Sewtec Automation has designed and installed a new conveyor system at United Biscuits' McVitie's Carlisle factory for the fast and efficient case packing of flow wrapped mini variety packs of biscuits.
The new system has been developed to integrate into the existing packing line which comprises seven flow wrappers, each wrapping a different biscuit type into mini flow wraps of three biscuits per pack. After flow wrapping, the packs are collated and hand packed into outers, resulting in a finished case of assorted biscuit packs.
A key requirement for the new conveyor system was to make the hand packing operation more efficient and ergonomic for the operators. The resulting line was developed in consultation with the workers in order to ensure that the system best suited their needs. One important change from the previous operation is the siting of the hand packers on the far side of the conveyor where previously they were seated inside the line by the flow wrappers. This has created more space for both the packers and flow wrapper operators and enabled the system to function more efficiently.
Cases are taken from an existing Endoline case erector and transferred onto the modular Sewtec belt conveyor. The system also features stand alone side belts, which are adjustable for speed in order to control the cases at the required packing rate. Cases pass through a side flap plough station which holds the flaps open to enable unimpeded placement of the biscuits.
The biscuits exit each flow wrapper onto a Sewtec inclined belt transfer and are then penny stacked on tangential conveyors to enable easy collating and counting of the required number of packs for hand loading into the outers. Belt speeds can be adjusted to regulate the flow of packs, and a second base conveyor takes away any rejected packs for repacking. Filled cases are then sealed and taken to an existing metal detector and checkweigher.
The Sewtec system is able to pack around seven cases a minute with the flow wrappers operating at up to 110 packs per minute. The line operates from 8am to 10pm five days a week. The efficiency of the new system has reduced manning levels on the line by around 25%.
"The Sewtec conveyor system has met a key objective of delivering a more efficient case packing operation and, equally important, it has been able to integrate seamlessly with the existing line equipment," comments Mike Hill, Project Engineer at McVitie's Carlisle.
"Sewtec has a strong reputation within United Biscuits for delivering reliable, quality systems and we have been very pleased with their contribution to this project."
|
Homepage
Recommend this page to a friend.
