A unique, fully-automated machine for packing netted citrus is being lauded as a game-changer by its manufacturers for its ability to pack a net of fruit every second.
The FlexaPac came into being after one of the UK’s leading importers and packers of fruits approached manufacturers Pacepacker Services asking them to build a machine that would speed up processing but cut down on waste.
The innovative technology scraps the labour intensive approach of loading netted products into crates, trays and cartons by hand via a rotary table.
Scrapping the rotary system almost eliminates waste from packers dropping fruit or bruising it when it's put in a tray, which can lead to hefty penalties from retailers.
Instead, two parallel conveyor belts transport the bags of fruit from the net packing machine onto FlexaPac’s set of landing platforms.
Once the correct quantity of netted product has been recognised by the system the net is pushed onto a set of lowering plates, which smoothly lower the product into the waiting tray below.
The system uses a combination of touch screen, PLC and servo systems and enables storage of many recipes for different product configurations.
The system comes with intelligent options such as the email alert system for when production capability is not being achieved through low input of trays or packs and production status snapshots.
Pacepacker Services Business Development Manager, Paul Wilkinson, said: “The patented FlexaPac technology is completely different from anything else on the market, and while it has been designed to automate and overcome the issues relating to the packing of netted fruit it also offers manufacturer’s of other netted goods such as nuts, plant bulbs, onions and cheeses, a fast and waste efficient automated packing option.
“The FlexaPac has the option of being fed via one or two netting machines and can be interlocked into an existing line to offer a fully integrated turnkey system - a first for netted fruit packing.”
Andy Brooks, general manager of leading packaging supplier Verti-Pack, said: “FlexaPac is the first system we’ve come across to successfully automate the tray loading process.”
Trefor Mason, who approached Pacepacker on behalf of the fruit importer and packer, said: “We are delighted with Pacepacker’s FlexaPac solution; it is the missing link in the fast and efficient packing of netted citrus fruits. Not only will this machine increase throughput, it should eliminate waste and reduce labour by 85 per cent for my client.”
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