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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.

SMALL ERECTOR, BIG PERFORMANCE

Monday 24th January 2011

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.

LINKX MAKES SIZE CHANGE EASY FOR UNILEVER

Monday 24th January 2011

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.

JOIN THE MATRIX REVOLUTION

December 2009

During 2010, no fewer than five major players in the UK food-manufacturing sector installed Matrix collating and shrink-wrapping machines.

Matrix side-feed collating and shrink-wrapping machines are at the head of the pack for performance, ease of use and reliability. With throughputs of up to 300 cartons per minute, they’re as much as 60% faster than conventional machines, and they also incorporate productivity-enhancing features like simple one-touch size change.

The servo-based motion systems at the heart of these machines not only deliver speed but also precision. That means gentle carton handling, which eliminates the risk of carton damage. Yet Matrix machines produce packs that are exceptionally strong and robust, allowing pallet capacity to be used to the full.

Then there’s the colour touch-screen operator interface. Its intuitive operation lets operators create product, batch and volume “recipes” quickly and easily, and then recall them at a touch of the screen. The interface also gives access to the production records that the Matrix machine automatically and to the machine’s powerful but rarely needed diagnostic functions.

In 2010, these benefits convinced five top UK food manufacturers to join the Matrix revolution. You could be the next!