Archives for February 21, 2018

KHS launches new labeling machine for food industry

February 21, 2018 by Anna

The KHS Group has launched the Innoket Roland 40 compact labeler to market. With a capacity of 2,500 to 25,000 containers per hour, it is specifically tailored to the requirements of the food industry. It can be fitted with various labeling stations.

The machine is specially geared towards lines with a low output, so is aimed at craft breweries and manufacturers of canned food, sauces or dressings.

In its standard version the Innoket Roland 40 comes with two cold glue stations. This allows shoulder and neck labels to be applied at two levels by the first station, with the second station affixing back labels to the bottles.

Kawasaki robots take the biscuit

February 21, 2018 by Anna

Fox’s, a UK biscuit brand, has replaced SCARA type robots with Kawasaki robots to overcome efficiency issues relating to obsolescence.

Back in 1989, Fox’s Uttoxeter facility first implemented robotic handling of wrapped biscuits, reducing operators from 34 to just 14, using SCARA configuration robots.

Out of three replacement options proposed to Fox’s, Kawasaki suggested a move back to conventional six axes arms. Through simulations, Kawasaki Robotics UK was able to illustrate that the RS-20N Robots would cost effectively match, and exceed if required, the output of the existing SCARA robots.

KEB America releases new safety products for automation systems

February 21, 2018 by Anna

KEB America, Inc. has released new safety automation products for the North American market. Safety PLC, Safe I/O modules, and Safety PLC programming software are now available as part of a full system solution designed by KEB.

KEB’s Safety PLC is a Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) master that is used in tandem with the machine PLC to execute and monitor the safety functions of the machinery.

FSoE uses a black-channel approach and can be used with other bus systems. KEB’s Safety PLC connects with other FSoE slave modules like Safe I/O and Servo Drives with Safe Motion functionality.