edp® News
edp® Polybagger
New model edp® Polybagger
edp® has just completed a series upgrade of its 1-6kg Poly Bag Filling and Sealing Machine.
The main issues, to mention just a few, were to be able to hold both 127mm and 178mm wicket centres without head changes, to give the operator easier control of the different functions available, ie, Soft Fill Mode, Blow or Vacuum Bag Opening, Bag Filling Programs selection and more technical information for a service person, maintaining the machine when necessary.
Other advantages achieved include an increase in bagging capacity of up to 20%, a far more efficient Vacuum System, less complex, but very reliable. The Vacuum is used when filling freshnet bags.
The addition of extra No Bag/ No Fill protection, as well as Bag Closure fault. The machine now holds product if it runs out of bags until a new wicket is loaded.
Multiple bag size programs are now accessed via a new touch screen, the number of stored programs has been increased. The Infeed Conveyor (part of the machine) has been completely redesigned to eliminate any bridging on larger product, but also suit double feed belts from weigher with Dual Cross Belts.
The new bag gate can now cater from 1-6kg bags without adjustment.
OPTICAL SIZING!
OPTION: NIR INTERNAL DETECTION,
BLEMISH EXTERNAL DETECTION
UNITEC, always advanced-guard in terms of engineering and manufacture of lines and machinery for the processing and sorting of fresh fruit and vegetables, has invested significantly on the research and developoment of non-destructive technology able to measure fruit internal quality, thus allowing the fruit to remain completely undamaged.
Among the range of available technologies, UNITEC has strongly invested on NIR since it retains that NIR can offer winning answers to the fruit and vegetable industry.
UNITEC products are all engineered with its own technology and, as far as their online application is concerned, they are distinguished in the market thanks to the possibility of rotating the fruit while being analysed , thus obtaining a complete measurement.
Internal and External quality:
technology at 360°
To measure quality, UNITEC introduces two different types of solutions to the definition of internal and external quality parameters for every single fruit.
THE NEW GENERATION IN HORIZONTAL FLOW WRAP MACHINERY
RGDmape VR-8 Models: Box-Stratos-Master-Basic
edp® is pleased to announce the successful installation of three new generation horizontal flow wrap machines. Installation's have been in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, all flow wrapping Tomatoes. All three installation's include fully automatic tray feeding control and synchronizing.
VR-8 MASTER is an electronic horizontal packing machine. It provides new standards in handling and adjusting to pack a wide range of products easily. It allows to set and store up to 40 different packing programs. Comparing to basic version.
VR-8 BASIC allows to pack wider range of products.
VR-8 BOX and STRATOS complete the range of new generation horizontal flow-pack machines. Their transfer head-cutters and transversal sealing make them a very interesting solution for products needs for a hermetic bag sealing. STRATOS model gives the chance to choose between flow package and shrink-wrap package.
Control logic by PLC and touch screen to set different production programs. The use of independent motors can grant great versatility and easy handling making it suitable for different types of products in many sectors.
HIGH SPEED - ACCURATE INNOVATIVE
Unitec Fruit & Vegetable Grading and Sizing Equipment.
UNITEC is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of fruit and vegetable grading and sizing equipment.
The UNICAL_600 MONO is an electronic sizer designed for processing soft fruits. It boasts an intelligent roller conveyor, the “Intell-a-veyor”, spacing 89mm, with the adbility to unload produce very gently onto packaging tables or motorised conveyor belts.
The UNICAL_600 can handle a wide range of product with a weighing accuracy of +/-1 gram. It can process up to 16 fruits a second in a particularly quiet operation.
The simple and functional mechanical design of the UNICAL_600 allows for extremely low maintenance costs.
Contact us now for information on the complete range of innovative UNITEC grading and sizing equipment.
Stand up and stand out! The revolutionary CB-48v2 “D-pack”.
The Daumar CB-48v2 makes the exclusive “D-pack” vertical bag - the first and only mesh-poly bag that stands upright and has a carrying handle.
The D-pack is very versatile and allows you to personalise your packaging in many ways. The bag can be constructed of either tubular extruded net, tubular knitted net or tubular raschel mesh and can have variable width front and back film. It has the option of two punched finger holes instead of the carry handle. Plus a choice of mesh colours. You can even print bar-codes, weights, etc. right onto the bag.
The Daumar CB-48v2 is designed to handle citrus, potatoes, onions and any other produce that doesn’t need delicate handling. It makes, fills and seals bags ranging from 1kg to 4.5kg.
The optional Daumar CB-48S is designed specially for handling delicate produce such as apples, stone fruit, tree fruit and tomatoes.
Maintaining Lynx
Technological development and changing industry standards mean some changes to edp® machinery maintenance.
edp® commercially manufactured the first Lynx combination weighing machine back in the mid 1980‘s.
It became an industry benchmark through the late 80‘s and early 90‘s allowing packers to maximise their pre-pack output. The ability to minimise the pack weight tolerance and not ‘give away ’ produce is more important than ever in today‘s competitive climate. The components and technology used in the Lynx machine was sourced from many local and national suppliers.
With electronics and technology evolving at break neck speed, we as manufacturers are constantly faced with the challenge of being able to obtain and supply componentry that is reliable and cost effective. As most of you would be aware, most items required for servicing the Lynx machine are readily available. However, some electronic components have now become impossible to obtain. Due to revised guidelines in industry standards our suppliers are no longer able to supply the type of electronic components edp® used in the manufacture of the Lynx machines.Due to these constraints, it is with regret that edp® can no longer repair and/or replace the Lynx load cell cards. Regrettably these constraints also apply to the earlier models of the Electro and Mini Baggers.
Electro baggers with the model numbers 1693* and 1185 and Mini Baggers fitted with MP2000 and 901 electronics are no longer repairable.
(* RY2 relays and circuit breaker switch can be replaced on this model and the 1693 control cabinets can be replaced or upgraded. However, 1185 cabinets cannot be replaced or upgraded.)
Please contact our service division on (03) 5820 5337 for any clarification or advice on repairing or replacing your existing bagging equipment. We realise that this is not an ideal scenario for you and your business, however we have been left with no choice.
I think you will all agree that the Lynx and bagging machines have provided an excellent solution to weighing and pre-packing throughout the last 20 years, but even we have to admit that technology and machinery has advanced considerably throughout this time.
If you require an equipment upgrade, edp® are able to offer you a replacement solution as we sell and service the latest European weighing and packaging machinery. Feel free to talk to our specialist sales team who will be happy to discuss any of your requirements:
Mick Schirmer on mobile 0437 252122 or 03 9773 6209
OR
Craig Phillis on mobile 0418 177906 or 03 5820 5337
Please do not hesitate to contact Chris Burke (chrisb@edp.com.au), Operations Manager, edp® Australia Pty Ltd should you require further information or clarification.
Increased packing capacity,less downtime-PA25 Polybagger/Xarpa Line
“We needed higher output and with the installation of the PA25 Polybagger/Xarpa line from edp® we've had great results.”
Stan Stamatis, Director, Manuels Potatoes Pty Ltd.
Established 28 years ago and based in Fyshwick, ACT, family owned business (four brothers), Manuels Potatoes Pty Ltd is primarily involved in packing potatoes and onions, has a full time staff of around 20 people and serves the local supermarkets and clubs in Canberra.The business also handles watermelons and pumpkins from time to time.
“The equipment was installed about 12 months ago, initially to increase our ability to pack large volumes of onions and brush potatoes” says Stamatis. “The old equipment was getting a bit tired and wouldn’t pack as fast as we wanted it to. We needed a higher output and the new PA25 packs at least 30% to 40% more per hour. Also, with less down time we can pack even more and an increase of between 50% and 60% greater capacity over our previous equipment is achievable.”
“We installed the Xarpa line (Daumar Net Bagger) as it is what customers want at the moment.”
“We are actually getting our infrastructure in place for further growth and we are looking to put another installation in” says Stamatis. “We chose edp® because their after sales service is second to none” he added.“If you’ve got a problem they’ll stick by you until they’ve got it fixed - and they’ll get it done quickly.”
“When you are using packing machines you have to deal with someone who is reliable. Also, with computer controlled packing equipment you need someone local who knows their stuff and is committed to after sales service. edp® have been great.”
Increased packing capacity - less down time. It’s as e-asy as edp®.
Better control, great presentation - Daumar PA25S and CB48
“We take a great deal of pride in our fruit and wanted to present it in the best possible way.The installation of the Daumar PA25S Weighing Machine and the CB48 Packaging Line has helped us achieve this.”
Michael McMahon - Managing Partner, Abbotsleigh Citrus.
Abbotsleigh Citrus is located near Gin Gin, Queensland, about 50kms inland from Bundaberg. The business is owned by Terry and Beverley McMahon, John and Sally Stephens, Rod and Petronella Campbell and Michael McMahon who acquired the property in December 2003.The business employs over 200 staff during the peak season and averages around 80 year round.
“We strive to grow quality citrus fruit for both the domestic and export markets with the majority of our production focused on lemons and mandarins” says Managing Partner, Michael McMahon.
“Prior to installing the PA25S and the CB48 equipment from edp® in June 2006 we found that our pre-packing process was very labour intensive and slow” says McMahon. “We simply could not keep up with the orders and wanted to expand that side of our business further. We realised that there were also benefits for other growers in the local area to improve their returns through this value-adding process.”
“The PA25S has drastically reduced the amount of fruit we give away. Previously, we were counting the fruit into packs but now we are able to set weight parameters in the program to ensure we are not putting too much fruit in a 1kg pack. We also felt that the quality of the D-Pack (CB48 machine) was a good fit for our product.”
“I have been more than impressed with the service provided by edp® in all facets of their business whether it be sales, accounts or after-sales service and support ” says McMahon. “Their staff are genuinely helpful and have a desire to ensure our operation runs smoothly. On the odd occasion that we have had a breakdown, edp® have gone above and beyond to ensure we are up and running in the shortest possible timeframe.”
Better weight control and best possible product presentation - it’s as e-asy as edp®.
Accurate, speedy and easy to operate - edp®Electro-Bagger
Widely regarded as the most accurate conventional weighing bagger in the world edp’s® locally made 20kg Electro-Bagger has become the highest selling unit of its type in Australia. It has also generated huge sales overseas, particularly in the west coast of the USA where it has become an industry icon and considered to be the best 50lb bagger for onions.
In September 2005 edp® reached the milestone of 2,000 units sold worldwide. “Domestic sales of the edp® Electro-Bagger are excellent” says edp’s® Managing Director, Ian Parsons. “Our export market to the USA is strong and we are now also selling into Chile and Argentina.”
“The edp® Electro-Bagger has been a major contributor to our success” says Parsons. “It was one of the first major products that got us involved in fruit and vegetable packing in the early 1970s. It was first developed for filling onions into 18kg bags and then potatoes. Originally we manufactured the Electro-Bagger for the domestic market and then our export markets started to grow.”
“The edp® Electro-Bagger is a highly developed and successful machine” says Parsons. “We have constantly refined it over the last 30 years to meet industry needs. As new electronics become available we’ve upgraded the weighing on it.”
“The machine is so popular because of its simplicity in operation, its accuracy and speed. Most of the major Australian exporters and domestic suppliers would use the edp®Electro-Bagger, some with several in each shed. It is a very common piece of equipment in most onion sheds in Australia.”
The machine is fully mobile and has three-stage dual feed belts, automatic bag changeover and no bag/no fill protection. The edp® Electro-Bagger is accurate, speedy and easy to operate.
It’s as e-asy as edp®.
PA25 + CB48 = The best in weighing & packaging
“When you put the best product in the most attractive bag you can manufacture it’s a good formula!” John Salvestrin, Managing Director Vemark Pty. Ltd.
“People buy with their eyes” says John Salvestrin.
“Installing the Daumar CB48 Packaging Line was critical for us. It has given us the package and presentation that our clients have been calling for and the response has been very positive. We’ve been very happy so far. The CB48 is also a very good promotion as it really stands out like neon lights. You can be 100 metres away and you’d notice it.”
“On the weighing side of things I think the PA25 is about the best you can get in terms of accuracy” says Salvestrin.
Based in Sunshine, Victoria, Vemark Pty. Ltd. has been established for 10 years and works closely with a number of farms around Australia to pack and market their products for nationwide distribution. “The main product is onions but we also handle potatoes and pumpkins” says Salvestrin. “We expect to build up to about 10 different products in the short term.”
“The recent installation of the PA25 and the CB48 was brought about by increasing customer demand” says Salvestrin.
“Although our customers were aware of our good quality and consistency, pre-packing was one of the few areas that none of us were happy with and we needed an alternative. We asked ourselves ‘What ís the best worldwide?’ We asked our clients what they wanted, we did our homework and we believe we have now purchased the best equipment available.”
“We are enjoying good continuous growth at present. In the course of the next few months as production increases we expect our current staff level of 25 to reach maybe 40 or 50 people. The new installation will help that growth. We’re in this for the long term. Hopefully we’ll grow to such an extent that we’ll have to install another edp® weighing machine and packaging line!”
“We’re getting more out of the door in a shorter period of time.”
“A combination of the PA25 and the CB48 offers fast and versatile weighing and eye-catching colourful product presentation.”
It’s as e-asy as edp®.
edp’s® winning ways - consumables going strong
As seen in the last issue of ‘Good Fruit & Vegetables’ the D-Pack has become very popular in Australia particularly with producers and packers of citrus. Also growing in popularity are other edp® Consumables especially Giro Netting and Extruded Net.
“We’ve had the Giro Netting agency for 12 years.” says edp’s® Consumables Manager, Rob Anderson. “Giro Redtub knitted net is one of Europe’s leading names and is now well established in the Australian market as an industry standard. It is a proven product and is in stock for immediate dispatch around the country.”
- Giro Net comes in a range of styles including:
- Diamond mesh - for citrus packing
- Bologna mesh - a uniform pattern
- French mesh - strong, economical and ideal for potatoes
Giro Netting also comes in a range of colours that can enhance the appearance of fruit and vegetables to compensate for produce which has not fully ripened or may have slight surface blemishes.
Extruded Net - New Range of Flat Tubular Net
“edp® stocks a comprehensive range of Extruded Netting that is used throughout the fruit and vegetable industry” says Anderson. “There is now a new range of extruded flat tubular net from Intermas in Barcelona available exclusively from us.”
“Extruded Net is used in the popular D-Pack which gives it the ability to stand up.”
“We listen to what our customers request and we get very much involved in the recommendation of the consumables that will best suit the customers’ needs” says Anderson.
“edp® has the experience and the support of our international partners and we have become the industry leader in consumables.”
Whatever your needs are, talk to us. It’s as e-asy as edp.®
edp® Snow Pea Inspection Line - “Increased productivity at lower cost!”
Established over 50 years family business Condolucci Produce is already seeing big benefits from the brand new installation of the edp® Snow Pea Inspection Line.
Situated at Korumburra, near Leongatha, South East Victoria, the business is mainly focused on producing snow peas which they market themselves and distribute through agencies in the Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide markets.
“The peak of the snow pea season is early October to the end of June and it’s a very intense time” says manager Louie Condolucci. “Labour is hard to get and the machine is a quick way of getting the produce through and into boxes - it’s brilliant!”
“Before we installed the edp® Snow Pea Inspection Line we used to sort through the snow peas by hand on a table, put them in a pile and then put them in boxes which took time. The machine has certainly speeded up the process” says Condolucci.
“In the main season we’d have about 25 to 30 staff but now with the machine we can save up to four people a day seven days a week which is a huge labour cost saving.”
“Our production capacity has also increased. We pack in 2 kilo and 5 kilo bags and 7 kilo boxes and prior to installing the machine we could only handle at best by hand 2,500 to 3,000 kilos a day with about 12 people” says Condolucci. “We can now increase our production up to around 4,000 kilos a day with seven or eight people.”
“Another problem we had is that snow peas are very brittle and are easy to break. You have to be gentle with them” says Condolucci. “The machine has helped in this area too. We have a good reputation for quality and we want to keep it. We’ve been happy from day one of the installation.”
“We’ve dealt with edp® for over 20 years and they have always serviced us well. They listened to our needs and with a little modification the machine was custom built to our requirements.”
“We have enjoyed good growth over the last five years and the edp® Snow Pea Inspection line will help us maintain that growth.“
Increased productivity, lower costs. It’s as e-asy as edp®.
