Position: This article describes a Marco Weighing Systems has introduced the latest member of its LineMaster intelligent portion control scales.
The FruitMaster e-weigh, working in conjunction with Marco's innovative TRAC-IT E4 software suite, has been designed specifically for the fresh fruit packing industry.
Marco already have extensive expertise and experience in the implementation of average weight and catch weight portion control systems in the food processing industry.
They have now identified that companies packing soft fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants are typically losing tens of thousands of pounds a year through unnecessary give-away.
Not only does the FruitMaster concept reduce this giveaway to almost zero but it also speeds up the packing process and provides comprehensive data for fiscal and traceability purposes.
The modules can be used as stand alone packing stations or as part of integrated multi-point line weighing systems.
The data from each and every weighment is automatically recorded and sent to the central PC via a robust RF wireless link.
Each electronic weighing scale has a unique identity and supervisors can easily monitor individual operator efficiency.
The RF link provides a secure connection between the scales and the PC, removing the problems of fragile cables and connectors, which are easily damaged in busy working environments.
This technology also allows for swift line configuration changes as required.
The operator displays give clear information relating to the particular product run and high contrast, coloured, multi-section, bar graphs changing from red through amber to a green acceptance zone indicate whether the correct amount of product has been accepted.
It has been proven that operators rapidly tune in to such weighing systems and the latest generation electronics incorporated in the instrument offer unrivalled speed in data capture of the chosen portion weights.
As Marco's Technical Director, Murray Hilborne explains: "It may appear at first glance that packing the extra strawberry or raspberry in every other punnet is not that significant, but when you calculate the give-away over a week and a year, during which time companies may be packing hundreds of tonnes of produce, then the losses become extremely significant".
" Our Marco Weighing System uses a unique weighing software module, which enables packers to achieve Automatic Optimisation (AO)".
" This AO module continuously adjusts target tolerances for individual scales and operators ensuring that targets are maintained, the 'giveaway' is at its lowest level possible and all batches conform to the legal requirements laid down in the Packer's Code".
" TRACIT allows customers to integrate production with their management system and keep a watchful eye on the trends within the process from goods intake to despatch".
" It operates in a standard Windows environment and gives management a complete suite of line setup, monitoring and reporting facilities".
" All screen layouts are user configurable with intuitive bold colourful graphs and plots designed to highlight any potential problem areas".
" By providing useful real time information our products are a simple, yet effective, blend of functionality and connectivity.
Tips: A quality packaging controller is enable the packaging/weighing equipments work more safely and efficiently.
