Keep the biscuits flowing

A packing line for biscuit and pastry manufacturer Poppies International, in Zonnebeke, Belgium, has been created by Ishida Europe’s Belgian agent BRN.

The new line comprises an Ishida CCW-R-108P linear multihead weigher with a distribution system that enables it to handle both trays and bags, while an Ishida DACS checkweigher and IX-GA 4075 x-ray system provide weight and quality checks.

The Ishida multihead weigher is achieving 50 packs per minute on a typical 125g tray.  Accuracy is to within 0.5g and overall the weigher is delivering an efficiency level in excess of 95%.

Poppies manufactures its biscuits in two shapes and, as well as its own brand, produces the biscuits for many national and international retailers. This equates to around six different pack formats – both trays and bags – in a range of sizes, from 75g to 400g. As a result, during a typical shift, the company might need to effect up to seven changeovers. The new system enables these changeovers to be carried out in just 15 minutes.