Thanks to off-the-shelf anti-sloshing solution

OMRON Industrial Automation, Johannesburg. South Africa.

“We were totally surprised. Although we didn’t ask for it, Omron’s Field Application Engineer pro-actively made our machine a lot faster and a lot more valuable – overnight.” Jean-Philippe Varenne, CEO PACKINOV

The French packaging machine manufacturer, PACKINOV, asked their local Omron service department to collaborate with them on developing a new machine. They especially wanted high levels of compactness and cost-efficiency. PACKINOV not only got the expertise it expected, but also a mini-revolution in machine performance: an increase in packaging speed of more than 30%.

“I had been assigned to work with PACKINOV Engineers onsite to see where we could help with reducing the machine’s size and cost,” says Omron Field Application Engineer, Régis Couchoud, “so naturally we looked at the components and materials and identified possible gains. Then it occurred to me that Omron’s vibration suppression technology could also reduce the machine’s cost of ownership – by making it more productive.”

Avoiding spillage is essential in food and beverage

Minimising sloshing in liquid-filling activities is highly desirable in the packaging industry, the more you can minimise sloshing, the faster you can move unsealed products without spilling the liquid. In fact, avoiding spillages is essential in terms of hygiene factors in food and beverage packaging industry.

Off -the-shelf solution for multiple recipes

Although anti-sloshing is highly desirable, deploying vibration suppression demands experience in software and control technology. Even when successful, the acceleration profile is good for just one recipe or liquid type. That is not the case with the solution implemented for PACKINOV. Our Engineer downloaded the free Function Block and input some of the liquid’s parameters. The result was optimised anti-sloshing. What’s more, he also uploaded several recipes and liquid types. With a NA HMI, end-user operators could change recipes with the touch of a few on-screen buttons, enabling one machine to package several different liquid products.

Smaller, faster, more economical – with Sysmac

The vibration control technology is made via our Sysmac integrated platform, which uses one connection, one software and one machine controller. This means that only one network is necessary for all machine functions including motion, safety, vision, robotics and sensing. Even better, since all the components and subsystems are automatically recognised by the single software environment, no addressing is necessary, and all parameters can be easily shared to reduce development time to an absolute minimum.

Award-winning innovation

PACKINOV’s new yoghurt packaging machine, RMD Nano, was optimised in terms of size and cost-efficiency – as per to the original request. But the increased speed of packaging made possible by the Omron anti-sloshing technique, was one of the reasons why it won the “Most innovative packaging machine” category at the 2016 CFIA Show in Rennes, France.

“Omron has extensive experience in the food and beverage industry globally. As the food and beverage industry has similar applications and challenges across the globe, local OEM’s in South Africa will benefit from the expertise available in the Omron Group and duplicate success stories for their customers”, Laetita de Jager, Omron SA Marketing Manager explained.

About Omron

Omron Electronics is the South African subsidiary of Omron Corporation, a global leader in the field of automation based on its core technology of "Sensing & Control + Think." Established in 1933, Omron has about 36,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in more than 110 countries and regions.

The company's business fields cover a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial automation and electronic components to automotive electronics, social infrastructure systems, healthcare, and environmental solutions. In the field of industrial automation, Omron supports manufacturing innovation by providing　advanced automation technology and products, as well as through extensive customer support, in order to help create a better society.

For more information, visit Omron’s website: www.industrial.omron.co.za

About Packinov

Packinov is a French company based in Béligneux near Lyon. Established in 1997, the company designs and manufactures machinery to package liquid, pastry, and solid products into rigid containers.

Both automated and semi-automated packaging machines are manufactured suitable for use in the food processing, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.