FMG - a New Standard in Automatic Bulk Butter Packing from APV

The new FMG range of bulk butter packing lines from APV in Silkeborg, Denmark is ideal for small, medium and large-scale carton filling applications in the dairy and food industries. Orders worth more than 2 million have recently been placed for new lines in Asia and Europe

(PRWEB) January 8, 2005 -- The FMG range includes three different, fully automated models. FMG-1 operates at a maximum rate of 180 cartons/hour with 20, 25 and 31kg cartons, giving a peak production of 4500 kg/hour (based on 25 kg cartons). FMG goes up to 290cartons/hour with the same carton sizes, giving a peak production of 7250 kg/hour. FMG+ operates at 440 cartons/hour with the 20 and 25 kg carton sizes. Maximum production here is 11 000 kg/hour.

All three come in a standard design that includes carton unfolding, tare weighing, lining with parchment paper or plastic, primary dosing and precision dosing, check weighing and liner closing and sealing. With hygiene such a high priority in the dairy and food sectors, the butter packing line is automatically cleaned in place (CIP). A CIP loop also cleans the connected silo and piping system from the continuous butter-making machine.

In terms of control, all three models are delivered with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs. InTouch is used as the human machine interface (HMI).

The PLC oversees many fully automatic functions, including control and supervision of the entire packaging process, carton unfolding to the carton leave the machine, recording of butter content in individual cartons and alarms in case of interruptions. The PLC is also in control of the automatic CIP process.

Data from production and CIP is collected on an industrial PC. Reports from both can be shown on the operator panel, or sent via an Ethernet link to either a management system or an external printer.

In terms of production reporting, this can include data such as batch/operator name, number of boxes, packing time, running time and standard deviation. CIP reports can include start and stop times, temperature set point, etc.

Full details and photo can be found at http://www.ballard.co.uk/press_releases/company_releases.aspx

About Invensys
Invensys is an automation, controls and process solutions Group working to create value for customers and investors. Our products, services, expertise and ongoing support enable intelligent systems to monitor and control processes in many different environments. The businesses within Invensys help customers in a variety of industries - including hydrocarbons, chemicals, oil and gas, power and utilities, rail, telecommunications, paper, food and beverage, dairy, pharmaceuticals and personal care - to perform with greater efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness.

APVs knowledge and expertise in the food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical and chemical industries has made it a leading supplier of process equipment, turnkey solutions and asset services. With nearly 1,000 engineers and 700 sales personnel across 48 countries, APV delivers return on investment across the world and throughout plant life cycles.

Process Systems (IPS) provides products, services and solutions for the automation and optimisation of plant operation in the process industries. Eurotherm is a leading supplier of control and measurement instrumentation solutions and services to industrial and process customers. Rail Systems is a multinational leader in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning and maintenance of safety-related rail signalling and control systems. Climate Controls is a major provider of the components, systems and services used across the world to make commercial and residential environments safer, more comfortable and more efficient. Appliance Controls has the broadest system and component offering for the appliance industry worldwide.

The Invensys Group is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.

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