Bar product distribution station increases plant efficiency, says company

24-Jun-2009 - Last updated on 25-Jun-2009 at 10:42 GMT

Flexibility, cost effectiveness and ease of access for cleaning and maintenance all mean the latest distribution station from Sigpack Systems is designed to boost overall plant efficiency, said the company.

The DCI Distribution Station has removable panels and a sub frame that stands clear of the floor. This means even dirt trapping corners are able to be cleaned and ensuring it meets even the most stringent hygiene standards, said the firm which is part of the Bosch Packing Technology group

Versatility

It is also available in both left and right-hand configurations which permits optimum use of available production space and gives maximum flexibility if the DCI is integrated with other packaging machinery, a spokesman told FoodProductionDaily.com.

The versatility means the DCI becomes “a highly cost-effective product distribution system (PDS)” with the ability to carry up to 160 rows of bar products, chocolate bars or frozen foods products per minute.

“Its transfer capacity – moving the product from the process belt to the individual infeed conveyors of the packaging machinery – can reach up to 70 rows per minute,” explained a company statement.

Thanks to an inbuilt guide, rows of product are moved to a waiting belt which evens out any irregularities in the product flow. A pusher moves the rows of product against a powered stop on the transverse belt, and it is then transferred to the gap-closing belts, added Sigpack.

Problem-free transfer

Problem-free product transfer is ensured by the inclusion of small gaps in the belt junctions. This is significant, said the company, because “transfer points that are virtually gap-free are crucial for small bars or biscuits, and result in a marked improvement in machine efficiency”.

A tensioner roller, moving parallel to the conveyer belt, allows the process conveyer belt to be released tool free in 20 minutes due to the swivel drive unit. Compared to other machines the swivel drive unit avoids the destruction of the belt, claimed the firm.

Detlef Gottstein, of Sigpack Systems, said: “The DCI stands apart mainly through its easy cleaning and maintenance. A machine that can be cleaned quickly can be put back into production quickly, and this makes a major contribution to the efficiency of the plant as a whole.”