Our feature revisits the drinks category and investigates how glass, metal and plastics are delivering for different segments of the beverage market, and how equipment is keeping pace
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
The Automation UK 2025 show is running 7-8 May, exploring new ways to smooth the path for the integration of robotics, vision and more, with dynamic presentations and fresh features previewed here
With a Class 5 cleanroom rating and IP65 protection, a new 12kg payload SCARA robot from Fanuc has opened up options not just in food but in other sectors needing regular and thorough cleaning Find out more on page 16
INSTALLATIONS
An ultrasonic cutting system installed at a small Devon baker is improving the quality of precut flapjack and also allowing daily output to grow, says WMH
Check out the new branding for Automate UK on the website and learn more about the goals of the renamed association www.automate-uk.com
Cartoning Experts, Sleeving Specialists
Keymac K101 series of Autosleevers
n SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED AS READY MEAL SLEEVER
n HIGHLY EFFICIENT & DEPENDABLE
n FLEXIBLE
n RECTANGULAR & ROUND TRAYS
n FULL LENGTH, WATCHSTRAP AND SHAPED SLEEVES
n FAST SIZE CHANGE < 5MINS WITHOUT FORMAT PARTS
n ECOFRIENDLY WITHOUT HOTMELT GLUE SYSTEM
n SINGLE MACHINES UP TO 120 CARTONS PER MINUTE
March/April 2025
27 SPECIAL FEATURE
UK & FOODEX PREVIEWS
We look forward to these quality events, respectively in early May and April, providing an insight into some of the key exhibits, features and presentations to greet visitors
35 SPECIAL FEATURE DRINKS
Whether your focus is on saving energy or reduced downtime on changeover, on opening up fresh consumer markets or integrating coding and labelling, have a read
10 REGULATIONS
The theme in this issue is the EU Batteries Regulation and how it is most likely to impact machinery owners from when it replaces the current directive in the summer. When will a ‘battery passport’ be required? Will safety testing be stipulated for stationary storage systems? And what are the rules on labelling? Find answers here
50
COMPONENTS
An ultrasonic flow sensor is now part of the ifm electronic range, bringing accuracy and reliability to food, drink and other sectors
52 WHO WHAT WHERE People, events and diary dates
53 MACHINERY FINDER Members’ machinery and services
Excellent appearance On-pack promotion with printed film Cost reduction Closed packaging No heat radiation Efficiency
Ease of operation Flexibility Low maintenance
Easy opening with tear tape
Biodegradable film & paper
EDITOR: Paul Gander paul.gander@automate-uk.com
PUBLISHING MANAGER: Bill Lake bill.lake@automate-uk.com
HEAD OF PUBLISHING: David Chadd david.chadd@automate-uk.com
APPLICATIONS FOR FREE COPIES of Machinery Update are considered from specifiers, managers and purchasers of processing and packaging machinery in the UK.
PRINTED BY: John Good Ltd, Progress House, Butlers Leap, Rugby CV21 3RQ Tel: 02476 652800
The Processing and Packaging Machinery Association assumes no responsibility for the statements or opinions, whether attributed or otherwise, in Machinery Update. This publication is copyright under the Berne convention and the International copyright convention. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means in any form without prior written permission of the publishers.
Publishers: PPMA Ltd trading as
SMALL BATCHES, SPECIAL EDITIONS, FAST CHANGES. BEST ACHIEVED WITH SCHUBERT.
To be flexible, you need options. Schubert packaging machines offer all the flexibility you need. Quick: thanks to the shortest changeover times. Versatile: even for the most diverse formats. Efficient: because they fill and pack at the same time. Environmentally friendly: because they process packaging materials as sparingly as possible. All in line with our Mission Blue: Smarter technologies for a reduced use of resources. https://www.schubert.group/en/cosmetics.html
Automate UK matters
Cybersecurity looms large over industry
Laurie Barnes
TECHNICAL
Automate UK will be only one of many organisations and businesses to pay special, focused attention to cybersecurity this year, less on the IT side and more within Operational Technology (OT).
Those OT functions inside an organisation are often, mistakenly, considered to be less at risk than the IT side. After all, the thinking goes, why would criminals target the nitty gritty of production? But of course, if vulnerabilities exist, hackers will not care which part of a business they are accessing, so long as they can cause havoc, damage or both.
A 2024 report from Waterfall Security Solutions into OT cyberattacks with physical conequences found that there were 68 reported attacks internationally the previous year, impairing operations over 500 sites. The report, written in co-operation with the ICS Strive OT incident threat database, also pointed out that the number of attacks had increased by nearly 20% year-on-year.
Cybersecurity is inextricably linked to discussions about Industry 4.0 and about the application of AI
At the same time, says the report, because of the constant interaction with the Internet, IT networks are harder and more expensive to secure than OT networks. In fact, the IT/OT interface and the ability to pivot attacks on one to the other are often key areas of concern when it comes to OT vulnerability. Regulations and standards are also evolving in response to these threats. Those exporting equipment to mainland Europe will have to comply with the EU’s Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2). There is an ISO standard (ISO 27001) for meeting IT requirements.
But it is IEC 62443 that Automate UK and our members need to concentrate on, given its focus on industrial control systems. This has a risk-based strategy towards security, and the updated version now reinforces a lifecycle approach, covering design, development, deployment, operation and maintenance.
I am hearing more questions about cybersecurity in an industrial setting as a topic that is inextricably linked to discussions about Industry 4.0 and about the application of AI.
For all these reasons, our association is working with members such as Rockwell Automation and Siemens to jointly host events, the next being a webinar with Siemens on the cybersecurity theme scheduled for Wednesday 9 April.
For the webinar, see the Events page, www.automate-uk.com n
CHIEF
OFFICER, AUTOMATE UK
(INCORPORATING PPMA, BARA AND UKIVA)
Small solutions, for big packaging ideas.
Are you looking for an easier, faster or more economical way to extend shelf life and improve product presentation?
Automate your packaging with a compact thermoformer from MULTIVAC. The perfect solution for small to medium-sized processors looking to reduce manual labour.
Flexibility with pack size changes in minutes – no tools required
Fully electric – no need for compressed air*
Small footprint – from 2m long
Affordable and easy to maintain – interest free finance available
Vacuum, skin or modified atmosphere (MAP)
Over 60 regional service technicians in the UK
New group name for materials processing and handling brands
Merged companies Advanced Material Processing (AMP) and Automated Handling Solutions (AHS) have been rebranded as Akona Process Solutions, a portfolio company of US-based May River Capital, with UK-based businesses including Spiroflow as part of the new grouping.
“Through merging the capabilities of AMP and AHS, we are unlocking new possibilities for innovation and efficiency,” says Akona chief executive Seth Vance.
Akona is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, with engineering, sales, and service centres across North America and Europe. Other companies under the Akona name include Cablevey, Kason and Marion.
Automation UK prepares to win over new converts
The Automation UK 2025 show (7-8 May) promises to smooth the way for new converts to automation, not just in terms of access to exhibits and presentations at the event itself, but also by preparing the ground for visitors before the doors even open.
Pre-show webinars featuring expert speakers from a range of industries will serve as a preview for key show themes, allowing visitors to engage with topical discussions and connect with exhibitors.
An e-book, available before the show, will detail the huge potential automation holds, for smaller businesses in particular. This will include examples of specific technologies, link to exhibits and presentations at the show, and allow visitors to complete a checklist on their automation requirements ahead of the show at
FROM WOODWORKING TO PNEUMATICS AND MORE
One hundred years in motion
Originally woodworking machinery company Fezer & Stoll, Festo began life in southern Germany in 1925, never looking back since a member of the Stoll family brought the concept of pneumatics over from the US in 1950. “Festo is the work of many hands,” said company founder Gottlieb Stoll. Here, members of the management board celebrate the anniversary (L-R): Sebastian Beck; Ansgar Kriwet; Jaroslav Patka; Thomas Böck; Frank Notz; and Gerhard Borho.
Coventry’s CBS Arena.
“Since our inaugural show in 2023, this event has grown significantly and has become an industry-leading exhibition for visitors and exhibitors alike,” says chief operating officer for Automate UK Scott McKenna. The show provides essential insight for those wanting to stay ahead of the curve, he adds.
Return exhibitors are hugely supportive of the show.
At Fanuc UK, head of sales
Oliver Selby (who is also chair of BARA) says it is a key event in the manufacturing calendar for the company. “Bringing together robot manufacturers, system integrators, end-users and academia, it’s the ideal platform for us to showcase our latest solutions both for industry and the education sector,” he says.
See our Automation UK 2025 preview, from p27. Information and free registration here: W www.automation-uk.co.uk
Performance management for assets joins with digitalisation
Schneider Electric says it has joined forces with asset performance management (APM) company MaxGrip with the aim of delivering tangible improvements in reliability, efficiency and profitability.
APM is linked to Schneider’s role in digital transformation in areas including automation, and also to issues such as unplanned downtime, product losses and energy inefficiency. The digitalisation of asset management, says the company, also links to improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
and reductions in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
“This partnership represents another important milestone in our mission to drive digital transformation across all industrial sectors,” says vice president of industrial digital transformation at Schneider, Anthony Loy.
New branding for the UK office
Visitors could be fully briefed on technology options well before doors open
Digital transformation is a prime objective
Manufacturing index facilitates knowledge-led transformation
Technology inspired by human talent
AUK Automation Forum webinar has heard about potential applications of the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) in UK manufacturing, and the potential benefits at company and national levels.
Automate UK chief executive Peter Williamson hosted a panel consisting of: Alistair Crawford, of certified SIRI assessor LMAC; Prof Rab Scott of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC); and Mike Wilson of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Forum chair.
The sheer volume of new technologies makes it difficult for businesses to know where and how to start a process of transformation, says LMAC. “There’s a lot of focus just on that technology,” says Crawford. “What we like about SIRI is its holistic approach looking at processes, technology, but also not forgetting the organisation.” With over 6,000 companies having worked through the SIRI process, it is now possible to benchmark the various ‘dimensions’ it assesses.
“SIRI also allows us to provide data to government to drive policy,” says Scott. Find the webinar here: W ukautomationforum.com
Peter Williamson hosted the event
Loss of well-known, energetic promoter of machinery sector
The funeral of Kirsty Sharpe, former editor of PPMA News and founder and director of GloHouse PR, took place in early March following her untimely passing earlier in the year.
Well-known – and wellloved – as an energetic public relations champion of machinery businesses large and small, she founded GloHouse PR in 2010, signing up some major names in the sector as her clients.
She sold the business to Jargon PR in 2020, but continued to work tirelessly in the machinery and exhibitions arena.
Prior to creating GloHouse, she channelled her drive and industry knowledge into the PPMA’s in-house publication PPMA News.
Changes create new ways of doing apprenticeships
With both the Government and Automate UK, along with its members and Automate BEST, introducing significant changes to apprenticeships, the prospects for young people’s training in engineering and related disciplines are looking brighter.
In February, ministers announced that businesses will be able to decide, when those over age 19 start their apprenticeship course, whether they will need to complete a level 2 English and maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in order to pass it.
This could mean as many as 10,000 more apprentices per year being able to complete their course.
At the same time, the minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced to 8 months, down from the current minimum of 12 months.
It is clear that some roles in manufacturing require a certain level of attainment in English and maths, says chief executive of Automate UK
Peter Williamson. “But school kids may have good practical skills without the same level of academic abilities, and we should be welcoming them with open arms,” he adds.
Meanwhile, in January, Automate UK announced its first Apprenticeship Cluster, bringing together a number of member companies to offer reciprocal training opportunities, team-building events and value-adding projects. The initiative builds on three core pillars:
Partnership, Training and the Talent Pipeline, and is fully funded through the association’s charity, Automate BEST.
Members helping to launch the Cluster included Domino UK, SMC Corporation, RARUK Automation, Endoline Machinery and Huxley Bertram Engineering. This grouping spans Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and North Buckinghamshire, but the aim is to reproduce the model in other parts of the UK.
“FINGER STYLE GRIPPER” Designed for PET or crown cap bottles
“GRIP TUBE” Designed for glass bottles
Apprentices from Sycamore Process Engineering welcome visitors to PPMA 2024
Kirsty Sharpe (Isaacs) 1971-2025
Regulations
From EU Batteries Directive to Batteries Regulation
From 18 August 2025 the new EU Batteries Regulation (2023/1542) takes the place of the previous Batteries Directive, significantly reshaping the legal framework governing batteries for machinery owners. While the UK operates under its own regulatory framework, the ambitious changes introduced by the EU are a sign of what the future could look like here and how industry should be preparing.
The regulation introduces significant changes and requirements aimed at enhancing the sustainability and safety of batteries and battery-operated products. It applies to economic operators using batteries or applications with an incorporated battery for their own service or business. It covers the entire lifecycle, including raw materials procurement, battery production, reuse and recycling. It also introduces new categories of batteries according to their use and design.
PASSPORTS AND TESTS
The regulation will require light means of transport (LMT), electric vehicle (EV) and industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh to be electronically registered with a battery passport. Safety testing requirements have also been introduced for stationary battery energy storage systems (SBESS). Portable batteries for general use (excluding button cells), rechargeable industrial
Paul Laidler BUSINESS DIRECTOR FOR MACHINERY SAFTEY AT TÜV SÜD PRODUCT SERVICE
Grant Gibbs SENIOR MANAGER FOR ENERGY STORAGE AT TÜV SÜD
This summer sees a wide-ranging EU regulation replace its current Batteries Directive, with multiple requirements for industry from registration and labelling to end-of-life
batteries and LMT batteries will also have to comply with electrochemical performance and durability parameters. The regulation mandates that portable batteries should be easily removable and replaceable by end-users, while LMT, EV, and industrial batteries should be easily removable and replaceable by independent professionals.
Batteries used for energy storage in private or domestic environments are now considered industrial batteries for the purposes of this legislation.
be separate and maximised, and recycling should be efficient. The shipment of waste batteries outside the EU is also addressed.
The regulation restricts the use in batteries of certain substances listed in its Annex I. This can be amended by the EU Commission through delegated acts if there is an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment that is not adequately controlled and needs to be addressed on an EU-wide basis.
Requirements for information and labelling
This gives UK industry a crystal ball as to where our own battery regulations will be heading
The regulation introduces an obligation for large economic operators placing batteries on the market, or putting them into service, to have a diligence policy on responsible raw material sourcing, processing and trading, and to have it verified by a notified body and periodically audited. The regulation also includes provisions for calculating the carbon footprint of batteries and setting recycled content targets for various elements (cobalt, lead, lithium, nickel). It sets recycling efficiency targets, alongside material recovery targets for specific elements in recycling and treatment facilities for batteries. For end-of-life provisions, collection should
aim to enhance information and traceability. They include a battery passport, specific labelling (chemistry, lifetime, charging capacity, collection, hazardous substances, safety risks), electronic databases, and second-life data sets.
By 2026, all batteries must be labelled with some general information and marked with a separate collection symbol. By 2027, all batteries must be marked with a QR code to access either a battery passport (for LMT batteries, some industrial batteries and EV batteries) or the applicable information for other batteries.
Furthermore, rechargeable portable batteries, LMT batteries and starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries will
need a label about charging capacity. The label on nonrechargeable portable batteries must detail their minimum average duration when used in specific applications and say they are 'non-rechargeable'.
DECLARING METALS
Batteries containing more than 0.002 % cadmium or more than 0.004 % lead will have to be marked with a symbol. SLI batteries will need a QR code to access the amount of recovered cobalt, lead, lithium or nickel. With SBESS, LMT and EV batteries using a battery management system, the enduser or any third-party must be able to check the data stored in that system to determine the state of health and expected lifetime of their batteries.
Reporting obligations are introduced, and there are specific deadlines for implementing various aspects of the regulation, with certain requirements coming into effect in different phases from 2024 to 2028.
Manufacturers, importers, and other stakeholders will need to comply with these new requirements within the specified deadlines, with some aspects requiring thirdparty verification. It gives UK industry a crystal ball as to where our own battery regulations will be heading.
i For more information contact W www.tuvsud.com
TÜV SÜD Product Service is Automate UK’s technical and legislative partner
Equipment solutions to meet your needs.
From sausage, meat and alternative protein, to bakery, dairy, produce, fish, seafood and pet food, our team of specialists, engineers and dedicated service and support staff can work collaboratively with you from processing to packaging, and beyond.
With a wide range of equipment, testing facilities, and industry-leading support, service, spare parts, and training, we can help you make your products better.
New Machinery
X-ray range expands to include upright formats
Minebea Intec has extended its portfolio of x-ray inspection systems with the addition of the Dylight S, designed for quality control of product in upright containers.
The company points to the way that regulation such as the EU’s pre-packaging ordinance and many supplier audits require complete documentation.
The system can provide fill-level and completeness checks
At the same time, it argues, sustainable packaging materials have made the use of advanced x-ray technologies “essential”, and the Dylight S enables manufacturers to guarantee the highest product safety and quality – at an economically attractive price.
The system features sideshooter technology for more precise detection of foreign bodies in products with light and complex packaging, it explains.
This enables reliable detection of metallic and non-metallic foreign bodies - including glass, rubber, stones or plastics parts - in containers such as PET bottles, other plastics or liquid food cartons. It can also fulfil the role of a completeness check and fill-level inspection.
Minebea Intec says the unit is characterised by its extremely compact design.
“This enables easy integration into existing production lines,”
says product manager Mengqi Liang.
“Another key advantage of the Dylight S is using the monoblock generator without an external transformer, which reduces technical complexity and simultaneously lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO).”
Further strengths are said to include: autonomous parameter adjustment, streamlining setup and minimising false rejects; image acquisition, with a second x-ray image allowing operators to subsequently optimise brightness, contrast and scaling; and seamless integration into digital production environments.
T 0121 779 3131
W www.minebea-intec.com
Reducing energy and air needs
All-electric labeller has print-and-apply for pallets as target
The launch of the Mx350i-eP electrically-driven print-andapply pallet labeller builds on Domino’s existing Mx-Series technology.
The range aims to deliver electrical applicators with motion paths in the horizontal and vertical planes, says the company, suiting a wide range of product and palletising applications.
Electrical applicators are a significant improvement on the pneumatic alternative, Domino argues, offering a substantial reduction in overall energy and factory air requirements.
“I’ve recently attended two customer installations in Germany and was very pleased with the enthusiastic feedback,” says senior business support manager Claes Lindh. 01 01954 782551
T
W www.domino-uk.com
Affordable palletising cobot offers installation that is fast and easy, payloads of up to 30kg and good data analytics
OnRobot has played a key role in a new palletising cobot, StackSmart, by providing its D:PLOY software for the project, along with end-ofarm tooling, with overall engineering managed by LG Motion.
Incorporating a cobot system supplied by Techman, the palletiser is described as being ready to deploy, for rapid integration and installation “in just one day”.
StackSmart lifts payloads of up to 30kg, says OnRobot,
with a maximum stacking height of 2,150mm, and a
stacking rate of up to 10 boxes per minute into either UK or Euro pallet formats. It can be installed to serve single or dual pallet stations. Return on investment, it is claimed, can be in less than one year.
The idea, say its creators, was to redefine how robotics are designed in order to make automation accessible to a much larger group of manufacturers than was previously the case. In this sense, it is described as being “a transformative leap forward”
both in manufacturing and logistics, with affordability that is “unmatched”.
OnRobot emphasises D:PLOY’s advanced analytics tools and their ability to deliver detailed data on system performance, throughput, and downtime, in support of continuous optimisation.
The system was shown at the February EMPACK 2025 show in Birmingham.
T +45 535 357 37
W onrobot.com
Advanced data analysis can be helpful
Make sure you come along to the UK’s premier trade event for food and drink manufacturing, processing, packaging and logistics at the NEC, Birmingham from 7-9 April 2025 where you can:
• Connect with innovative suppliers, meet with peers and make valuable contacts
• See the latest machinery and automation in action under one roof
• Gain valuable market insights from industry experts and have your say on hot-topic debates
PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FOR FOOD, BEVERAGE, DAIRY PRODUCTS, AND DAIRY ALTERNATIVES
IMA serves the international industries with the best platforms and machines, consistently providing tailored technologies for the packaging of cheese, butter, margarine, dressings & sauces, sweet spreads, yoghurt, desserts, UHT milk and more. From stand-alone machines to fully-integrated solutions, our advanced technologies and expert consultancy ensure tailored support for every need, from primary to end of line packaging solutions.
Make the most, with us.
IMA Dairy & Food UK Ltd • ben.todd@ima.it ima.it/foodanddairy
New Machinery
Dough-sheeting line will need only limited space
European Process Plant (EPP) is now the exclusive UK and Ireland supplier of the Koenig Artisan SFE EC dough-sheeting line, designed for the efficient production of, for example, up to 9,000 bread rolls an hour.
The line offers endless sheet generation and is designed for doughs with a yield of 155 to 175, with no edge section, and no excess dough. Inline seeding is integrated, and the system offers a wide range of stamping tools. An optional cup rounding station can be integrated for rounded products.
It has a compact, ‘easy-clean’ design, says EPP, making the line ideal for smaller bakeries without room for a standard sheeting system to automate production. There is also improved visibility of production.
“Efficiency is king in our industry, so we’re excited to offer the latest innovation from our long-established partner and market leader Koenig, which introduces a
range of benefits to save bakers time and money,” says managing director of EPP Steve Merritt.
“The Artisan SFE EC is an economical and versatile line able to produce a variety of dough shapes and sizes while conserving resources,” he adds. “Its ease-of-use allows for fast, tool-free product changes, making it a fantastic commercial workhorse for reliable,
consistent and high-quality production at scale.”
Meanwhile, EPP has also become the exclusive distributor of equipment from Spanish manufacturer OVA Projects, with a range that includes automated options for depositing, injecting, spraying and general decorating, as well as turnkey lines for sandwichmaking and pizza-topping.
T 01372 745558
W www.eppltd.co.uk
Container unloader is modular, flexible, and lifts up to 50kg
The Container Unloader is new from TAWI and designed to meet the diverse lifting needs of warehouse and distribution centres, offering mobility and adaptability for various operations, with user-friendly controls to ensure quick learning for operators.
The system is flexible, modular and fully mobile, says the Piab-group company. It is capable of unloading items on to a conveyor belt or pallet, with the belt adjustable to the left, centre, or right behind the platform. For mobility, it is equipped with wheels and is battery-powered.
The integrated, ergonomic vacuum lift is capable of handling items of up to 50 kg with one-handed operation.
T
01509 857010
W www.piab.com
Bi-jet coder comes to the rescue of manufacturers requiring coverage of large inkjet print areas without slowing the line
Markem-Imaje has launched a bi-jet continuous inkjet (CIJ) coder targeting manufacturers which need to print particularly large codes (including 2D codes) or include significant amounts of information on each product.
According to the company, the 9712 bi-jet CIJ printer codes with one machine what normally requires two, halving manufacturers’ upfront capital costs and minimising ongoing operational expenses, while still delivering a high-quality code.
Coding on to packaging in sectors such as construction, pharmaceuticals, and food can be particularly challenging, Markem-Imaje points out. Cement bag codes, for example, are taller than most individual coders can print. In pharmaceuticals, and perishable products like fresh dairy and eggs, regulations often require that manufacturers provide extensive amounts of data to ensure safety.
No trade-offs with the bi-jet inkjet printer
In many cases, meeting these demands typically means using two standard continuous inkjet printers, or even slowing down production lines. Alternatively, manufacturers have had to make uncomfortable trade-offs, such as printing less data or using suboptimal font sizes.
The 9712 eliminates these
trade-offs, says the supplier, coding either twice as fast or twice the amount of data in the same time. Capital is freed up for other priorities and maintenance time and costs are also reduced.
Like other 9700-series inkjet coders, the 9712 includes features, such as Intelli’Swap for replacing individual parts, rather than entire blocks, and the Intelli’Inks ink management system.
T 0161 864 8111
W www.markem-imaje.co.uk
Full mobility is key to the system
The line is easy to clean, says EPP, with tool-free changeover another feature
New Machinery
Robot roles can span food and cleanrooms
Fanuc has launched the 12kg-payload SR-12iA/C SCARA robot, which has an ISO Class 5 cleanroom rating and IP65 protection rating, as well as using food-grade lubricant and antirust bolts, making it ideal for food as well as cleanroom applications.
In fact, any material-handling, assembly, inspection, picking or packing application that requires a cleaning procedure will benefit from this strong SCARA robot. The 12kg maximum payload at the wrist is twice that of the company’s existing food-grade SCARA robot.
ultra-fast operation in all four controlled axes. It features a market-differentiating ‘bellow’ to protect the Z-axis spindle during washdown procedures.
cycle times, the company details high-speed motion in all axes: 440°/s and 510°/s respectively in the rotary J1 and J2 axes; 2,800mm/s in the linear J3 axis; and 2,500°/s in J4 (wrist rotation). None of this is at the expense of precision, Fanuc points out. The floor- or wall-mountable SR-12iA/C delivers repeatability of ±0.01mm in J1, J2 and J3, with J4 offering ±0.005° for what it calls “next-level accuracy”. The wrist offers ±720° of motion as standard, with continuous rotation available as an option.
Capper offers short leadtime with lower cost for small spaces
Adelphi Masterfil has added the new-generation Powercap to its range of inline cappers.
Alongside its robust construction, corrosion resistance, ease of cleaning and compliance with food safety regulations, says Fanuc, the SR-12iA/C offers
The heavier payload and a 900mm reach are available at a highly competitive price-to-performance ratio, Fanuc claims.
When it comes to fast
I/O, 24VDC supply, solenoid valves and air lines all run internally, reducing costs and simplifying integration.
T 02476 053000
W www.fanuc.eu
Based on the principles of its flagship Mastercap model, the company explains that the Powercap is a smaller, cost-effective system with a significantly shorter leadtime on delivery. The system opens up the benefits of capping automation to a wider audience, the company claims, including those with space-restricted sites. Powercap will handle containers between 500ml and 25 litres in volume and caps in the 20mm-80mm diameter range. It is suitable for screw, press-on and tamper-proof caps, as well as aerosol overcaps, and includes a ‘no cap’ detector.
01444 472300
W www.adelphi.uk.com
Thermoformer processes a range of materials, has Industry 4.0 connectivity, with modern hygiene and fast changeover
At the May IFFA show in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Sealpac will for the first time show its F-series thermoforming machine.
Described as “a gamechanger” and the company’s first complete in-house design in this segment, it is said to represent an entirely new approach to packaging technology. The system, it claims, minimises downtime and ensures optimal process flows.
Because it is capable of handling a wide range of
materials, it offers a strong element of ‘future-proofing’, says Sealpac, particularly in the light of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
F-series machines are equipped with the latest control software, enabling flawless in-line connectivity, the supplier adds, and also
allow for easy network integration. This makes them “true industry 4.0 machines”, it adds.
Hygiene is a particular focus for the F-series thermoformer. The easy access design makes cleaning and maintenance intuitive, the company argues, in turn enhancing
machine availability. Tooling changeover is another priority. A quick-change system is standard, requiring only minimal use of hand tools, and only minimal effort. This has advantages, not only in terms of the speed of the process but also in terms of operator safety, says Sealpac. With a high level of in-house production, it adds, the F-series stands for outstanding quality and durability.
T 0845 302 3056
W www.sealpac-uk.com
The F-series is Industry 4.0-ready
Caps
At 12kg, the robot will lift twice the previous maximum payload
Topload carton closer gives positive control
Syntegon has launched the Kliklok Advanced Carton Closer (ACC), with its combination of high-speed operation, elevated levels of flexibility and what it calls “outstanding precision”.
With its positive carton control in the turning section, the ACC will achieve outputs of up to 200 cartons per minute, says Syntegon, on a wide range of carton sizes and formats. This positive control is also said to facilitate carton handling in all types of production environment, such as cold, wet and high-condensation, whether in food or non-food applications.
This feature safeguards flexibility and efficiency, the company claims, while also protecting larger items during the packing process.
CUSTOMER COLLABORATION
The carton closer ensures high-quality results with minimal rejects, increases efficiency and reduces operating costs, according to Syntegon. It was developed in close collaboration with customers, the company explains, and is tailored to meet all industry needs. It calls the ACC’s design “safe and ergonomic”.
Other advanced features include servo-driven carton alignment and integrated controls, as well as tool-free changeover and the ability to process both cartonboard and corrugated. Layout options include left and righthand carton entry and exit points.
The ACC is designed to deliver optimum
quality in the final carton, says the supplier, as well as ease of access, low maintenance and high speeds to meet changing production requirements.
Syntegon explains that to achieve the highest process efficiency, its Advanced Carton Erector (ACE) and the Kliklok ACC, in combination with one of the company’s automatic loading options, can easily be integrated into a complete line solution.
HARMONISED INTEGRATION
The machines are designed to work together seamlessly, it adds, creating synergies in the form of a “perfectly integrated” topload cartoning line. The control system is said to be harmonised across all of these machine elements, with an intuitive human-machine interface and Industry 4.0 capabilities.
To secure high operational efficiency and low maintenance costs, Syntegon offers comprehensive service agreements for the Kliklok ACC and full line solutions.
The company positions itself as a strategic partner to the pharmaceutical and food sectors, across processing and packaging technology.
Headquartered in the Stuttgart area of Germany, the Syntegon workforce numbers some 6,300, 1,400 of these engaged in research & development. The company is responsible for 2,100 patents and patent applications.
T 01332 626262
W www.syntegon.com
We just made labels obsolete with the FX ONE PLUS Printer Cost Savings: Cut costs by up to 80% No more labels, ribbons, orpre-printed boxes. Eco-Friendly: No label waste. Our vegetable based inks keep your boxes 100% recyclable
Versatile & Durable: Smudge-proof, fade-resistant markings on all types of cartons
Unmatched E iciency: No downtime, no label jams, just seamless, high resolution printing directly onto your boxes
Labels Cost You More Than You Think! Just get rid of labels!
The ACC will integrate with Syntegon’s Advanced Carton Erector (ACE) and automatic loading options
Southern Manufacturing Review
End-to-end offer brings quality gains for clients
Titan Engineering’s stand was busy during early February’s Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition with visitors learning about its end-to-end manufacturing process that is being taken up by customers from an ever-wider range of industries.
The one-stop subcontract production workshop specialises in sheet metal fabrication and welding, CNC machining, laser cutting and surface finishing. And it is this technology offer that enables the company to provide a full-service package, including parts assembly services.
“Our USP is our wide range of capabilities and depth of expertise which allows us to take control of a series of stages and processes under one roof,” explains Jon Higson, Titan’s managing director. “We don’t just do welding, we don’t just do spraying, what is unique about us is the number of processes we control.”
And this control is becoming increasingly attractive to clients across sectors – including components manufactured for food industry applications – that Titan has long been associated with. Flavouring drums, vibratory trays, oilers and powder hoppers are just some of the equipment it produces for food businesses.
With skilled machinists, coded welders and timeserved fabricators, the company offers a range of precision engineering solutions across multiple
sectors from its base in Weymouth, Dorset, where a new £1.8m purpose-built production workshop opened last year, adding further capacity for the company. As well as investing in new premises (on the same industrial estate as its existing site) and equipment, the company has also ‘smartened up’ all its production areas to provide a clean environment for its staff, and to mirror its food clients’ facilities.
T 01305 780003
W titanmanufacturing.co.uk ATEX-compliant
Chief technical officer at Automate UK Laurie Barnes talked about the major benefits to the UK manufacturing sector that a higher rate of automation would bring during his presentation at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics. The attendees heard about best practice that industry stakeholders are now adopting as well as information about what is required to ensure the benefits are fully realised across the vertical supply chains in all major sectors. There was also a focus on what is really needed in the short term to ensure UK manufacturing can compete on a global scale to avoid being left behind from an automation and productivity standpoint. 020 8773 8111
T
E laurie.barnes@automate-uk.com
parts and a range of machine accessories were on display
Manufacturer of standard machine components Elesa (UK) demonstrated an array of ATEX-compliant options, corrosion-resistant INOX parts, and a range of machine accessories during the February show, held in Farnborough.
“Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is a good opportunity to meet engineers and manufacturers who need reliable components,” said Nigel Pritchett, managing director of Elesa UK.
“Our range meets industry demands for durability and performance.”
Visitors to the stand were discussing visual detectable (VD) and SAN antimicrobial components for hygienesensitive industries like food and pharmaceuticals, vacuum cups and toggle clamps for automation and assembly lines, and the range of ATEX-rated components for hazardous environments. The team was also sharing information on new materials and designs.
The company offers a range of ATEX-compliant options
designed for industries like oil and gas, chemical processing, and manufacturing, where explosive risks are present. ATEXclassified areas contain combustible gases, vapours, or dust, necessitating components designed to prevent ignition sources and maintain operational integrity.
T 01526 322670
W www.elesa.com
Titan Manufacturing will also exhibit at the PPMA Total Show in September
Automate UK’s Laurie Barnes
Visitors saw a range of component types
Adaptable fit
Whatever your requirement now or in the future, SOMIC’s new 434 end-of-line packaging machine is fit and ready.
SOMIC has created a one-stop solution for all packaging concepts. Cleverly engineered to cater for tray packaging,
or wraparound solutions it offers maximum performance on a compact footprint to win the race for efficiency! For more information please call 01256 467177 or visit somic-packaging.co.uk/fit
Fuji Flow Wrapping Machinery
Film From Above
Bakery,
Film From Below
• Operator friendly to use
• Compatible with recyclable, biodegradable and compostable films
• Gas tight packs for M.A.P
• Simple and fast product changeovers
• Minimal maintenance required / low cost to run
• Unique Fuji IH centre sealers, maintenance-free, 20% more e cient than traditional mould heaters with better sealing speed and integrity
• Patented Fuji Box Motionfastest hermetic end sealing in the world
Installation News
Ultrasonic cutting hits sweet spot for flapjack
Asmall flapjack producer in Devon has increased output and improved quality thanks to its deployment of an ultrasonic cutting cell from Western Mechanical Handling (WMH).
Having moved from a domestic kitchen to a more commercial environment, the next move for Tavistockbased Flapjackery was to introduce some basic levels of automation to boost the efficiency of its small workforce.
Since installing the WMH ultrasonic cutter, production has risen to 4,000 pieces of flapjack per day, at the same time, removing one of the hardest parts of the process. A job that took over 2 hours by hand, says the supplier, can now be done in 40 minutes with the assistance of the automated cutting unit.
When carried out by hand and judged by eye, cutting led to variability in the finished product. But use of the ultrasonic cutter ensures every piece is cut to perfection
with sharp, crisp edges, says WMH, even where there are inclusions such as fruit or nuts.
The cutting cell is compact, with a footprint a little larger than a standard pallet, and requires electrical and compressed air supplies to operate. Operators load and unload the unit via the interlocked front access doors and use the human-machine
interface to start the cutting process. The cutting area is locked for the duration of the cutting cycle.
The original three sizes of flapjack have now expanded further and, as the catering and food-service business has grown, a scoring programme has been added, too.
T 01579 383788
W www.wmh-uk-ltd.com
Converter can make up to 60 million trays for produce per year
The most recent installation, in January, by Graphic Packaging International (GPI) of Boix Europe’s MCT-1/TS board punnet-forming and gluing machines brings to seven the number of these systems acquired for the UK facility in the past year.
Designed for forming boardbased topseal trays, the highspeed MCT-1/TS can produce up to 4,800 punnets per hour, says Boix, making it ideal for soft fruit markets, where demand for sustainable punnets is high. The system, which is compatible with various pack designs, is capable of forming two different formats in parallel. Working from solid board, it is equipped with two glue tanks and an easy-fill system.
T
+31 313 670 460
W www.boix.com
Data collation and analysis extracts valuable insights from US mill’s metal detection and checkweighing installations
Collating and analysing data harvested from multiple Fortress Technology metal detection and checkweigh systems is now easier than ever for US-based cereals company Mennel Milling, with the integration of the supplier’s Contact 4.0 digital tool.
Contact 4.0 is currently being applied to Mennel’s Fostoria, Ohio, factory on both types of quality control equipment. Senior corporate packaging engineer Dieter Flick explains that the Ethernet-connected
software allows real-time collection and review of data from an unlimited number of Fortress machines linked to the same network.
“Every morning, the production manager, the maintenance manager and I receive a report automatically generated by Contact 4.0 to assist in our decision-making,” Flick explains. “Contact 4.0 clearly displays both the checkweigher’s histogram
of batch weight distribution and bag data points to issue concerns over rejects, calculating the amount of product giveaway. These tools help us define problems with our filling system upstream.”
Mennel says its attention to quality consistency has been more focused since the addition of smaller retail bags to its bulk range of 2,000lb (907kg) sacks and 50lb (23kg) bags.
Given the amount of vibration in Mennel’s mills, systems to suppress ‘noise interference’ are built into the installed Fortress weighing and metal detection equipment.
T 01295 256266
W www.fortresstechnology.com
Board trays are in high demand
Interlocked front doors restrict access to the cutting area while it is in operation
Contact 4.0 helps to define filling problems
Installation News
Machine runs consistent heatseal for bulky goods
Industrial chemicals and energy producer
Johnson Matthey has taken delivery of a system from Ceetak Heat Sealing, replacing the previous equipment with a more user-friendly and efficient alternative.
The existing machine was a 100% manually-operated vacuum sealer for heavy and high-value products contained in a robust laminate bag, and required two operators to function. Operator ease of handling and loading was a priority for the customer, and Ceetak says its brief included building a machine that a single person could manage.
vacuuming process.
The supplier explains that its ImPulse Heat (IPH) sealing system was confirmed as the ideal solution. The sealing bars create a leakproof weld even where there are variations in material thickness. They compress and adapt to the contours of the material, it adds, ensuring a reliable seal — even when creases form during the
Richard Piper, mechanical engineering lead at Johnson Matthey, says it was a delight to work with Ceetak on the project. “The machine is installed for production and has improved operator output and efficiency,” he reports. “It is extremely well-received with the team because it is safer and easier to use than our old machine.”
The vision for the project was a machine where an
operator placed the bagged product on a conveyor to be passed through for vacuuming and sealing. To accelerate efficiency, Ceetak proposed installing adjustable electric hoists to lift and move the sealed package.
Ceetak says the installation was the result of collaboration and a shared passion for sustainable and efficient engineering.
T 01234 832200
W heatsealing.ceetak.com
Digital training uses bite-size, accessible onboarding content
Essential systems for industry do not always stop at manufacturing, as the delivery of the KHS Virtual Training Center (VTC) to Coca-Cola in Mannheim, Germany, demonstrates.
Operators at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Germany are now using the digital VTC for autonomous training and familiarisation, even during short breaks in production, says head of maintenance Markus Straßer.
“Flexibility is absolutely necessary when assigning personnel,” he says. “If newer colleagues can get to grips with the various functions on their own through a playful learning approach that’s also fun, then we have a great basis from which we can then move on to familiar study formats.”
T
0121 713 6900
W www.khs.com
Speedy delivery of wrapping line for medical test kits lets logistics partner maximise benefits of fully-automatic line
At a time when installation leadtimes have become a problem in many quarters, Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) has demonstrated refreshing agility by delivering a new line to a customer just two weeks after it was ordered.
The customer, a wellestablished, global logistics provider managing all aspects of clients’ supply chains, was looking for a packaging line to handle medical test kits for four major retailers.
Following the initial
enquiry and a productspecific demonstration at the supplier’s dedicated packaging showroom, the customer placed an order for a Pratika automatic L-sealer and shrink tunnel. The equipment was delivered, installed and commissioned by YPS engineers just two weeks later.
Previously, the company had used a semi-automatic packing system which was too slow for current requirements.
“We were able to get this customer swiftly up and
running with their new packaging system, so that they could start enjoying their increased production speed as soon as possible,” explains
YPS managing director Glyn Johnson. “Feedback from them has been extremely positive and it’s a pleasure to assist them in achieving their current packaging goals.”
The new servo-driven line is completely automatic, requiring no operator, and achieves a throughput of 2,000 units per hour, says the supplier. It automatically adjusts for different products via pre-programmed recipes.
T 01484 715111
W www.yps.co.uk
The fully-automatic Pratika L-sealer
The VTC in action on palletising
Adjustable electric hoists help a single operator handle heavy, valuable items
Reduce Waste Reduce Cost Reduce Effort
Domino understands that integrating innovative, new equipment into the toughest production lines requires reliable, compliant products, smart integration, and a consistent global support infrastructure. Domino’s latest technology is designed to keep pace with customers’ increasingly intelligent factories.
Packaging and production trends demand the printing of real-time and variable data, machine-readable codes, and images onto changing and increasingly sustainable, flexible packaging films and labels.
Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) is a viable alternative for various flexible packaging applications. This could benefit manufacturers looking to prioritise sustainable manufacturing methods, reduce waste, and optimise their total cost of ownership.
System feeds tricky powders to extruder blending fertiliser mix
The Coswig fertiliser factory southwest of Berlin, Germany, is now using a new Coperion ZSK Mv PLUS extruder inline with the supplier’s ProRate PLUS-MT loss-in-weight feeder to produce a homogeneous mass, which is then dried and pelletised as solid spikes for fertilising the soil.
According to Coperion, the extruder uses twin 76mm screws, boasting a large free screw volume and gentle product handling combined with intensive mixing. Both pieces of equipment are selfcleaning and allow for rapid recipe changes with minimal cleaning time or effort, says the equipment company.
The process is gentle but effective
Business unit general manager at Coperion Peter von Hoffmann underlines the versatility of the extruder.
“The high reliability of our technologies and very gentle processing are qualities that offer decisive added value for numerous applications,” he says.
The company developed the ProRate PLUS-MT gravimetric twin-screw feeder especially for handling poorly-flowing powders.
T 0161 209 4810
W www.coperion.com
Inline paper bags help pet products
Friedheim Packaging has improved sustainability and efficiency for brand-owner Pets at Home, thanks to the introduction of a Beck Packautomaten paper bagmaking machine for direct-to consumer distribution of online pet pharmacy products.
The new Beck Paperbag vs machine is designed to process a wide range of 100% recyclable, robust, four-side sealed paper bags. For the pets product brand, this replaces the previous process where single items were packed in a shallow cardboard box. This, says Friedheim, was a costlier, slower, and more manual process.
With its automatic product detection system, the versatile machine will handle up to three items at a time, and produce a bag length to accommodate the required
Royal Mail Large Letter format, says the supplier. It offers a consistent and reliable packaging process, Friedheim claims.
The machine’s high-speed capabilities mean that it will produce up to 1,380 bags per hour, says the company, and ensure that the demands of a nationwide retailer are met without compromising on quality.
As well as online sales, Pets at Home has 450 stores around the UK, over 350 grooming salons and almost 500 veterinary surgeries. T 01442 206100
W friedheimpackaging.co.uk
Single PC links egg box coding
With the help of inkjet print supplier Leibinger, a Spanish fresh egg producer has hatched a plot to reliably mark its cartons with best-before dates and batch numbers, with 16 coders now installed and controlled from a single PC. Based in Guadalajara in central Spain, the DAGU co-operative is part of the HEVO group, which produces over 70 million dozen eggs annually. Beginning in 2020, the factory recently completed the installation of 16 Leibinger JET2 NEO continuous inkjet (CIJ) coders, one at the exit from each Moba egg grader.
Luis Alberto Sanz,
production manager at the plant, emphasises the “excellent collaboration” with Leibinger’s partner in Spain Lusaro MarkColor. “We greatly appreciate the high flexibility in printing different packaging formats and the simple, centralised operation of the printers,” he says.
Coding operates up to 15 hours every day, marking some 200,000 egg cartons per batch with variable data in different formats. All printers are managed from a single PC via Virtual Network Computing, says the company.
T 01858 461014
W www.atduk.com
The machine handles up to three products at a time
The 16 Leibinger continuous inkjet coders serve different egg-grading lines
Our Service
■ Dedicated After
■ In
■
■ Complete customer satisfaction guaranteed
Our Range
■ Horizontal flowrappers
■ Vertical form fill seal bag makers
■ Horizontal form fill seal pouch machinery
■ Multihead weighers
■ Complete packaging lines
Automation UK Preview
Robot specialist focuses on skills in young people
Fanuc UK says it is continuing its campaign to increase awareness of robotics, automation and engineering among young people with a suite of education-themed demonstrations at this year’s Automation UK.
Centre-stage on the stand will be two of the company’s robot cells created especially for the education sector. They are designed to give students handson experience with programming and operating industrial robots. These user-friendly cells offer a plug-and-play solution which is said to be ideal for first-time users, complete with a touchscreen interface for intuitive operation. Both will be carrying out live pick-and-place tasks, with one option incorporating the Fanuc ER-4iA 6-axis robot, and the other featuring a collaborative CRX-10iA model.
The stand will also showcase the ever-popular footballing robot ‘kicker’ cell, and an industrial robot vision cell picking a variety of fruits.
On show will be the benefits of automation across key sectors for Fanuc, including food & beverage, automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and fast-moving consumer goods.
The company says it is spearheading a number of initiatives throughout 2025, including its partnership with WorldSkills UK for the Industrial Robotics competition, the accredited Fanuc Academy training centre in Coventry, and educational packages for schools, colleges, universities and training providers. STAND B70
W www.fanuc.eu
Wide base of exibitors boosts critical mass to accelerate automation
Just as in the most efficient installed systems, robotics and automation will integrate fully with the latest vision technologies in this year’s Automation UK show.
“In order to provide an enhanced experience, this year’s show has been combined with Vision UK to raise the profile of the machine vision and automation industries in one integrated event,” says chief operating officer at show organiser Automate UK, Scott McKenna. “Vision UK will have a dedicated section within the exhibition for machine vision companies to showcase the latest industrial vision technologies, products and innovations.”
Organised by Automate UK and actively supported by both BARA and UKIVA, this key annual event in the automation calendar is well-placed to leverage these synergies.
New elements at the show, which will run at the Coventry
Automation UK 2025
Building Society (CBS) Arena, Coventry, from Wednesday 7 May to Thursday 8 May, include a Mobile Robots Demo Zone. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) will operate in four adjacent areas managed respectively by: Kuka; ABB; Reeco and Omron; and RARUK and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR).
An app for show visitors will be available, with details of all exhibitors and presentations, allowing both to be bookmarked to create an itinerary.
HANDS-ON
INSIGHTS
“Visitors will be able not only to get up close to the latest systems and applications across robotics, vision and broader automation, but also gain essential insights into emerging trends and future develoments thanks to our expert keynote speakers, presenters and roundtable discussions,” says McKenna. Information and free registration here: W www.automation-uk.co.uk
Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry
Show opening times Wednesday 7 May 9:30 - 16:00 Thursday 8 May 9:30 - 15:00
Speakers offer views of future manufacturing
Jake Hall, dubbed the Manufacturing Millennial, has been named as a keynote speaker at the May event.
Hall, who spent a decade working in automation and systems integration, will deliver his first ever UK keynote speech to visitors, with a focus on the Future of Manufacturing: Automation and the Workforce.
There will be presentations on robotics standards from Takiyah Williams of the British Standards Institution (BSI) and on rethinking robotics for automation, sustainability and growth, from Quentin Wylie of Schneider Electric.
Dr Seemal Asif of Cranfield University will examine the broader topic of AI-driven automation, again looking at the overlap with sustainability, manufacturing transformation and digitisation. Meanwhile, RARUK’s Ross Lacy will present on the ways in which AI is revolutionising cobot applications. Rockwell Automation’s Mike Loughran will discuss the digital twin concept.
Insights into high-speed vision will come from Tom Merry of Photron Europe, while Jack McKinley of TPL will look at lighting in AI-facilitated vision, and Sick’s Nathanael Hofmann will discuss the future of machine vision. Ian Alderton of Alrad Instruments will explore vision interfaces.
Also planned is a panel discussion around attracting and retaining younger talent in manufacturing, involving experts from Jaguar Land Rover, the Design & Technology Association, Engineers Insight, Enginuity and Quanser.
The show will span general automation, robotics, machine vision and more
Future forecasts from Jake Hall
Education is a priority for Fanuc
Automation UK Preview
Vacuum grippers answer area and modular needs
Schmalz is set to showcase its latest vacuum gripping technology at Automation UK, including the versatile FQE-V area gripper and the adaptable mGrip modular system.
These new options address the evolving needs of automated handling, says Schmalz, particularly in industries such as logistics, packaging and food production.
The FQE-V area gripper is said to have been designed for maximum flexibility, enabling efficient handling of a wide range of materials.
The mGrip gripper, meanwhile, offers a highly adaptable solution for delicate and irregularly-shaped products, the company explains.
Vacuum automation technical sales manager Kyle Wilkinson is looking forward to this year’s show and the opportunity it gives to meet existing and new customers.
“Automation UK is a key event for us, providing a fantastic platform to connect with
industry leaders and discuss the latest automation trends.
Last year’s show generated high-quality enquiries, and we’re looking forward to engaging with more businesses seeking gripping solutions for their production lines.”
With growing demand for flexible automation in industries such as food processing and in general manufacturing, Schmalz’s vacuum gripping technology is increasingly being integrated into robotic and
cobot applications.
At the show, the team from Schmalz says it will also provide insights into the company’s latest developments in vacuum automation, helping manufacturers achieve greater efficiency and productivity, and explaining how innovation with these systems can transform processes that are already automated or where automation is planned.
STAND C42
W www.schmalz.com/en-gb
App takes up central role for engineers in accessing technology
Innovative online platform and app Engineers Insight, which recently struck up a partnership with Automate UK, will be presenting its current capabilities and future plans at the show.
Co-founder Tom Flude says the business is on a mission to build a central, agnostic platform for the manufacturing industry. “We’ve partnered with the largest manufacturers in the world to get the newest innovations to market, and to give engineers a single-source location for everything they need: product launches, manuals, CAD Files and application videos,” he says.
It is possible to send enquiries and apply for jobs, and this year will see the launch of a central training calendar and course access.
app.engineersinsight.co.uk
End-of-line specialist marks 30 years in business with first participation in this event and curiosity about new sectors
Supplier of robotic and automated packing systems
Pace Mechanical Handling will celebrate its thirtieth year in business by making its debut at Automation UK.
The company will be showcasing its range of robot palletisers, weighers, sackplacers, and stitchers. These include systems developed around its four core products: the Gemini twin-head weigher; the Orion Weigher; the Orion Weigher and sack-placer combination; and the CBC
sack-placer and stitcher line.
But Pace is also the sole UK and Eire importer, distributor, and service partner to TMI, one of Spain’s leading bagging, palletising, and wrapping machinery manufacturers, as well as to Innova and its Stretch Hood pallet wrapping system.
Managing director and founder of the company
Nick Cesare maintains that since 1996, the company has established itself as a leading supplier in these areas.
“Even as we mark our thirtieth year in business, we are still ambitious and know that there are many other industry
sectors looking to automate their packing and end-of-line operations as they seek greater efficiencies and operate more effectively when faced with significant labour shortages,” he says.
Pace has a longstanding partnership with Motoman of Japan, allowing it to offer a wide range of robots, and the UK company recently introduced its own range of cobots.
STAND A66
The FQE-V area gripper is designed to handle a wide range of material types
Core manufacturers are partners
Cesare: still ambitious, 30 years on
Robot tasks are across industry
RARUK Automation will be demonstrating a range of Universal Robots applications, from AI-powered bin-picking to real-time robot guidance and automated screwdriving.
As a leading provider of advanced robotic solutions, says RARUK, the company helps businesses across a range of industries enhance efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.
The bin-picking task uses Cambrian Vision, an AI-based vision system from Cambrian Robotics. This is designed to cope with challenging lighting conditions, with a sufficiently robust technology to ensure
precise robot detection of various part types, including transparent, shiny metal and plastics components.
The robot guidance application comes courtesy of GuideNOW from Inbolt, an AI-powered 3D vision guidance system for Universal Robots cells.
Also in action will be Robotiq Screwdriving, shown performing an assembly task with remarkable efficiency and reliability, says RARUK, automating the communication between the screwdriver, screw feeder, robot and vacuum technology.
B52
Putting together digital discipline
Rockwell Automation, which claims to be the largest company in the world dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, will be presenting just some of its wide-ranging capabilities at the Coventry show.
Thanks to its innovative technologies, the company says it is transforming the way industrial assets are designed, operated, maintained and optimised. Its integrated architecture provides a unified control and information platform across industrial automation disciplines, it explains, enabling own equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to build highly-automated, high-performance smart equipment.
This in turn plays a critical role in providing businesses with increased efficiencies, it adds, enabling them to be more resilient and adaptable as they operate in more complex environments.
The supplier invites visitors
to seek out its domain experts on the company’s stand to see how it can help them achieve their business objectives. A number of examples of Rockwell’s technology and how it has been applied will be on display. These will address some of the most topical issues in current industrial operations, such as digital design, data-ready machines, on-machine distributed control, system safety, production logistics, and secure operations.
STAND A70
W rockwellautomation.com
The company claims Robotiq Screwdriving is remarkably reliable and efficient
An ArmorKinetix distributed servo drive
Foodex Preview
Food manufacturing event turns four Birmingham shows into one
This year’s Foodex Manufacturing Solutions show is taking place at the NEC Birmingham from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 April, staking its claim as the UK’s leading trade show for the food and drink processing, packaging and logistics industries.
The event is one of four co-located UK Food & Drink Shows brought together under one roof. The three other shows are: Food & Drink Expo, providing buyers from retail, hospitality, wholesale, foodservice and manufacturing with information for product sourcing; Farm Shop & Deli Show, involving hundreds of suppliers of local and speciality produce; and National Convenience Show, serving as a platform for the convenience retailing sector.
SAMPLE NEW FOODS
Organiser William Reed estimates there will be around 1,500 businesses exhibiting across the four shows. Visitors will have the chance to sample the latest food and drink creations and explore new opportunities across equipment and services.
“At a time of continuing challenges, including high input prices and rising employment costs, alongside the pressure on spending, the shows are an opportunity to gain invaluable insight
New themed areas at Foodex Manufacturing Solutions include Packaging and Future Food Zones and Business Advice
and inspiration,” says William Reed exhibitions managing director Andrew Reed.
“From expert panels to faceto-face meetings with peers and industry associations, the UK Food & Drink Shows can help equip your business with the tools to flourish.”
Around 240 exhibitors are listed under the Foodex Manufacturing Solutions banner, exploring the hottest trends and technologies driving the sector, helping to improve operational efficiency and providing opportunities for buyers to connect with potential suppliers.
New themed areas are being introduced this year, the organisers explain, including the Packaging Zone, the Future Food Zone, the Coffee
Foodex Manufacturing Solutions NEC Birmingham
Show opening times
Monday 7 April 10am-5pm
Tuesday 8 Apri 10am-5pm
Wednesday 9 April 10am-4pm
W www.ukfoodanddrinkshows.co.uk
Zone and the Business Advice Hub, which will provide access to free business advice and services.
And, to ensure visitors make the most of their visit, an online digital event companion will offer an event guide, interactive floorplan, indoor navigation and realtime notifications.
As well as the UK Food & Drink Shows, business information provider William Reed publishes digital and print media including The Grocer and Food Manufacture, and organises a wide range of awards, business events and conferences.
Find out more and register for free tickets here: W www.foodex.co.uk
From panel debates to presentations, no shortage of thought
Across the four Food & Drink shows, the organisers say they are staging more than 50 panel discussions and presentations. These include what promise to be lively interventions on women in manufacturing from Donna Fordyce, chief executive of Seafood Scotland, Ramona Hazan, founder of houmous and falafel brand Ramona’s, and Francesca White, managing director of Porky Whites.
BIG BRAND NAMES
Fran Ball, vice president for UK production at Arla Foods will present on the future of manufacturing, along with Nigel Paine, supply chain director at Britvic.
Chief executive at the UK Warehousing Association Clare Bottle will provide insights into the warehouse of the future, while Elliot Chrisp, materials business unit manager at Multivac, will present packaging trends to watch in 2025.
End-of-line options automate key roles for food and drink
Aetna UK will be presenting examples of food and drink installations, including endof-line technologies under the group’s Ocme and Robopac brands now operating at Refresco Italia’s Quarona and Recoaro plants in northern Italy.
At Quarona, Ocme’s robotic Leo system, is optimising efficiency and minimising glass wear in a bottle crating and decrating process, using motorised suction cup heads, and operating at up to 8 cycles per minute. The decrating section ensures bottles are carefully placed on a conveyor for singlelane exit, reducing breakages and replenishment costs, says Aetna.
OPTIMISING PALLETS
At the Recoaro plant, Leo has been configured for dual-track crate handling. Meanwhile, at the end of the line, Robopac’s Kratos fully-automatic robotic pallet-wrapping machine is said to ensure load stability and protection. The system uses Cube Technology to apply the optimal amount of film and stretch to each load.
STAND E38
W www.aetnagroup.com
Systems run from slicing to packing
Multivac UK returns to the show at the NEC ready to demonstrate a range of expertise in compact processing and packaging equipment.
As food producers continue to seek the most efficient solutions to help maximise profit and product yield, while minimising downtime and labour requirements, Multivac says it will be showing a range of equipment from its growing product portfolio to help visitors meet industry demands.
the R 085 thermoforming machine, for those small-scale manufacturers looking to make the entry into modified atmosphere (MAP) and vacuum skin packaging.
From processing and
Auto-tests are digitally recorded
Automated testing of metal detectors boosts efficiencies
A prime focus for Italian metal detection specialist Ceia and UK distributor MDS will be the important role played by auto-testing, rather than the manual alternative.
The new S 300 slicer will be put through its paces, designed to provide producers with a compact, cost-effective solution for slicing a range of food products, including cheese, bacon, sausages, deli meats and fish.
This will be in addition to
portioning equipment to sustainable packaging and bakery technologies, visitors can discover a wide selection of the Multivac portfolio, including the latest innovations available. Better yet, the company promises to return with its barista bar. It will also be present at the Farm Shop and Deli Show and as sponsors of the Packaging Zone.
STAND G81, K231
W www.multivac.co.uk
Benefits of the Ceia system include the ability to preset automated test frequency – typically every hour, but alternatively every half hour, for example, if preferred. Every test is digitally recorded providing a comprehensive audit trail, says MDS.
The detectors continuously check their own sensitivity, independent of scheduled tests. At the same time, product waste is minimised, thanks to the synchronisation between the detection signal and the packing line’s response, ensuring that only the contamination or test samples are isolated.
STAND Q89
W www.ceia.it
Food packaging automation
The R 085 thermoforming machine can introduce MAP packs
Linerless option suits food labels
Bizerba will host visitors on not one but two stands, for retail and industrial products respectively, at the Birmingham show. Industry options displayed on Stand L160 will include the new PAS-I CleanCut Linerless Label Applicator, said to offer environmental as well as cost benefits. It eliminates waste while improving operational efficiency, says Bizerba.
Weigh-price labelling with CleanCut
Managing director for the UK Jonathan Forster says the company is excited to be showing its latest technology. “Our innovative solutions are designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and support sustainability,” he says. “We look forward to connecting with industry professionals and demonstrating how Bizerba’s technology can drive success in a fast-evolving marketplace.”
Also shown will be reliable, high-speed and easy-to-clean
checkweighers, including the CWHmaxx for fully-automatic weight control, developed specifically for the high demands of the food industry. Inspection systems will include PackSecure, which is able to check for damaged seals or incorrect labels, and the XRE-D Pro x-ray inspection unit.
Process equipment from Bizerba’s partner Windsor Food Machinery will be among systems featured on the retailthemed stand, J160.
STAND L160, J160
W www.bizerba.com
Electric actuator has IP69K rating
At the 2025 show, SMC will be showcasing its options for compressed air preparation, energy saving, industrial wireless device communication and hygienic design for washdown environments.
For the first time in the UK, the supplier says it will be showcasing its new HF2A-LEY IP69K-rated electric actuator. Designed specifically for the food industry, SMC argues that this could be the ideal solution for a new generation of machinery without pneumatics.
The range of linear actuators is constructed with stainless steel external parts, EC1935/2004 and FDAcompliant materials, NSF-H1 food grade grease and,
importantly, IP69K protection. IP69K is a degree of protection against the ingress of dust and high-temperature or highpressure water washdown.
The primary requirement for electric actuators in a food processing environment is the ability to withstand rigorous cleaning procedures, says SMC. Hygienic washdown sees food processing equipment regularly soaked in harsh cleaning chemicals and subjected to high-pressure jet washing. At the same time, the actuators need to be constructed in foodsafe materials, with hygienic design to ensure contamination does not build up to create a food safety hazard.
STAND L20
W www.smc.uk
VOLTA: ONE DOT AHEAD
Want a smart way to save when applying adhesive? With Volta, you decide how much adhesive you want to save – Volta does the rest. Ready to save?
Yes I am! go.robatech.com/dotahead-en
SMC’s new HF2A-LEY electric actuator is IP69K-rated with hygienic design
KEY FEATURES
• HIGH SENSITIVITY TO ALL METALS
• INTEGRATED CONTROLS for line speed and rejection
• HIGH IMMUNITY to environmental interference
• AUTOMATIC LEARNING & TRACKING of product effect
• DIGITALLY ADJUSTABLE BELT SPEED
• RUGGED AISI 316L stainless steel CONSTRUCTION and food-compatible plastic parts (EU, FDA COMPLIANT)
Feature: Drinks: intro
A round-the-world trip lifts the lid on drinks innovation
There is no shortage of beverage industry investment around the world, and the feature that follows demonstrates the diversity of that activity, both in terms of the range of products and the types of packaging used.
Sidel, presenting its latest threeline installation for CR Beverage in China, refers to the pressure on brand-owners to “meet the 4.6 % compound annual growth rate predicted by Global Data for 2023-2027”.
But the aseptic lines installed in two of CR’s plants (see page 42) are only one example among many of global capital investment trying to keep up with consumer demand.
Other case studies here range from Krones glass and can lines for soft drinks in Greece (page 38) to Rockware’s role in Mexican tequila processing (page 44), a KHS blowfill line for plastics in Zimbabwe (page 48), Meler’s work on pallet stability for a Spanish water bottler (page 46) and Markem-Imaje integrated bottle-coding and caseand-pallet labelling for Italian wines (pager 36).
What of the UK? Here, drinks processors are often less willing for suppliers to talk about installations than in other parts of the world. But that does not mean that the investment is not happening.
Towards the end of last year, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) announced a £42.3 million investment in a 38m-high automated storage and retrieval system at its Wakefield operation – reportedly Europe’s largest soft drinks plant by volume.
NOT ONLY LARGER-SCALE
Earlier in the summer, the same plant saw its new £31m canning line come into operation for the first time.
Of course, this level of capital expenditure is beyond the reach of most smaller UK beverage producers. In our final issue of 2024, we carried a short story
Packs answer market needs
Above and cover, the three aseptic lines, installed at two CR Beverage plants, are filling iced tea and plum juice, carbonated, high- and low-acid drinks, says Sidel
about a soft-drinks can multipack machine installed by T Freemantle. This was as part of a £2m investment on the can side of its business by Belvoir Farm.
An important element in this multipack project was the ability to both package different can formats and volumes and form various sizes of collation. As some of the case studies highlighted in this feature remind us, beverage fillers are acutely aware of the need to provide every channel and target group with the optimum packaging combinations for that market.
In the case of Leicestershirebased Belvoir, these investments came as the result of a 2022 decision to move away from using contract filling for its cans. But of course, contract filling remains a major part of the UK drinks industry.
Most fillers, across the full
range of product types, are facing a number of challenges, not least the unpredictability of costs. In the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF’s) most recent State of Industry report, over 50% of manufacturers across both food and drink said they were likely to limit investment during 2025 because of regulatory uncertainties. At the same time, one of the key pressures towards automation continues to make itself felt. In the second half of last year, over 5% of vacancies in the industry remained unfilled. The FDF’s survey said that a quarter of food and drink businesses predicted that the labour and skills shortage would limit their investment in the year ahead. How many take the arguably logical step of exploring automated alternatives is less clear. n
Feature: Drinks
All data needs for wines are covered by Markem-Imaje
The latest coding and marking technology from Markem-Imaje is helping northern Italian wine producer Mezzacorona group comply with the 2023 EU Wine Regulation, while providing consumers with a more detailed level of traceability and provenance data.
Since December 2023, all EU wine producers and suppliers have been required to communicate the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient and nutritional information possible, which can be difficult, says the supplier, given the product’s ever-changing composition.
Not only is the most current data now available, but traceability background on the wine can be accessed by both retailers and consumers via a QR code on each label, providing reassurance about authenticity. CO2 laser coding in the form of the SmartLase C350 applies the essential data to each bottle.
In terms of correctly recording all these details, says account manager at Markem-Imaje Tommaso Cognolato, major companies such as Mezzacorona are entrusting this key partner with the responsibility for managing strategic parts of their production.
“We are happy to work with the Mezzacorona Group and feel proud of the responsibility entrusted to us,” he adds.
PRIMARY PACK TO PALLET
The complete integration of the customer’s labelling and marking with its production lines has, says Cognolato, generated tangible and measurable benefits in qualitative and quantitative terms.
Meeting end-of-line needs, the 5800 case printer uses latestage customisation to reduce the number of outer case SKUs that the winery has to hold. It also has distinct benefits in terms of its impact on the environment, Markem-Imaje claims. The 5800 uses wax-based Touch Dry inks,
Coding spans whole winery
Coding on each bottle’s label is about providing not only the data required by law, but also a range of information to boost consumer reassurance and engagement
which are non-hazardous and free of VOCs, so there is no need for additional protection or for solvents, even during maintenance. The system minimises waste, too.
“The choice of the MarkemImaje laser coding system is in the same vein, as neither inks nor solvents are used, thus reducing the environmental impact while maintaining high coding quality,” says Nicola Berghem, Mezzacorona’s head of maintenance.
According to the coding company, the integration of its CoLOS software with Mezzacorona’s management execution system (MES) allows the bottler to control quality at every stage of production.
Mezzacorona has even been able to ensure accurate label application on its pallets by integrating a Fanuc robot with CoLOS and MarkemImaje 2200 print-and-apply labellers. This automation adds reliability to the wine producer’s traceability and supply-chain needs, says the supplier.
Founded in 1904, the wine
business currently produces almost 50 million bottles annually, with distribution worldwide. Its collaboration with Markem-Imaje dates back to 2000, with the automatic management of coding processes gradually being extended across the operation, from filling to warehousing.
EFFICIENCY AND SUPPORT
The switch to automated coding in real-time has permitted the management of complex technical and regulatory specifications, says the coding company. But in addition, the partnership between Mezzacorona and Markem-Imaje has helped the wine producer increase its throughput, while also improving code quality.
The supplier makes the point that its technology offer is complemented by a support contract that ensures that the highest levels of efficiency are maintained and the latest software updates installed.
T 0161 864 8111 W www.markem-imaje.co.uk
• Fast, error-free installation and retrofitting thanks to the standard M12 connector
• Robust IP 67 housing for decentralized use
• Integrated separation between automation and IT networks
• Compatible with all common acceleration sensors
• Six signal inputs collect all relevant data to improve machine availability
Cans and glass fit in with hospitality
Krones did not allow restrictions on line space and on orientation to hold up a major installation for Greece
The typical evolution for older water and soft drinks brands has been from glass packaging to plastics, but for Greek filling company Epirotic Bottling Industry, the trajectory has recently taken it back in the opposite direction, with its first Krones PET line installed 20 years ago, but modern glass-filling and canning lines only going in now.
With two plants in the Ioannina area of northern Greece, one further south, and logistics centres around the country, Epirotic was eager to expand its sales of Vikos mineral water and other brands beyond retail into the hospitality sector.
The company had already worked with Krones, and once again the supplier won the bid, says operations and technology director of the family company Pavlo Sepetas, “with flying colours”. “Their quotation was attractive, and the team was incredibly fast,” he says. “They very quickly submitted an ideal layout for the two lines.”
Particularly problematic here were the space and orientation limitations on the
two new lines at the Ioannina plant, as maintenance manager Dimitris Vassos explains. “The biggest challenge for the planning team was that both lines had to be accommodated in an existing hall,” he says. “And the raw-materials and finished-goods store located on one side of that hall didn’t make things any easier, because it meant the start and finish of both lines had to be placed at the same end.”
I believe technology is here to help and empower us to achieve what we could not do in the past
The ‘no-label look’ for glass bottles
For the returnable and nonreturnable glass line, rated at 20,000 bottles per hour, Krones installed equipment including a Moduljet rinser and Modulfill HRS filler, together with an Ergomodul labeller, being used to apply ‘no-label look’ clear labels to carbonated soft drinks.
Two Variopac Pro packers (FS and WTS) and a Smartpac C offer three different downstream packing options
ADVANCED PACKAGING MACHINERY & MATERIALS
TRANSIT & DISPLAY PACKAGING
SINGLES, MULTIPACKS AND COLLATIONS
CAN BE ACCOMMODATED
TRAYED AND TRAYLESS OPTIONS
100% RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
SPARES & SERVICE
to target various sales channels and end markets for glass.
Cans are being processed on a new Modulfill VFS-C filler and Modulseam seamer, rated at 42,000 cans per hour, combined in this case in the Modulfill Bloc FS-C.
The advantage of the compact monobloc, says Krones, is that it offers an isolator design to create a “microbiologically hygienic” can filling process on a small footprint.
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
The original project was conceived back in 2020, but was then put on a backburner as the Coronavirus pandemic took hold. Once the contract was signed, says Epirotic, the entire process from first concepts to production took less than a year.
“Krones is a one-stop shop, which made everything a whole lot easier for us and faster as well,” says Sepetas.
“As a techno-optimist I believe that technology is here to help and empower us to achieve what we could not do in the past,” he adds. “It levels the playing field between smaller and bigger players.”
The drinks company was set up in 1990, installing its (and the country’s) first Krones PET bottling line for mineral water in 2005. The number
of Krones filling lines in its plants has since grown to seven.
The company has 500 employees, and its Vikos
mineral water is the country’s best-selling product in the category.
T 01942 845000
W www.krones.com
Unlock the power of information in codes!
Markem-Imaje is the leading provider of coding and marking of dynamic 2D codes and QR codes, by producing durable codes at high speed on any surface. We protect your brand by connecting your product from the factory to your consumer’s hands.
Scan here for more info www.markem-imaje.com
Feature: Drinks
New bottles call for new systems
Evolution BPS is seeing growing demand for filling to suit a greener, lighter type of bottle
Brand-owners wanting to demonstrate sustainability and envionmental awareness are increasingly turning to alternative packaging materials, especially when wanting to reduce or eliminate plastics.
At Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions (BPS), key account manager Mark Blaik explains this trend: “In response to this growing demand, we are experiencing an increased number of requests to provide machinery capable of handling eco-friendly packaging, both for current needs and future developments.”
addresses the challenges of potential bottle deformation. The vacuum system operates both within the bottle and the filling tank, preventing the natural collapse of the bottle and ensuring precise filling levels.
In addition, the ULV filler can be adapted to fill viscous products into larger bottles, with improved speed and performance when compared with the low-vacuum system.
According to Evolution, MBF’s filling valves are designed to maintain the integrity of the product, ensuring that alcohol and aromas are preserved during the filling process. This is especially important for wines and premium spirits. By achieving accurate filling levels without the need for corrections, it adds, the company reduces the risk of contamination and enhances filling efficiency.
Alternatively, the company can adapt existing filling machines, originally designed for glass bottles, to additionally accommodate paper-based bottles.
Riggsautopack MU M-J 2016_MU 14/04/2016 09:59 Page 1
A partnership with Italy’s MBF has given Evolution access to a number of new options. One key trend in beverage filling is the use of paper-based bottles. MBF has responded to this demand by developing a gravity bottling machine, which operates without the need for vacuum. This is said to be ideal for paper-based containers.
For light PET bottles, says the UK company, MBF has its Ultra-Low Vacuum Filling Machine (ULV). This patented technology is an evolution of the pre-existing low-vacuum version and
As well as increased care in handling more delicate containers, ensuring that both shape and aesthetics remain intact during bottling, the Italian company emphasises ease of cleaning. Its patented cleanin-place system automatically activates for each individual circuit without the need for dummy bottles or manual intervention, says Evolution.
MBF has a primary focus on the design, manufacture and installation of monoblocs, including rinsers, fillers, corkers, and cappers, for wines, spirits and other beverages.
T 01721 724296
W www.evolutionbps.co.uk
The MBF Ultra-Low Vacuum Filler is ideal for lighter PET containers
Feature: Drinks
Aseptic filling to stretch shelf-life
Sidel has installed three high-speed aseptic lines for a wide range of soft drinks in China
CR Beverage in China and Sidel have a business relationship going back eight years, and the latest installations have seen the soft drinks producer invest in three complete high-speed aseptic filling lines across two of its plants.
Sidel’s first project with CR was for filling and packing its large-format water bottles, in this case, too, supplying the entire line.
The aseptic lines most recently installed have gone into the customer’s Yixing and Chengdu plants. Equipment is based around the Aseptic Combi Predis FMa for tea and plum juice, and the Aseptic Combi Predis Fmac for all high- and low-acid products and carbonated drinks, using the 28 and 38 bottle neck.
The line at CR’s Chengdu plant is equipped with four EvoDECO labellers and conveyors.
Each of the lines is now producing
from Sidel, and all of them have been successfully put into production.
The aseptic lines passed the aseptic validation in one go and reached the rated production capacity as scheduled, demonstrating the professional level and high synergy of aseptic technology. We believe that we will have more extensive cooperation in the future.”
Sidel claims that its Aseptic Combi Predis offers the “simplest, fastest and safest” dry preform decontamination on the market, explaining that it is designed to ensure food safety, product integrity and a longer shelf life for sensitive products without using preservatives. The system uses dry hydrogen peroxide mist to sterilise preforms before blow moulding, reducing water, energy, and chemicals usage.
The lines passed their aseptic validation tests first time round, says CR 54,000 bottles per hour (bph) on the 450ml format and 27,000 bph on litre bottles.
A CR Beverage VP and spokesperson says: “We have successively introduced bottled water lines and aseptic lines
Additionally, Sidel maintains the aseptic line facilitates the lowest total cost of ownership without compromising food safety or production simplicity, and while achieving a high output, easy operation and very flexible production.
The company has been manufacturing its Aseptic Predis locally in Beijing for five years now.
Over that time, the Beijing plant has delivered more than 20 Aseptic Predis Combi line installations to customers throughout China and Asia more broadly.
T 01707 292820
W www.sidel.com
Visibility, even at high speeds
Fast glass bottling needs camera systems able to detect even tiny defects, says Allied Vision
Glass filling lines face particular challenges, with a real risk of breakages however carefully the handling has been designed, and with the need to respond to any problem immediately while running at elevated line speeds.
In a typical bottling operation, Allied Vision points out, beer bottles are processed at an astonishing rate of 22 bottles per second or 80,000 bottles per hour. At these speeds, human operators cannot detect errors in the production line.
Problems will often only become apparent when the system halts, sometimes revealing broken bottles within the machinery. This not only disrupts workflow but can also incur a huge cost for every minute of lost productivity.
The company highlights the track record of its Alvium G1 camera which, it says, is engineered to capture every detail in this type of process. Its advanced vision-based inspection system, it says, enables real-time analysis and reporting, allowing for immediate responses to defects.
In terms of specification, Allied Vision cites the example of the G1-510 camera, which is equipped with a highperformance Sony IMX 548 sensor and delivers high-resolution images at a rapid
frame rate. It captures 5.1 megapixels (2464 × 2064 pixels) at 23.7 frames per second. For critical filling and sealing processes, image detail can be adjusted to 800 × 900 pixels, it says, allowing for an impressive acquisition speed of 150 images per second.
Depending on the size of the area of interest, the frame rate can vary, enabling the camera to manage even more images per second. This capability is said to ensure that even the smallest details are captured during high-speed production.
Further advantages, says the supplier, include the G1-510’s advanced image processing capability that allows for image acquisition in the sequencer in up to 16 different settings. Each setting can store specific parameters such as exposure time and frame rate, enabling seamless transitions based on production needs.
Where space is limited, the compact design of the Alvium G1 camera (41mm × 29mm × 29mm) is a significant advantage. It fits easily into tight spots and operates via a single cable for both power and data transfer, thanks to Power over Ethernet (PoE).
T 01428 748874
W www.alliedvision.com
Glass beer bottling lines can run at up to 80,000 bottles per hour, requiring the highest vision speeds
Feature: Drinks
Key
components or
system architecture make the difference
Energy savings can be a major benefit to beverage producers, and increasingly this can be combined with reductions in other consumables.
At automation supplier Tecno Productos in Mexico, managing partner Alejandro Mestre Ceciarelli describes the ways in which process optimisation and standardisation in the industry can combine with meeting the stringent reporting requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The company has worked with Mexican tequila businesses, including Sauza Tequila, which are eager to embrace the efficiencies of automation, but also want to maintain a strong artisanal element in their operations.
“Tequila is an old industry,” Ceciarelli says. “They still have a lot of processes that waste water, energy and time.” But technologies from Rockwell Automation can change that. “We’re focusing on how to provide sustainable processes that enhance productivity with automation.”
Those technologies include Rockwell’s PlantPAx Distributed Control System to upgrade control and PanelView Graphic Terminals to visualise the entire production process from recipe and batch management through to equipment cleaning.
Ceciarelli details what he calls the “mind-blowing” results. “In some cases, we have reduced
Producers find drinks savings
The heart of the agave is used to produce tequila, but the process can consume a large amount of energy as well as water – and time
water consumption by 75%, and we have increased production by 16% in one year just with automation. That’s an increase of about 107 million litres of tequila.”
At the same time, the system automatically generates reports that satisfy the demands of the FDA.
In addition to facilitating compliance, the increased data visibility has led to valuable insights and improvement opportunities. “We know how much time it takes for the entire process,” he explains. “What was the consumption of water, energy and cleaning fluids? What are the comparisons and where are the deviations?”
He sums it all up as follows: “What we are doing in the industry is changing from reactive production to proactive production. Good engineering and good automation is what brings the process to the next level.”
As well as financial cost reductions there are often environmental and sustainability benefits with a lot of these changes.
SMC Corporation worked with one beer manufacturer aiming to reduce the supply pressure on the compressor for its filling line to just
5 bar where possible. But as global account manager Aneeth Mathew explains, the compressor pressure of one of the customer’s sites was set at 5.4 bar, which was not sufficient to operate the sanitary valve actuators on the filler –especially the double seat valves, which required a minimum 6 bar to operate.
“Our proposal was the use of SMC’s innovative Energy Saving Exhaust Recovery Booster Regulators locally on the filler,” says Mathew.
Booster Regulators can multiply the pressure by 1.7 times, but without the need for a power supply, reducing the load on the air compressors. The Exhaust Recovery function cuts the amount of compressed air needed by up to 40%, says SMC, and allows a reduction in noise of around 20%.
“The product was so successful that the customer has now installed SMC Booster Regulators at multiple locations,” he says. Here, too, compressor pressure is at 5.4 bar rather than 6 bar, resulting in a saving of around 1,500 kWh of energy units per day.
We can o er a vast range of products & technical solutions across many market sectors, we provide our customers with access to new technology and the highest technical standards.
DEPALLETISERS
CARTON ERECTORS
INTEGRATED LOGISTICS THE END-OF-LINE AUTOMATIC SOLUTIONS PROVIDER
1_DEPALLETIZERS traditional and robotic depalletizers
2_CARTON ERECTORS carton forming and sealing with hot melt glue or adhesive tape
6_STRETCH WRAPPERS rotary table, rotary arm, ring stretch-wrappers, hooding
3_PICK & PLACE vertical, wrap-around, robotic, all-in-one (form, insert, close)
7_ AGV SHUTTLES Automatic Guide Vehicles for pallets
TRADITIONAL & ROBOTIC
4_CLOSING UNITS carton sealing with hot melt glue or adhesive tape
PICK & PLACE CARTONING CARTON CLOSERS
8_AUTOMATED WAREHOUSES automated warehouse and picking solutions for multiple pallets
Feature: Drinks
A hot option for palletised loads
Using hotmelt between drinks pallet layers can yield much more than just stability, says Meler
Gluing specialist Meler has seen many examples of how end-of-line hotmelt adhesive application can not only boost pallet stability but also minimise carbon footprint and packaging costs by allowing lighter film structures to be used.
Despite these benefits, not every drinks manufacturer is willing to factor in the downtime needed to retrofit the necessary equipment.
One company that bit the bullet and contacted Meler to do precisely that, then going on to install an adhesive application system, was water bottler Manantiales del Piedra, based near Zaragoza in northern Spain.
Maintenance manager Joaquín Cebrián points out that each four-layer pallet of its 1.5-litre bottles weighs 250kg, so the combination of collation and pallet film wrapping has to provide the necessary strength and resistance to support the
northern Spain Gabriel Laguardia does not see the equipment retrofit as a major operation, and managed to integrate an efficient adhesive application system for this customer in record time.
“Technically, it is not a big investment,” he says. “It is a process upgrade. Meler has simply adapted an installation using the customer’s criteria.”
Increased operator safety throughout the supply chain, reduced risk of product damage – and of rejection by retailers –are just some of the benefits.
A glue-stabilised pallet (left) alongside an unstabilised load for comparison
load right through the supply chain. Using adhesive means that the firmness of the pallet increases as it grows, says the supplier. The pallet load behaves as a block, and risks to operators are reduced.
In fact, sales manager for Meler in
Meler emphasises that the use of adhesive at the end-of-line serves two further purposes, one economic and one environmental. Normally, pallets need around 500-600g of plastics to be shrinkwrapped in a way that provides the necessary stability, Laguardia explains. But using adhesive between each layer can generate major savings of up to 50% in film requirements. With the simultaneous application of two small spirals of hotmelt adhesive at four points on the top of each bottle multipack, says the company, excellent results have been achieved. According to Cebrián, Meler’s new system has improved shipments, reduced errors, and the end customer is much more satisfied.
T 033 3880 4567
W www.meler.eu
Thermal inkjet printers for marking food and drink packaging
Handheld and fixed position options
High-resolution, low-maintenance printers
Solvent or aqueous links
Feature: Drinks
A major southern African bottler has cut costs,
Ssays KHS
chweppes Zimbabwe
Limited (SZL) has dramatically increased output on filling into PET at its Harare plant thanks to the installation of a blow-fill line from KHS running at up to 36,000 containers per hour.
Previously, demand from the factory had been for relatively low volumes. But this expectation has been turned on its head with the new non-returnable PET line. This includes a compact InnoPET BloFill stretch blow moulder-filler block, an Innoket Neo roll-fed labeller, an Innopack PSP Advanced shrink packer and an Innopal PB N palletiser.
SZL corporate affairs executive Ropafadzo Gwanetsa estimates that capacity has increased by 300%, to the extent that the company’s current warehouse will probably have to be enlarged. The new line was a necessary step, given that demand for filled juice from flagship brands Mazoe Orange Crush and Minute Maid and for Bonaqua and Schweppes still water continues to grow in domestic and regional markets.
GLOWING ENDORSEMENT
Gwanetsa reports that SZL owner The Coca-Cola Company remains favourably impressed with KHS’s reliability as a systems provider. “It is valued for its expertise in highly-efficient filling and packaging systems,” she says. “Its range of holistic services that includes extensive technical support is also convincing.”
PET filling from line quadruples
By the line (L-R):
Bradley Naicker, KHS South Africa, SZL’s Ropafadzo Gwanetsa, with Bhekimpilo Ndhlovu, plant manager, and Jane Bwerinofa also of SZL
The plant fills containers of between 400ml and 2-litres in size. “The ability to easily process a whole range of different container sizes on a single line, with format changeovers now much quicker, gives us a great competitive edge over other bottlers,” says Gwanetsa.
The efficiency of the line has also had a significant impact on cost-reduction. “We’ve managed to cut our overall costs by about 80% compared to the former setup, with a 10% reduction in personnel requirements making a positive contribution to this,” she reports.
Other cost reductions include a decrease of up to 30% in energy consumption, savings in water and CO2 and similarly reduced labelling costs.
Savings are also kicking in when it comes to polymer usage. The latest KHS stretch blow moulding technology produces lightweight PET containers using up to 10 or 15% less raw material than was previously required, says the equipment supplier.
As is so often the case, space
constraints were a factor in the installation. For SZL, this meant fitting the line into an L shape, rather than the usual rectangle. All the same, the equipment was up and running “in record time”, says KHS, producing saleable product just six weeks after installation.
Because the filler uses some custom bottle formats, these also require specific pallets that, like the containers, do not correspond to the norm. “We were able to adapt the robot palletiser to pack the respective SKUs through individual robot programming, and thus achieve an optimum result,” says KHS sales manager for South Africa Bradley Naicker.
Overall, he and KHS are as pleased as the customer with the outcome. “We’ve exceeded expectations regarding production capacities, economy and the use of resources,” he says. “SZL is now bottling more beverages of a better quality at a lower cost and with a smaller carbon footprint.”
T 0121 713 6900
W www.khs.com
RE: THINK FOOD TECH.
GEA PowerPak 1000
Are you a startup seeking efficiencies or a medium-sized business aiming for packaging innovation?
PowerPak 1000, an entry-level thermoformer that's perfect for thermoforming packaging needs, is your go-to solution. With its impressive capacity of up to 8 cycles per minute, this compact yet powerful machine revolutionizes traditional packaging methods, offering reduced plastic usage, increased packaging speed, and flexibility in pack size.
Meet us at FoodEx, 7-9 April, NEC, Hall 6, Stand Q140
Components
Line scan bar light hands machine vision image processing new tools
Machine vision lighting specialist TPL Vision is now supplying the ELINE – Essential Line Scan Bar Light, said to deliver “exceptional homogeneity and brightness”.
Described as being versatile and customisable, the light performs well at different working distances, increasing the depth of field and helping to take image processing to the next level. Sizes are from 125mm up to 2,500mm.
(L-R) Backlight, focused, collimated
There are three interchangeable lighting effects: backlight, with high homogeneity for high-speed line scan applications; focused, with converging linear lighting for close working distances; and collimated, providing intense linear lighting for long working distances.
Features include passive cooling and, says the supplier, easy T-slot mounting. The eight wavelength options are: white (6,500K), red (630nm), IR (850nm), green (525nm), blue (470nm), UV405, UV385 and UV365.
A reflection management option for focused and collimated versions will eliminate LED spots when inspecting glossy or shiny surfaces. A polarisation option can eliminate unwanted glare from uneven surfaces such as packaging foils. T 01738 310392 W www.tpl-vision.com
CVK Series
BLE2 Series
KIIS Series
DGII-Serie
KIIS Series Angle Gearboxes
Labelling, Coding & Marking Flow sensor has benefits across industrial sectors
Wireless range reaches 100mm
NearFi couplers can double wireless data transmission ranges
NearFi couplers now available from Phoenix Contact make it possible to double the range for wireless data transmission.
At the same time, they provide double the power for automatic current compensation or the forwarding of two electrically isolated voltages (US/UA) with parallel connection.
A range of up to 100mm is now achievable with the new couplers, thanks to the exceptionally high performance of the wireless boards, says Phoenix. The parallel connection of two NearFi coupler paths enables either double the power transmission, says the supplier, (up to 100W) or the transmission of two electrically isolated voltages (50W US/UA each).
NearFi applications could include robot tool changeover and instructions for automated guided vehicles.
T 01952 681700
W www.phoenixcontact.co.uk
Among recent launches from ifm electronic are an ultrasonic flow sensor, with a role to play across different sectors, and new I/O modules for PROFINET and Ethernet/IP applications.
The SU puresonic sensor is, says ifm, engineered to redefine versatility and reliability, and incorporates ultrasonic time-of-flight technology. It is intended for applications ranging from hydraulics, water filtration and cooling circuits to food or beverage processing, and offers the versatility to enhance operational workflows, says the supplier.
Specifically, the SU puresonic is said to provide excellent measurement accuracy and repeatability in applications where flow measurement of both conductive and non-conductive water, glycol solutions or oils is required, ensuring quality and consistency in a variety of production environments.
With an all-stainless
construction, it is designed for high flows and minimal pressure drop, providing longlasting performance with minimal maintenance. The sensor is sufficiently adaptable to integrate into a wide range of control systems, says ifm.
Meanwhile, the company’s new Ethernet I/O modules are enclosed in durable housings, making them suitable for demanding environments, including high-hygiene settings. Protection ratings span IP65, IP66, IP67, and IP69K (with stainless steel protective caps), making
them suitable for diverse industrial needs.
These I/O modules enable direct connection of sensors and actuators to fieldbus level, according to ifm, eliminating the need for additional transmission systems. They are said to be ideal for high-frequency counter applications, allowing direct output switching without any delay. Featuring L-coded M12 connections with 2x16A for daisy-chaining, the modules guarantee a stable power supply.
T 020 8213 2222
W www.ifm.com
Free-space radar know-how allows continuous monitoring of liquid and solid levels in wide array of industrial applications
Sick has applied free-space radar technology to continuous level monitoring of liquids and solids in the form of its LXRC and LXRH sensors.
These devices are accurate, repeatable and suitable for an enormous range of applications across many sectors and industrial environments, says Sick. They utilise frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar to measure levels of liquids and bulk materials up to 15 m, with an accuracy of
+/- 2 mm, the company adds.
For example, the LXRC and LXRH (which comes with hygiene adaptors) can be used at any stage of a dairy operation from milking to packaging.
Sick UK market product manager for instrumentation and distance measurement
Nick Hartley calls sensors “the unsung heroes” of materials handling and transfer. “They perform strongly in harsh environments and throughout multiple
operations, providing a single solution to meet many customer needs,” he says.
According to Sick, the use of contactless FMCW radar overcomes a range of problems
associated with alternative level measurement techniques. Contact measurement technologies can require increased effort to clean tanks and sensors, it says, and can be easily damaged.
Challenges associated with ultrasonic measurement are claimed to include vacuum, dust, condensation, steam, temperature or build-up affecting readings, and limited ‘windows’ of usable distance.
T 01727 831121
W www.sick.co.uk
The SU puresonic flow sensor monitors conductive and non-conductive liquids
Sensors function in harsh conditions
Who What Where
Who’s done what and gone where...
Syntegon
Eros Carletti is now the chief financial officer (CFO) at Syntegon group, taking over from Dr Peter Hackel. Since 2018, he served as CFO for DSM’s nutrition business and, most recently, as chief transformation officer of the newly-formed dsm-firmenich group. Chief executive of Syntegon group Torsten Türling called Carletti “the ideal fit to support the acceleration of our growth strategy”.
Lan Handling
Since the beginning of the year, Ruben Jakobs has been the new chief executive officer at Dutchbased Lan Handling Technologies. “He brings the right experience and drive to guide the talented Lan team to continue delivering exceptional results for our customers,” says chief executive of parent company Hydratec Industries, Bart Aangenendt. Formerly, Jakobs worked with DAF Trucks, Vanderlande and NTS.
Ravenwood
Ian Towsey has been appointed APAC operations director at Ravenwood. Prior to joining the company, he served as director at T3 Engineering PTY, which has been a service repair agent for Ravenwood since 2018. He is based in the company’s APAC headquarters in Queensland, Australia. The division will benefit from his wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise, says Ravenwood.
Engineers Insight
Thomas Flude (Tom), co-founder of industry app Engineers
Insight, is now not only a partner of Automate UK but also the new host of the UK Automation Forum’s regular panel debates, taking over in that role from former MU editor Gail Hunt, who is now fully- rather than just semi-retired.
Friedheim International
Robert Jess has been appointed UK & Ireland sales specialist for Friedheim’s Packaging and Finishing divisions. He has a strong background in sales management and brings over 20 years of sales experience, says the company, nine of those being in the corrugated industry. His main focus will be in the north.
Gerhard Schubert
BCAS
Fay Hutchinson has joined the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) as learning support officer, working alongside learning and development officer Terry Collier to enhance the provision of compressed air and vacuum-related training. She has a first-class honours degree in business management and an MBA.
Shemesh Automation
Richard Aitchison has been appointed UK & Ireland sales director for Shemesh Automation, with an engineering background which started back in 1988 with GEC Marconi (now BAE), and 30 years’ experience of selling capital equipment, the last 20 of those in packaging machinery. Shemesh has been active in UK sales for over 10 years.
German company Gerhard Schubert is combining its expertise with the Berndt+Partner packaging consultancy to create a new Packaging Competence Center (PCC), led by sustainability expert at Schubert Michael Graf. The PCC can offer regulatory advice (notably in the light of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), packaging development and machine feasibility guidance. Shown here, the team consists (L-R) of: Pascal Kurz, Stefan Horvath, Michael Graf, Laura Gascho and Valentin Köhler.
Diary Dates
23 – 25 SEPTEMBER PPMA Total Show 2025 NEC, Birmingham www.ppmashow.co.uk
7 – 9 APRIL Foodex Manufacturing Solutions NEC, Birmingham www.foodex.co.uk
Volkmann UK Ltd Unit 4 Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3RH Telephone: 01494 512228 Email: mail.uk@volkmann.info Website: https://uk.volkmann.info/
TAWI UK Unit G, Pentagon Park, Lodge Farm, Northampton, NN5 7UW T: 01604 591120 E: eh.uk.sales@piab.com www.tawi.com
DRUM FILLING
Volkmann
4 Acorn Business Park, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 1AS T: 0161 209 4810 E: ckb@coperionktron.com www coperion.com
Volkmann UK Ltd Unit 4 Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3RH Telephone: 01494 512228 Email: mail.uk@volkmann.info Website: https://uk.volkmann.info/
OPTIMA Packaging Machinery UK PLC Unit 1 Elm Farm Business Park, Norwich Common Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0ZF Tel: 01953 600078 E: info@optima-packaging.com www.optima-packaging.com
TAWI UK Unit G, Pentagon Park, Lodge Farm, Northampton, NN5 7UW
Volkmann UK Ltd Unit 4 Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3RH Telephone: 01494 512228 Email: mail.uk@volkmann.info Website: https://uk.volkmann.info/ END OF LINE BAGGING MACHINES
M.D.S. Lt d Metal Detection Services Unit 16, Irlam Business Park, Soapstone Way, Irlam, Manchester M44 6GP T: Sales 0161 286 8755 T: 0161 286 8750 E: sales@mds.org.uk www.mds.org.uk
Unit G, Pentagon Park, Lodge Farm, Northampton, NN5 7UW
T: 01604 591120
VACUUM – CUPS
TAWI UK
E: eh.uk.sales@piab.com www.tawi.com
Volkmann UK Ltd
Unit 4 Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3RH Telephone: 01494 512228 Email: mail.uk@volkmann.info Website: https://uk.volkmann.info/
Unit G, Pentagon Park, Lodge Farm, Northampton, NN5 7UW T: 01604 591120 E: eh.uk.sales@piab.com www.tawi.com
Unit G, Pentagon Park, Lodge Farm, Northampton, NN5 7UW T: 01604 591120 E: eh.uk.sales@piab.com www.tawi.com
Volkmann UK Ltd
Unit 4 Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3RH Telephone: 01494 512228 Email: mail.uk@volkmann.info Website: https://uk.volkmann.info/
Building on the rich heritage of Rose Forgrove, Sandiacre, Schib, and Simionato, our Vertical Form-Fill-Seal and Flow Wrapping product lines will henceforth be known as BW Hayssen.
