As ‘partners in packaging’, SMC Pneumatics is dedicated to product innovation for the food processing and packaging industry whilst maintaining its global commitment to safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. The company has spent more than half a century developing more than 12,000 solutions, each designed to meet the needs of its customers.

Exhibiting at one of the leading packaging exhibitions, ProPak Cape, SMC hopes to further cement its place as the leading provider of solutions for the industry. ‘More than pneumatics’, SMC offers electric solutions as well as niche solutions such as its range of ionizers, chillers and dryers.

Having been exposed to food processing and packaging manufacturing environments around the world, SMC understands that static all too often plays a significant role in machine and production downtime.

As such, SMC developed its range of ionizers to complement its existing offerings and to offer significant benefits to its customers. Brian Abbott, Product Manager at SMC Pneumatics notes that SMC will be showcasing its ionizer range at ProPak Cape and elaborates on the issues associated with static:  “If ignored or managed incorrectly, static can contribute to downtime which leads to a loss of income and low levels of productivity.

Issues such as products clinging to each other, plastic sheets not separating properly, possible damage to electrical products as well as fire hazards caused by a spark in a sensitive environment, are all associated with unwanted but unavoidable charge of electricity”.

According to Abbott, there are three different types of ionizers available depending on the application and the environment; SMC offers a bar type ionizer (IZS40/41/42), a fan type ionizer (IZF10/21/31) and a nozzle type ionizer (IZN10). “The unique thing about SMC’s ionizers is that they can be ordered with a sensor. The sensor is a feedback device that is able to detect if a positive or negative charge exists at the source.

The charge, measured as a voltage, is communicated back to the ionizer which in turn generates ions to balance it out.. An option without a sensor is also available. In this case, the unit will generate alternate charge which ‘bombards’ the application with positive and negative ions until it neutralises the application. This, even though less energy efficient, is still a very effective solution.”

In addition, SMC will be showcasing various solutions targeted at the industry such as its ISO13849-1, Category 3/4, Safety Dump Valves, VG342 / VP744 Series – Quick exhaust residual air pressure in conformance to Category 3/4 and ISO13849-1 for machine safety.

Vacuum Ejectors and Cups, ZK2, ZP2 and ZPT Series – Energy-efficient vacuum offering 90% less air consumption when compared to previous models Magnetic Grippers, MHM Series – Designed to reliably and safely  transfer steel plates without a vacuum source with a magnetic holding force from 80N to 120 N (18lbf to 27lbf). Capable of picking up steel workpieces with holes and uneven surfaces where vacuum would never have worked.

Wash Down and Environment Resistant Actuators, HY Series – Designed with  smooth and  flat surfaces, eliminating switch grooves and holes for cushion needles to prevent pooling of liquid or solid materials and allow for easy wash down  in both food and non-food zones.

Electric Actuators, LE Series – Easy to program electric actuators that are compact, lightweight and have standard dust seal bands with flexible mounting options.

Fieldbus Units, EX250, EX260 & EX600 Series – Simple installation and connection to valve manifolds for industrial and web enabled networks.

Stainless Steel Cylinders, Safety Locking Cylinders, Pressure & Flow Sensors, Modular FRLs, Fittings & Tubing