Dutch cereal bar manufacturer Ravensbergen Food has invested in Ishida’s DACS-G checkweigher to provide final weight confirmation for its multipacks of granola bars and cookies.
Image: The Ishida’s DACS-G checkweigher. Photo: courtesy of Ishida Europe Ltd.
Ravensbergen Food is engaged in the manufacturing of cereal bars and baked granola bars. It also produces a wide variety of private label cereal bars for over 40 of retailers across Europe.
Designed to offer enhanced versatility and flexibility, the DACS-G machine is capable of operating at speeds up to 150 packs per minute for double bar packs in three, four, five and six multipacks.
The machine has operating capacity of around 98 packs per minute of traditional ‘Rounds’ cookies containing up to eight items.
The automated case packer of the checkweigher allows the multipacks to be placed into retail ready trays.
Ishida said in a statement: “The flexibility of the checkweigher installation provides an additional benefit in that, if there is a problem with the case packer, the conveyor leading to the DACS-G can act as a buffer to hold packs.
“The conveyor can then be slowed down to gradually release the held packs once the line is fully operational again, and the high speed capability of the checkweigher allows these packs to be quickly cleared.”
Additionally, the DACS-G features a Reject Confirmation, which comprises a sensor in the reject bin capable of detecting every pack that is removed from the conveyor by the air blast system.
The machine’s Ishida Data Capture System (IDCS) is designed to provide production information that can be accessed remotely.
This feature allows Ravensbergen Food to assess the overall efficiency of the line as well as make necessary adjustments, if required, to improve the packing operation.
Ravensbergen Technical Support Jeroen Volwater said: “We have been very impressed with the checkweigher, both in its performance and reliability, and also with the excellent service and support we have received from Ishida BV.”
Ravensbergen, which is a part of the Swiss group Haco, is continuing to invest in its operations to meet growing products demand and plans for further expansion.