21

Professional plastic part manufacture

As a company that specialises in industrial 3D printing for low volume manufacture and batch production, 3DPRINTUK continues to grow at an impressive rate.

The London-based company is unwavering in its use of high-end 3D printing systems to bridge the significant gap that exists between prototype and injection moulding.

3DPRINTUK provides an invaluable service for a wide range and growing number of customers where tooling costs are prohibitively expensive for their product or the volume demanded by injection moulding is excessive.

According to Nick Allen, 3DPRINTUK’s CEO: “Our primary focus is absolutely low volume and batch production. As a result, we are seeing new and repeat customers using our service to manufacture their parts. We are consistently manufacturing more than 1 million parts annually and the numbers keep going up. However, because of the nature of the 3D printing processes and our focus on quality, we can produce parts in volumes of 1, 10, 100, 1000 or 10,000 parts, so we can still offer a high-quality prototyping service for our customers that are in a new product development phase. They can test and quickly iterate their parts using

22 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

our service, before using the same machines for manufacture.”

Over the last 12 months, 3DPRINTUK has taken the company to an even higher level, not least by becoming part of the Trimech Group through acquisition

by Solid Solutions. With an approach based on the premise “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” this move has solidified 3DPRINTUK’s position as a leading 3D printing service provider while extending its resources and supporting further growth.

going through the extensive ISO 9001:2015 process to be notified that there are zero findings.

Quality and quality assurance are a central feature of all of the manufacturing and production services that we offer. And now we can prove it. By achieving ISO 9001 certification, we can demonstrate that all of our systems, processes and procedures meet the high demands that this certification requires for all of our 3D printed parts.” Following this successful outcome, 3DPRINTUK is in the process of qualifying for ISO 14001.

ISO 9001

ROAD TO NET ZERO

Some key goals have been the foundation of 3DPRINTUK’s success over the last year, notably the company achieved ISO 9001 certification at the end of 2022.

Quality has always been at the heart of the 3DPRINTUK service, but this certification provides reassurance to customers that the company operates at the highest levels for quality assurance and validation of 3D printed parts on a daily basis, in full compliance with the ISO 9001 standard.

3DPRINTUK has also strived to ensure the company is run in full alignment with its stated values.

Undertaking its Road to Net Zero initiative was essential to this and earlier this year, 3DPRINTUK set itself an ambitious target to become the first fully certified, net zero 3D printing bureau by the end of 2023 and to be the first 3D printing service to offset 100% of its plastic output. Achieving certified net zero is no easy task, but the company takes climate change and its impact seriously and this is the driving force behind its roadmap.

THE YEAR IN VIEW

Alessandro Catania, Quality and Compliance Manager at 3DPRINTUK stated at the time: “It is really gratifying after

Allen went on the record, saying:

3DPRINTUK’s instant online pricing model showed us that its costs were very competitive and would scale well with our business.

“As a manufacturer of plastic parts, we cannot hide from the environmental impact of plastic on the environment. However, we also believe that plastic materials continue to offer benefits and do have a part to play in a sustainable economy. This can be seen in the way that plastics can replace some metals making parts and components that are lighter in weight.”

Just a few months later, in June, 3DPRINTUK was able to announce that it had indeed achieved certified carbon neutral status and is the first 3D printing service bureau to do so.

SOME FACTS AND FIGURES

It is not all that surprising then that 3DPRINTUK has continued to experience significant growth.

One independent testament to this, was 3DPRINTUK being named as one of Europe’s fastest growing companies in 2023 on the FT 1000.

This appearance was based on an absolute growth rate of 171.6% over the last four years. The list also highlighted how 3DPRINTUK is the third fastest growing manufacturer in the UK. Inside the facility, the company’s fleet of 3D printers has grown significantly and now includes 14 in-house EOS SLS machines, four HP 5210 systems and a recently installed Stratasys SAF H350 industrial 3D printer. These

machines are all complemented by a full DyeMansion suite of post processing equipment, which has also expanded significantly over the last 12 months. So much so, that the company is currently in the process of expanding the facility’s footprint to 15,000 square feet, adding an additional 5,000 square feet in the form of a new building in the same location, that will become a dedicated post processing hub.

The heart of 3DPRINTUK, however, is the team of talented and experienced people that offer a wealth of expertise. This expertise is not just dedicated to running the machines for optimum, high-quality output, but also for software development and customer partnerships and liaison. The core team at 3DPRINTUK has now grown to 25 people, with sound leadership in each department.

A BROAD CUSTOMER BASE

The low entry cost of the 3DPRINTUK service sets it apart from other manufacturing options.

With a minimum order of just £40, the service is open to a vast potential client base spanning across diverse sectors, and enabling the company to cater to a wide range of industries, as mentioned above, from volumes of 1 through to 10,000. 3DPRINTUK partners with clients working in sectors ranging from Cycling & Sport Technology to Marine & Subsea equipment; across Academia and the Creative industries; as well as Green Energy, Autonomous & Electric Vehicles, VR, Prosthetics & Robotics. The company also supplies a significant number of Design Consultancies with high end, functional prototypes and low volume production parts.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

Third party testimonials are perhaps the surest way to garner understanding of how a company operates and delivers for its clients.

Below are just a couple, that speak to the capabilities and capacity of the 3DPRINTUK service: Andrew Magnier, Founder of MagCAD, has utilized the company’s service for a number of years to develop and manufacture parts for his cycling business: “3DPRINTUK’s instant online pricing model showed us that its costs were very competitive and would scale well with our business.

Initial test runs also demonstrated that the quality of parts is outstanding and the 3DPRINTUK team is very communicative and knowledgeable.” MagCAD now regularly places repeat orders for production parts.

Jeremy Sitbon, Chief Robotics Engineer – Marine Robotics Systems at ecoSUB Robotics also regularly use the 3DPRINTUK service for the production of some key parts for their underwater, autonomous vehicles. He said, “We are constantly on the lookout for the most cost-effective 3D printing solution for our underwater vehicles, but we cannot compromise on quality at all…. We will continue to use 3DPRINTUK as we have not found an on-line ordering system that comes close to theirs in terms of ease-of-use, and the team has an enormous depth of knowledge in material selection, DfAM, and print optimisation that benefits us on every level.”

The future is looking bright for 3DPRINTUK with continued growth and strengthened client partnerships for production applications featured high on the agenda.

For further information, please visit www.3dprint-uk.co.uk

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 23

Temperature and process technology Labfacility are the UK’s leading manufacturer of Temperature Sensors, Thermocouple Connectors and associated Temperature Instrumentation and stockists of Thermocouple Cables

INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION PT100 RTD SENSOR WITH M12 CONNECTOR An industrial automation temperature sensor with a Pt100 class A 4 wire resistance thermometer detector (RTD) with a measuring range of -75 to +250°C. Available in 3 & 6mm diameter 316 Stainless steel sheath with standard lengths of 100, 150, 200 & 250mm.

Supplied with plain barrel or screw in options 1/4 BSPP, 1/2 BSPP & 1/4 & 1/2 NPT process threads.

HERMETICALLY SEALED WIRE THERMOCOUPLES An IP67 wire thermocouple that is hermetically sealed for use in corrosive or wet environments.

This versatile multi-purpose sensor has been specifically designed for use in and to protect against corrosion in harsh or wet environments. It has a quick response time and can be easily cleaned.

For all other sales enquiries please contact us as follows: Email: sales@labfacility.com | Tel: +44 (0) 1243 871280

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Leaders in temperature measurement

Industrial Automation Pt100 RTD Sensor with M12 connectors In Stock For Immediate Worldwide Despatch

An industrial automation temperature sensor with a Pt100 class A 4 wire Heading 3 Resistance thermometer detector (RTD) with a measuring range of -75 to +250°C. The Sensor features an industry standard 4 pin M12 A coded instrument connection, suitable for new industrial process control & automation applications and field replacement of sensors.

• Pt100 RTD class A 4 wire resistance thermometer as per IEC 751 • Sensor temperature rating -75 to +250°C • 4 pin M12 A coded instrument connection • 3 & 6mm 316 stainless steel sheath • 100, 150, 200 & 250mm standard lengths • Plain barrel or screw in options 1/4 BSPP, 1/2 BSPP & 1/4 & 1/2 NPT process threads • For use with M12 female connectors & extension cables

XE-7201-001

XE-7232-001

www.labfacility.com Bognor Regis tel: +44 (0)1243 871280

XE-7214-001

XE-7242-001 sales@labfacility.com Sheffield tel: +44 (0)1909 569446

Precision Without Limits MWS Delivers Lifetime Scale Assurance Micro Weighing Solutions (MWS Ltd), a renowned UK-based manufacturer of industrial weighing equipment, is setting a new industry standard by becoming the first scale manufacturer to introduce a lifetime guarantee on all their British-made weighing scales.

MWS is a trusted name in the world of weighing equipment, working with some of the largest food and drink manufacturers across the UK. The hallmark of their excellence lies in the fact that they oversee every step of the manufacturing process, from initial design to fabrication and assembly. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that their weighing scales, encompassing platform bench scales, floor scales, and pallet scales, are of unmatched quality and reliability. It also means MWS can create bespoke, turnkey solutions for customers.

Lifetime Warranty on Weighing Scales What sets MWS apart from the rest is their unwavering confidence in the products they manufacture. As of February 2023, MWS is proud to introduce a lifetime guarantee on the structural integrity of their industrial scales under normal use. Remarkably, this warranty extends to MWS products supplied after 1st January 2018, affirming their commitment to customer satisfaction and product longevity.

The guarantee covers the structural integrity of the machine, reassuring customers that their investment is safeguarded for a lifetime.

Furthermore, key components, such as the load cells manufactured by Flintec, come with their own fiveyear warranty, adding an extra layer of confidence to the MWS product line.

What sets MWS apart from the rest is their unwavering confidence in the products they manufacture. boasts an experienced, dedicated team of field service engineers who provide nationwide service and calibration for all types of weighing equipment. This includes UKAS

of industrial weighing equipment; they are a partner in quality, reliability, and assurance. When you choose MWS products, you’re not just investing in a weighing scale; you’re investing in peace of mind, innovation, and the unwavering support of a company that believes in the durability and performance of its products.

Make the smart choice for your industrial weighing needs – choose Micro Weighing Solutions and experience a lifetime of quality, guaranteed.

calibrations, ensuring that your weighing scales maintain precision and accuracy throughout their

Nationwide Service & UKAS Calibration

lifetime.

In addition to this remarkable lifetime guarantee, MWS also

For the Food & Drink industries,

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MWS is not just a manufacturer

www.mws.ltd.uk

Managing unpredictable times

By Jason Lynock, Sales Director, Smart-Space

resolve the immediate requirement with the comfort of knowing you can have the building for as long as you need it.

The business world is always subject to many moving parts and the impacts of various external factors. To navigate a business through changing times means we need to be agile and responsive. At Smart-Space we are regularly called upon to resolve urgent space issues due to economic factors that we all have little control over.

Climate unpredictability

Unpredictable deliveries

Unpredictable timing

If your business relies on a stable supply chain it’s likely that you’ll need to offer some sort of flexibility over delivery times, particularly if you receive goods from overseas.

Often there is no way of knowing exactly how long you might need additional space. For new ventures, trial stock lines, unexpectedly large orders and other changes, an instant building can satisfy an immediate need.

They can be invaluable during times of transition or even to provide space whilst a traditional build is taking place.

Unpredictable finances An instant building negates the need to commit. You can hire for a few months or for as long as you like, switching to purchase if it suits you better. We can structure long-term contracts where the costs reduce as time goes on. These benefits don’t come with bricks and mortar!

Unpredictable location We have worked with customers who are unsure of their longer-term plans and are considering moving premises.

An instant (relocatable) building can

We live in a country where four seasons in one day is not unusual. For a tidy, safe site, we supply buildings to get your assets under cover – whether that’s parts or people. Storage is probably the number one reason we are contacted. Our canopies are an extension of this service – allowing you to enjoy weather-proofed loading and unloading.

Instant buildings, installed within a few short weeks, provide an excellent solution to space challenges. With no foundations required, you simply need an area of land that meets your needs. Talk to us if you have a space challenge, we enjoy working out the best options and helping you operate to full capacity, in a safe and organised environment. www.smart-space.co.uk

LOOKING FOR INSTANT, FLEXIBLE, ADDITIONAL

SPACE?

WAREHOUSING I STORAGE I FACTORY SPACE Talk to our friendly, professional, experienced team - we can advise on the best options from a range of solutions. Our British supply chain and directly employed teams means we are quick and reliable. We are also completely flexible: you can hire or purchase (or switch whenever you like) and you can off-hire at any time. We do everything - from building only to turnkey solutions (and everything in between).

FLEXIBLE I RENT OR BUY I FAST SOLUTIONS

smart-space.co.uk

Talk to the team

Jason Lynock: 07971 542357 Shaun Stephens: 07535 117181

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 27

Hygienic cordial transfer pump In our latest case study we were tasked with supplying a manufacturer of liquid filling machines who contacted North Ridge looking for a robust pump of a proven hygienic design. This was to be used for batch filling small cartons of squash or cordial on their liquid filling machines.

A filling machine or liquid dispensing machine is a device for filling containers, such as bottles or jars with a measured amount of liquid in an accurate, repeatable way. They are used for a wide range of products including liquids for human consumption such as milk, water, cordial, carbonated drinks, edible oils, medicinal syrups, e-liquids and alcoholic beverages.

What makes a pump hygienic?

Our client wanted a hygienic pump - but what makes a pump hygienic? There are many features

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that define a hygienic pump depending on the application and type of fluid that’s being pumped.

For example, some fluids being pumped are then going to be cooked or heated up. These pumps will need different hygiene standards to pumps used to pump liquids for direct human consumption or for pharmaceutical applications such as eye solutions, where bacteria must be kept to an absolute minimum. These will demand the very highest hygiene standards.

What are these hygienic features?

Polishing Polishing of pumps makes absolutely sure that there’s no roughness, debris or dead zones where bacteria can gather and multiply, or where particles could come loose potentially contaminating future batches.

Hygienic pumps are highly polished to ensure that the surface level is less than 0.5mm microns. This makes them easy to clean especially using CIP and SIP processes.

CIP is short for Clean-In-Place, a cleaning method which enables the internal surfaces of sealed systems to be cleaned, without removing or disassembling piping or equipment to carry out the cleaning.

SIP is Sterilisation-In-Place which extends the CIP process by adding sterilisation, without any need for disassembling the liquid dispensing machine, piping or measuring equipment. This takes place at the end of CIP and ensures that any microorganisms still active in the system are killed off with hot water, or with saturated pure steam at high temperatures of over 121°C.

Pumps can be fitted with a variety of socketed pipework connections from North Ridge Pumps with a range of features and hygiene ratings.

Materials Most stainless steel ordered around the world is Grade 304, as it offers the standard corrosion resistance, formability, strength and easy maintenance for which stainless steel is renowned. Grade 316 may be second in amount sold, but it offers vastly superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and acids.

Grade 304 is certainly a minimum requisite for a hygienic pump. It also provides strong resistance against acids or alkalis which may be present in the liquid, or may be used in a caustic Cleaning-in-Place regime.

Occasionally, cast iron is used in chocolate pumping as bacteria don’t multiply within chocolate. In addition, pumps containing cast iron can be effectively used with magnetic separators which detect and capture any metal present in pumped fluids.

Cowl and feet A cowl is fitted over a pump motor for two key reasons. Firstly, it stops debris, dust or other matter

collecting between the motor fins, making cleaning difficult and creating a health hazard. It also means that the pump can be easily cleaned by jet washing during washdown. While fitting feet to the pump keeps the pump head away from the floor, stopping debris getting in if the pump head is opened for inspection.

Connections Where pipework is present in a process, it’s very important to ensure that all connections are sanitisable and stop the build-up of debris. Sometimes, fittings like tri-clamps are used which can be polished, are easily cleanable and have full pass-through preventing the accumulation of debris.

Pumps can be fitted with a variety of socketed pipework connections from North Ridge Pumps with a range of features and hygiene ratings. Certain types of fitting may be hygienic, but if they are not designed to accept Clean-in-Place, the pump must be disassembled and cleaned manually to maintain an effective hygiene programme.

Suitable for CIP As mentioned, Clean-in-Place describes specific systems and equipment used in food processing that can be cleaned and sanitised without being disassembled or moved. Whether it’s down to a dedicated CIP/SIP port or through hygienic design, this feature ensures

that the pumps can be sanitised, either via a caustic or acid wash to remove debris and bacteria.

Third-party approved gaskets or seals These ensure that when certain materials are used for hygienic seals and sanitary gaskets, the food or beverages which are being pumped are not contaminated during contact and have the highest levels of hygiene. Standard hygienic materials include Silicone, Neoprene, Nitrile (NBRA), EPDM, Norprene, Tygon, Viton (FKM) or Virgin PTFE/TEFLON. Typical certification bodies include the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group and the Water Regulations Approval Scheme in Europe, and the Food and Drug Administration, National Sanitation Foundation 61 and 3-A Sanitary Standards in the US. For this specific project, we specified one of our sanitary centrifugal pumps suitable for multiple starts and stops as well as operation via VFD in only 3 weeks.

If you have a process you’re looking to achieve and would like some support and guidance from one of our application specialists engineers, talk to North Ridge Pumps today to see how we can help. www.northridgepumps.com

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 29

JS Davidson steps up operation through latest investment Leading multi temperaturecontrolled storage operator JS Davidson has highlighted its commitment to providing a complete end-to-end temperaturecontrolled solution with ongoing substantial investment and enhanced co-packing capabilities.

Compressed Air Quality Matters To You But does it matter as much to those that have to measure it?

Its latest suite of co-packing services now includes tempering, data coding, sleeving, relabelling, case configuration and shrink wrapping.

To take its offering to the next level, JS Davidson has also acquired an Ultra Smart Portable Blast Unit from Blue Cube.

Dew Point - Particle Concentration - Residual Oil Vapour The investment into

The investment into the new Unit, which totals £481,000 over 5 years, will be officially commissioned later this month.

the new Unit, which totals £481,000 over 5 years, will be officially commissioned later this month.

The Blast Unit, which has the capability of blast freezing, blast chilling and tempering all Compressed Compressed air quality quality audits audits are are rarely rarely carried carried out out in in strict strict compliance compliance with with ISO ISO 8573 8573 and and aa lot lot can can happen happen in in within the same air mobile unit, between between them them that that can can seriously seriously affect affect your your reputation reputation and and profitability. profitability.

For For many many companies, companies, in-house in-house will enable JS Davidson to drive JS Davidson who alongside verification verification of of compressed compressed air air quality qualitybased supplements supplements their their external external ISO ISO 8573 8573 audits audits to to give give aa more more regular regular greater efficiencies throughout its co-packing, provide distribution understanding understanding of of delivered delivered air air quality. quality. temperature control operation. and storage services to its growing “Equally, given that we can safely Removing Removing the the need need for for sending sending samples samples away away base. for for laboratory laboratory analysis analysis through throughand the therapidly use use of of modern modern sensors, sensors, customer With a capacity of up to 30 pallets, cool, chill, freeze and provides provides a a quick quick assessment assessment of of quality quality and and an an almost almost instant instant response response to to changes. changes.

Not Not all all JS Davidson’s new Portable temper tonnes of produce in a John Davidson, Managing Director Blast Unit is suited for both matter of a few hours, compared at JS Davidson commented: “From freezing and defrosting under to potentially up to hundreds findings of market research that a controlled environment as of hours, it will drive significant we have conducted in recent well as bringing food products operational efficiencies throughout months, we have seen that there is back up to temperature in rapid the business – especially within our a growing demand for both rapid succession – a service it offers for co-packing division.” freezing and tempering, largely in its customer Holy Moly - offering line with increased expectations in With a pedigree spanning nearly greater longevity for product life the marketplace.

30 years, JS Davidson occupies and as such a greater capability over 141,000 sq ft of warehousing of processing orders quickly and “In order to cater to this, we felt a facilities from where it provides more efficiently.

Blast Unit would offer the greatest storage, distribution and cooperational output, without Offering up to 53 per cent GWP, packing services from its sites in compromising on our sustainability Peterborough and Bourne. The it also provides a low emission, pledge. and low-operational cost option company, which prides itself on for both rapidly freezing and delivering a best in class service “With a Blast Freezer, we are able tempering products. has achieved its highest BRC to reduce wastage and ensure that accreditation AA* for the first time the products we store remain of a The Unit has been acquired this year. during a period of continued premium quality, which will only investment by Peterboroughwww.jsdavidson.co.uk serve to benefit our customers.

Dew Point - Particle Concentration - Residual Oil Vapour

30 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

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T: +44(0)1443 772500

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Make Compressed Air Quality Measurement So Much Easier Faster measurements allow you to get more tests done Handheld Handheld S505 S505 Pressure Pressure Dew Dew Point Point Sensor Sensor Ideal Ideal for for verifying verifying desiccant desiccant or or refrigerant refrigerant dryer dryer performance performance anywhere. anywhere. No No waiting waiting for for the the sensor sensor to to react react through through the the innovative innovative park park festure festure that that keeps keeps the the sensor sensor dry dry between between tests. tests.

Portable Portable S600 S600 Compressed Compressed Air Air Purity Purity Analyser Analyser Measure Measure Dew Dew Point, Point, Particle Particle Concentration Concentration and and Residual Residual Oil Oil Vapour Vapour with with one one easily easily portable portable instrument. instrument. Produce Produce reports reports directly directly for for each each test test point point and and move move to to the the next. next.

Wall Wall Mounted Mounted S601 S601 Compressed Compressed Air Air Purity Purity Analyser Analyser Designed Designed for for 24/7 24/7 continuous continuous monitoring monitoring of of Dew Dew Point, Point, Particle Particle Concentration Concentration and and Residual Residual Oil Oil Vapour.

Vapour.

Communicates Communicates with with plant plant SCADA SCADA systems systems through through Ethernet Ethernet or or RS-485 RS-485 and and has has an an integral integral data data logger logger for for record record security. security.

See us at Air-Tech Exhibition stand AF104 21-23 April 2020 NEC Birmingham

Red Red Dragon Dragon Ltd Ltd t/a t/a Measure Measure Monitor Monitor Control Control Unit Unit 15 15 Abergorki Abergorki Industrial Industrial Estate, Estate, Ynyswen Ynyswen Road, Road, Treorchy, Treorchy, CF42 CF42 6DL 6DL

Photos: GoUnpackaged

Berry’s reusable container offers the ideal refill solution A bespoke 14 litre HDPE reusable container designed and manufactured by Berry Global is playing a central role as the vessel for a new refill packaging solution from the Refill Coalition. The pilot for the solution was initiated at Aldi UK in its Solihull branch on October 23rd.

The Refill Coalition is Aldi UK, Ocado Retail and the supply chain solutions company CHEP and was convened in 2020 by GoUnpackaged, the UK’s leading refill experts. The refill project has created a standardised full supply chain solution to deliver refills at scale for key food staples, such as cereals and pasta, with a view to including household products such as cleaning and personal care in the near future.

The in-store retail refill system sees product filled into the Berry vessel and delivered to the store, where it is fitted into the specially designed

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According to the Refill Coalition, if every household in the UK refilled just one item per week, this would eliminate over 1.4 billion single-use packs in a year*. refill station. When empty the container is returned for washing and refill. This solution offers efficiencies of scale and takes away the refill operation from individual stores, which frees up space in each retail outlet.

For the in-store system, Berry created a solution to a very specific brief. The vessel’s angled shoulder design ensures that all product is evacuated during refilling by consumers. A divorced carry handle prevents product

from entering and becoming trapped inside the handle and facilitates easy cleaning while providing ease of use throughout the distribution chain. The design also allows the incorporation of an RFID chip, QR Code or similar device for tracking and product management.

HDPE was selected as the most appropriate material, with its robustness and durability suitable to withstand the repeated washing and distribution process to deliver the multiple uses required for the refill operation. While the mono layer construction which facilitates recycling at the container’s eventual end of life - is currently in virgin HDPE, the Refill Coalition plans to introduce postconsumer recycled (PCR) into the container in the future, which will support supply chain compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility requirements.

Berry’s technical skills were also critical to the successful development of the vessel. The special angled neck shape required specialist in-mould cutting to create the opening in the container, a procedure that for more traditional shapes would normally be carried out after moulding.

commitments. This innovative refill solution demonstrates what can be achieved when all parts of the supply chain work together and we are very proud to have partnered with CHEP and the rest of the Refill Coalition to bring it to life.”

The Refill Coalition’s solution has been designed as a global standard that can be used by any supplier or retailer, enabling the fast adoption by industry to make refills available to every customer in the UK. Subject to the success of this initial trial, Coalition retailers will roll out refill stations across their stores and online.

In addition to the in-store refill system, a bulk home delivery refill solution, for which Berry has also developed a bespoke vessel, will be launched by Ocado Retail in early 2024.

The 3-litre version of the vessel has been designed to fit into the delivery crates used by Ocado Retail. Two neck sizes, 60mm and 80mm, with closures also supplied by Berry, mean there can be separate containers for dry and liquid products.

has co-ordinated the project for Berry with its customer CHEP.

Refills provide an answer to the need to tackle single-use packaging waste.

According to the Refill Coalition, if every household in the UK refilled just one item per week, this would eliminate over 1.4 billion single-use packs in a year*.

“We have been able to select a polymer that has the robustness for multiple reuse, while providing a lightweight solution for easy handling and to minimise the carbon impact of transportation. Equally important, plastic has the design flexibility to create two specific and totally different designs for both refill systems.

“Plastics’ versatility has been critical to the success of this project,” commented Edward Arnold, who

“Designing for reuse is one of the key elements of Berry’s Impact 2025 sustainability strategy and

“I am thrilled to see our collective vision with Berry and other partners of the Refill Coalition being introduced and tested in this pilot,” said Katrin Zeiler of CHEP. “At CHEP, our business is defined by our sustainable circular economy model of sharing and re-use. The pilot represents our commitment to redefining industry standards, reducing single-use packaging and fostering a regenerative supply chain to contribute to our sustainability goals.” www.berryglobal.com

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 33

IBC & Drum Mixing stations Offer consistent product quality at the point of use for a wide range of applications, guide rails position the IBC and the mixer is raise and lowered into the IBC with a push button operated electrical actuator.

Fixed or mobile mixing stations are supplied complete with a control panel and safety interlocks.

Standard IBC mixing stations can be adapted to integrate with systems on site including pumps, valves, weighing and measuring instrumentation and controls to meet specific site requirements.

Please call or email our application engineers will be happy to help Email : sales@euromixers.co.uk | Tel : 0161 486 5099 | Web : www.euromixers.co.uk Euromixers Ltd Landmark House Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 7BS 34 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

Save energy with hot air recycling: CHINOOK Hot air recirculation with high pressure Leister’s new Chinook side channel blower is the perfect complement to the LHS 210 or LHS 410 series air heaters, saving users both energy and costs.

HIGH PRESSURE HOT AIR RECIRCULATION

Named after the warm fall Chinook winds which can produce a remarkable temperature increase, this innovative blower has been specifically designed to feed process air at inlet temperatures of up to 350°C (662°F) back into industrial processes at high pressure.

Working in nearly all hot air processes that allow for hot air recirculation, and in which energy recovery is reasonable and possible, the CHINOOK blower can help to save up to 50% energy and costs and reduce CO2 footprint.

The Leister CHINOOK high-pressure blower is highly durable and designed to perform reliably for a long time despite high thermal loads, thanks to its compact insulation, solid construction, and high-quality components. The low maintenance CHINOOK boasts of being the quietest Leister side channel blower with a mere 58 dB(A) operating sound

Save energy Save money Integrate the LHS 210/410 series air heaters with Leister’s new CHINOOK blower.

Specifically designed to feed process air at inlet temperatures of up to 350°C Quiet operating sound level of 58dB(A) Capable of delivering air flow of 1,640 l/min at 50Hz with a static pressure of 14.6kPa

level.

For further information and technical advice for equipment in this field, please contact Welwyn Tool Group on 01707 331111, email them on info@welwyntoolgroup.com, or visit their website www.welwyntoolgroup.com

get in touch Tel: +44 (0)1707 331111 info@welwyntoolgroup.co.uk www.welwyntoolgroup.com

International Specialists in clean and high-tech installations and removals

MOVING’S OUR GAME Specialist machinery movers for data centres, pharmaceuticals, food and drink and other high technology companies for whom cleanliness, safety and quality are paramount. www.jwieu.com

sales@jwieu.com

+44 (0) 1444 415776

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 35

Over 300 collective years of industry experience Established in 1997, dp Doors and Shutters ltd was founded by 2 people working from a converted garage.

Based in Sheffield , South Yorkshire the company maintains an impressive amount of work force collective experience spanning across 300 years for manufacturing , installing , and repairs and maintenance of industrial doors for a range of industrial , food processing and commercial applications.

Expanding significantly since the companies inception , dp doors and Shutters has seen exponential growth. Starting from a team of just 2 , the company now maintains 37 employees operating from its 12500 sq ft factory .

A noteworthy a milestone for the company is the achievement of ISO9001:2015 status.

As a specialist in a wide range of industrial doors, dp doors and shutters manufacturers and installs Steel Roller Shutters both single skin and insulated , Insulated up and Over Sectionals , High speed Doors , steel personnel doors, Fire shutters and Steel Fire Doors.

All our doors can be both electrically operated or manually controlled ( single or 3 phase ) With such a varied range of products, dp doors and shutters also maintains and repairs doors for a variety of customers and has provided its products and services for many different applications including manufacturing , food processing ,warehouses and the construction industry.

One important factor that positions dp doors and shutters as a key player in its industry is its unrivalled skill set and dedication

36 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

to customer service.. Offering 24/7 availability , a full site survey carried out at no extra cost . and an expert team providing vital support, advice and services. dp doors and shutters strives to achieve excellence for its customers . ‘’ Its not so much the product, as most companies in the industry supply doors that are technically similar, , its more about our service and response times that set us apart . We endeavour to be on site within 4 working hours from call out ‘’ says the MD Alan Bolsover .

One of the companies most notable ranges is its selection of High Speed Doors . Consisting of the motorised Rapid Fold up and Rapid Roll up fabric Doors. These are doors that effectively open rapidly upon approach and close automatically after a timed delay.

These make the doors ldeal where controlling the environment is paramount.

The Fold up door is specifically designed for use on external doors where wind resistance is a key factor in design. The rapid fold up door has been specifically designed for doorways with a larger width and height. Its unique design and integral built in wind bars make this an ideal choice for openings exposed to the elements .

The rapid Roll up door is ideal for smaller and internal openings

where wind resistance isn’t a factor.

The Rapid Roll and Rapid Fold fabric doors comes with electronic fault code displaying control panel , soft stop, soft start , multi light beam safety feature and self repairing curtains ( Rapid Roll only ) .

The Rapid Action doors are manufactured from a light weight aluminium frame which makes them easier and quicker to install .

The company also boasts an in house modern powder coating facility which has helped the company with its turn around times and reduce costs . dp doors and shutters is a long time member of the Door and Hardware Federation ( DHF ) and hold accreditations including CHAS, Safe Contractor and Construction line.

The company takes Health and Safety very seriously with the company engaging in regular tool box talks with site engineers and investing in an ongoing training program. www.dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk

Speedfold Speedfold800 800High HighSpeed SpeedDoor Door

IT IS BIG...

IT IS CLEVER... ...and its Say no to heat loss, airborne particles and ingress of vermin pests and rodents. dp Doors and Shutters Ltd. are pleased to announce the introduction of their new Speedfold 800 High Speed Door manufactured at our modern factory here in Sheffield.

The Speedfold 800 has a unique fold up style operation combined with integral and horizontal wind bars designed to offer maximum wind resistance for external and large width doorways.

DOORS & SHUTTERS LTD 23b Orgreave Crescent, Dore House Industrial Estate, Sheffield, S13 9NQ. Tel: 0114 288 9464 Fax: 0114 293 9193 GB GB 00605 00605

E-mail: sales@dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk Web site: www.dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk

Coffee conveyed from bulk bags to roaster to packaging Mayorga Organics produces 30 different coffee roasts, and supports local organic farming methods by working directly with small, familyowned coffee growers in Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru.

“We produce a product that is sustainable, not only for the planet, but for the people growing it as well,” says Erin Dall, president and COO. Mayorga sees its direct purchases, without complex supply chains, as an important factor to reducing poverty in Latin America.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Rockville, MD, the company until recently operated a second 3,900 m2 roasting and packaging facility in Miami, Florida, to produce its premier product, Café Cubano Roast organic coffee, in vacuum-sealed brick packs.

38 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

To transfer the coffee beans from roaster to grinder to packaging line, the company installed a bulk handling system comprised of two bulk bag dischargers, three flexible screw conveyors and a bulk bag filler, all from Flexicon Corporation.

Roasted coffee beans were discharged from the roaster into open-top bulk bags and delivered to a BFF BULK-OUT® bulk bag discharger. A forklift then positioned a bag-lifting frame immediately above the

We produce a product that is sustainable, not only for the planet, but for the people growing it as well. bag, allowing an operator to slide the bag’s four lifting straps into Z- CLIP™ strap holders, and the forklift to lift the frame–with suspended bag–into receiving cups atop the discharger’s frame posts.

The discharger housed a bulk bag spout interface chute with an integral access door. With the bulk bag in position, the operator opened this door to gain access to the bulk bag spout tie. Once the spout was untied, the access door was closed while roasted beans were discharged from the bulk bag.

Conveying of whole and ground beans The beans flowed from the bulk bag into a 226 L floor hopper, which charged a 4.57 m model 1350 flexible screw conveyor inclined at 45° to feed the grinder. The 90 mm diameter enclosed conveyor tube prevents product and plant

contamination. The inner screw is the only moving part contacting material and is driven by an electric motor positioned beyond the point at which coffee beans exit the conveyor, preventing material contact with seals.

From the grinder, ground coffee gravity discharged into a 113 L floor hopper that charged a second 4.6 m, 90 mm diameter flexible screw conveyor which was equipped with a spiral, designed to efficiently propel the fine-ground material to a Flexicon model BFB bulk bag filler.

A palletised open-top bulk bag was placed inside the filler frame, which can be adjusted to accommodate bulk bags ranging from 914 to 1,828 mm high. Strap hooks, mounted on each of the four corners of the fill head, held the bag open and stabilised it during filling.

Feeding the packaging line Filled bulk bags were forklifted into a second discharger which unloaded coffee into a 226 L floor hopper charging a 4.7 m long, 51 mm diameter flexible screw conveyor to feed the packaging line.

Low- and high-level sensors on the packaging machine hopper signaled the system’s PLC when to start and stop the conveyor.

Dall says the bulk handling system improved productivity and plant cleanliness. “Flexicon provided a solution that fit within our space limitations, allowed immediate packaging, and provided for future production expansion.” www.flexicon.co.uk

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 39

Designed for automated raw ingredient processing lines, Raptor Inline Checkweigher gives food manufacturers an efficient, in-motion weighing system that connects to upstream portion control equipment

Fortress puts its weight behind portion control with new inline checkweigher Contaminant detection and food checkweighing specialist Fortress Technology Europe continues to add to its user-friendly and waste-saving portfolio of machinery with the addition of a new upstream in-line food processing checkweigher.

Designed for automated raw ingredient processing lines, the launch of the hygienic Raptor Inline Checkweigher gives bakery, meat, seafood and prepared food manufacturers an efficient, inmotion weighing system that connects to upstream portion control equipment. Simple to

40 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

integrate into existing production lines, including alongside sausage stuffers, meat and plant-based burger forming and portioning lines, cheese cutters, as well as bread, pizza and cake dough dividers, the Raptor Inline Checkweigher guarantees uniform portion weights at rates exceeding 9,000 units per hour.

Engineered originally for high speed bakeries, this new addition to the Fortress Raptor Checkweighing series gives European food processors the tools to switch out their manual weight checking

processes and maintain weight compliance while simultaneously savings thousands of pounds in daily product giveaway.

Capable of weighing items as light as a garlic dough ball up to a 6kg cheese block, and everything in between, the new Raptor Inline Checkweigher automatically rejects product units under or overweight by as little as 0.5 grams.

Simultaneously, the machine’s advanced fibre optic controlled software communicates back to upstream portion control equipment in real time to adjust

The Raptor Inline Checkweigher’s ultrahygienic washdown design with a Clean-inPlace (CIP) mode, has been engineered for easy and deep sanitation to prevent cross contact contamination. the position of cutting blades.

Helping to ensure the entire batch isn’t off-spec.

Catch before the batch Given the focus on manufacturing waste, identifying and actioning under or over weight products before the energy intensive process of baking or placing into expensive packaging is more imperative than ever, highlights Fortress Europe’s Applications Engineer Daniel Shail.

“Leaving the weight check until the end of the process is one of the most wasteful activities as it could result in an entire consignment of baked or packaged products being recalled, not to mention the many hours wasted in production and workforce salaries.”

A large number of food processors continue to check units within batches randomly by hand. Not only

is this labour intensive, but it can also lead to significant variations in product quality, cautions Daniel.

Automated inline checkweighing allows for individual pieces that are off target weight to be removed and reworked, as well as providing corrective feedback to the upstream portioning equipment.

Daniel continues: “Weighing raw product on the conveyor line without removing it to place on a separate scale is the most efficient method. It also mitigates against potential human contaminants.

For products with a number of processing variables, such as different densities, lean-to-fat ratios and even live raw bread dough, these different weight variations all need to be factored in.”

The Raptor Inline Checkweigher’s ultra-hygienic washdown design with a Clean-in-Place (CIP) mode, has been engineered for easy and deep sanitation to prevent cross contact contamination. Specifically, the tight-fitting conveyor and Fortress Technology’s unique ‘notool’ conveyor removal innovation overcomes the longstanding industry challenge of loosening belt tension during cleaning and maintenance.

In just seconds, operators can unclip and disconnect the conveyor motor and lift out the entire conveyor

assembly. This allows for the belt support frame to be fully-sanitised too, reducing the build-up of loose product. Belt tension and alignment are instantly restored when clipped back into place.

To keep the Raptor Inline Checkweigher compact, Fortress Europe engineered the reject unit to sit beneath the conveyor within the body of the machine. If the checkweigher identifies products that don’t meet the target weight specifications, the conveyor dips, dropping products into an equally hygienic and lockable BRCapproved reject bin. Enabling line operatives at regular interviews to open, remove and place the product back upstream for re-portioning.

Addressing the potential issue of airflow negatively influencing weighing accuracy or airborne contaminants landing on raw ingredients, the Raptor Inline Checkweigher also features an interlocked conveyor cover with special engineered cut outs.

Demanding data Data gathered via the Raptor’s management control system can also help to track uptime and address line inefficiencies. Using the swipe touchscreen, processors can select the statistical parameters most relevant to their operation, including giveaway by weight and percentage, portions per minute, rejected product numbers etc.

The easy to use graphical display automatically logs and reports Reject Integrity compliance tests.

This intuitive digital interface also helps to significantly reduce set up time between each batch.

For enhanced traceability, reports - configured by time, date or product code - can be downloaded and easily converted to common management reporting and software applications. Secure remote and authorised access levels ensure processors have all the tools needed to troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve equipment issues on the spot and minimise system downtime.

To keep the Raptor Inline Checkweigher compact, the reject unit sits beneath the conveyor within the body of the machine.

www.fortresstechnology.co.uk

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 41

When smooth Delivering a tailoredlinear motion is of paramount solution on time and importance on budget

We talk to the experts at IKO Nippon Thompson about how linear rail and carriages can be easily adjusted and modified, and how projects can be redesigned around standard products, to save customers time and money

For applications where reductions in weight are paramount, IKO offers the cost-effective precision linear slide range. Made from stainless linear rail and carriage system is many a design steel, and available in recirculating engineers first choice for transporting a load, and (BSR) non-recirculating for and good reason.

It provides a rugged (BSP) and precise solution that this is inherently self-aligning, offers high load options, range is highly flexible. handling capabilities, and can operate in some of the most It features a simple two-row, challenging environments. But the temptation to over-engifour-point contact structure, highwhile neer a system can add significant cost to a project, asking a vendor to supply a non-standard arrangement motion accuracy and stable load can dramatically lengthen the lead time. carrying capacity.

This is where IKO Nippon Thompson’s in-house design

A

and adjustments service becomes invaluable, with the UK team applications engineersenhanced able to suggest design Thisofcan be further amendments that can reduce lead times from months to using a built-in rack and pinion days, and/or remove significant cost from a project. Mark system in the variant (BSPG)Milton Ross, technical sales BSP engineer at the company’s Keynes UK headquarters, says: “Therethere are a wide for applications where is range of things we can do at local level, from the everyday to the potential for cage creep. This more unusual, to deliver an application-specific solution, phenomenon generally in time providing a key serviceisthat can save UK seen customers and money.” many vertically orientated, high-

speed applications, and IKO’s design reduces the chance of this occurring.

For applications that may receive fluctuating and complex loads, but still need to see consistent repeatable results, the BWU A prime example is the company’s ability to assess the key parameters a project, andappropriate. look at what can be easily range mayinbe more amended without compromising the performance criteria, The high rigidity, precision linear so that the project can be serviced from the company’s slide units offer design engineers free stock.

“For any supplier, manufacturing a system to order going to take time, but IKO Nippon Thompson will the ispossibility of adding a secure always have standard products available as free stock at mounting position that can handle loads of up to 12,100N. They are also exclusively made of stainless steel, making them suitable for potentially corrosive environments or cleanrooms. In addition, they are suitable for applications where rust prevention oil is not preferred.

our various global locations, and we can tap into that free stock and have it delivered within a couple of days,” says

For designers and machine builders looking to increase load ratings further, while keeping the overall Mark. machine size to a minimum, “From there we the in-house caIKO can then offer itshave crossed pabilities to modify standard roller ways (CRW).

This range is products to meet specific customer available inrequirements.” three different variants, cutting railoption to specific includingExamples a rackinclude and pinion length at the simplest level, or changing the e-dimension – (CRWG) and a heavier-duty variant the measure from the end of the rail to the first mounting that“As increases the strength ofbethe hole. standard, this e-dimension would half the normal hole pitch, but that might not suit the application,” internal components (CRWH).

Mark explains.

These products utilise cylindrical Such adjustments andall amendments can be important time saverselements for customers, particularly rolling instead of when ball they are building a prototype as proof of concept. But IKO Nippon bearings, and provide increased Thompson’s design services can also save customers load rating improved significant amountscapacity of money, forand example when it is clear that the design engineer over-specified the project, rigidity.

This, in has turn, increases the perhaps as a belt and braces approach to meeting particular stability of the overall product. lifespan requirements.

“We can quickly drill down to the customer’s most important considerations and then look how that impacts Despite the variation in atmaterials on the rail and carriage dimensions,” says Mark. “By talking and structure, all of the models through load and stroke requirements, that might lead share a similar design. us to propose alternative carriage With lengths. single For example, has the designer opted for a shorter carriage to increase linear caged bearings consisting

of ball or roller elements running along inner and outer tracks. These bearings are arranged in parallel, one on each side of the slide, to support the weight of the table (or carriage) and its mounted load as it moves.

The various designs all INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • WWW.INDUSTRIALTECHNOLOGY.CO.UK provide precise accurate motion, normally over short stroke lengths. In the BSP, BWU and CRW ranges, this motion is further enhanced by their non-recirculating design. Due to the compression and release of the rolling elements as they pass in and out of contact with

42 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

stroke length, but then bumped up the rail and carriage dimensions to accommodate the required load? Perhaps they’ve even ended up with a design that uses non-standard length carriages.

“By adjusting the rail and carriage dimenthe raceways seen in recirculating sions, we can often find a much more cost-effective designs, theremore is no chance the prodapproach, selecting appropriate and of standard ucts or better cost products,” he continues. “We can play balls causing any background

distortions in the data gathered. For the same reason, the bearings run very quietly. In addition, maximum speeds of 50m/min can be achieved.

While IKO prizes quality over pricing, one thing for customers to keep in mind when buying with parameters such as preload to see if this provides a precision linear ways is how better way to meet specific application criteria. Or we can many parts arerails included.

Thisnon-standard butt together standard to deliver longer, lengths at given profile dimensions without is particularly important whenimpacting precision. specifying the range.

While, “In addition, we canCRW add seals and scrapers to protect the elements reasons, on some product types, as well as forrolling historical many offering different coating options to protect against rust competitors sell these parts in what or to alter the products’ aesthetic appearance if that’s a is essentially half a full setbe a requirement too. Theonly addition of railof caps can also further simple (yet cost-effective) way to increase required for any motion profile –the longevity of the system, and is something which, whilst basic, two ways with one cage and rolling is often overlooked.” elements – IKO sells CRWs All of this comes handalways in hand with the capability to provide drawings andkit: models, and ways to port those designs as aCAD complete four with straight into customers’ models. two cages and rolling elements. For IKO Nippon Thompson is conscious, too, of the cost that reason, a priceand that is perhaps of logistics for its customers, so can supply pre-packaged to reduce and (for stock man75%sets higher forpackaging, an IKOhandling full set agement. And then there is the company’s on-site training in example) when and compared to a addition to its telephone web video support.

“It’s all part of a service that means we are to much more competitor’s set might prove be hands-on with our customers than perhaps other suppliers a more cost-effective option, as two are willing or able to be,” concludes Mark. “We want to sets ofinvolved the competitor’s product be more because it benefits all of us – we get to deliver the be mostneeded appropriate to solution and customers would make up theget time- and cost-saving benefits.” same quantity as IKO’s offering. www.ikont.eu • Email: enquiries@iko.co.uk Tel” 01908 566144

By offering the right bearings in an installation-friendly manner, IKO 27 aims to meet its customers’ needs – and often exceeds them.

Contact IKO UK today at 01908 566144, or email enquiries@iko. co.uk to discuss your motion control needs. Alternatively, visit the IKO website.

7 + ( + 2 0 ( 2 ) 9 ,6 & 28 6 3 8 0 3 , 1 * 6 2 /8 7, 2 1 6

Kecol have over 25 years of experience in handling all types of viscous products in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics markets, as well as general industrial applications.

A sample of products we already pump… ᅚHoney ᅚPetroleum Jelly ᅚMascara ᅚSauces ᅚLanolin ᅚLip Gloss ᅚEssences ᅚEye Ointment ᅚMeat Paste ᅚParaffin Wax

T: +44 (0)1746 764311 E: sales@kecol.co.uk W: www.kecol.co.uk

ᅚFace Scrub ᅚTeething Gel ᅚTomato Puree ᅚMedical Adhesives ᅚVeterinary Creams ᅚFruit Paste ᅚToothpaste ᅚMalt ᅚJam ᅚWax

It takes a long time to create perfection.

Once in a while a product comes along and changes everything, from the way it’s crafted to the way it works. Products are often copied and many are great ideas that never really see true success in their application. Many years are spent searching for a product that will ultimately surpass expectations, stand the test of time and become recognised as the leader in its field.

We created one of those successful products nearly two decades ago and still today it has never been equalled.

Why? Because we have never compromised on quality.

UNIFOLD® Unrivalled excellence in gutter lining technology. www.gutterliners.com

Engineered For

Endurance

The original SPEEDOR high-speed automatic fabric doors and shutters

Secure Sustainable Solutions

■ Speedors save energy, improve efficiency

Looking for a sustainable way to securely seal your container

■ Compliant with all safety standards

or bottle? Look no further, Viscose Closures has a range of eco-friendly seals for all your tamper evidence needs.

We provide environmentally conscious producers & brands with our unique plastic free, biodegradable, home compostable, self-shrinking bands. Made from plant-based materials derived from wood pulp, our self-shrinking bands are heat and machinery free making them the perfect choice for heat sensitive products such as food, perfume, and flammable liquids.

Traditional heat-shrink bands are also ideal for anticounterfeiting and ours come in a variety of materials from compostable bio-plastic PLA to recycled content PET or rPet. We offer these in several formats to suit your manufacturing set up be it in reel fed tubing or pre-formed bands. We are proud to work with customers of all shapes and sizes from

■ Fire and security shutter options ■ Custom to your needs, internal and external models ■ British design and manufacture ■ Service and parts availability in UK

craft producers to contract packers representing the leading UK brands and supermarket own label products.

With over 125 years’ experience in manufacturing sustainable and secure solutions you can trust Viscose to protect your product and enhance your brand.

01792 796393 | sales@viscose.co.uk www.viscoseclosures.com

Design | Install | Maintain Get a free consultation: Contact us on+44 (0) 191 214 0404 info@hartdoors.com

www.hartdoors.com FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 45

Why winter maintenance is snow joke How to maximise heat transfer system uptime in winter Preparing for winter involves more than turning the heating on and digging out your winter coat. For example, blocking drafts, covering outside taps and bleeding radiators can all make your home more efficient while reducing energy costs. Similarly, when working with heat transfer systems, manufacturers can follow some simple steps to optimise their facilities for colder weather. Here Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid management specialist Global Heat Transfer shares his advice for maximising heat transfer system productivity during the winter.

Just like the cold weather can affect our homes, it can also have an impact on the components of a heat transfer system and the fluid

46 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

itself. So, what can manufacturers using heat transfer fluids do to maximise uptime in the winter months?

Keep oil under cover To maintain uptime, businesses will often store barrels of new thermal fluid onsite to quickly top up or refill the system. Facilities managers with limited storage space may store new fluid outside, but this can shorten fluid lifespan, reducing its efficiency once it enters the system. Manufacturers should store thermal fluid indoors all year round, but this is particularly important in winter and colder conditions.

When kept outside, water or condensation can enter the barrels, even if they are sealed.

During temperature changes, thermal fluid drums, barrels and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) kept outside for longer periods will expand and contract, causing a vacuum. This process syphons any water or condensation sitting on top of the container into the oil, making it unusable. The greater the temperature change, the larger the expansion and retraction, so extreme weather or freezing temperatures could be more damaging. Moving barrels under cover, ideally indoors before the winter weather comes is therefore integral to keeping operations running.

Keep pumps circulating If thermal fluid is left in a system that is not operating, it

can become viscous and waxed.

Frozen heat transfer fluid is difficult to bring to temperature and using it before restoring the fluid at ambient temperatures could damage the pump and other integral equipment.

The best way to avoid downtime caused by waxed viscous fluid is to keep pumps running when temperatures drop below 8°C. The friction and heat from the pump will keep the oil at a temperature that ensures it stays warm and less viscous — warm pipes also raise the ambient temperature, reducing the risk of pipes freezing. Taking these steps, particularly if plant managers shut down operations over winter, helps reduce unnecessary wear on critical parts of the system and avoid issues with lack of flow during start-up.

Have contingency fluid Thermal fluid will contract when temperatures change significantly, reducing the amount of fluid in the system. A reduction in fluid quantity will impact system efficiency and could accelerate wear on critical system components. To maintain productivity, operations engineers

Just like the cold weather can affect our homes, it can also have an impact on the components of a heat transfer system and the fluid itself. should regularly check fluid levels, top up when needed and have reserve fluid available to ensure they can intervene.

Order a spill kit To maintain safe operations, it’s always good practice to keep a spill kit on site, placed close by the system so it’s easily accessible. The kit includes personal protective equipment (PPE) and absorbent materials to quickly address any spills or leaks. This is particularly important in winter so that any spilled fluid doesn’t freeze, which could lead to slips and trips.

Check your CDX tank Many heat transfer systems are susceptible to moisture and debris contamination over time.

If left unattended, moisture can negatively impact the system’s performance and efficiency.

Expansion tanks, such as CDX tanks, have a drain on the condensate (dump) side to help manage this.

Manufacturers that have a CDX tank can open this valve during winter months. As the thermal fluid expands and contracts during production, air will move around the tank, which can release moisture content. Opening the valve to release one or two litres of fluid will let out any moisture and debris — it’s good practice to do this on a monthly basis all year round to prolong fluid life and maximise uptime.

As we get closer to winter, taking the time to check and maintain our homes means we can be confident that, once we turn the heating on, everything will work well. Similarly, when working with thermal fluids, adding a few extra steps to your preventative maintenance plan, can help manufacturers keep operations running over the colder months and during winter shutdowns.

For more advice on thermal fluid management in winter months, contact Global Heat Transfer. www.globalhtf.com

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 47

PhoenixTM solution to HACCP Cook & Chill CCP Validation As part of any Food processors HACCP program validation of cook and chill processes is a critical and significant task taking time, effort, and resources.

PhoenixTM have developed a thruprocess temperature monitoring technology specifically for this task designed to meet the challenges of the food processing market. Ideal for the validation process for any new cook regime, new product, or annual process certification. Whether performing an oven survey “oven mapping to identify cold spots” or validating the cook under production conditions, the thru-process profiling solution gives you the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability you need to satisfy your HACCP demands.

As its name suggests thru-process profiling is the method by which product and or process temperature is monitored throughout the complete cook / chill process.

Monitoring of continuous conveyorised linear and spiral ovens and semicontinuous or rotational batch cooks is feasible where the use of external recorders with trailing thermocouples is tedious, impractical, and unsafe.

Employing the thru-process principal process monitoring can be performed under true production conditions without compromising line productivity .

At the heart of the thru-process monitoring system is the PhoenixTM data logger.

The PhoenixTM NT data logger range has been designed specifically for the challenges of monitoring food processing applications with an IP67 case design protecting from moisture.

Type K or Type T data logger options allow accurate measurement of both cook and chill processes. The data logger itself can operate between -40 °C to 80 °C with a data logger accuracy of ±0.3 °C operating below +50 °C. Data logger and thermocouple correction factors can be further applied to maximise measurement accuracy.

PhoenixTM offer a family of thermal barriers to suit the process type, duration, and temperatures of a wide range of cook regimes.

An extensive range of different thermocouple types is also available to suit different product types , sizes and monitoring demands.

The PhoenixTM Thermal View Food Software provides a comprehensive suite of analysis tools to convert the raw profile temperature data into useful process information.

The analysis tools include the ability to calculate Fo/Pu values for the process against target microorganisms.

The information gathered, further to process validation, can be used to allow informed process problem solving and optimisation to maximise product quality, yield, process productivity and efficiency.

Contact PhoenixTM to help Find, Fix and Forget your Food Cook Problems!

Further Information

www.phoenixtm.com

48 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

Efficient HACCP Cook & Chill CCP Validation

! s t n u o c e c n ie r Where expe

Product Safety Process Efficiency Improved Product Yields Rapid Fault Finding Full HACCP Certification

ü

Thru-process temperature monitoring solutions for all your cook applications

PhoenixTM Technology • Accurate IP67 data logger (Type K or T) • 10 Measurement Points for full oven mapping • Thermal barrier options to suit cook regime • Comprehensive thermocouple range • Standard miniature thermocouple plugs • Calibrated thermocouple options • Food trays and thermocouple jig options • Full lethality (Fo/Pu) and reporting • Real Time RF Telemetry options • Local efficient calibration and service support

Phoenix Temperature Measurement 25 Earith Business Park, Meadow Drove, Earith, Cambridgeshire PE28 3QF, UK

T: 01353 223100 E: sales@phoenixtm.com

www.phoenixtm.com

Shining a light on innovative solutions to energy-efficency Suresense Suresense Technologies Technologies Ltd Ltd has has been been offering offering uniquely uniquely innovative innovative energyenergysaving saving solutions solutions to to the the industrial industrial sector sector for for the the last last decade. decade. Being Being aa UK UK manufacturer, manufacturer, Suresense Suresense owns owns all all its its intellectual intellectual

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50 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk

MORE THAN 70,000 STANDARD COMPONENTS

THE BIG GREEN BOOK

THE BIG GREEN BOOK EDITION 2022 n

Get your copy of THE BIG GREEN BOOK easily online.

info@norelem.co.uk ∙ www.norelem.co.uk

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More than 70,000 standard and operating parts from one place: simply ordered - delivered immediately.

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Norelem 8521 Food Drink Processing & Packaging Half Page V2 AS.indd 1

15/02/2023 15:33

Utilising Advanced Technology and Best Practices to Ensure Breather Valve Integrity: Safeguarding Against Leakage, Safety Hazards, and Functional Risks Vent-Less is at the forefront of tank breather valve testing in the UK, integrating advanced AI technology to automate and refine the testing process. This innovative system ensures that tank breather valves not only meet optimal performance and specific functionality but also adhere to compliant leak rates, in accordance with the API2000 test protocol. A key feature of Vent-Less is its capability to quantify emissions, a critical aspect for today’s environmentally conscious operations. This function aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility in industrial practices.

Compliance professionals will find Vent-Less particularly valuable, as it offers a dependable solution for meeting regulatory standards and the API2000 protocol.

Quality and engineering teams benefit from the system’s precision in detecting performance or functional discrepancies, ensuring the safety and integrity of the valves.

For finance departments, Vent-Less’s efficiency and accuracy mean significant cost savings by avoiding penalties and reducing expenses linked to non-compliance or operational failures. By simplifying the testing process and enabling emission quantification, Vent-Less is crucial in maintaining equipment reliability, protecting staff, and safeguarding the environment. Its AI capabilities position it as an essential, futureready tool in the industry, redefining standards in tank breather valve testing. www.assentech.co.uk

VitaltoTool to A VitalATool Evidence Evidence the the Reduction in Reduction in Fugitive Emissions Fugitive Emissions forand ESGISO and ISO for ESG Reporting 14001 14001 Reporting

are proud to launch the World’s range of fully We areWe proud to launch the World’s first first range of fully automatic breather vent functional benches. automatic breather vent functional test test benches.

Revolutionising through technology innovation.

Revolutionising testingtesting through technology and and innovation.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

• • •

• ACCURATE AND AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION TESTING IN ONLY ACCURATE AND AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION AND AND TESTING IN ONLY 2 2 MINUTES ONE OPERATOR MINUTES

BY ONEBY OPERATOR • CALCULATES PERFORMANCE AND QUANTIFIES VOLUME OF MEDIA CALCULATES PERFORMANCE AND QUANTIFIES VOLUME OF MEDIA LOSS LOSS • REVOLUTIONARY SOFTWARE ALIGNED TO THE TEST PROTOCOL REVOLUTIONARY SOFTWARE ALIGNED TO THE TEST PROTOCOL DEFINED THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS DEFINED IN THE IN INDUSTRY STANDARDS • QUANTIFIES EMISSION VOLUME FOR REPORTING ESG REPORTING QUANTIFIES EMISSION VOLUME FOR ESG • REDUCES THEOF RISK OF EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES DSEAR REDUCES THE RISK EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES FORFOR DSEAR COMPLIANCE COMPLIANCE • IDENTIFIES LEAKAGE RATE TO REDUCE FUGITIVE EMISSIONS IDENTIFIES LEAKAGE RATE TO REDUCE FUGITIVE EMISSIONS • YOUR ‘INDEPENDENT ASSESSOR’ YOUR ‘INDEPENDENT ASSESSOR’ • IDENTIFIES INEFFICIENT AND NON-COMPLIANT EQUIPMENT IDENTIFIES INEFFICIENT AND NON-COMPLIANT EQUIPMENT • EVIDENCES TANK VENTING DUE DILIGENCE DUTY OF CARE EVIDENCES TANK VENTING DUE DILIGENCE AND AND DUTY OF CARE • INSTANT FUNCTIONAL TEST CERTIFICATE EACH VALVE INCLUDING INSTANT FUNCTIONAL TEST CERTIFICATE FOR FOR EACH VALVE INCLUDING PRESSURE PROFILE PRESSURE PROFILE • EVIDENCES ADJUSTED SET POINT FOR INFORMED PROCUREMENT EVIDENCES ADJUSTED SET POINT FOR INFORMED PROCUREMENT AND MAINTENANCE DUE DILIGENCE AND MAINTENANCE DUE DILIGENCE • ENSURES COMPLIANCE TO INDUSTRY ENSURES COMPLIANCE TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS, IE API2000, ISO28300 STANDARDS/RECOMMENDATIONS, IE API2000, ISO28300 ANDAND EEMUA231 EEMUA231 • IMPROVES PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY QUALITY OF MEDIA IMPROVES PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY AND AND QUALITY OF MEDIA THROUGH IMPROVED SEALING THROUGH IMPROVED SEALING • EXTENDS LONGEVITY OF STORAGE SURROUNDING EXTENDS LONGEVITY OF STORAGE TANKTANK AND AND SURROUNDING EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT • CONTRIBUTES TOWARDS ISO14001 ENVIRONMENT CONTINUAL CONTRIBUTES TOWARDS ISO14001 ENVIRONMENT FORFOR CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT

Creates instantaneous l Creates instantaneou certification certificatio

Createsinstantaneous instantaneous leak test Creates leak test Instantaneous certificatedisplays displays pressure Instantaneous certificate pressure profile, valvefunction function andvolume volume of of media certification profile, valve and media loss loss certification

“KEEPING THESTORAGE TANK STORAGE INDUSTRY SAFE, COMPLIANT AND PROFITABLE” “KEEPING THE TANK INDUSTRY SAFE, COMPLIANT AND PROFITABLE”

+44(0)1726 (0)1726844 844 707 707 +44 www.assentech.co.uk www.assentech.co.uk info@assentech.co.uk info@assentech.co.uk

+44(0)1726 (0)1726 844 844 707 707 +44 www.assentech.co.uk www.assentech.co.uk info@assentech.co.uk info@assentech.co.uk

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 51

+44 844 +44(0)1726 (0)1726 847

www.assentech.co www.assentech info@assentech.co info@assentech

KTC launches new sustainable palm oil brand - Planet Palm KTC Edibles Ltd (KTC), the UK’s largest supplier of edible oils, has launched Planet Palm – a new range of certified sustainable, traceable and responsibly sourced palm oil products for bakery and food manufacturers in the UK. Initial products in the range will include Planet Palm Oil and a selection of three specialist bakery products – Planet Palm Cake Margarine, Planet Palm Pastry Margarine and Planet Palm Shortening. All products are Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified sustainable segregated, offering traceability back to the refinery.

The range is unashamedly ‘pro palm’ – with certified sustainable products designed to help combat some of the negative misconceptions about palm oil. By launching the range, KTC hopes to change perceptions about palm, and continue to

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encourage customers to adopt sustainable solutions.

Gary Lewis, Sales Director at KTC Edibles, explains: “Over the past 15 years, the food industry has shied away from promoting palm oil – with brands either hiding their use or switching out of palm altogether.

Unfortunately, switching from palm to alternatives doesn’t reduce deforestation or protect biodiversity. It simply moves the problems to another part of the world and can make them significantly worse!

“With Planet Palm, we’re doing something that’s never been done before - positioning palm oil as a positive product. This isn’t greenwashing - palm oil is the world’s most efficient oil crop, and when customers choose the right certified products, palm oil can be a

responsible, sustainable option.

“In 2019, 70% of the total palm oil imports to the UK were certified sustainable – today, although there has been limited further progress, that number is similar because of the pandemic, food inflation, price increases, and legislative challenges. We want Planet Palm to help restart progress on the adoption of certified sustainable, segregated palm oil in the UK, as we strive for 100% sustainability.”

As part of Planet Palm, KTC Edibles has partnered with DAABON, a global leader in sustainable agriculture, to develop new fully traceable and organic, high performance palm oil products for the range. Potential upcoming products include solutions for bakery, confectionery and ice cream applications, such as doughnuts, waffles, chocolates and creams.

The launch of Planet Palm is the latest step in KTC’s ongoing sustainability programme. In September 2022, the company announced that it had achieved its ambitious target to offer only 100% certified segregated sustainable palm oil to customers as part of a promise to the RSPO Shared Responsibility framework.

At the end of 2022, KTC became the first UK company to sign the Sustainable Palm Oil Manifesto, an initiative carried out by RSPO and

IDH as a way to drive attention and engagement on four strategic calls to action on sourcing, smallholder inclusion, landscape approaches and communication.

Francesca Morgante, Senior Manager Europe at RSPO comments: “RSPO welcomes initiatives by its members that strive to communicate the importance of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil. We are pleased that KTC as a long lasting member is disseminating positive

With Planet Palm, we’re doing something that’s never been done before - positioning palm oil as a positive product. messages in the market, helping their customers to make certified sustainable choices themselves”.

The company is a member of the RSPO, and holds several industry accreditations and certifications, including The Soil Association and The Vegan Society. in 2023, the organisation became a member of The Sustainable Coconut and Coconut Oil Roundtable. Alongside this, they signed the Sustainable Coconut Charter - a voluntary framework which sets a global benchmark for sustainable coconut origins.

Founded in 1972, KTC Edibles employs more than 410 people across two UK sites in Wednesbury and Liverpool. The company supplies more than 250m litres of cooking oils to customers of all sizes across the UK food industry each year. All the palm oil supplied by KTC is RSPO certified sustainable.

Gary Lewis, Sales Director, KTC Edibles

Additional information about Planet Palm and other highperformance frying oils from KTC can be found at www.ktcoilsandfats.co.uk/.

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 53

Menzel’s large warehouse and modular design for motors and coolers allow fast delivery of tailored motor systems for industrial applications (here: 2000kW 11kV cement mill motor)

Six days instead of six months delivery Motor customers in the UK are currently particularly pleased with the fast delivery capability of German manufacturer Menzel Elektromotoren. In early June, the family-run company received two orders for large machines within one week. Due to motor failures, the water supply to 30,000 households was threatened and production in a cement plant was halted. After delivery times of only six and ten days, respectively, both the pump and the cement mill could be restarted in the shortest imaginable time. Faced with unexpected downtime due to equipment failures, customers often cannot afford to wait for a motor manufactured from scratch

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Menzel has proven itself to be a strong partner in an emergency, quickly configuring suitable motor systems for a wide range of highoutput applications.

– standard delivery times in higher output ranges start at six months.

Menzel has proven itself to be a strong partner in an emergency, quickly configuring suitable motor systems for a wide range of highoutput applications from its large, diverse stock of motors, cooling

units and ancillary equipment – such as the current two jobs for British customers. The squirrel cage pump motor has a nominal output of 1380 kW operating at 3300 V. The slip-ring motor for a cement mill delivers 2000 kW at 11 kV. Its special features are increased ingress protection rated IP55 and a closed cooling system with a top-mounted air-to-air heat exchanger (cooling type IC 611), ideal for dusty environments and large temperature fluctuations.

Large industrial motors from stock and quickly tailored to order: www.menzel-motors.com/article/ large-lv-mv-hv-motors/

NEW ELECTRIC MOTOR PLANT FROM JANUARY 2024

24,000 m

SUPPLIER OF LARGE MOTORS FOR ALL UK APPLICATIONS MORE THAN 20.000 MOTORS AVAILABLE FROM STOCK! Motors up to 25 MW and 13.8 kV • Low voltage slip-ring and squirrel cage motors up to 3,000 kW • Medium voltage slip-ring and squirrel cage motors up to 15,000 kW • Direct current motors up to 2,000 kW • Frequency converter-proof drives • In-house load test facility up to 13.800 V, 2.300 kVA, 120 Hz

24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE CUSTOM SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS

Customized special designs • Custom designs for special applications and operating conditions • Optimized motor design for higher efficiency • Mechanically and electrically interchangeable motors • Commissioning worldwide MENZEL MENZEL Great Great Britain Britain Ltd. Ltd. || UK UK Branch Branch Offi Office ce 27 27 Hunt Hunt Drive Drive || Melton Melton Mowbray Mowbray || Leicestershire Leicestershire LE13 LE13 1PB 1PB Martin Martin Rooney Rooney || Tel.: Tel.: +44 +44 1664 1664 500 500 844 844 || Mobil: Mobil: +44 +44 7957 7957 618046 618046 martin.rooney@menzelgb.co.uk martin.rooney@menzelgb.co.uk MENZEL MENZEL Elektromotoren Elektromotoren GmbH GmbH German German Headquarters Headquarters Neues Neues Ufer Ufer 19-25 19-25 || D–10553 D–10553 Berlin Berlin || Germany Germany

menzel-motors.com info@menzel-motors.com

2

AROUND THE CLOCK, AGAINST THE CLOCK!

Titan’s NSF-approved 800 series turbine flow meters play a vital role in cooking fuel distribution in east Africa KOKO Networks in East Africa have created a scalable solution to the dirty fuels problem. KOKO’s fuel distribution model, incorporating Titan’s NSF-Approved 800 series flowmeters, uses Bioethanol as an ultra-clean, cheap and safe alternative to the more traditional cooking fuels of charcoal and paraffin.

Designed and built by KOKO Networks (Nairobi), the KOKO Point vending machine dispenses ethanol and is part of an elegant solution to the widespread problem in African cities: how to get cheap, safe fuel into homes to use for cooking. Across Africa, where electricity connections are patchy and mains gas non-existent, cooking fuel has been dominated by charcoal and paraffin, both of which give off fumes and soot that contribute to the premature deaths of thousands of people a year.

Made from corn or sugar cane, ethanol is much safer but can be hard to package and transport.

KOKO Networks has installed

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Titan’s NSF-Approved 800 series turbine flow meters are ideally suited for applications where both food hygiene and precision flow measurement are required.

required a highly reliable and inexpensive flow meter capable of precisely dispensing batches of Ethanol cooking fuel. As a result of our joint development, at the heart of each KOKO Point Ethanol vending machine is a precision Pelton wheel turbine flowmeter that rotates freely on robust sapphire bearings, combining materials and technology to ensure a long-life product with reliable

over 2,000 KOKO Point vending machines to date in corner stores across Kenya, including Mombasa and Nairobi. Drawn by the alure of this safe, clean cooking fuel, customers dispense the fuel into reusable KOKO fuel bottles and once at home, they connect the bottles to KOKO-designed twinhob stoves, which have an airlock to limit fumes and prevent spillage.

operation throughout.”

Neil Hannay, Senior R&D Engineer at Titan Enterprises commented “We were approached by KOKO Networks to work with them on this life changing development for African families. KOKO Networks

machines installed throughout

Titan’s NSF-Approved 800 series turbine flow meters are ideally suited for applications where both food hygiene and precision flow measurement are required.

These turbine flowmeters are designed for accurate batch delivery systems, such as those used in KOKO’s dispensing vending Kenya, delivering clean bioethanol cooking fuel into African homes. www.flowmeters.co.uk/turbineflow-meters/

Torus Measurement Systems

Protecting Your Plant Before

B303 Bottle Burst Gauge

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used whenever information or monitoring of shaft rotation, position, direction, speed, slip etc is required!

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used for indication, control, interlocking, protection, sequencing, alarm initiations and many more functions!

Rotech Motion Sensor’s can be used wherever materials are transported or processed By conveyors, elevators, screws, mixers, etc!

Meet the minimum pressure requirements...

The B303 monitors expansion volumes and yeild points to provide important information regarding the stability of the bottle when under pressure before & after burst.

Dimensional Features:

ROADSTONE

< Burst Pressure < Expansion Volume < Pressure Hold Out

STONE

POWER STATIONS AGGREGATE …AND MANY MORE!

www.torus-group.com

RELIABILITY Web: rotechsystems.co.uk Email: sales@rotechsystems.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)151 356 2322

Monitoring the world

Power quality solutions Power Capacitors Ltd are specialists in Power Quality Products and Services, having supported our customers’ route to net zero for 50 years. Acknowledged as a market leader in the UK, our reputation for service and reliability is second to none.

Whenever & wherever electricity is generated, transmitted, or consumed, Power Capacitors Ltd has a solution available which supports the connection and increases the system efficiency with the obvious commercial and technical benefits. These include Power Factor Correction, Harmonic Filters, Energy Storage Systems and both Low- and MediumVoltage STATCOM systems.

Power factor correction units 5 x 200kVAr Detuned and 5 x Plain 100kVAr Manufactured at our Factory in Birmingham.

Bespoke hybrid power quality solution with state of the art Technology built in Birmingham and installed / Commissioned on site.

Our supply partners are predominantly Northern European, offering the reliability and lifetime that is expected of operationally critical power system components. Most systems are designed and manufactured at our Birmingham factory; the flexibility to offer the optimum solution maximises the benefits to our customers in every case.

Our site services team supports this with the survey, installation, maintenance and upgrade of all products covering the whole of the UK from the head office in Birmingham.

Whatever your project, wherever in the UK it’s located, get in touch to learn how Power Capacitors Ltd can support and accelerate your energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects.

Our client base includes Blue Chip companies, Multinationals, and SMEs involved in manufacturing, processing, building, finance and healthcare – our efficiency improving products are found everywhere electrical power is required!

Contact sales: T 0121 708 4511 sales@powercapacitors.co.uk www.powercapacitors.co.uk

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 57

Mettler-Toledo unveils enhanced ProdX™ data management software for food manufacturers Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection is proud to announce the latest version of its advanced data management software, ProdX™.

Designed for food manufacturers, ProdX™ 2.6 is set to improve data handling, quality control and operational efficiency in the food industry.

The primary objective behind the new software enhancements to ProdX™ 2.6 was the commitment of Mettler-Toledo to meeting the exacting demands of food manufacturers searching for comprehensive, efficient and data-driven solutions. Positioned as a cornerstone of quality control and data management in food production, ProdX™ 2.6 seamlessly integrates with Mettler-Toledo product inspection equipment – x-ray inspection, metal detection, checkweighing and vision inspection facilitating the secure collection

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and management of critical inspection data.

Whether monitoring reject statistics, contamination events or generating reports, the update empowers users with a high level of accessibility and automation. In industries such as food manufacturing, where precision and efficiency are paramount, ProdX™ 2.6 addresses these priorities head-on. It allows manufacturers immediate access to data to make informed decisions to improve production line performance and meet the highest quality standards.

Improving Data Management for Food Manufacturers ProdX™ plays a pivotal role in food manufacturing by seamlessly collecting and safeguarding inspection data from Product Inspection devices. It acts as a secure repository, archiving this

critical data in a tamper-proof central server while offering the flexibility to generate ad-hoc or automated reports.

With the newly updated ProdX™ 2.6, Mettler-Toledo meets customer requirements better by offering several key additional benefits, including:

Optimised Web Dashboard - Data at Your Fingertips: In the latest update, ProdX™ 2.6 now features an optimised web dashboard. This advanced webbased interface offers users the ability to access and monitor their data on smart devices like tablets and smartphones, eliminating the need to install additional software applications.

Users can effortlessly review critical information, such as reject statistics and contamination events, and generate reports by

Whether monitoring reject statistics, contamination events or generating reports, the update empowers users with a high level of accessibility and automation. simply accessing the dashboard via a web browser. This update opens new avenues for data accessibility, making it available to anyone connected to the network, whether wirelessly or through a cable connection. Users with VPN access can also conveniently view data through their web browser.

Streamlined User Experience - Logging into Inspection Equipment: The updated software also simplifies the user experience by enabling workers to use their ProdX™ login credentials to access Mettler-Toledo product inspection equipment. This integration enhances operational efficiency and offers a seamless transition between tasks, promoting ease of use.

Automated Reporting - Valuable Insights Readily Available: Another significant improvement to ProdX 2.6 is its capability to automate the generation of final evaluations and summary reports.

This advancement streamlines reporting processes, allowing users to trigger final evaluations at the end of product runs, shifts or days automatically. Additionally, users can program automated reports in various formats and delivery methods for daily, weekly and monthly summaries. By automating these processes, users gain valuable insights by easily comparing runs, shifts and specific time frames, identifying opportunities for improvement.

now switch over their product inspection systems simultaneously or selectively, either from a master device or remotely. This feature is particularly valuable in industries with extended manufacturing processes, such as chocolate production, where batch changeovers can occur while products move along the production line.

This newly enhanced product changeover functionality not only reduces downtime but also minimises product wastage, promoting sustainability and cost savings. Additionally, as it is a paperless system, ProdX™ helps manufacturers to contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing daily paper usage.

Peter Spring, ProdX™ Product Manager at Mettler-Toledo, says, “ProdX™ 2.6 represents a leap forward in manufacturing productivity. By simplifying and automating documentation and reporting processes, this new version eliminates the arduous task of manual data compilation that manufacturers once grappled with. Administrative productivity receives a substantial boost, freeing up valuable time and resources that can now be channeled into more strategic and value-added activities. These combined enhancements, alongside the sustainability improvements ProdX™ 2.6 offers, are poised to greatly improve the way food manufacturers operate, enhancing productivity, efficiency and sustainability”.

Other key updates to the software include:

Product Validation Capability - Security and Compliance: For x-ray inspection systems, ProdX™ 2.6 introduces a product validation capability, a crucial feature for maintaining product setting integrity. This capability provides a visual indicator to confirm that the system is inspecting a product using validated setting parameters. In case any parameters are altered, the login used and the changes made are recorded. Additionally, the x-ray system’s product parameters are now stored in ProdX™ for remote viewing, regardless of whether these parameters can be edited remotely.

Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture (OPC UA) Weighing Technology Integration - Seamless Connectivity: ProdX™ now also complies with the Open Platform Communication foundation’s weighing technology companion specification, facilitating effortless integration with checkweighers within this standard. This integration not only streamlines the connection between ProdX™ and third-party checkweighers, but also allows for seamless data exchange, enhancing overall operational efficiency and providing manufacturers with realtime insights critical for precision control and compliance.

For more information, visit www.mt.com/prodx-pr

Enhanced Changeover Flexibility and Improved Sustainability: The new software also provides food manufacturers with increased flexibility and efficiency during product changeovers. Manufacturers can

FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 59

Elevate food safety standards with KHD conveyor belt steam cleaning In the fast-paced realm of food production, maintaining impeccable standards of cleanliness is nonnegotiable. Ensuring that conveyor belts, the workhorses of your production line, remain free from contaminants, debris, and harmful pathogens, is pivotal to product quality and consumer safety. Steam cleaning, with its British roots and sterling reputation, is your ticket to impeccable hygiene in the food industry.

The Power of Conveyor Belt Steam Cleaning Conveyor belt steam cleaning, purpose-built for the rigorous demands of food production, is a game-changer. Here’s why this method is essential and how it operates:

8. Reduced Risk: By obviating the need for chemical cleaning agents, conveyor belt steam cleaning minimises the risk of chemical contamination, safeguarding both your products and your workforce.

1. Thorough Sterilisation: Conveyor belt steam cleaning delivers a remarkable level of sterilisation.

With temperatures exceeding 93°C (200°F), it effectively eradicates bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms, ensuring your production environment is pristine and safe.

9. User-Friendly: Conveyor belt steam cleaning equipment is easy to operate, and with the right training, your team can swiftly become proficient in its use.

2. Eco-Friendly: Wave goodbye to excessive water usage and harmful chemicals. Conveyor belt steam cleaning is environmentally friendly, utilising minimal water and negating the need for harsh detergents. This not only reduces your environmental impact but also slashes water and wastewater treatment costs.

3. Speed and Efficiency: Time is money in the food industry, and conveyor belt steam cleaning is incredibly efficient. It deftly eliminates grime, grease, and food residues in seconds, significantly reducing downtime and labour costs.

4. Versatility: From conveyor belts of varying sizes and configurations to intricate machinery and surfaces, steam cleaning tackles a diverse

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range of areas with precision.

It’s your versatile solution for maintaining high standards of hygiene throughout your facility.

5. Cost-Effective: Conveyor belt steam cleaning not only cuts labour and chemical costs but also prolongs the lifespan of your equipment. Regular steam cleaning reduces wear and tear, leading to long-term cost savings.

6. Regulatory Compliance: The food industry operates under stringent hygiene and safety regulations.

Conveyor belt steam cleaning ensures that you meet and exceed these requirements, providing peace of mind during inspections and audits.

7. Enhanced Product Quality: A pristine environment ensures that your products remain uncontaminated. High-quality food items not only delight consumers but also bolster your brand’s reputation.

In conclusion, conveyor belt steam cleaning is a transformative technology for the food industry.

It offers unrivalled hygiene, environmental responsibility, and substantial cost savings while ensuring compliance with rigorous regulations. Elevate your food production operation, enhance product quality, and safeguard your brand’s reputation by embracing the power of conveyor belt steam cleaning. Join the ranks of leading food industry professionals who have already harnessed this British-born solution. Make the smart choice—opt for conveyor belt steam cleaning and experience a cleaner, safer, and more efficient food production environment today.

Further product details, images and video are available at www.KHDtechnology.com Keith Handy +44 (0)7966 447770 Telephone: +44(0)1785 811443 Email: sales@khdtechnology.com

Telephone +44 (0)1785 811443 sales@KHDtechnology.com KHDtechnology.com

STEAM CLEANING CONVEYORS There are countless sizes and types of conveyors in food manufacturing. No two factories are the same and cleaning is o:en ;me-consuming, difficult and tedious.

Crea;ng a por@olio of steam cleaning products has to address a complex array of factors, including: food type, size, speed, duty cycle, belt type, local environment, power supply, cleaning regime. The list goes on.

For over 25 years KHD has been developing an ever expanding por@olio of belt steam cleaners, to provide quick and easy to use solu;ons for food factories around the world.

From dedicated fixed systems to portable belt cleaners, we design and manufacture systems to handle the widest range of cleaning tasks.

Bread manufacture -Cleaning at an industrial scale - 1km of modular belt cleaned using a portable KHD conveyor belt steam cleaner

IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY • Reduce down;me • Speed up cleaning • Improve quality • Free-up manpower • Reduce energy • Reduce water • Chemical free

Confec;onery manufacture -130m x 1.6m = 200 sqm fully cleaned in 60minutes freeing-up 12 man hours

KHDtechnology.com

sales@KHDtechnology.com

We can show you how effecRve KHD products are by demonstraRng on your conveyor.

Contact us for details.

+44 (0)1785 811443

Ming Foods chooses Optimum Finance as vital ingredient for growth Ming Foods, a food production business that has made around two billion Chinese pancakes in the last 10 years, is looking to expand its range of products and grow its business thanks to a £350,000 Invoice Finance cashflow management facility from Bristol-based Optimum Finance.

The business is also using the facility as a way of paying its own suppliers early, giving them greater flexibility in their purchasing decisions. The company buys north of 26 tons of wheat flower each week, as well as a large quantity of rape seed oil, both of which have been hit hard by the war in Ukraine.

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Ming Foods can trace its history back to 1984, when a husbandand-wife team started making crispy duck pancakes in their home. Fast forward 20 years, and entrepreneur Sam Duong joined the business to help transform it from a cottage industry into a major industry player, diversifying its product range and taking on a new 4,000sq ft manufacturing facility. In 2012, it acquired a new 30,000sq ft facility in Swanley as part of a significant investment in growth.

Through Optimum, he started to use Invoice Discounting, a method of cashflow funding that uses receivables (invoices) as the principal asset against which money can be raised. Optimum

Finance pays Ming Foods an agreed percentage of the invoice value as soon as it is submitted, driving access to liquidity at the point of invoice as opposed to needing to wait. All of the invoices ‘sold’ to Optimum have the protection of credit insurance, in case the buyer should default.

“Optimum Finance advances 85% of the invoice value,” Sam explains, “with access of up to £350,000 at any one time, and this is a tremendous benefit in managing our cashflow. It’s also, crucially, a facility that grows as we grow, so our growth is not hampered by access to capital, which is probably the biggest barrier to an SME business like ours that is looking to scale.”

One of the benefits of receiving cash upfront is the ability to support the supply chain; maintaining supplies of raw materials is crucial: “We have a long-standing relationship with our flour suppliers which deliver from Essex to our facility in Kent and being able to pay them on time, or even early, is a tremendous advantage,” he says.

Its products satisfy both a domestic and an international audience, from the west coast of the US to the Australian outback.

As an established brand, it is looking at how that brand can be licensed, and it also owns the Intellectual Property (IP) for the technology behind how the pancakes are made.

The future for the business, Sam believes, is a scale-able one, in which he hopes and expects the team at Optimum will play their part: “To scale we need access to cash and with Optimum Finance we have found a most supportive partner.”

www.optimumfinance.co.uk

Sam’s strategy has been one of risk mitigation: “Because we sell to distributors, retailers and to the hospitality sectors, as we as exporting; we can spread our risk across different economic cycles,” he explains. “When the pandemic hit, for example, while the restaurants all closed, retail demand accelerated, and that allowed us to ride out the storm.”

In terms of next steps, Sam is ambitious but realistic. While the business has made something in the order of two billion pancakes in the last 10 years, it now also makes other thin pastry products including apple rolls and Bao buns, the latter proving especially popular.

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Machinery Machinery && Development Development

Virto-Cuccolini e la progettazione WBT Services Ltd ergonomica partecipata per Food e Pharma

and Virto Cuccolini

Virto-Cuccolini ha potuto sperimentare un nuovo modo di progettare theprodotto best solutions for solid and liquid unaDelivering modifica su un proprio

classification and separation processes di versamento versamento di di ingredienti ingredienti in in polvere polvere insacinsacelel corso corso del del 2022, 2022, Virto-Cuccolini Virto-Cuccolini ha ha potuto potuto di

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chettati, èè stata stata applicata applicata una una variante variante alla alla parte parte sperimentare sperimentare un un nuovo nuovo modo modo di di progettare progettare chettati, superiore del del vibrovaglio vibrovaglio modello modello VPF VPF 800.

800. una una modifica modifica su su un un proprio proprio prodotto. prodotto. Di Di superiore Dopo un’attenta un’attenta valutazione valutazione ingegneristica ingegneristica di di fattibifattibiseguito seguito all’esigenza all’esigenza specifica specifica di di un un importante importante cliente cliente Dopo An effective material handling lità, le le modifiche modifiche progettate progettate sono sono state state realizrealizdel del settore settore farmaceutico, farmaceutico, per per lala quale quale èè stata stata richierichie- lità, classification systemdel is coperone zate con con lo lo scopo scopo di di ottimizzare ottimizzare la la funzionalità funzionalità sta sta lalaand realizzazione realizzazione di di una una variazione variazione del coper-of zate fundamental pillars many della della macchina macchina nel nel contesto contesto delle delle attività attività degli degli chio chio the orientata orientata al al miglioramento miglioramento della dellafor dinamica dinamica operatori. IlIl design, design, studiato studiato appositamente appositamente per per companies operating in the most operatori. l’apertura l’apertura di di sacchi sacchi anche anche cubici, cubici, èè provvisto provvisto di di una una varied manufacturing sectors. cappa cappa semicircolare semicircolare collegata collegata ad ad un un piano piano concavo concavo Within many of these processes, per per appoggio appoggio sacchi; sacchi; con con un’altezza un’altezza del del piano piano di di the classification of materials lavoro lavoro adeguata adeguata aa facilitare facilitare lolo svuotamento svuotamento di di sacchi sacchi through industrial screening is an direttamente direttamente da da un un piano piano superiore superiore con con appoggio appoggio important step that can determine orizzontale. orizzontale. IlIl progetto progetto sisi completa completa con con maniglie maniglie per per agevolare lele operazioni operazioni di di montaggio montaggio ee smontaggio smontaggio the quality of the finished product.agevolare della della cappa, cappa, insieme insieme agli agli anelli anelli di di serraggio serraggio aa sgancio sgancio rapido. rapido.

For this reason, WBT Services In In questo questo modo modo Virto-Cuccolini Virto-Cuccolini ha ha sostenuto sostenuto non non solo solo Ltd, a company based in North lala necessità necessità del del cliente cliente per per quanto quanto riguarda riguarda ilil rendirendiGloucestershire that has been mento mento del del processo processo ee lala funzionalità funzionalità della della macchina, macchina, ma ma anche anche l’ergonomia l’ergonomia della della stessa, stessa, mantenendo mantenendo offering solutions for dust and invariata invariata la la qualità qualità del del vibrovaglio vibrovaglio senza senza tralatralafume control systems and for sciare sciare la la tutela tutela del del benessere benessere ee la la sicurezza sicurezza material handling for more than degli degli operatori. operatori.

40 years, selects the best suppliers IlIl cliente, cliente, dichiaratosi dichiaratosi soddisfatto, soddisfatto, ha ha poi poi acquistato acquistato to serve its customers; and this is due due esemplari; esemplari; e, e, poche poche settimane settimane dopo, dopo, èè arrivata arrivata una una terza terza richiesta, richiesta, questa questa volta volta dal dal settore settore Food: Food: how it relies on Virto-Cuccolini, Dopo Dopo aver aver rilevato rilevato i i miglioramenti miglioramenti nel nel disegno, disegno, questo questo a historic Italian company cliente cliente ha ha ordinato ordinato lala produzione produzione di di una una terza terza specialised in the construction macchina macchina con con allestimento allestimento alimentare. alimentare. Questo Questo vibrovibroof industrial screens, for the vaglio vaglio modello modello VPB VPB 800 800 presenta presenta alcune alcune differenze differenze classification and separation of powders and liquids.

rispetto rispetto alal suo suo simile simile del del settore settore farmaceutico, farmaceutico, come come ad ad esempio esempio ilil motore motore aa vista vista ee l’acciaio l’acciaio inossidabile inossidabile Aisi Aisi 304 304 come come materiale materiale aa contatto contatto con con ilil prodotto. prodotto.

Per Per Virto-Cuccolini Virto-Cuccolini èè stata stata un’interessante un’interessante espeesperienza rienza di di progettazione progettazione ergonomica ergonomica partecipata, partecipata, che che ha ha fatto fatto apprendere apprendere nuovi nuovi punti punti di di vista vista sui sui propri propri vagli vagli ed ed ilil loro loro utilizzo. utilizzo.

This partnership, born in 2019, aims to offer quality and cost-effective solutions to even complex requests and to cover different needs, such as:

Virto-Cuccolini and its concerted ergonomic design project for Food and Pharma - Quickly cleaning the product

Virto-Cuccolini had pieces the opportunity from unwanted during to experiment a new wayproduction to the first phase of the line. This is achieved on with safety engineer a modification one of screening, created precisely to its own products

part part of of the the vibrating vibrating sieve sieve model model VPF VPF 800 800 was was built. built. the the quality quality of of the the vibrating vibrating sieve sieve unchanged unchanged After After aa careful careful engineering engineering feasibility feasibility assessment, assessment, the the and and also also supplying supplying increased increased workplace workplace wellwellfollowing following main main modifications modifications were were made, made, aiming aiming being being and and safety safety of of the the operators. operators. at at optimizing optimizing the the machine’s machine’s functionality functionality within within The The customer, customer, declaring declaring themselves themselves satisfied, satisfied, then then operators’ operators’ daily daily activities. activities. The The design, design, specially specially purchased purchased two two units; units; and and then, then, aa third third request request arrived arrived taking taking into into account account the the opening opening of of also also cubic cubic bags, bags, from from the the Food Food Industry: Industry: the the design design improvements improvements prevent undesired particles from isis equipped equipped with with aa semi-circular semi-circular hood hood connected connected to to aa were were noticed, noticed, so so aa third third order order of of VPB VPB 800, 800, this this time time entering the production cycle. concave concave surface surface for for supporting supporting bags; bags; with with aa working working with with aa with with aa food-grade food-grade set-up, set-up, arrived arrived within within aa few few height suitable suitable for for facilitating facilitating emptying emptying of of bags bags weeks. weeks. This This vibrating vibrating sieve sieve has has some some differences differences uring uring 2022, 2022, Virto-Cuccolini Virto-Cuccolini had had the the height directly delivered delivered by by aa horizontal horizontal source. source. The The project project compared compared to to its its Pharma Pharma counterpart, counterpart, such such as as aa - opportunity Separating a product opportunity to to experiment experiment aa by new newparticle way way to to directly is is completed completed with with handles handles to to ease ease assembly assembly and and visible visible motor motor and and Aisi Aisi 304 304 stainless stainless steel steel as as product product engineer engineer a a modification modification on on one one of of its its size. This is the basis for creating, disassembly of of the the hood, hood, together together with with quick quick release release contact contact material. material. own own from products. products.

Following Following the the specific specificmultiple need need of of an an disassembly a bulk ingredient, clamping rings rings to to speed speed up up the the task. task.

For For Virto-Cuccolini Virto-Cuccolini itit was was an an interesting interesting concerted concerted important important customer customer in in the the pharmaceutical pharmaceutical sector, sector, aa clamping products of different fractions thatIn this way way Virto-Cuccolini Virto-Cuccolini has has supported supported not not only only the the ergonomic ergonomic design design experience, experience, which which allowed allowed the the variation variation of of the the feeding feeding cover cover was was designed designed In this startneeds achieving sustainability Services and Virto-Cuccolini cover the different customer’s needs in in terms terms of ofmore machine’s machine’s performance performance team teamWBT to to learn learn new new points points of of view view on on their their sieving sieving to to improve improve the pouring pouring market dynamics dynamicsneeds. of of bagged bagged customer’s in the production process.keeping make all their and functionality, functionality, but but also also its its ergonomics, ergonomics, keeping equipment equipment and and their their use. use. experience available powder powder ingredients. ingredients. Consequently, Consequently, aa new new upper upper and to satisfy customers throughout - Recovering waste material Separating materials from freethe UK & Ireland. to transform and use as a new flowing liquids or even from dense product or as a new second raw liquids, such as sludges. www.virtogroup.com material. This is a helpful way to

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FOOD FOOD INDUSTRY INDUSTRY

Arla Foods Ingredients showcases high-protein solutions for Middle East and Africa Arla Foods Ingredients is demonstrating how its whey solutions can help meet the growing demand for high-protein products in Africa and the Middle East.

Between 2017 and 2022, the number of product launches with a high-protein or source of protein claim grew by an average of 17.64% annually in the Middle East and Africa. Meanwhile, there is increasing interest in nutrient quality and origin, with 70% of global consumers focused on the sources of protein in foods and beverages.

At Gulfood Manufacturing (7th to 9th November 2023 in Dubai), Arla Foods Ingredients will showcase three concepts that demonstrate how the high-quality products in its whey protein range can meet these needs: • A high-protein ice cream made from ingredients in the Nutrilac® Protein Boost range. These microparticulated whey proteins are ideal for protein-rich ice cream because they offer low viscosity and perfect meltdown, as well as a mild creamy taste.

• A refreshing fermented protein drink based on Lacprodan® HYDRO.365 and Nutrilac® FO-8571.

Because they minimise cloudiness and sedimentation, these 100% whey-based hydrolysates can be used to create clear high-protein fermented beverages.

• A clear protein-enriched juice drink, in which Lacprodan® ISO. Clear delivers the benefits of whey protein isolate. As well as being high in protein, it offers great taste with zero dry mouthfeel, contains no added sugar, and can be fortified with vitamins and minerals.

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Consumers want complete proteins that deliver nutritional benefits – and they want them in products with great taste and texture.

Morten Kaas Hansen, Director of SBU Food at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “In recent years high-protein claims have increased in the Middle East and Africa as manufacturers respond to growing demand. However, as elsewhere in the world, it’s not just about the quantity of protein you pack into your product, but quality too. Consumers want complete proteins that deliver nutritional benefits – and they want them in products with great taste and texture. As these concepts demonstrate, the right whey protein ingredients can deliver both nutritional and functional

benefits in a wide range of food and beverage applications.”

Gulfood Manufacturing takes place between 7th and 9th November at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Arla Foods Ingredients will exhibit at Booth #D8-27 in the Danish Pavilion.

For more information contact: Steve Harman, Ingredient Communications Tel: +44 (0)7538 118079 | Email: steve@ ingredientcommunications.com www.arlafoodsingredients.com

World Sight Day Innovative approaches for introducing inclusive labels packaging can be both a timely and costly experience, so manufacturers may be forced to pass this onto consumers, which may not be positively received especially due to the current cost-of-living crisis.

It’s estimated that 1.1 billion people across the globe live with vision loss, limiting how easy it is for them to select, understand, and choose products in the same way as those with full sight – factors that are crucial for making safe and fully informed decisions.

While taste, price, quality and product source are key components for the successful sale of foods and drinks, Jade Collins, Technical Controller at food labelling consultancy Ashbury, explains why manufacturers shouldn’t overlook the visual element when aiming to enhance the inclusivity of their products.

“Currently there is no specificity around the provision of information for the visually impaired, with Food Information Regulations only stipulating minimum font size requirements and emphasising the importance of including certain mandatory information on packaging to enable consumer choice. But the RNIB reported that nine of out of ten people who’re blind or visually impaired found medication or food labels quite difficult or impossible to read.

“Thankfully however, we’re beginning to see significant advancements break through regarding the inclusivity within this market – such as Co-Op including Braille on packaging where ‘technically and commercially feasible’. Plus, Kellogg’s is utilising NaviLens technology which means they’re incorporating codes onto some cereal box packaging allowing the user to have the label information read aloud or presented in larger font size on a digital platform.”

Working alongside these brands, the RNIB is campaigning for products and services to be reimagined with accessibility in mind. Their Head of Accessibility Innovation,

Marc Powell added: “Since we collaborated with Kellogg’s back in October 2020 for World Sight Day with our world’s first pilot of NeviLens packaging, we have seen more brands step up to the mark by including accessible solutions on pack, and we urge more brands to join the movement and embrace accessibility as a key decision within the design process.

“Blind and partially sighted people should have the same freedom, independence and choice as sighted consumers. Technology is a game changer in achieving this as it can enable everyone to independently access key information on packaging.”

Jade continued: “As well as these, there are many additional options also available which could be adopted more widely by manufacturers to support visually impaired consumers in accessing information. From Braille, larger fonts, haptics and shapes, to narrative labels, barcode technology and freshness indicators.

“Understandably, introducing new packaging and labelling approaches doesn’t come without challenge. It’s important for brands and businesses to ensure that by altering or enhancing labels for inclusivity reasons, that they don’t hinder mandatory information which may risk compliance with existing regulations. And changing

“Innovative technology – and new ways of thinking – are helping more consumers shop independently, avoid the risks associated with (for example) food allergies, and make informed choices about the products they consume. It appears many food manufacturers are already looking at ways in which they can proactively make labels and packaging accessible for all, and this has led to an influx of ideas being introduced or adapted from other industries.

“For those who haven’t yet begun this process, there are certainly many considerations – but ultimately, enabling more people to access your products is a sound (and ethical) business decision which will see you keeping up with the likes of the most forward-thinking brands.”

For more information about the solutions currently available, and how to overcome some of the initial challenges, check out Ashbury’s latest blog: www.ashbury.global/ blog/inclusive-labels-for-thevisually-impaired-challengessolutions-for-the-food-industry/.

Ashbury is a trusted regulatory consultancy dedicated to making global food compliance easy.

Working closely with major brands and retailers, Ashbury’s experts help clients launch new products and expand into new global markets, confident that their products and labelling comply. It’s not just about supporting busy teams; it’s about protecting brands and consumers through accurate and compliant product information. For more information, please call 0845 459 5019, email hello@ashbury.global, or visit www.ashbury.global.

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Ensuring safety in ammonia refrigeration Dräger’s gas detection solutions tackle safety challenges head-on The food industry, with its intricate processes and stringent safety requirements, demands robust solutions to ensure the well-being of both its products and workforce.

A particular concern is the use of ammonia in refrigeration systems, often used due to its recognition as an efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerant.

Whilst ammonia’s pungent odour is unmistakable, its dangers are significant. In lower concentrations, inhalation can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Prolonged exposure can result in severe respiratory complications and can even be fatal. Another often overlooked danger is its explosive nature when present in higher quantities. An accidental release of ammonia can not only pose immediate health risks but can also lead to explosive incidents if not promptly addressed.

Dräger offers comprehensive end-to-end fixed gas detection solutions tailored for ammonia in the food industry. With detectors strategically placed in critical areas, the system continuously monitors ammonia levels, triggering alarms for both concentrations above defined exposure limits, and explosive potential. This ensures timely actions, whether it’s emergency evacuation, ventilation, or shutdown.

Beyond just the equipment, the commitment to safety in the food industry is evident in Dräger’s holistic approach to gas detection.

Beginning with consultation, their experts assess each facility’s unique needs. This is followed by meticulous engineering, ensuring tailored detection systems. Project management ensures timely execution, and the installation and commissioning phase integrates the

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Dräger offers comprehensive endto-end fixed gas detection solutions tailored for ammonia in the food industry. systems seamlessly. The result is a total fixed gas detection solution that fulfils all safety criteria.

Additionally, Dräger emphasises the importance of regular maintenance, ensuring the longevity and reliability of fixed gas detection systems. With a team of over 70 engineers across the UK, Dräger is exceptionally positioned to service any existing or new installations.

Adam Pope, Marketing Manager, Fixed Gas & Flame Detection Systems, at Draeger Safety UK, states, “Ammonia’s dual threat – as a health hazard and an explosive risk – makes its management in the food industry paramount. Our detection solutions are designed with this dual challenge in mind,

ensuring that facilities are not only compliant but also safe.”

Dräger’s fixed gas detection solutions stand as a testament to their dedication to safety in the food industry, providing peace of mind and ensuring a safer and more productive environment. To learn more, please reach out to Dräger today.

www.draeger.com

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The KHS system for the milk market: aseptic filling in PET. Maximum Maximum possible possible safety safety for for the the most most sensitive sensitive beverages, beverages, aa higher higher output output capacity, capacity, and and customizable customizable bottle bottle shapes: shapes: all all this this makes makes PET PET the the better better alternative alternative for for milk milk beverages. beverages. Compared Compared to to beverage beverage cartons, cartons, itit is is also also lighter, lighter, as as our our new new 1.0-liter 1.0-liter PET PET bottle bottle for for milk milk and and mixed mixed milk milk beverages beverages weighs weighs just just 20 20 grams. grams. dairy.khs.com dairy.khs.com

A better vision for food traceability Robots with 3D vision systems can quickly identify food contamination

Each year, 48 million Americans get ill from food poisoning and it can take months to identify the cause. To tackle this, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is introducing a long-awaited Food Traceability Final Rule for manufacturers to allow faster identification of contaminated food. Here, Ryan Guthrie, Executive Vice President at the Shibaura Machine robot distributor TM Robotics, explains why robotassisted quality-sorting is one of the most effectively ways to improve food traceability, thanks to advanced vision systems including Shibaura Machine’s TSVision3D. The FDA’s final rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods - otherwise known as the Food Traceability Final

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Rule - takes effect in January 2026 and will allow for faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and/or deaths. As well as addressing the widespread issue of food poisoning in America, the new rule will also compel food manufacturers to improve their end-to-end quality management practices.

Food safety in manufacturing Much is at stake for manufacturers that fail to guarantee safety in food production, including loss of customer confidence and reputational damage. However, addressing food safety in food processing facilities is not easy.

Investments of time and money, processes and equipment, as well as changes to culture and

awareness among workers on the shop floor are required.

Fortunately, automation offers a solution to these myriad challenges, particularly advanced robotics. The number of new robot installations in US food manufacturing environments reached a new peak level of 3,402 units in 2021, reports the International Federation of Robotics. Robots not only keep human workers out of uncomfortable or unsafe environments, and free from injury, they can also eliminate the potential for cross-contamination.

Robots are especially effective in repetitive tasks like casing, packaging and bin picking that involves gripping, moving or placing different food products.

3D systems can read barcodes, check for defects such as in engine parts or wood quality, inspect packaging and inspect the end product.

Eyes for robots This brings us to a major benefit of robotic systems: sorting and separating quality products from those that may be inferior or even unsafe. Robot-assisted qualitysorting is one of the most effectively ways to improve traceability systems in food manufacturing environments. This is supported by the latest Industry 4.0 sensors and advanced vision systems — that’s the eyes of robots that allow them to assess light, temperature and proximity to other objects in the surrounding environment.

Of particular importance are 2D and 3D vision systems. Blind robots — or those that operate without vision systems — are often deployed to complete simple repetitive tasks.

Whereas robots with machine vision react intuitively to their surroundings. In other words, these robots are truly autonomous and, when programmed effectively, can identify and remove unsafe foods from production.

A clear reading With a 2D system, the robot is equipped with a single camera.

This approach is better suited for applications where reading colours or textures is important, like barcode detection. 3D systems operate with multiple cameras and can overcome some of the errors 2D-equipped robots encounter when executing physical tasks, which would otherwise leave human workers to diagnose and solve the malfunction.

3D systems can read barcodes, check for defects such as in engine parts or wood quality, inspect packaging and inspect the end product.

The latest vision systems include Shibaura Machine’s TSVision3D system for industrial robots. The system doesn’t require complex CAD data to recognise objects and instead uses two integrated, highspeed stereo cameras to capture continuous and real-time 3D images. The software can recognise any object that’s positioned in its field of vision, even for nonuniform products like bananas.

Take the example of Elliptical Design, a design and manufacturing company that turned to TM Robotics to design an ultrasonic cutting system for robot-assisted qualitysorting. Developed for a cheese

manufacturer, the challenge was to ensure that the robot was picking up cheese in the right place and being able to put it down as accurately as needed. However, a margin of error was created by the cheese’s softness and unusual nonround shape.

Using their partnership with Shibaura Machine, TM Robotics’ engineers found the right algorithm in the vision program to ensure the robot could pick the cheese accurately. The result was automated quality-sorting with improved efficiency and reduced waste.

This example shows how robot assistance can, to paraphrase the FDA’s Food Traceability Final Rule, allow for faster identification and rapid removal of inferior quality foods. What’s more, with industrial robots and advanced vision inspection technologies, like Shibaura Machine’s TSVision3D system, manufacturers quickly eliminate contaminated foods from production lines and, in doing so, help keep Americans safe from the ill, or even fatal, effects of food poisoning.

To learn more about how Shibaura Machine’s TSVision3D system supports automated food processing and other applications, visit the TM Robotics website. www.tmrobotics.com

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Accelerating time-to-market using digital twin technology In an era where time-to-market is a critical factor for success, manufacturers are turning to digital twin technology as a game-changing solution. Here Stephen Hayes, managing director of automation specialist Beckhoff UK, explores the transformative power of digital twin technology and how it delivers instant return on investment (ROI) for manufacturers, revolutionising their ability to accelerate innovation and gain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced market.

Digital twin technology empowers manufacturers to simulate and optimise their operations with unprecedented precision. By creating virtual replicas of physical assets, manufacturers can analyse and optimise manufacturing processes in a risk-free virtual environment. This capability allows them to identify bottlenecks, test alternative strategies and optimise efficiency before implementing changes on the shop floor.

For example, manufacturers can leverage digital twins to predict the performance of production lines as well as identifying potential failures and optimising maintenance schedules, resulting in reduced downtime and improved productivity. Additionally, digital twins enable the exploration of different operational scenarios, helping manufacturers uncover the most efficient and cost-effective approaches. By fine-tuning processes virtually, manufacturers can minimize wastage and reduce production errors — enhancing overall operational performance.

Digital twin technology can also revolutionise product design and development processes.

Manufacturers can create virtual replicas of their products, allowing them to simulate and test various design iterations before investing in physical prototypes. This iterative approach enables rapid

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Digital twin technology empowers manufacturers to simulate and optimise their operations with unprecedented precision prototyping, accelerating the product development lifecycle.

With digital twins, manufacturers can analyse product behaviour under different conditions to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Using this approach can identify potential design flaws and validate engineering assumptions, optimising product characteristics based on real-time data. This feedback loop enhances the quality of products while reducing costly design errors and rework.

Furthermore, digital twin technology facilitates collaboration between different teams involved in product development. Designers, engineers and stakeholders can access and interact with the virtual replica, fostering cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing. This streamlined communication helps align efforts and ensure that the final product meets customer expectations.

Digital twin technology goes beyond just optimising manufacturing processes and product design — it also plays a crucial role in predictive maintenance and asset performance management.

Beckhoff’s software tools, such as TwinCAT, provide a robust platform for designing, modelling and implementing digital twin models. By leveraging Beckhoff software, users can create virtual representations of physical assets, monitor and analyse data in real-time, and perform advanced simulations and optimisations.

Integrating real-time data from sensors and IoT devices into the

digital twin model means that manufacturers can monitor the health and performance of their physical assets.

This predictive maintenance approach allows manufacturers to detect potential failures or anomalies early on, minimising unplanned downtime. By leveraging the data-driven insights provided by digital twins, manufacturers can optimise maintenance schedules, improve asset performance, and extend the lifespan of their equipment. The ability to predict and prevent breakdowns not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces maintenance costs, providing significant savings for manufacturers.

Embracing digital twin technology is no longer an option, but a necessity for manufacturers aiming to thrive in the competitive market. By leveraging its power, manufacturers can achieve reduced time-to-market, enhanced product performance, significant cost savings and a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

The transformative capabilities of digital twin technology are reshaping the manufacturing landscape, empowering manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve and meet the ever-evolving demands of customers and the market. www.beckhoff.co.uk

Elevating Efficiency

The newly launched FPS-150s tube packing system is designed for hygienic packing from makers producing collapsible tubes at speeds of up to 150 tubes per minute.

The latest edition in Cerulean’s FPS range, the FPS-150s is a mid-speed tube packing system with its standout feature being the carton lift. Located at the rear of the machine, the carton lift can be configured to exit to the right or left of the machine, raising the full carton up to waist height to reduce operator fatigue and increase productivity.

Contact your local sales manager for more information, or visit our website to view more of our End of Line Tube Solutions.

World-wide support; we are your global, local supplier.

www.cerulean.com info@cerulean.com

How food and beverage companies can improve water efficiency with the right pump As food and beverage companies strive for better water management in their production processes, selecting the right pump has become increasingly important. If a company can reduce its water usage then less water needs to be treated, which produces cost savings while also meeting environmental and sustainability standards.

By 2030 demand for water will outstrip supply by 40% as the world’s growing population drives water consumption, according to McKinsey, a global management consultant firm. Climate change is also putting pressure on water availability.

Food and beverage production requires large volumes of water, which is not as cheap as it once was in some countries, while water is a scarce resource in other parts of the world. One way a food and beverage company can address its own water consumption is to consider if its existing pump, or one it is about to purchase, has these capabilities: • Accuracy, which avoids chemical overdosing and achieves cost savings • Clean-in-place (CIP) • Gentle pumping, which reduces food waste and product damage • Runs dry without damaging the pump

necessary to collect, transport and treat it, which involves a significant energy requirement, along with building the necessary infrastructure, chemical usage and labour. At the end of the process, a waste stream is also produced, in the form of sludge, which can pollute the environment if poorly managed.

is used in the production process and for cleaning of equipment.

This water requires chlorination for disinfection and daily quality control. Eurial relies on the Qdos CWT peristaltic pump, from WatsonMarlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS), for accurate and reliable chlorine dosing.

For this reason, wastewater must undergo high levels of treatment prior to discharge. Companies that opt to treat wastewater onsite, rather than through a trade effluent service, are expected to meet evertightening environmental standards before emission to watercourses.

The dosage is from 0 to 800 mL/h depending on the pump settings and the drawing flow rate of the installations with a back pressure varying from 3 to 4 bar. The pump adapts its flow rate automatically according to the water consumption.

Water reuse is becoming increasingly popular in the food and beverage sector, with companies adding new treatment trains to minimise use of municipal water and reduce abstractions from, and discharges to, the environment.

Accurate dosing makes a difference In the competitive food and beverage market, standards for health and safety and environmental compliance are of critical importance. But choosing the right chemical dosing pump can mitigate risks from breaches in health and safety and compliance.

When agricultural produce enters a manufacturing plant for processing, it uses vast volumes of water which must meet specific requirements for different uses such as washing and preparation; pasteurisation; cleaning of equipment; steaming and sterilisation, and as an additive or stabiliser.

Eurial, the France-based milk division of the AGRIAL cooperative group, supplies dairy products to shops, catering and commercial companies. At Eurial’s Quincampoix dairy in Normandy, a single Qdos CWT (Conveying Wave Technology) dosing pump now treats the 300m3 of water needed to feed the entire plant daily after it replaced a diaphragm pump.

To produce the high-water quality required in food production, it is

The site has its own well for its supply of running water, which

More companies adopt water reuse

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Previously, Eurial experienced problems with a diaphragm pump, which was sensitive to the aggressiveness of chlorine and led to de-priming, clogged valves and clogged suction pipes. As a result, the dosage was not constant and regularly generated nonconformities regarding the chlorine level. In the first half of 2022, Eurial observed 40 non-conformities and 32 interventions, an average of 5.3 interventions and 6.7 nonconformities per month.

Qdos peristaltic chemical metering pumps provide highly accurate dosing by enabling precise, incremental adjustments. They can handle applications requiring dosing at 0.1 mL/min, right up to 2,000 mL/ min. By only using what is needed, chemical quantities and costs are reduced. The Qdos range of pumps requires virtually no ancillary equipment and the patented pumphead can be replaced quickly and easily without tools, for fast and safe maintenance.

Since adopting the Qdos CWT, Eurial has succeeded in obtaining FSSC 22000 certification, a scheme for Food Safety Management Systems.

By adopting best-practice for process water and wastewater treatment and plant cleaning, and by identifying opportunities for water efficiency at every stage of the process, producers can move towards more sustainable practices. As new process priorities and requirements come into operation, Qdos dosing pumps have the flexibility to meet a range of requirements including new types of chemicals, value for money, reliability and ease of maintenance.

Across the world, legally binding environmental regulations, such as the European Water Framework Directive, the US Clean Water Act, and the Australian National Water Initiative are in place to protect rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, and groundwater from pollution.

Food and beverage companies in breach of water quality requirements risk prosecutions, large fines and even having their discharge permits revoked. Appropriate chemical treatment of process water and wastewater is fundamental to the safe and efficient operation of all food and beverage production plants.

Efficient cleaning

separation brush machines, but this is reducing every year. It has become an important key performance indicator for the food industry to reduce water usage, to reduce food waste and to improve sustainability.

Collecting the steam peeled skin and starch dry enables this material to be used in other parts of the value chain.

It can be farmers feeding animals or anaerobic digesters changing biomass into biogas. These opportunities help maximise the utilisation of every part of the potato and make every potato count.” has not only increased yield for Padstow Cheese Company in England, but also reduced the amount of time and water used in cleaning.

Lawrence Reynolds, of Padstow Cheese Company, said: “The Certa pump is so easy to clean, unlike our previous centrifugal pump, which was a nightmare. In addition, the smooth construction of Aflex FaBLINE hoses means we can flush the cleaning products through and rinse out very easily.”

Reducing food waste with less water use

It is essential that all machinery, water and wastewater systems are accurately maintained and cleaned with trained personnel that follow procedures and ensure effective operating processes. The most efficient plants choose a combination of preventative, proactive, and predictive approaches and WMFTS designs dosing equipment to these high standards. Its pumps are easy to install, operate, and maintain and will help minimise the procedural load and the risk of human error.

Peristaltic pumps from WMFTS have also been integrated into sustainable solutions for steam potato peeling provided by TOMRA Food which reduces water usage, water treatment and food waste.

Pumps that are easy to clean are also important in striving for better water efficiency.

Eamonn Cullen, Market Manager Peeling at TOMRA Food, says Bredel plays a key role in TOMRA’s sustainable solution for an efficient, reliable and profitable potato peeling solution.

Apart from agriculture, the biggest water use in the food industry is the cleaning of processing equipment/ plants and food products, which can account for up to 70% of a factory’s water usage , but Clean In Place (CIP) is one way of reducing water usage for food and beverage companies.

Using a Certa 200 Sine® pump and Aflex FaBLINE hose, from WMFTS,

The TOMRA Dry Peel Separator (DPS) uses a Bredel hose pump as a dry-waste pump which enables food processors to reduce water usage and recover the potato skin and starch for use in animal feed or anaerobic digestion (biogas).

He said: “There are a number of advantages with using the Bredel hose pump. The ability to pump peel without the addition of water is one.

The majority of potato processing facilities will collect all steam peeled skin in dry form. Some processors still need to use water in the peel

Conclusion Food and beverage companies are achieving better water management with water reuse, by adding new treatment trains to minimise use of municipal water and reduce abstractions from, and discharges to, the environment.

During water treatment, selecting the right chemical dosing pump can mitigate risks from breaches in health and safety and compliance. Using a peristaltic metering and dosing pump can achieve not only chemical cost savings through its accuracy, but also contributes to better water conservation for food and beverage companies. A Qdos CWT peristaltic pump is being used by Eurial at one of its dairies for accurate and reliable chlorine dosing to treat the 300m3 of water needed to feed the entire plant daily.

CIP can also help reduce a food and beverage company’s water use during cleaning. A Certa 200 Sine pump and Aflex FaBLINE hose have helped to increase yield for Padstow Cheese Company in England, but also reduced the amount of time and water used in cleaning.

Finally, the TOMRA Dry Peel Separator (DPS) enables food processors to reduce water usage as the Bredel hose pump, which is used as a dry waste pump, can pump peel without the addition of water.

For more information, a special report from WMFTS, ‘How peristaltic technology is helping food and beverage manufacturers treat water and wastewater more efficiently’ can be downloaded here.

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Schmalz and CoreTigo enhance industrial vacuum automation with innovative wireless solutions Schmalz, one of the field leaders in vacuum automation and ergonomic handling solutions, and CoreTigo, the worldwide provider of industrial wireless automation solutions announced the expansion of their collaboration – unbinding robotic vacuum pumps for a variety of industrial applications. This partnership marks a significant leap forward in the industrial automation landscape and brings a new era of enhanced capabilities and seamless wireless real-time control.

The integration of CoreTigo’s advanced IO-Link Wireless technology into Schmalz’s products showcases the company’s commitment to continuous innovation and dedication to customer satisfaction. By eliminating the need for communication cables along robotic arms to the pump, this collaboration brings various benefits, such as ease of use, reduced complexity, improved flexibility, and minimized dress packs, to name a few.

Schmalz is releasing to the industrial market two new wireless products in the near future: 1. SCTSi: A Compact terminal - with blocked compact ejectors for simultaneous, independent handling of different parts with only one vacuum system.

The Compact Terminal SCTSi was demonstrated recently at Automatica as can be seen in this video where the IOLink Wireless enabled Schmalz Valve island (manifold) is wirelessly controlling in real-time the provided vacuum for the several independent vacuum circuits on the delta robot.

2. ECBPMi - A state-of-the-art Vacuum Generator End-ofArm Electric vacuum generator in miniature design for dense workpieces.

These products have diagnostics functions for energy and process control. Condition monitoring functionalities enable detailed condition analysis for early fault detection. In addition, systems can be maintained in a predictive manner. The data for this is provided via IO-Link.

The integration of CoreTigo’s IO-Link Wireless solutions empowers Schmalz’s products with real-time and seamless communication as well as unparalleled control.

With the elimination of communication cables, these new offerings significantly reduce the complexity of the industrial setup, providing greater flexibility and ensuring optimal performance in various applications.

Michael Wöhrle, Manager of Product Management, Vacuum-Automation at Schmalz. “By leveraging CoreTigo’s cutting-edge wireless technology, we can offer our customers a new level of efficiency, ease of use, and operational excellence. This partnership underlines our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and meeting the evolving needs of our customers.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Schmalz in revolutionizing industrial vacuum automation”, Said Eran Zigman, CoreTigo CEO. “The fact that IOLink Wireless was designed specifically for factory automation enables it to be used for real-time control in the most reliable cable-grade manner. This opens up an array of applications that were not possible before for packaging, automotive, logistics, and many more.”

To witness firsthand the revolutionary capabilities of these new products, Schmalz invites attendees to visit their showcase at upcoming industry events: - Motek 2023: October 10-13, 2023, Messe Stuttgart, Hall 7, Booth 7101 - The Assembly Show 2023: October 24-26, 2023, Rosemont, IL - Blechexpo 2023: November 7-10, 2023, Messe Stuttgart, Hall 1, Booth 1110

“We are delighted to work with CoreTigo to enhance our vacuum automation and handling solutions, “said

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www.coretigo.com

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Photonics technologies for agriculture Professionals in the agriculture and food packaging industries know exactly how important it is to analyze, monitor and inspect food products in the packaging process.

These companies face significant challenges such as agricultural products contaminated with stones or other debris, broken or unsealed packages, mislabelled products, and spoiled produce. Fortunately, many solutions that address this are available using today’s technologies including SWIR, InGaAs and CCD/CMOS. CHALLENGES IN THE QUALITY AND

One example is seen in coffee production, which is enhanced through machine vision. Coffee beans are placed on the tarp on the ground for drying, then raked up and put in a hopper. During this raking process, rocks or gravel can easily get mixed in with the coffee beans. These stones need to be sorted out before the beans are packaged. If stones go unnoticed and are packaged with the coffee beans, they can present sanitary issues and can cause coffee grinders to break. Machine vision can be used to distinguish between items of similar shape and size.

SAFETY OF FOOD INSPECTION Cameras and sensors are integrated within devices designed for improving inspection, sorting and quality. These systems can identify issues in food products and packaging before they are shipped out. Vision inspection can prevent unsafe, low-quality food from reaching shelves and save businesses costs on returned defective packages.

Placing cameras and detectors in strategic locations throughout the line will help identify materials based on their SWIR spectra, enabling distinction between coffee beans and stones.

Moisture content can greatly affect the quality and shelf life of agricultural products. The slight trace of additional moisture

Difficulty detecting the stone among coffee beans with visible imaging.

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can indicate the start of mold. A bruise indicates that oxygen has penetrated the skin or peel and gotten into the fruit. Bruised fruit or vegetables will have brown spots and/or eventually turn completely brown. While most are safe to eat, bruised fruit is not aesthetically appealing or can be over-ripe.

For example, when apples travel down the conveyor belt, they are scanned using InGaAs and CMOS cameras. The InGaAs camera will show defects beginning to form under the skin that a human eye cannot see. The CMOS camera will show visible defects.

To optimize the food sorting inspection process, different highspeed imaging devices should be placed at strategic locations on the conveyor belt. These sensors will automatically scan produce, detecting visible and invisible defects on produce that should be filtered out, so they do not reach the store.

Clear identification of stone among coffee beans with C12741-03 InGaAs camera

As apples travel down the conveyor belt, they are scanned using InGaAs and CMOS cameras. The InGaAs camera will show defects beginning to form under the skin that a human eye cannot see; the CMOS camera will show visible defects.

Moisture content can greatly affect the quality and shelf life of agricultural products.

The slight trace of additional moisture can indicate the start of mold.

THE TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS For UV-VIS imaging used in food inspection, Hamamatsu Photonics offers a broad selection of CMOS image sensors in linear and area arrays.

SUSTAINABLY MEETING

CMOS linear image sensors with high sensitivity from UV to the near-infrared region up to 1100 nm are available in a variety of pixel configurations (from 128 pixels to 4,096 pixels), sensitivity, and line

INCREASING FOOD DEMANDS

speeds.

With the world population currently at 7.7 billion and expected to grow to 9.7 billion by 2025, agricultural companies are challenged to keep up with the increasing demand for high-quality food. They must continually optimize the food sorting and inspection process. Unfortunately, human vision is unreliable as it can confuse similar-looking colors and cannot identify defects under food skin or packaging. However, machine vision can reduce errors in food sorting and packaging by detecting issues a human being would not be able to see. For example, noticing moisture content on or beneath the skin of food, capturing leaky packaging, and distinguishing between foreign objects and goods of similar shapes and colors.

CMOS area image sensors are available in various array configurations, ranging from 30 x 30 pixels to 1,280 x 1,024 pixels.

InGaAs linear image sensors are suitable for in-line sorting of agricultural products because of their high-speed line rate and high sensitivity. They are available in a variety of cutoff wavelengths, pixel counts and line readout speeds.

InGaAs area image sensors are suitable for hyperspectral imaging.

High-speed frame rate, low readout noise and high sensitivity characterize these area arrays.

They are available in various cutoff wavelengths, pixel arrays and

InGaAs cameras provide plugand-play solutions using 1D or 2D InGaAs image sensors. They are also an easy solution for multispectral/ hyperspectral imaging (HSI) cameras to be built based on the original camera.

SWIR hyperspectral imaging is just beginning for food processing applications such as almond grading and quality inspection, capable not only of detecting foreign objects but also of grading food such as nuts or identifying ingredients.

Hamamatsu Photonics provides a complete product line with various cutoff wavelengths from 1.7 µm to 2.5 µm, also providing options from sensors to modules.

Visit our website to learn more: www.hamamatsu.com Hamamatsu Photonics UK Email: info@hamamatsu.co.uk Phone: 01707 294888 Come see us at Advanced Engineering on Stand No. E102

frame rates.

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More than just automation Globally recognised as one of the market leaders in top-loading packaging machines, combining modularity and flexibility as a model for success Founded in 1966, Gerhard Schubert GmbH from Crailsheim in Germany produces its digital robot-based packaging machines with a focus on the interplay between simple mechanics, intelligent control technology and a high degree of modularity.

This approach quickly made Schubert globally recognised as one of the market leaders in top-loading packaging machines. With this philosophy and a distinct culture of innovation, the business has been breaking technological ground for over 50 years.

Since 2002, the Schubert Group has been successfully managing business in the UK market through its centrally headquartered subsidiary, Schubert UK Limited based in Birmingham. The city is centrally located and hosts the international airport and main arterial motorway networks.

Schubert UK consists of a loyal and experienced team of 18 employees, with over 180 years of collective service between them. Long-term staff retention bears witness to the Schubert company philosophy.

The team works with passion in the areas of sales, technical support and administration, ensuring the best possible service for customers throughout the UK and Ireland.

Mark Stepney, who has over 35 years of experience in the packaging machinery industry, joined the company in 2009 as Operations Director and has been further growing the business as Managing Director since 2012.

Schubert serves the needs of varied market sectors such as Bakery, Confectionery, Dairy, Beverage, Pet Food and Healthcare. Schubert attracts its many customers throughout the UK and Ireland with its modular, futureproof TLM technology that continues to prove itself as an outstanding

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Schubert UK considers sustainability and environmental protection to be central to the core focus of both itself and its’ customers long-term investment. Flexibility, performance, efficiency and scalability are the cornerstones of any investment for Schubert customers in the UK. Since 2019 Schubert has also been successfully promoting its attractively priced Lightline machine series, conceived to take on standardised packaging tasks, to the UK and Irish markets.

Aside from its’ own aspirations to provide state-of-the-art technology to its customers, Schubert UK considers sustainability and environmental protection to be central to the core focus of both itself and its’ customers. As a result, Schubert UK is committed to the program “Mission Blue”, which was launched by the parent company Schubert Germany in May 2022.

Within this program Schubert describes how it will save resources

and contribute to a liveable future.

In detail, Mission Blue contains four fields of action. Two of which – sustainable business management and climate-neutral manufacturing – concentrate on the manufacturing locations of Schubert. The commitment of Schubert UK to a liveable future is reflected by, for example, the fact that their entire vehicle fleet is equipped with either electric or hybrid drive and all energy consumed at the UK Headquarters is only sourced from ‘Renewable Energy’ providers.

The other fields of the Schubert “Mission Blue” initiative, ecofriendly machines and sustainable packaging solutions, are focused on assisting its customers to reach their sustainability goals through the processes of packaging.

Mark Stepney and his team truly believe that if companies are committed to interlocking their technological developments with their sustainability initiatives, then they can be robust in their future growth. This is why the Team at Schubert UK is confidently looking forward to continued collaborative successes with its’ customers.

www.schubert.group

AS FAR AS YOUR EYES CAN SEE: INFINITE OPTIONS FOR PACKAGING FOOD. BROUGHT TO LIFE WITH SCHUBERT.

Being Being flexible flexible is is good, good, being being fast fast and and flexible flexible is is even even better. better. Schubert Schubert packaging packaging machines machines are are leading leading the the way. way. Intelligent Intelligent control control and and precise precise robotics robotics can can now now replace replace complex complex mechanics mechanics to to ensure ensure maximum maximum flexibility flexibility in in all all packaging packaging processes. processes. In In fact, fact, 80% 80% of of the the leading leading FMCG FMCG companies companies count count on on us us and and our our flawless flawless packaging packaging combined combined with with the the lowest lowest possible possible consumption. consumption. In In line line with with our our Mission Mission Blue Blue Sustainability Sustainability Initiative: Initiative: A A winning winning proposition proposition –– for for our our planet planet and and for for you. you. www.schubert.group/en/food.html www.schubert.group/en/food.html

Factory automation made easy – with radar sensor VEGAPULS 42 With VEGAPULS 42, VEGA brings its extensive experience with radar measurement technology to factory automation. Equipped with IO-Link and versatile hygienic adapters, the new level sensor meets the key requirements of modern industry: to perform complex measuring tasks faster, be simple to use and more costeffective.

VEGA has launched a new radar level sensor especially for highly automated processes with stringent demands on hygiene and capable of following fast level changes. By introducing VEGAPULS 42, the instrumentation specialist completes its IO-Link portfolio, which now offers a range of solutions for level measurement, point level and pressure.

RADAR REDUCED TO THE ESSENTIALS Since the various automation technologies in many factory environments are increasingly converging, VEGA’s IO-Link portfolio is now able to offer optimal solutions for applications that extend beyond the boundaries of primary processes. “Our customers can rest assured that they’re in good hands with us for all their applications,” says VEGA product manager Marvin Moser, explaining the current situation. “This requires us to proceed with the greatest care. For that reason, we’ve carefully integrated cutting-edge technology into all the main functions of this sensor. At the same time, we’ve consistently refrained from ‘over-designing’ the sensor. That means it has also been stripped of everything that makes it unnecessarily expensive and technically over-complex.”

EVERYTHING BUT COMPLICATED This means that VEGAPULS 42 is designed specifically for medium measuring distances of up to 15 metres and temperatures of up to max. 150 °C. The instrument is geared to circulation systems in production, dosing processes and downstream processes, like those found in conveying and filling systems. It ensures a smoothrunning process wherever a level changes quickly and requires continuous monitoring. Or in short, VEGAPULS 42 design has been focused on what is absolutely necessary, it is tailor-made for all standard applications where more functions would only make things more complicated.

A BIG LEAD IN RADAR KNOW-HOW “If you can do the one, you can also do the other,” it is often said, referring to the merging of process automation and factory automation. However, the two areas are so different from each other that it is easier for the measurement technology of process automation to establish itself in factory automation than the other way around. VEGA’s success story, which culminated in

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its current position as the world market leader in radar level instrumentation, began more than 30 years ago. The company is now applying the experience and knowledge gained to factory automation solutions. Accordingly, VEGAPULS 42 is based on the best radar chip currently available on the market – with the widest dynamic range, which offers excellent performance and application versatility.

HIGH QUALITY STRIPPED DOWN TO THE BASICS To still be able to monitor current operating states in a highly efficient and cost-optimised manner, every design element of the chip was critically examined for its usefulness. The same principle applied to the IO-Link communication technology, which is common in factory automation, enabling bidirectional data transmission together with extensive diagnostics and parameterisation.

For IO-Link sensor VEGAPULS 42 this means: maximum signal quality at minimal cost and complexity.

RADAR IS THE BETTER CHOICE With the instruments in its IO-Link portfolio, VEGA now adds the advantages of radar measurement technology to a wide variety of processes in factory automation and focusses even more on hygiene-critical industries like food and pharmaceuticals. Radar is the right choice for continuous, non-contact level measurement because, unlike ultrasonic sensors, it is not influenced by the process and ambient operating conditions. Use of the most reliable, cost-effective measurement technology available makes all the difference, especially in factory automation. www.vega.com/uk

We bring colour into view!

Compact pressure sensors and switches with 360° custom-colour status display

256 colours Individually Individually selectable: selectable: Measurement Measurement in in progress progress Sensor Sensor switching switching Process Process malfunction malfunction

15 cm

Compact Compact design design

Hygienic Hygienic adapter adapter system system

Adjustment Adjustment via via smartphone smartphone

STAND STAND NO. NO.

C52

www.vega.com/vegabar