Proven Snack Weigher-bagger Combinations Success With Ishida
Proven Snack Weigher-bagger Combination Success With Ishida
Snack manufacturers with high production outputs to pack and large orders to fulfil, are among the most efficiency-orientated of modern businesses. Ibersnacks produces crisps and extruded snacks for Spain’s biggest supermarket chain, and has the largest production volume of these products in the Iberian Peninsula. One of its two major production sites is the Chips & Snacks factory at Benifaio. This well-established plant has a reputation for constant upgrading of its processing and packing operations to maintain efficiency.
Chips & Snacks, has been running an integrated Ishida multihead weigher-bagmaker combination for nearly 3 years, providing ample time to assess the performance of the system.
Until about 2010, the plant packed its products using a number of multihead weighers from different manufacturers mounted over older generations of bagmakers, with each line capable of packing about 25 bags per minute (150g target weight).
New capacity meant more packing speed was needed
With the development of the company’s two potato-processing lines to a capacity of 1,000 kg per hour, the need arose to increase packing line speeds. A new bagmaker, along with a compatible multihead weigher was the obvious point to commence upgrading and the two units were sourced from separate manufacturers. Then, in 2011, the company bought a new single-source combined weigher/bagmaker, an Ishida Total Packaging System (ITPS).
Accuracy maintained at high speeds
The ITPS at Chips & Snacks consists of a 14-head weigher of the R-Series and an Atlas 122 continuous motion bagmaker with twin rotary jaws. While the weigher is designed to be capable of being mounted directly onto the bagmaker, in this case the CCW-14-R has been placed on the same high-stability platform as the rest of the company’s multiheads, with the weigher underneath.
When it comes to speed, the new ITPS is, as expected, several times faster than the older generation weigher-bagmaker combinations. But how does it compare with more modern competitor snacks packing systems? Jaime Martin Roig, Maintenance Manager at Chips & Snacks, believes that the Ishida has an edge of about 15-18 bags per minute (250g target weight). In fact, comparable speeds can be obtained on the other system, with one important difference. “When we approach those higher speeds, the Ishida is exceptional in the accuracy it maintains,” Roig comments.
Fewer bubbles mean better bags
In regards to the Ishida combination bagmaker, Roig is pleased with the quality of bags produced, that he attributes to the precise control of film movement, even at high speeds. He is particularly impressed with the vertical seal of the finished bags.
“We regularly carry out underwater partial vacuum tests, as do most snack manufacturers,” he comments. “And you will rarely see bubbles coming from a pack made on the Ishida Atlas.”
Single source supply implications
With weigher and bagmaker designed and manufactured by a single company for the express purpose of working together, it is unsurprising that installation and commissioning were problem-free. Both machines are controlled from a single touchscreen that integrates input from metal detector and printer.
The weigher-bagger unit also includes a dispersion feeder table camera positioned at the top of the weigher. This enables the operator to monitor and adjust product flow in order to maintain maximum weighing efficiency.
“We bought our first Ishida weigher back in 2005. It was speed and accuracy that impressed us then, and they continue to do so with innovations such as the ITPS.” says Roig.
Heat and Control manufactures and supplies complete line solutions for the snack industry and maintains a successful partnership with Ishida that began in the 1980’s. Along with their partners Ishida and CEIA, Heat and Control can provide solutions of one machine or a complete line. From processing, seasoning and coating application and conveying, to weighing, snack food bagmakers, packaging, metal detection, x-ray inspection, and checkweighing; Heat and Control can assist end-users with any snack equipment requirement.
Heat and Control can assist with process development, custom engineering, leading edge technology, and equipment for all types of snack products. A full service offering includes pre- and post-sale technical support, including applications assistance, engineering, installation, parts, service, and training.
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About Heat and Control
Heat and Control is a privately-owned company and is made up of a global team that over the years, has built an extensive knowledge bank and developed a wealth of experience and expertise. Access to production and technical support from a network of engineers, food technicians, skilled tradespeople and support teams provide food manufacturers with confidence to achieve production goals.
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