When process meets packaging
21 Sep 2006
PPMA 2006 has attracted around 300 exhibitors, including many suppliers of processing equipment to the foods, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. Their show offerings encompass innovation in areas including mixing, conveyors, weighers, fluid handling machinery, separation & filtration and thermal processing.
In the area of mixing and blending, Silverson is launching two products at PPMA; the Flashmix powder/liquid mixing system and a new generation of Laboratory Mixers. The stand will feature the compact Flashmix FM30 system, which is designed for rapid dispersion and hydration of a wide range of powders. The unit comprises a modified Silverson high shear in-line mixer, powder injector system and low-level hopper or flexible hose for incorporating powders from original containers.
Another mixing specialist, John R Boone will exhibit lab and demonstration models from its range of RDB rotary drum blenders, HHBM helical blade and HDBM plough- type mixers. Designed to shorten cycle times, reduce power requirements and for ease of cleaning, the units are available in batch sizes from 2-25,000 litres and for continuous operation to 250 tonnes/hour.
Applications for the RDB mixers include tea, muesli, rice flakes, confectionery, gelatine, frozen vegetables and agglomeration and coating. HHBM units are typically used for tile adhesives, spice & flavourings, meat mixes and breakfast cereals, while HDBM is used with biscuit mixes, dry mortar, brown sugar and adding minor liquid additions to powders.
Among the materials handling exhibitors, bulk powder specialist Guttridge will announce improvements to its range of bulk bag dischargers and fillers. The latest designs are fed and discharged by a range of robust screw conveyors and elevators. Also on show will be the Virolat non-blinding vibratory sieve separator, which, claims Guttridge, offers significantly improved sieve performance.
Process weighing company Weightron Bilanciai's stand will feature a new range of automated gravimetric liquid filling machines for filling containers from 100ml up to 1,500 litres. The units, it said, offer enhanced manoeuvrability and reach, with both 'legal for trade' and ATEX-certified versions available.
Weightron will also show its self-contained, low profile, vessel weighing kits, with capacities from 20kg up to 200 tonnes. These stainless steel units come in pre-calibrated sets and are claimed to provide significantly reduced installation and commissioning times.
Romaco will show RoTwin, the latest addition to its FrymaKoruma range of vacuum processors for liquids and semi-solids production for the pharma and premium skincare/cosmetics sectors. The RoTwin, claims Romaco, delivers consistent, narrow particle size distribution in the nano range and can produce ultra-stable emulsions with advanced aesthetic and transdermal absorption properties. The interaction of the unit's high-speed homogeniser, agitator and special inducer is the key to consistent delivery of particles in the nano range, it says.
PPMA will also feature a range of quality assurance and related developments to ensure the integrity of products as they pass through various stages of the processing and packaging line.
Industrial Technology Systems (ITS), will launch Loadview — new 21 CFR 11-compliant software for high-speed character verification and recognition for inspecting text, codes and patterns on pharmaceutical and food packaging.
ITS is a partner systems integrator for machine vision systems manufacturer Cognex, and the two companies are jointly running a joint 'Make it right' seminar. This will demonstrate how vision technology can reduce costs, eliminate defects and improve both traceability and overall production performance. ITS will also demonstrate a range of Cognex machine vision systems on its stand.
Fortress Technology Europe will present the latest in its range of Metal Detection systems for both in-process and end-of-line inspection. The Phantom detector systems are built to suit a wide range of application requirements, with solutions available for handling products presented in both pre-packed and bulk formats.
Balluff is highlighting its latest range of BWL thru-beam sensors including the L-shaped BWL thru-beam units in heavy-duty and standard duty sizes. The sensors are designed to detect virtually any target, regardless of colour, shape, or reflectivity, in applications such as parts positioning, edge detection, gripper positioning, parts ejection and pick-and-place.
Among other leading PPMA exhibitors, Watson-Marlow Bredel will showcase its new 520RE LoadSure pumps, which feature a combined tube element and pumphead design for pressure performance up to 7 bar. The unit is intended to compete directly with mechanical diaphragm pumps, while retaining the benefits of peristaltic pumps, the company said.
Watson-Marlow will also present its 620 pump series for the process and chemical industries, and preview its soon-to-be-launched 720 high flow pump.
ASCO Joucomatic will show new pneumatic cylinder, gripper and valve products for improved automation of processing and packaging machines.
According to the company, its highlights for the Birmingham show will include the GeoMetric series of pneumatic cylinders, which features a unique design that allows most current sensors and switches to be mounted easily in their dual switch/sensor grooves.
Among the special features at PPMA 2006 will be the Technical Information Centre, where visitors can access the most important technical details of products on show to enable them to plan their day, compare kit and make purchasing decisions.
Presentations lined up for the centre include Domnick Hunter - gas flushing with on-site nitrogen generators; Witt Gas Techniques - gas mixers, analysers, leak detection; Guttridge Services - screw conveyors, elevators, feeders, bulk bag dischargers, sieves; Industrial Technology Systems - energy monitoring systems; and Micro Concepts - Autodesk manufacturing CAD solutions.
PPMA has also organised a series of Business Advice Seminars featuring talks and interactive sessions delivered by consultants in maintenance, sales and marketing, human resources and staff training.
The seminar programmes are designed to help companies find the best staff and develop the best products to compete more effectively in their marketplace.
In the area of mixing and blending, Silverson is launching two products at PPMA; the Flashmix powder/liquid mixing system and a new generation of Laboratory Mixers. The stand will feature the compact Flashmix FM30 system, which is designed for rapid dispersion and hydration of a wide range of powders. The unit comprises a modified Silverson high shear in-line mixer, powder injector system and low-level hopper or flexible hose for incorporating powders from original containers.
Another mixing specialist, John R Boone will exhibit lab and demonstration models from its range of RDB rotary drum blenders, HHBM helical blade and HDBM plough- type mixers. Designed to shorten cycle times, reduce power requirements and for ease of cleaning, the units are available in batch sizes from 2-25,000 litres and for continuous operation to 250 tonnes/hour.
Applications for the RDB mixers include tea, muesli, rice flakes, confectionery, gelatine, frozen vegetables and agglomeration and coating. HHBM units are typically used for tile adhesives, spice & flavourings, meat mixes and breakfast cereals, while HDBM is used with biscuit mixes, dry mortar, brown sugar and adding minor liquid additions to powders.
Among the materials handling exhibitors, bulk powder specialist Guttridge will announce improvements to its range of bulk bag dischargers and fillers. The latest designs are fed and discharged by a range of robust screw conveyors and elevators. Also on show will be the Virolat non-blinding vibratory sieve separator, which, claims Guttridge, offers significantly improved sieve performance.
Process weighing company Weightron Bilanciai's stand will feature a new range of automated gravimetric liquid filling machines for filling containers from 100ml up to 1,500 litres. The units, it said, offer enhanced manoeuvrability and reach, with both 'legal for trade' and ATEX-certified versions available.
Weightron will also show its self-contained, low profile, vessel weighing kits, with capacities from 20kg up to 200 tonnes. These stainless steel units come in pre-calibrated sets and are claimed to provide significantly reduced installation and commissioning times.
Romaco will show RoTwin, the latest addition to its FrymaKoruma range of vacuum processors for liquids and semi-solids production for the pharma and premium skincare/cosmetics sectors. The RoTwin, claims Romaco, delivers consistent, narrow particle size distribution in the nano range and can produce ultra-stable emulsions with advanced aesthetic and transdermal absorption properties. The interaction of the unit's high-speed homogeniser, agitator and special inducer is the key to consistent delivery of particles in the nano range, it says.
PPMA will also feature a range of quality assurance and related developments to ensure the integrity of products as they pass through various stages of the processing and packaging line.
Industrial Technology Systems (ITS), will launch Loadview — new 21 CFR 11-compliant software for high-speed character verification and recognition for inspecting text, codes and patterns on pharmaceutical and food packaging.
ITS is a partner systems integrator for machine vision systems manufacturer Cognex, and the two companies are jointly running a joint 'Make it right' seminar. This will demonstrate how vision technology can reduce costs, eliminate defects and improve both traceability and overall production performance. ITS will also demonstrate a range of Cognex machine vision systems on its stand.
Fortress Technology Europe will present the latest in its range of Metal Detection systems for both in-process and end-of-line inspection. The Phantom detector systems are built to suit a wide range of application requirements, with solutions available for handling products presented in both pre-packed and bulk formats.
Balluff is highlighting its latest range of BWL thru-beam sensors including the L-shaped BWL thru-beam units in heavy-duty and standard duty sizes. The sensors are designed to detect virtually any target, regardless of colour, shape, or reflectivity, in applications such as parts positioning, edge detection, gripper positioning, parts ejection and pick-and-place.
Among other leading PPMA exhibitors, Watson-Marlow Bredel will showcase its new 520RE LoadSure pumps, which feature a combined tube element and pumphead design for pressure performance up to 7 bar. The unit is intended to compete directly with mechanical diaphragm pumps, while retaining the benefits of peristaltic pumps, the company said.
Watson-Marlow will also present its 620 pump series for the process and chemical industries, and preview its soon-to-be-launched 720 high flow pump.
ASCO Joucomatic will show new pneumatic cylinder, gripper and valve products for improved automation of processing and packaging machines.
According to the company, its highlights for the Birmingham show will include the GeoMetric series of pneumatic cylinders, which features a unique design that allows most current sensors and switches to be mounted easily in their dual switch/sensor grooves.
Among the special features at PPMA 2006 will be the Technical Information Centre, where visitors can access the most important technical details of products on show to enable them to plan their day, compare kit and make purchasing decisions.
Presentations lined up for the centre include Domnick Hunter - gas flushing with on-site nitrogen generators; Witt Gas Techniques - gas mixers, analysers, leak detection; Guttridge Services - screw conveyors, elevators, feeders, bulk bag dischargers, sieves; Industrial Technology Systems - energy monitoring systems; and Micro Concepts - Autodesk manufacturing CAD solutions.
PPMA has also organised a series of Business Advice Seminars featuring talks and interactive sessions delivered by consultants in maintenance, sales and marketing, human resources and staff training.
The seminar programmes are designed to help companies find the best staff and develop the best products to compete more effectively in their marketplace.
