ABAR Automation specialises in supplying turn key-end-of-line automation solutions. Equipment developed for the fresh produce industries includes a range of robotic pick and place systems to handle packaged soft fruit, citrus, vegetables or salad.
The LR-80B has been designed to place 500g- 1.5kg VFFS pillow packs of processed or whole vegetables into RTPs (Returnable Supermarket Crates) at rates of up to 80 packs a minute. The footprint of the machine takes up little more than a typical manual packing table so will fit comfortably into the space available at the end of most existing packing lines.
Another specialist development has been a robotic loading system for 2.5kg-5kg bags of potatoes into large plastic or cardboard shipping containers and/or RTPs. The DL-16i uses a patented gripper enabling gentle but quick handling of the produce at rates of up to 60 bags/minute and is available in a range of system configurations.
Centrepiece to both systems is an industrial robot from the worlds leading robot supplier providing long-term reliability and a global support network. With an impressive MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of over 40,000 hours on any robot component the systems will continue packing for years without breakdown or deviation. Furthermore, advanced anti-collision software minimises potential damage to the robot arm and pack gripper to further safeguard the investment.
Simple to use operator interface panels allow temporary or semi-skilled staff to operate the system after no more than five minutes training. Programme selection for changes in pack configuration is quickly performed through this operator panel, the system can also be linked to an upstream weigh price labeller or host PC allowing a remote or automatic program selection. Optional equipment includes label verification scanning, outer case ticket placing and bale arm folding for RTPs.
CHEFTEC GIVES BEACON THE WEDGE
Demand for char-grilled pepper quarters and wedges for pizza toppings and sandwich fillings has prompted award-winning fresh and exotic ingredients specialist Beacon Foods to invest in a new machine.
The Cheftec Wedger Maestro machine enables the innovative Brecon-based company to decore and cut over 3,000 pepper pieces an hour in consistent sizes.
Apart from cutting peppers into quarters and wedges of six, the versatile machine can also be used to cut courgettes, aubergines, onions, potatoes, beetroot, apples, pears and other vegetables and fruits into specific sizes.
Produce is placed by two operators into a hand-loaded moving carousel, which indexes into a guarded cutting area. The machine was supplied by Hanrow of Newbury, a leading supplier of specialist food preparation machinery, industrial cooking equipment and mixing vessels.
Beacon Foods managing director Edward Gough said the Cheftec Wedger Maestro is ideal for producing uniform pepper cuts demanded by customers and can also be used to halve peppers.
Beacon Foods supplies the country's leading food manufacturers and food service companies with a range of more than 500 varieties of processed and cooked vegetables, fruits, pulses and herbs, including an organic range.
For on-line information about Beacon Foods visit www.beaconfoods.co.uk
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