Page 87 - AMEFT Journal 2021-4

(Source: Ishida)
meat is taken to another feeder that functions as a second buffer, which then transfers the lardons to the 12 vibratory feeders on each of the two 12-head Ishida Fresh Food Weighers.
The Ishida CCW-R2-112 multi – head -weighers in linear configuration were specifically developed for the high- performance handling of sticky prod- ucts in compact spaces. At Micarna, the two weighers are facing each other, working in tandem to pack the diced meat into thermoformed packs. Heavy duty ribbed plastic hoppers with scraper gates prevent the sticky meat from clinging to the weighers’ contact parts.
An inspiring concept
The two Ishida multi-head weighers have been configured as if they were four single machines, discharging the required target weights into four sepa- rate collection chutes. These chutes are positioned so that the automated 2 x 8 distribution system only needs to make small lateral movements. Nyffenegger describes the innovative solution from Itech and Ishida as “an inspiring concept.”
The two weighers simultaneously fill 16 hoppers in the distribution sys- tem. A collector conveyor has replaced conventional swivel chutes, which re- duces the distribution system’s overall height. To further minimize space, the project planners opted for a mobile support platform.
For cleaning, the two machines are moved apart and all contact parts can be removed and reattached without the need for tools. The machine com- ponents are transferred to the wash- ing facility on custom-made trolleys,
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designed to suit the confined space at the production facility.
Micarna is currently using its new packing line to weigh and pack six products with fill weights ranging from 65g to 90g. “Precision is essen- tial for us, and with these pack sizes, overfilling amounts to less than 1g per pack on average,” says Nyffeneg- ger. The setup achieves an impres- sive output of 112 trays per minute, although even this speed is well be- low the capabilities of the two Ishida weighers.
Despite the ingenious solution pro- posed, Nyffenegger was initially scepti-
PROCESSING & PACKAGING
cal “because it made us rather worried when three alternative high-profile suppliers told us that it couldn’t be done.” However, the positive experi- ence with Itech installations gave Mi- carna the confidence to award the contract to Ishida and Itech. The ten- month project that followed also in- volved “a great working relationship and coordination with the other sup- pliers”.
“The new system is so efficient that we are soon going to start diverting more orders within Micarna to the new production facility in Bazenheid.”, concludes Nyffenegger.
Patrick Nyffenegger, Project Manager of Micarna SA, holding final packs
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