PACKTECH2012

Press releases

• Small Tray Erector Big Performance They form trays at up to 50 cycles per minute, but the new Linkx Systems tray erectors have footprints up to 75% smaller than conventional machines. Whether its shallow- or deep-wall trays and whether they’re formed from corrugated or fibre board, Linkx Systems compact tray erectors can erect and glue them – accurately and repeatably – at up to 50 cycles per minute. They also offer zero set up time and minimal downtime for size changes, making them clear leaders for productivity and performance. With footprints that are only a quarter the size of many conventional tray erectors, the new Linkx Systems machines are also economical in their use of valuable factory floor space. The remarkably compact yet robust construction of these machines has been achieved without compromising performance, convenience or durability, thanks to the innovative application of modern technology, underpinned by Linkx Systems’ in-depth expertise and experience in developing and designing innovative machines for packaging applications. Linkx Systems A-series tray erectors are available for use with tray sizes up to A2 and are offered with servo controlled motion axes for applications where maximum throughput is needed or, as an economical choice for applications where slightly lower capacity is acceptable, with pneumatically driven axes. Linkx Systems can also supply the machines configured as carton erectors. http://linkx.co.uk/?latest-news.html

• ITALY’S BEST IN THE UK Quality and value are the hallmarks of packaging equipment from SIAT, one of Italy’s leading machine manufacturers. And now Linkx Systems is supplying and fully supporting SIAT products in the UK. SIAT’s extensive family of high-quality packaging machines, which are particularly well suited for applications in distribution warehouses, include case erectors, case closer/sealers and pallet wrappers. Linkx Systems can fully integrate these versatile machines into almost any distribution or production environment to provide packaging installations that are efficient and cost effective. With SIAT machines, Linkx Systems’ customers benefit from the economy and ready availability of an off-the-shelf product, complemented by expert local support provided by the Linkx Systems team. Linkx Systems can also supply SIAT machines in conjunction with its own products, thereby offering users a blend of economy and customisation that exactly meets their specific requirements. Much more information about SIAT machines from Linkx Systems can be found at the new dedicated website, www.siat.co.uk. http://linkx.co.uk/?latest-news.html

• LINKX MAKES SIZE CHANGE EASY FOR UNILEVER To change the pack size, press the button! It’s as simple as that with the new collation and shrink-wrapping system supplied by Linkx Systems to Unilever Foods. Versatility and convenient size changing at the push of a button are among the key benefits of the new automatic collation and shrink wrapping system developed and manufactured by Linkx Systems for the Unilever Foods plant at Trafford Park. The system, which replaces an existing machine that lacked the flexibility needed to meet today’s production requirements, produces shelf-ready tray packs of PG Tips teabags. After evaluating a number of potential suppliers for the new system, Unilever Foods selected Linkx Systems. This decision was made on the basis of the company’s proven experience in the development and manufacture of highly automated packaging equipment, and because the modern technology used by Linkx Systems not only facilitates efficient and flexible machine operation, but also provides a high degree of future proofing. The new collating and wrapping system receives the cartons of teabags from the production line, turns them on end, collates them on a tray, glues the tray and then provides an overall shrink wrap, doubling the flexibility compared with their current machine. In order to make the new system flexible, dependable and easy to operate, Linkx Systems, drawing on experience gained with its well proven and highly successful Matrix range of collator/shrink wrappers, produced a design that uses servo drives for all major functions. This means that all motions can be controlled automatically, eliminating the need for manual settings and adjustments, and also that reliable accurate operation is maintained under all conditions. Overall control for the new system is provided by a Siemens programmable controller, which is configured to allow size changes to be carried out almost instantly, simply by pressing a button. Machine downtime during product changeovers is therefore almost eliminated, allowing productivity to be maximised. The new collating and shrink-wrapping system for Unilever Foods was exhaustively tested prior to delivery to site, which meant that installation and commissioning were fast and straightforward, with minimal disruption to production. The system achieved full productivity as soon as it was commissioned, and is meeting all of its design targets for reliability, flexibility and ease of use. http://linkx.co.uk/?latest-news.html

• LINKX ARRANGES A GENTLE RIDE FOR CHICKEN NUGGETS Well satisfied with the performance, reliability and ease of use of its first Matrix collator/shrink wrapper from Linkx Systems, Birds Eye Limited decided to install a second machine. This time, however, there was a minor complication – instead of the cartons entering the machine at high level, which means that their progress into the machine is assisted by gravity, they would enter at low level. With a little inspiration and a small software modification, however, Linkx Systems came up with a solution that involved no extra cost. The performance of the Matrix machines, which are capable of handling up to 300 cartons per minute – as much as 50% more than typical machines with similar functionality – was an ideal match for this demanding application. The machine is also easy and convenient to work with, thanks to an electronic operator interface that is intuitive in normal operation and also provides access the powerful and comprehensive diagnostic functions. Servo drives, which are used for all major functions, are the key to the exceptional versatility of the Matrix collator/shrink wrapper. A ten-axis precision servo system means that all motions are reliably and accurately controlled, giving total repeatability, even when the machine is operating at full throughput. The most usual infeed arrangement for Linkx Matrix collator/shrink wrappers, however, is for the products to be presented at high level, from where they are carried by a slat band conveyor at a slight downward angle into the collator. For the new Birds Eye machine, however, which would be handling frozen chicken nuggets, this arrangement wasn’t possible. As the new machine had to be fitted in place of an existing piece of equipment, infeed could only be arranged at low level, with the cartons conveyed upwards to the collator. While the design of the Matrix machine is sufficiently flexible to accommodate this revised arrangement, a small but significant difficulty remained – when the infeed conveyor started and stopped, the icy cartons had a tendency to slip. While it would certainly have been possible to modify the mechanical design of the infeed to eliminate this problem, the Matrix machine is built around precision servo drives and incorporates a fully programmable control system, and this meant that a much simpler and more cost-effective solution was possible. The control software was modified so that the infeed conveyor, instead of just starting and stopping, smoothly ramped up to speed and down to a stop. Incorporating the software change took just a few minutes and provided a complete solution. The machine is now in service and is fully meeting all of Birds Eye’s demanding operational requirements. The inherent flexibility of the Matrix machine, which results from its incorporation of the latest control technologies, meant that Linkx Systems was able to provide Birds Eye with exactly the functionality it needed without the need for potentially costly modifications.