Packaging
LOMA IS COMMITTED TO MAKING FOOD SAFE
Friday 09. May 2008 - Inspection technology has continued to advance in 2007 and over the course of the year Loma Systems, the inspection technology specialist, brought revolutionary new technologies to market.
Processors and packers are reaping the benefits of Lomas commitment to research and development and are streamlining production through the use of the most advanced systems available. The innovations that Loma have recently launched are leading the way in quality control and contaminant inspection.
The launch of Lomas IQ3 metal detector was heralded as a revolution in metal detection technology. The IQ3 includes a patented feature that means the machine is able to auto-select the correct operating frequency.
By running the product to be inspected through the machine, the IQ3 technology has the unique ability to auto select the correct operating frequency in seconds, making it ideal for the food and packaging industries as major changes in product and packaging no longer require the expense and inconvenience of engineer set up and production downtime is minimised. Selecting the correct operating frequency is key to optimising detection of the grades of stainless steel used in these industries.
The IQ3+ that followed the IQ3 has all the benefits of true variable frequency, but with the addition of an easy to use, icon driven, intuitive full colour graphical touch screen; making it even simpler for operators to use and achieve maximum functionality from the machine.
The addition of the IQ3+ technology to the IQ3 means that the machine is now available in multiple languages. Context sensitive help windows increase the operators ability to use the machine autonomously, whilst security and user ID options allow manufacturers to set varying levels of access to settings and functions for their operators.
Another of Lomas biggest leaps in development has been with their next generation range of X-ray systems. By bringing together over 30 years weighing and contaminant inspection experience, Loma launched the very latest in integrated product inspection equipment.
2007 saw significant advances in X-ray inspection software. Particular focus has been given to de-skilling the set up process, resulting in the Loma X4 X-ray range being able to automatically set itself for optimum contaminant detection.
Loma has also developed an X-ray system that can accurately checkweigh – the X-weigh. The X-weigh enables the X-ray system to weigh the product whilst simultaneously inspecting for foreign body contaminants in one compact and easy to use format. The combination of the two technologies ensures that food manufacturers produce is safe and products are consistent in weight, size and shape. This can not only be applied to discrete packs in a single lane but also to multiple lanes and even products that are presented randomly on the conveyor belt.
X-weighs operation is through a single operator user interface, which is designed to enable product set up in seconds. Not only is the system simple and quick to configure, but it is also highly accurate, with accuracies comparable to traditional checkweighers.
Unlike traditional checkweighers, the X-weigh is unaffected by pack rate, speed, vibration, air turbulence, pack orientation or stability and requires little maintenance.
Loma equipment is designed to survive even the harshest of manufacturing environments and the X-weigh is no exception, incorporating a heavy duty conveyor design.
The new X-weigh software complies with national weights and measures legislation and automatically calculates the correct reject set points for European Average Weight legislation. X-weigh supports a comprehensive reports package showing trends, give-away and batch analysis. The statistical information that the software provides can be networked via Ethernet to a central plant computer or SCADA system.
The Loma X-weigh allows for multi-lane checkweighing, which means a number of lines can be run through the system with each pack inspected according to its own target weight parameters. X-weigh also offers combined weighing and object checking, which will ensure that packs with more than one weight zone are compliant for both overall pack weight and individual weight zones. This makes it ideal for inspecting consumer-ready products such as packs of ready meals and snack products. Lastly, Loma are just about to launch their next generation stand-alone checkweigher – the compact and versatile CW3, which is both fast and accurate and full of innovative features.
Through the continual development of new products, Loma have proven that their range of inspection systems offer the best and most advanced technology available, and that they will continue to be a world leader in inspection technology well into the future.