The new Matrix X machine allows coffee roasters to use floor space more effectively while boosting production
Saukville, WI - Matrix Packaging Machinery, powered by Pro Mach, introduced at the 24th annual Specialty Coffee Association of America Exposition and Symposium an ingeniously designed coffee bagging machine for those coffee companies that need to boost production but have limited floor space. The new X machine, Matrix Booth #4113, packs the effective production capacity of two machines, up to 250-bags-per-minute, into the floor space typically required for one 45-inch wide bagger.
“The X machine is actually two baggers with two augers that Matrix advanced engineering has consolidated into a single small footprint unit,” said Marc Willden, vice president and general manager, Matrix. “The machine creates twice the production per 45-inch-width of floor space as well as greater flexibility for a coffee company. Production managers can bag the same product using the two augers and form-fill-seal units or run different products at the same time. This gives operations the ability to easily mix or match production runs to meet daily requirements.”
X machines come equipped with two Automation Supply & Engineering, Inc. augers that are each accurate to + one gram. This level of accuracy means less overall giveaway and more profitable operations. A remote operator station equipped with a spot-check weighing system also increases weight consistency. Based on test bags weighed at set intervals, control software automatically adjusts auger dose up or down to meet package specifications. Some customers will find the option of adding a second remote operator station of benefit for X machine two-line operation.
The X machines form pillow bags from 3- to 15-inches long and from 2- to 8-inches wide. The rugged stainless steel cantilevered frame and other components are designed to withstand the rigors of 24/7 duty cycles. The cantilevered frame is also important because the frame’s open sides contribute to faster and more ergonomic loading of bag film and printer ribbon. This means less downtime during film and ribbon changeover.
Vacuum-pull belts give the coffee roaster greater flexibility in the type of films utilized. The machine features electronic servo motion control for greater accuracy and faster and more precise changeover. Integrated speed control of takeaway conveyors improves overall packaging line integration. Customers find that Ethernet connectivity offers a host of operational benefits, not the least of which is remote data acquisition.
Coffee roasters, for more information on the ingeniously designed X machine which packs the punch of two machines in the footprint of one, call Matrix at 262-268-8300 and visit www.MatrixPM.com.
]]>Rennco, powered by Pro Mach, is pleased to exhibit in Hall 8, Stand J48 of the Texcare International Exhibition in Frankfurt.
Rennco will have in operation in the booth a Model Vertic·L-PP unit designed for the Laundry Industry. This packager model is configured to utilize centerfolded polyethylene material to make a bag around laundry items.
Towels, linens, gowns, etc. can be passed through the light curtain of the machine whereby the items are counted. Once the correct count is reached, the seal system is activated to produce a completely sealed package around the items.
The unit can also be equipped with a weigh scale if weight is a better option per bag versus piece count.
Come and see one of the models offered by Rennco in our booth at Texcare International.
Hall 8, Stand J48
Stand contacts:
Robin Thurgood – Vice President/General Manager
Connie Hehir – Managing Director, Rennco Europe
]]>Athens, GA - A new white paper from Fowler Products, powered by Pro Mach, looks at the two most prominent styles of capping machines - in-line and rotary chuck - and then offers end-users detailed insights on choosing the optimum style for their application and budget.
The selection is based on a number of application and budgetary considerations, including:
The white paper, Choosing the Appropriate Capping Technology for Your Application, is being offered as a free download by Fowler Products.
For more information on Fowler Products range of capping solutions, call 1-877-549-3301 and visit www.fowlerproducts.com.
]]>New conveyor capability can reach up to 500 feet-per-minute
Shuttleworth, powered by Pro Mach, announced today a new high-speed chain-driven conveyor capable of reaching speeds up to 500 feet-per-minute (FPM) while maintaining product stability. This speed capability allows manufacturers added versatility on their packaging lines.
“Previously, our conveyor systems could only reach up to 300 feet-per-minute,” says Klaus Daenzer, Senior Plastics R&D Engineer at Shuttleworth. “We can now achieve the higher speeds because of improvements we have made in wear and friction engineering, particularly with its effect on plastics - a critical component to longevity in conveyor operation. Faster speeds produce higher force vectors, which can increase wear on conveyor components. We have worked out how to greatly minimize these factors.”
Although most conveying systems used for end-of-line packaging operations run at less than 300 feet-per-minute, faster conveyor speeds can be utilized on straight conveyor sections for high-volume throughput of lightweight, low-profile products.
Utilizing the latest controls technology of PLCs, motion control devices, servo-motors and variable-speed zoning, Shuttleworth conveyors are known for providing gentle product handling and precise product placement, particularly for use in the food, pharmaceutical, electronics, printing and solar industries where these criteria are critical.
The high-speed conveyors can also be integrated with the company’s patented Slip-Torque® low-line backpressure technology for handling delicate products, and its and Servo-Infeed® technology for ultra-precise product infeed, such as into wrapping and cartoning equipment.
For more information on Shuttleworth integrated product handling and conveyor solutions, call 260-359-8500 or visit www.shuttleworth.com.
]]>Handling cheesecakes requires a delicate touch to prevent marring the cakes. Culinary Arts, a leading cheesecake manufacturer, called on Shuttleworth to design and manufacture a solution to improve the conveyor handling of the product and set up the cheesecakes for induction into the shrink-wrapper.
]]>Raleigh, NC - Axon, powered by Pro Mach, has published a white paper by George Albrecht, vice president of sales, detailing what packagers need to know when purchasing a used Axon tamper band/shrink sleeve label applicator.
The paper covers points to consider such as the original design function of the machine, speed of the machine, and customized options, all features that may or may not fit the buyer’s needs.
Albrecht advises buyers to obtain the applicator’s serial number and call Axon. Technical personnel can supply valuable information about the machine’s original design and age and help determine if it matches the manufacturer’s needs. He also suggests buyers diagnose wear of the applicator’s components and observe the machine in operation if possible. Finally, Albrecht explains why it does not make sense to purchase a machine that is more than 10 years old.
Follow this link to download a copy of this informative white paper. It may help you save time and money.
]]>Rocky Mount, NC - Ossid, powered by Pro Mach, introduced today a new weigh-price labeler for meat, poultry, dairy products, seafood, and produce packing operations that require a rugged, versatile, and fast machine, up to 120 packages per minute, in environments with high moisture content.
The splash-proof Ossid WPL1522 weigh-price labeler features stainless steel construction and is designed for wet environments. With no exposed electronics, IP67 rated connectors, motors, load cell and touch screen and with sealed conveyor roller bearings, the weigh unit meets IEC standard’s IP67 rating.
This new splash-proof weigh-price labeler can run both top and bottom labels in a variety of sizes with true type fonts and graphics up to 4" x 5" with standard tamp. This machine can also run a variety of packages with reliable and repeatable label placement. It is capable of printing 21 different Bar Code symbologies, including 2D. Physical contact finger tamp system ensures accurate label placement on package. Users have a wide selection of print engines with up to 16 inches (406mm) per second of printing speed. This unit can function as a check weigher with the addition of a simple diverter/kickoff mechanism.
The Ossid 1522 connects to business systems and allows automatic order processing and tracking, remote user training, off-site maintenance, download of print requirements and prices right from the manager’s desk, software upgrades, and much more. The unit automatically collects raw data for every package to create real-time reports that can be delivered via email or PDA. English and Spanish are standard operator interface languages.
“A number of meat, poultry, dairy, seafood, and produce processors perform labeling and final packaging in the same high moisture room where food processing and primary packaging takes place” said Mike Alyounes, weigh-price labeler product manager, Ossid. “Unless a weigh-price labeler is ruggedized, it is simply not going to last in that environment without constant and costly maintenance. The new splash-proof WPL1522 weigh-price labeler was designed specifically to remove these types of production worries from customers while giving them a versatile machine.”
For more information on the new WPL1522 splash-proof weigh-price labeler, call 1-800-334-8369 and visit www.ossid.com to learn more about the company’s full line of high speed packaging equipment, including weigh-price labelers, overwrappers, high CPM horizontal form-fill-seal machines, and in-motion case-weight scales.
]]>Cincinnati, OH - Pro Mach, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Edson Packaging Machinery, Ltd, a leading manufacturer of high performance case packing equipment, based in Hamilton, Ontario. Edson will join Pro Mach's End of Line Business Unit, which provides stand alone equipment and integrated packaging line solutions for many of the world's most recognized food, beverage, industrial products and consumer goods companies.
Edson, founded in 1962, provides specialty packaging equipment, parts and service for companies worldwide that require high performance case and tray packing solutions. Edson is an industry leader in packaging solutions for the paper converting and carton industry. Edson also has long-standing customer relationships with food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods companies that require innovative, high speed horizontal case packing, material handling, and top load robotic solutions. Edson's strength in large-scale, high performance case packing solutions for the paper converting industry allows Pro Mach to reach new markets worldwide with its diverse brands of innovative, high quality equipment and integrated solutions.
"Edson has talented people and innovative solutions that complement our extensive End-of-Line capabilities," said Mark Anderson, Pro Mach President and CEO. "Pro Mach and Edson share a common tradition for customer service and product excellence. We look forward to investing in continued enhancements in Edson's product line and customer service capabilities in order to improve return on investment for their customers. We will continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen our position as a world leader in packaging machinery, integrated solutions and customer service excellence."
Gary Evans, CEO at Edson, will join Pro Mach as Vice President and General Manager of Edson. He will report to Barry Heiser, President of Pro Mach's End of Line Business Unit. "Pro Mach intends to continue producing Edson packaging machinery in Ontario," said Barry Heiser. "We are excited to work with their team to further develop complete integrated End of Line solutions."
"This is a win-win for our customers and team," said Edson CEO Gary Evans. "As part of Pro Mach we will be able to provide our customers with a more integrated product line across their End-of-Line packaging operation. We have an outstanding opportunity to create synergies with other Pro Mach brands that benefit our customers."
For more information about Edson Packaging Machinery, visit their website at www.Edson.com.
]]>Covington, LA - A white paper from Allpax, powered by Pro Mach, looks at how the Shaka(R) retort process blurs the lines between UHT/aseptic packaging and retort sterilization, making it possible for a processor to produce UHT quality food through a batch retort process that has a significantly lower capital and labor cost; faster time to market, including validation; and greater flexibility than UHT processing.
The white paper details the results of a five year research and development effort to commercialize the Shaka process and includes charts and a Shaka retort production video. Shaka retorts agitate packaging using a six-inch double-stroke reciprocating movement at speeds greater than 100 double strokes per minute. The intense horizontal back and forth movement is equivalent to as high as 2 gs of force and this creates a uniform internal heat map within the package.
At a Shaka agitation of 180 reciprocating double strokes per minute, cook time for 400 gm cans of vegetable soup reduce from 50 minutes to 5 - a 90 percent reduction. The production unit is a single production size basket with a capacity of 1,500 lbs. of product. Thus with 3-6 batches per hour, this small footprint Shaka(R) retort can process 4,500-9,000 lbs. of product per hour. Research reveals that the quality of foods produced by the Shaka process is equivalent to that produced by aseptic packaging. Taste, texture, color, nutrient retention, and cook values over a range of products showed minimal differences between products aseptically processed and those Shaka processed.
The white paper, Shaka Retorts Shake Up the Shelf-Stable Food Paradigm, is being offered as a free download by Allpax. For information on a host of Allpax retort solutions call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, powered by Pro Mach, is now offering a waste-steam recovery system for retorts that is designed to lower energy costs, reduce consumption of water, and improve the overall sustainability of the facility. This new system is suitable for both new installations and as a retrofit solution.
In every retort operation the FDA requires retorts to be purged of residual atmosphere before the shelf-stable process begins. In the "come-up vent-open" process, steam is flushed through the retort and vented out of the facility for a specified period of time. The Allpax waste-heat recovery system captures the "come-up vent-open" waste steam in a vented tank where the steam condenses into hot water of about 200 degrees F.
This hot water can be used to supplement hot water in lavatories and cleaning stations or it can be run through heat exchangers for heating food or other processes at the plant. One of the first companies to use the new system utilizes the steam for use with a heat exchanger. Heat exchanged water is returned to the Allpax collection tank in a closed loop heat recovery system.
The vented collection tank is pressure neutral in terms of "come-up vent-open" guidelines. In other words, the Allpax tank is engineered to have virtually the same pressure characteristics as an open vent pipe. The heat recovery system is PLC controlled and equipped with pressure sensors, ensuring that operations personnel will be alerted should deviations in specified pressure occur. Tanks are sized to the needs of the operation. The system is easily turned on or off, depending on production schedules. Return on investment should average three years for a mid-sized retort room. As energy prices rise, return on investment speeds up.
"Every company interested in improving its overall sustainability in terms of reducing energy and water consumption while lowering operating costs will find the new waste-heat recovery system a welcome addition to the plant," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax.
For information on the new Allpax waste-heat recovery system suitable for both new installations and retrofits, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Loveland, OH - Pro Mach, Inc. a leading provider of packaging line solutions and machinery, announced today the appointment of Mark Ruberg as Director of Corporate Business Collaboration. Mr Ruberg is a 27-year veteran in developing collaborative teams to create sales growth and expand business opportunities in manufacturing. He will work with Pro Mach's senior leadership team to increase global growth, particularly expansion in Latin America. He will also lead efforts to develop collaborative sales teams and strategy related to corporate accounts.
Mr. Ruberg's background includes extensive engineering, business development and sales experience in robotics, plastics, and machine tool industries. Mr. Ruberg joins Pro Mach from Milacron Marketing Company, where he held several positions of increasing responsibility in engineering and sales leadership. Most recently he served as Vice President, Corporate Accounts for Milacron Marketing Company, where he led the Marketing, Sales and Distribution teams in driving sales growth and corporate account development. He also served as Milacron's Managing Director, Americas and Director of Aftermarket Development for global operations.
"Mark comes to Pro Mach with strong experience and a deep understanding of developing global sales and developing new business opportunities in manufacturing," said Mark Anderson, Pro Mach President and CEO. "With his leadership in building collaborative teams and corporate account management to increase growth, Pro Mach will continue to develop new opportunities that leverage our unique position as a premier provider of standalone and integrated solutions across most areas of the packaging line, including primary, end-of-line and identification and tracking."
"Pro Mach has an outstanding track record in satisfying their customers and providing best-in-class packaging solutions and machinery," adds Mr. Ruberg. "I'm pleased to have the opportunity to help expand Pro Mach's business globally and develop new opportunities to serve our customers and deliver our superior products."
Mr. Ruberg received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He also received a BA in Physics from Thomas More College. He is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce CEO Roundtable, and the Strategic Account Management Association.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, powered by Pro Mach, introduces a new automated high-speed retort product delivery system for small footprint retort rooms that utilize four-, six-, and eight-basket horizontal retorts for the preparation of shelf-stable food. This new system is suitable for both new installations and as a retrofit solution.
The new Allpax system reduces labor cost and frees up workers for more value adding activities. Furthermore, with workers freed from the physical demands in the retort room of loading and unloading heavy baskets, employers can expect to see fewer repetitive motion injuries, worker compensation claims, and lost work days due to injuries. Employers should also see less damage to baskets and retorts for those operations using forklifts for loading and unloading. Return on investment can be two years or less, depending on the number of retorts served and personnel assigned to loading and unloading operations.
The typical automated retort product delivery system requires enough space for four-, six-, and eight- basket long automated shuttles to run between the basket loading area and the bank of retorts. Each shuttle has a loading arm sized to the length of the horizontal retorts it serves. Typically shuttles move at about 50 feet per minute. The end result is a long, automated, and fairly slow moving train of baskets in large open areas.
In contrast, the shorter two-basket shuttle travels nearly five times as fast - 240 feet per minute. An innovative basket coupling system removes the need for long-loading arms, which contributes to the compact size of the two-basket shuttle. With increased speed and the basket automated couple/decouple mechanism, the high-speed two-basket system performs the loading/unloading process in a space 50 to 75 percent smaller in size than that required by the longer shuttles.
"From the perspective of automation hardware, control software, and the new agitation processes such as Shaka(R) and Gentle Motion that improve productivity and quality, there has never been a more advantageous time in the last decade in terms of technology improvements for the shelf-stable food industry," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax.
For information on the new Allpax high-speed two-basket loading system for small footprint retort rooms call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Cincinnati, OH - Pro Mach, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Matrix Packaging Machinery, a leading manufacturer of vertical form/fill/seal machinery based in Saukville, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. Matrix will join Pro Mach's Primary Packaging Business Unit, which provides machinery solutions and consumables for many of the world's most recognized food, beverage, and consumer goods companies.
Matrix, founded in 1988, provides flexible packaging machinery for companies worldwide that require high quality, versatile pouch and bagging solutions. Matrix solutions include machines for pillow, gusseted, zipper, stand-up, and bag-in-bag packaging. Matrix's strength in vertical form fill seal packaging allows Pro Mach to reach new markets worldwide with its diverse brands of high performance equipment and integrated solutions. Pro Mach will also offer expanded flexible packaging solutions to its existing customers.
"We are excited to welcome the Matrix team to Pro Mach," said Mark Anderson, Pro Mach President and CEO. "We look forward to continuing the Matrix tradition of excellence and serving their outstanding customers as well as providing their solutions to all the customers of Pro Mach. We intend to have their highly capable team continue producing Matrix packaging machinery in Wisconsin and Pro Mach's excellent financial strength will provide a stable base for Matrix to invest in new product development and technologies to accelerate their already strong growth. We will work with their team to continue to strengthen their operational excellence and enhance their already strong customer support capabilities with our ProCustomer customer service program."
Marc Willden, CEO at Matrix, will join Pro Mach as Vice President and General Manager of Matrix. He will report to Bud Lane, President of Pro Mach's Primary Packaging Business Unit.
"This is a win-win for our customers," said Matrix CEO Marc Willden. "As part of the Pro Mach team, we are excited to expand our capabilities and continue to build on our tradition of delivering and supporting rugged, easy-to-use, cost-effective vertical form/fill/seal packaging solutions."
"Matrix complements our existing Primary Packaging brands and allows us to offer our customers proven flexible packaging solutions," added Mr. Lane. "We continue to expand our capabilities at Pro Mach to better serve our existing customers and reach new markets worldwide."
For more information about Matrix Packaging Machinery, visit their website at www.MatrixPM.com.
]]>Auto Adjust assisted changeover on display at Pack Expo Las Vegas, booth C-1719
The latest innovation from Wexxar/BEL, powered by Pro Mach, is its new Auto Adjust option, featuring Box Recipe, which automates some of the major adjustments required on case forming machines during case size changes. The new Auto Adjust greatly improves operation efficiency and reduces changeover times and other human factors, especially in plants where continuous round-the-clock operations and frequent case size changes take place.
Auto Adjust is available as an option on Wexxar's WF30 machines, which come standard with color-coded set-up instructions and graphic step-by-step guides. Auto Adjust is a servo technology that allows operators to preset case dimensions in the machine's control panel, using a menu of selectable presets, and automatically sets up the machine for the selected case. The Auto Adjust stores the length, width and height of each case being formed on the machine, which can be retrieved easily for future case runs, thus automating major changeover points when a specific case is selected from the preset menu. The operator can also assign and save a running speed for each case using the Box Recipe that is included with Auto Adjust. This automated, 'one button', tools free configuration allows production departments to work more efficiently and to train operators quickly with repeatable results and precision.
"Our customers have told us that ease of changeover features are important to them," says William Chu, General Manager at Wexxar. "So, we looked at ways we could help them save time by automating some of the steps involved in changing from one case to another. The color-coded, tools free changeover always made changeovers on Wexxar case formers easy. The Auto Adjust option now simplifies and automates some of the case size adjustments as well."
The WF30 equipped with Auto Adjust can store up to thirty case presets in the touch- screen menu and is expandable. The machine comes standard with other popular Wexxar features, including: touch-screen controls, tape and operational speed management, a Pin and Dome case opening system that ensures precise forming and bottom flap folding, fully-interlocking Safe Logic safety guarding, which protects operators while accessing the machine; tool-less case size changeover and extruded aluminum frame construction. The WF30 also features a compact design for machinery of this class and fits easily into most packaging line applications.
The WF30 will be on display at Pack Expo Las Vegas, in booth C-1719. It accommodates a wide range of case sizes and is available for bottom sealing in tape or glue. Wash-down options and extended guarding packages are also available.
]]>Richmond, BC; Las Vegas, NV - IPak, powered by Pro Mach, introduces the RP-100, North America's first returnable plastic container (RPC) erector. The IPak RP-100 machine securely forms reusable plastic containers, while reducing labor costs and repetitive strain injuries related to forming returnable plastic trays by hand. It delivers the economic benefits and scales of production formerly unavailable to RPC operations, but are now available with automation. It will be on display in the Wexxar booth C-1719 at Pack Expo in Las Vegas, September 26-28, 2011.
The IPak RP-100 fully-automatic RPC erector, manufactured by Wexxar Packaging, is ideal for fresh fruit and vegetable growers, distributors and retailers. RPCs are used by produce packagers who take advantage of their natural cooling properties, as well as for the sustainable benefits of reusable transport containers. In the past, RPCs were typically formed by hand, which added labor costs and expenses related to repetitive strain injuries. Today, the RP-100 automatically forms stacks of up to 30 un-erected RPC totes at a rate of 25 containers per minute. RPCs can be loaded flat on either side of the machine. The RP-100 picks one tray at a time from the bottom and pushes it forward where the tray walls are automatically lifted and locked into place. Many packaging environments can now benefit from the sustainability of RPCs and still maintain their production demands.
"Sustainable packaging no longer means sacrificing the economies of automation," says Dyrl Nixon, IPak product manager. "Many produce growers ship products in RPCs at the request of their customers."
"The RP-100, like all our IPak models, is built for demanding agricultural conditions," adds Nixon. "RPCs reduce environmental impact because they are washable and reusable, whereas soiled corrugated containers must be compacted, recycled and re-ordered. We believe the RP-100 has applications beyond the produce industry as well."
The IPak RP-100 comes standard with a dual Easy-Load infeed magazine that allows seven stacks of RPCs to be primed for production at all times. The machine erects common footprint size RPC totes in depths of 3" to 6-1/2" without adjustments. It comes equipped with a color touchscreen HMI, advanced interlocking safety guarding, Remote Demand Control for pausing production when the discharge conveyor is full, and a patented compression module that consistently delivers securely formed RPCs.
The RP-100 forms 25 returnable plastic trays per minute, making it suitable for national and international growers with 24/7 packing and shipping needs. IPak and Wexxar Packaging will be demonstrating the RP-100 in booth C-1719 and taking inquiries for 2012
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