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New Products for Cheesemakers
Updated July 2024
Cheese Market News’ new products directory provides you with a listing of new products and services introduced in the past year for dairy manufacturers. If you have a new product or service that dairy manufacturers should know about, please contact Taylor Froelich, assistant editor, at tfroelich@cheesemarketnews.com. |
ABB |
Contact: website: https://new.abb.com/contact-centers. New products: ABB recently introduced system extensions for its InSite smart energy and load management system with new plug-in expansion modules, accessories and software updates to improve energy efficiency in both sub and final distribution to enable additional use cases. The InSite energy management system gathers data from field devices through the compact SCU200 central control unit. Plug-in expansion modules can be attached to the control unit to adapt the InSite system to various applications and requirements. It provides energy transparency, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance with real-time data accessed via a user-friendly InSite web server dashboard or third-party application. InSite energy management system can be scaled from large buildings to home and enables users to optimize energy usage and achieve full load management, easily integrating electric vehicle chargers, photovoltaic systems, utility meters and more. New enhancements to the system include a plug-in USB module that enables connection to utility meters and the software update. This provides a greater level of energy monitoring as well as blackout prevention through the ability to adjust or schedule consumption such as reducing or pausing electric vehicle charging sessions. “As the InSite system expands, it becomes even more scalable and flexible. We have collaborated with customers to understand and develop additional modules and device integrations to meet their specific requirements. These include electric vehicle chargers and utility meter. A wider variety of loads can be monitored and controlled, improving load management capability and energy efficiency,” says Sebastiano Paganini, global product line manager for energy management solutions at ABB. |
Amcor Flexibles North America Inc. |
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Contact: John Kearny, director of marketing, dairy, 920-527-7893; email: john.kearny@amcor.com; website: www.amcor.com. New products: Amcor Flexibles North America recently released Amcor Revolution, a line of recycle-ready barrier APET forming film solutions. Amcor Revolution has been chosen by cheese converters in Canada and the United States to address rising requirements for recycle-ready films, including increasing consumer pressure, retailer mandates and legislation in North America, the company says. Amcor’s latest recycle-ready solutions for the cheese segment is a technology that ensures multilayer barrier APET thermoform products, often used for products like sliced cheese or cracker cuts, are compatible with the PET bottle recycling stream per APR Critical Guidance Testing. When paired with Amcor’s AmPrima Plus non-forming film, the total package solution is considered recycle-ready, while still delivering on key package opening/re-closing features like EZ Peel or EZ Peel Reseal. Amcor Revolution Barrier APET forming film is simple, the company says. After consumers finish the product in the APET package, it can be placed into their curbside recycling bin. The material is then taken to a local MRF where it is sorted into a PET bale. The material reclaimer chops the bale and runs it through a caustic wash, where the PET and non-PET portions of the thermoformer are separated. PCR PET is then purchased by Amcor to be put back into bottles and new packaging. |
Ampack |
Contact: Marco Jäger, head of marketing and technology, +41 71 858 3800; email: m.jaeger@ampack.ch; website: www.ampack.biz/eu-en. New products: Ampack, in partnership with Syntegon, recently announced it will be completing its modular portfolio with the flexible food and beverage line (FBL) filling machine for preformed HDPE, PP and PET bottles. In addition to baby food an clinical nutrition, the newly developed machine also can be used to gently fill milk and plant-based drinks, dairy products and soups. “The FBL enables flexible and hygienic production,” says Oguz Karcier, product manger at Ampack. “The basis for this is a neck-handling system adapted to the FBL for fast bottle format changeovers, as well as an innovative hygiene and maintenance concept.” The FBL machine can fill bottles made of various materials with volumes between 50 milliliters and 1,500 milliliters in a time-saving manner. The neck-handling system for the FBL ensures faster bottle format changeovers. The bottles, which have been set up and checked for leaks in advance, are fed into the carrier plates via a gripper. The device grips the bottled by the neck and can quickly insert differing bottle types into the carrier plates. Even collapsible formats, such as bottles with enteral nutrition, can be reliably transported. “The system can be adapted to different bottle formats in just a few steps, enabling efficient transportation,” adds Karcier. The machine also features a simple maintenance concept to significantly enhance productivity: movable dosing stations to support efficient inspection and maintenance of critical components. The machine is designed in accordance with 3-A requirements. Its innovative hygiene concept increases production intervals by providing long-lasting sterility. The FBL can be seamlessly combined with other systems, with interfaces that allow easy integration with the upstream and downstream machines, both mechanically and electronically. |
Apple Converting Inc. |
Contact: Phillip Youngs III, business development manager, 607-432-6500; email: pyoungs@appleconverting. New products: Apple Converting Inc. has released a dairy lidding polypropylene film for dairy or short shelf-life product sealable polypropylene containers. The monomaterial makes containers easily recyclable with excellent seal and peel performance they are end-user friendly. It can be applied to many dairy applications such as tubs of cottage cheese, sour cream or yogurt. Additionally, Apple Converting has invested in a new Bobst CI press to enhance its flexographic printing lines. The commission of the new equipment will be ready in upcoming months, the company says. |
Applied Manufacturing Technologies |
Contact: 248-409-2100; email: sales@appliedmfg.com; website: www.appliedmfg.com New products: Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), a leader in automation engineering that specializes in material handling, system integration and cutting-edge autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for warehousing and logistics, recently announced the launch of ROBiN robotic induction system, a flexible material handling solution for efficiency and throughput gain in the warehousing industry. ROBiN is a robotic AI-enabled system designed to improve the process of removing and organizing layers of product on pallets for integration into automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Utilizing advanced AI and machine vision technology, ROBiN is engineered to handle a diverse range of case sizes and shapes without prior knowledge of the number of cases on a layer, their specific location or orientation. This capability allows the system to optimize the fill density of totes, therefore increasing efficiency in warehouse operations. “We are excited to launch ROBiN, our flexible material handling solution, which was designed to significantly enhance efficiency and throughput in warehouse induction operations,” says Craig Salvalaggio, president of AMT. “ROBiN’s unique and adaptable design supports various case dimensions and operates effectively without needing to know in advance the count of cases per layer or their precise placement and alignment. This flexibility enables us to meet our clients’ diverse operational needs and drive forward the capabilities of automated systems.” |
Arkieva |
Contact: Kristan Theile, director of marketing, 513-376-0300; email: ktheile@arkieva.com; website: www.arkieva.com. New products: Arkieva, an industry-leading supply chain planning software and consultation provider, announced a new robust supply chain planning optimization project for Wells Enterprises, the largest family-owned ice cream and frozen treat manufacturer in the United States. Wells chose Arkieva to provide a holistic software solution with the sophistication and scale to handle the company’s significant growth and more complex supply chain requirements. “With our continued growth and plans for future innovation, we needed a solution that is adept at managing a more complicated product mix, geographic expansion, new distribution centers and additional product lines,” says Rick Rowe, director of production planning for Wells Enterprises. “A robust software platform was mandatory, but we also needed someone to fit the software to our business and stay engaged as a long-term partner.” The Arkieva solution handles demand planning, inventory planning, supply planning, scheduling and truckload modeling across all Wells Enterprises business units. Key production planning and management capabilities include flexibility in assigning lines to production schedules for better workload balancing, efficient building and modification of ramp-up curves for new products, and visibility into production capacity up to 16 weeks in the future. Arkieva also enabled Wells to enhance profitability by leveraging network-wide insights, such as identifying which plants are most cost effective for certain production runs. “Wells Enterprises is a world-class business and industry leader, with an exceptional growth path ahead. Our role is to take a careful look at their business and provide streamlined, effective technology focused on what matters to them,” says Sujit Singh, chief operating officer for Arkieva. “Together, we designed a phased implementation approach that allows our consultative nature to extend beyond just scoping out the right technology — it also includes implementation support, training and ongoing engagement to make sure Wells gets the most out of their technology as their needs evolve.” Arkieva’s solution for Wells Enterprises went live earlier this year, the company says, with continued enhancements planned through the life of the system. |
BELL-MARK |
Contact: Nate Know, regional sales manager, 973-615-6433; email: nknox@bell-mark.com; website: www.bell-mark.com. New products: BELL-MARK recently released the InteliJet TS CATraverse, an affordable traversing system for the InteliJet TS thermal inkjet printer. This system allows the InteliJet TS thermal inkjet print head to traverse across an inline packaging machine to print multiple lanes across the web material without the need for multiple print heads. This helps reduce downtime caused by maintaining multiple print heads and changing ink cartridges. This system also can be used with InteliJet TSX printheads, which are IP67-rated for washdown-tolerant and harsh environment protection. BELL-MARK also will be releasing the InteliJet LPc featuring brand new thermal inkjet (TIJ) 4.0 technology which provides incredible 1,200 DPI print quality at ultra-fast speeds up to 2,400 feet per minute for printing on carton and corrugated materials. The LPc can print four times faster than the TIJ 2.5 technology and features a wider print head (22 millimeters), increased throw distance and a 775-milliliter bulk ink supply that holds 18 times more ink, which will significantly reduce downtime. The LPc improves on the InteliJet LP printing systems by combining the print controller and bulk ink reservoir with the touch-screen human machine interface into a single unit for a much smaller footprint. |
Best Sanitizers Inc. |
Contact: Jenna Blando, marketing coordinator, 888-225-3267; email: jblando@bestsanitizers.com; website: www.bestsanitizers.com. New products: Best Sanitizers recently introduced the Airless Smartstep. This foot-operated unit uses the force of the human step to deliver an atomized spray of Alpet D2 or Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer. Each application provides ample coverage to footwear soles while using only 0.14-ounce/4.14 milliliter or chemical per spray, minimizing waste and improving moisture control. This supports the safety of food processing facilities by effectively sanitizing footwear at critical control points before employees enter the production floor. |
Deville Technologies |
Contact: Ken Ball, product manager, 514-366-4545; email: kball@devilletechnologies.com; website: www.devilletechnologies.com. New products: Deville Technologies recently released a new Dosing System for cheese processing. Anti-caking agents have many uses for cheese processing, such as reducing clumping in shredded or grated cheese, and aid in flowing through downstream processing and packaging equipment. Anti-caking agents also can reduce agglomeration during the shredding, storage and shipping process, as well as minimize costs and help preserve product quality. Controlling the amount of anti-caking agents added to cheese can be difficult, since the amount of powder needed is small and needs to be monitored closely, the company says. To meet this challenge, Deville Technologies has developed an innovative hygienic Dosing System that allows cheese processors to efficiently and accurately dose powder on high or low capacity lines within a tolerance of 2% weight per volume, under tested conditions. This is lower than most hygienic machines available in the market today. Using weigh cell technology, the system also tracks calibration and product weighed to approximately 0.3 grams. This new servo-motor driven dosing system provides two key benefits for in-line powder dosing in the dairy industry: accuracy and precision. This will provide manufacturers with a novel hygienic solution to avoid legal violations while improving process margins since it allows for manufacturers to get closer to attaining desired allowable targets. Deville Technologies also is working on a variety of innovative new products for the cheese industry that will be launched later this year. |
Dorner |
Contact: Lindsey Muchka, director of marketing, 262-369-1253; email: lindsey.muchka@dorner.com; website: www.dornerconveyors.com. New products: Dorner has launched the AquaGard LP, a low-profile sanitary conveyor that is sleek and compact in design and rated for low-pressure washdown. The AquaGard LP is useful for cheese manufacturers, as it provides efficient transport for packaged or non-packaged cheeses. Additionally, it features five-minute belt changes for increased uptime, a low-profile welded frame design for easy cleaning and utilizes an end roller or nose bar to facilitate easy transfers. AquaGard LP also features a variety of FDA-approved belts that can ensure cheese is safe and accurate in both production and packaging. |
Eagle Product Inspection |
Contact: 1-877-379-1670; email: eaglesales@eaglepi.com; website: www.eaglepi.com New products: Eagle Product Inspection, leaders in X-ray food inspection and inline fat analysis, recently announced the Pack 320 PRO to bring the power of x-ray analysis to the dairy industry. The Pack 320 PRO is ideal for inspecting small to mid-sized packaged products where inspection performance is critical, such as with void detection in cheese blocks, missing or broken slices in packaged cheese, fill level and contaminants in yogurt, missing components on cases of yogurt and contaminant detection in dairy products. The machine can simultaneously perform multiple quality control checks in a single pass with precision and accuracy, including contamination detection, mass measurement, package integrity and component counts. The superior x-ray inspection technology provides outstanding detection of physical contaminants regardless of their size, shape or location within a product. The system provides 13 inches of inspection coverage at the belt and high-speed imaging up to 390 feet per minute. Mass and weight measurement with X-ray technology provides an additional layer of process control and due diligence to ensure high quality and prevent product giveaway. The Pack 320 PRO can measure multiple zones with or without EU tolerances, and provide one measurements for multiple content items. Package integrity also is a vital quality control issue to identify and reject deformed packages and to ensure that product is not trapped in packaging seals. Using x-ray technology is quicker and far more reliable than other inspection methods because X-ray systems can look inside sealed packaging for verification, the company says. The Pack 320 PRO also features SimulTask PRO advanced imaging and processing software as well as the Eagle TraceServer X-ray software program that records valuable production data and machine status information and consolidates it into a centralized database. |
Emerson |
Contact: website: https://go.emersonautomation.com/contact-us. New products: As part of its vision for helping organizations deliver more seamless operations, global automation technology and software leader Emerson is evolving its DeltaV brand into the DeltaV Automation Platform. The newly expanded automation platform will include supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, manufacturing execution systems (MES) and operations management software alongside the distributed control (DCS) and safety instrumented systems (SIS) and other technologies that have been part of the brand for decades. The evolution builds a more comprehensive automation platform to make it easier for users to deliver smarter, safer, more optimized and more sustainable operations. The comprehensive nature of the new DeltaV Automation Platform will empower users to move away from plant-by-plant strategies to site-by-site of even enterprise automation solutions — the more advanced, integrated automation strategies that are increasingly necessary to compete in a complex global marketplace. “In an era of increased demand and higher sustainability targets, today’s organizations are looking for ways to mange and contextualize data across the many software solutions they use to help unlock easier, faster and safer decisions,” says Nathan Pettus, president of Emerson’s process systems and solutions business. “The DeltaV With an extensive portfolio unified under one brand, users will have access to a comprehensive technology ecosystem that provides a broader suite of solutions. Organizations will more quickly and easily find the right solutions to meet their specific needs and will gain easier access to service, training and support. All solutions in the DeltaV Automation platform will be seamlessly supported through the Guardian digital customer experience. Users will have a single point of access to Guardian’s digital tools and subscriptions for all their solutions, providing easy access to real-time monitoring, in-depth analytics and reliable insights. The continuing evolution of the platform also will extend to future Emerson products. Development for DeltaV Automation Platform offerings will focus on products and systems that communicate and work better together, offering users a more cohesive and streamlined experience. |
Flexicon |
Contact: 610-814-2400; email: sales@flexicon.com; website: www.flexicon.com New products: Flexicon recently introduced a new Twin Tilt-Down Flexible Screw Conveyor system with dual hoppers on a common mobile base, constructed and finished to 3-A sanitary standards. The self-contained system can fill two vessels with the same material simultaneously or convey two different materials. It is mounted on a frame with locking casters for in-plant mobility and can be utilized in multiple locations and rolled to a wash-down booth. Each 4-cubic-foot hopper is equipped with grates capable of supporting a 250-pound bag of material, level sensors and mechanical agitator assemblies to promote flow into the conveyor inlets. The conveyor is engineered to move dry bulk solids efficiently without product degradation, especially non-free-flowing materials that pack, cake, smear, fluidize, compress or are otherwise problematic to convey. The screws are the only moving parts that contact material in the machine and are driven beyond the point at which material is discharged, eliminating wear and contamination related to product contacting seals and bearings. The discharge housings of the conveyors are supported by dual motorized booms that cantilever from the mobile base, allowing discharge of material into processing equipment or storage vessels. The support boom and conveyor assembly can be tilted down to maneuver through standard doorways and aisles and around corners for use anywhere in the plant. The system is constructed to 3-A standards and features sanitary quick-release clean-out capes, quick-disconnect discharge box access covers and wash-down motors. The stainless NEMA 4X control panel allows operation of either or both conveyors. Human machine interface controls allow manual and automatic start/stop, reverse and variable speed adjustment. |
FoodTools |
Contact: Matt Wermund, general manager, 269-637-9969; email: matt.wermund@foodtools.com; website: www.foodtools.com. New products: FoodTools recently released a new cheese blocking machine, the 5-AF wire harp slicing machine. A block is loaded onto the platform and the wire harp is lowered through the product, making tall log portions. When a customer needs to create blocks, the product is then removed, the wire head is raised, and the product is turned and placed onto the product holder and the wire harp is lowered again. This creates small portioned blocks of cheese. The 5-AF machine is an economical solution for portioning cheese into smaller blocks. |
HART Design & Manufacturing Inc. |
Contact: Todd Delebreau, director of sales, 920-468-5927; email: T_Delebreau@hartdesign.com; website: www.hartdesign.com. New products: HART Design & Manufacturing now offers a range of new products, including mixers, blenders and cookers, through its new partnership with MilkyLAB. For small to medium productions, the company offers compact models that combine stretching-molding machines all in one using steam or hot water — ideal for small/medium productions of analogue Mozzarella, String cheese, pizza cheese and processed cheeses. They are equipped with an Italian-patented electrical steam generator to produce steam during the stretching phase, and provide considerable energy savings and an increased final product yield. Custom configuration options also are available. |
Hydrite |
Contact: Mitch Fay, technical director, 559-862-5257; email: mitch.fay@hydrite.com; website: www.hydrite.com. New products: Hydrite recently launched Hydroxysan + No. 494, an EPA-registered food contact surface sanitizer formulated for use on hard, nonporous surfaces. It cleans, disinfects and deodorizes hard, nonporous surfaces by killing many odor-causing microorganisms. Hydroxysan + No. 494 delivers a high-performance sanitizer with excellent bacterial activity against a wide range of microorganisms in cold or warm water. Degrading to oxygen, water and acetic acid, this sustainable sanitizer is a good choice for dairy processing, the company says. It can be used for clean-in-place pipeline and tank cleaning, sanitization and disinfection. It also is used in the treatment of process water, cooling water and wastewater. Additional primary uses include slime and biofouling control in reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes and for sanitization and cleaning of RO and UF membranes. Hydroxysan + No. 494 is certified kosher, OMRI listed, and manufactured in the United States. Hydrite also will be introducing the Next Generation Enzyme Program later this year. This program is designed to optimize the enzyme wash step, reduce water, time and chemistry while removing chlorine from the cleaning program. Products will include the launch of Arcadia No. 314 (enzyme) and Elevate No. 324 (buffered alkaline). |
Keyence |
Contact: 1-888-539-3623; email: info@keyence.com; website: www.keyence.com. New products: Keyence recently released an innovative radar level sensor designed to monitor the level of both liquid (including oil, water, chemicals, etc.) and powder products. The new FR Series provides non-contact stable level monitoring in any environment, even when obstructions or harsh conditions are present, such as build-up, steam or turbulence. Additionally, it comes in short-range and long-range models (up to 15 meters measuring range), as well as chemical and sanitary options to address a wide array of level sensing applications. With its innovative radar technology, the FR Series enhances detection stability and accuracy with its newly developed Tracking and Adapt functions. It features large, 360-degree indicator lights that allow for level status comprehension at just a glance. The indicator lights are fully customizable and can be adjusted to meet the needs of specific applications. It also provides straightforward readings and menu options on an integrated display or a display that can be mounted separately. This helps provide the user with a clear understanding of level data and significantly simplifies installation and overall operation. With a full range of model options, the Keyence FR Series Level Sensor is a versatile level sensing solution for a variety of applications, as well as chemical and sanitary options to meet the requirements of any environment. Outdoor models also are available, along with a wide range of dedicated brackets to allow for installation on any type of tank, eliminating the headaches associated with common mounting restrictions and the chance of false detection caused by incorrect installation, the company says. |
MHM Automation |
Contact: Natalie Cleveland, sales manager, USA division, 920-438-9969; email: n.cleveland@mhmautomation.com; website: www.mhmautomation.com New products: MHM Automation recently released the Universal Robotic Box Cutter (UBC) and the gantry palletizer. The UBC previously was developed for the meat industry, but it has been adapted to meet the needs of the cheese industry. MHM completed the first installation of a UBC for a cheese converter earlier this year. Automating the box opening process includes benefits such as reduced labor requirements, eliminating the use of knives and associated risk of injury, and reducing human contact with the product to improve food safety. The gantry palletizer is a newly released product from MHM Automation. The first ever installation was done for a U.S. cheese processor this year. The gantry palletizer is a cost-effective alternative to a robotic palletizer and/or de-palletizer, ideal for medium throughput operations. It enables cheese processors who may have previously ruled out robotic palletizing based on its high setup cost to automate the palletizing process, the company says. Automating palletizing with the gantry palletizer reduces labor requirements and the risk of injury through strain, as well as reducing food safety risks by removing human contact with the product. It can palletize or de-palletize product in boxes, sacks or bags weighing up to 110 pounds. Additionally, it is simple to assemble and commission, and the operator can specify the product attributes and palletizing pattern through a simple human machine interface with pictorial, step-by-step instructions. |
Multi-Conveyor |
Contact: 1-800-236-7960; email: info@multi-conv.com; website: www.multi-conveyor.com New products: Multi-Conveyor recently built an Adjustable Height Conveyor concept to elevate or lower the “common top of case flap” reference point for empty erected cases to feed one stationary height case packer. The system requires conveyor elevation adjustability for any of three staggered height cases erected on a single lane system, which led the company to create a more common stationary incline or decline conveyor approach. Multi-Conveyor’s engineering team innovatively designed the entire discharge end of the conveyor to raise or lower as needed based on the height of the empty cases heading into the downstream case packer. The conveyor height adjustment assembly uses a single hand wheel to manually raise and lower the conveyor discharge end, relying on an incorporated screw jack mechanism to complete the task. To raise and lower the conveyor quicker, a drill motor also can be used with a hex bit to rapidly turn the hand-crank. The process then can be reversed, with the entire conveyor lowering to facilitate the taller height open cases feeding into the same case packer. This makes one conveyor line accessible for product changeover without separate case packing equipment. The case erector discharge end uses stationary supports with adjustable articulating feet and single bolt mounting tabs for floor anchoring. Casters also can be used for pivoting vertical curve assemblies required at infeed to allow for even slight incremental movements as the intermediate pivots up or down, the company says. |
Page & Pedersen International Ltd. |
Contact: Jacquelin M. Page, president, 508-435-5966; email: jackiep@pagepedersen.com; website: www.pagepedersen.com. New products: Page & Pedersen International Ltd. recently released three new products for the cheese/dairy industry. The QuickCheck SELECT Freezing-point Cryoscope is the only freezing-point cryoscope in the world that allows the ability to transition between testing different types of samples without the need to dilute or recalibrate, the company says. It can be used to test raw milk, full-fat cream, cheese recipes and lactose-reduced dairy liquids using three separate channels with three separate cooling temps. The first channel is from 0.00 to -0.600 degrees Celsius, ideal for raw milk. The second channel is from -0.600 to -1.000 degrees Celsius for reduced lactose milk. Channel 3a ranges from -1.000 to -2.000 for ice cream mixes, and channel 3b ranges from -2.000 to -2.8000 degrees Celsius for Dutch chocolate milk or nutraceuticals, for example. The LactiWhey Composition Analyzer is a dedicated analyzer for testing both acid and liquid whey. If fat or protein is in the whey, it will not be present in the cheese, allowing the analyzer to monitor whey for optimal consistency and quality of the cheese being made. It also can be used to optimize yields. The analyzer features precise measurements, does not require reagents for more streamlined testing, and has an average cost of approximately five cents per test, making it an affordable option. The CyteTrack Data Recording/Reporting System also can be used for dairy through codifying, reporting and digitally storing somatic cell results from the LactiCyte-HD Somatic Cell Counter. |
Provisur Technologies |
Contact: Mark Lowden, sales manager, slicing business unit, 312-597-1779; email: Mark.Lowden@provisur.com; website: www.provisur.com. New products: Provisur Technologies this year introduced the Formax Free Movement System (FMS). This transformational technology utilizes free-floating movers that hover above an electromagnetic surface to enable smooth and seamless product handling. The movers on the FMS tabletop can be programmed with any type of motion profile including rotation and synchronized travel. It enables excellent portion handling control and is ideal for complex product applications that require a high level of flexibility. The innovative patented design allows for portions to glide seamlessly and hands-free from the slicer to the packager. Movements are programmed into the tiles to control product travel. The patented smooth portion transfer from mover to downstream equipment reduces labor costs, damage and hygiene risks as well as enabling complex, high-volume product handling in a short footprint. The short line length combines functions such as inlining, buffering, turning and overlapping into a single compact machine, significantly reducing length compared to traditional product handling systems requiring multiple, single-function machines. A cheese line, for example, is reduced from 17 feet to 9 feet, the company says. The Formax FMS is highly configurable and can be used for applications including meat and cheese slicing lines, adult snack packs, sandwich lines, variety packs and more. Products can travel in any direction and rotate on the electromagnetic tabletop to support new applications, unlike application-specific conveyor systems or limited robotics. It also is constructed with hygiene top-of-mind, requiring minimal physical handling compared to conveyor systems, no machinery or mechanical arms hanging over the product and no end effectors touching each portion. It can easily be cleaned by placing the movers in the cleaning cart and simply washing down the table and cart since it features fewer removable belts and rails. Later this year, Provisur also will be introducing the Formax SX550 slicer, which is designed for high performance and capacity within a small footprint. |
RELCO LLC |
Contact: John Zirbel, vice president, cheese and liquid process, 320-444-1153; email: john.zirbel@kss-sep.com; website: www.relco.net New products: RELCO recently launched the TRU-BAG Autobagger. It is engineered to automatically package 40-pound cheese blocks into sanitary bags with unmatched precision and speed, the company says. This new technology from RELCO is rigorously designed to outperform, ensuring a smoother, more profitable manufacturing process. The TRU-BAG features seamless automation to simplify the bagging process, allowing manufacturers to focus on increasing productivity and meeting growing demand. The efficient automation also reduces labor costs while significantly increasing output. The bagger is constructed with a more rigid design than competitors’ versions, RELCO says, ensuring durability and reliability as well as being easily adaptable to any setup. It includes a user-friendly interface with an optional printer for block coding for better traceability and product identification. The TRU-BAG also has been designed to withstand high washdown duty as well as to adapt to multiple bag formats. “The TRU-BAG Autobagger sets a new benchmark in the cheese processing industry by combining cutting-edge technology with a robust design, making it a superior choice over competitors’ offerings,” RELCO says. The company also has upgraded its HORIZON II Cheese Vat. The new design yields increased production, uniform curd size and consistent moistures. The manway now features a larger 24-inch opening and improved safety features, while the LED lighting provides optimal illumination and reliability. The milk inlet is adjustable to reduce foaming, and the drive system has been improved with a new two-piece coupling for easier seal replacement. Additionally, the vat’s controls have customizable recipe screens and integrated coagulation detection for more precise and efficient operation. |
Signode |
Contact: 1-800-323-2464; website: www.signode.com. New products: With more than a century of experience developing innovative end-of-line transit packaging solutions, the Signode portfolio includes automation solutions, strapping and stretch wrapping systems, case packaging equipment and protective packaging products. While these solutions cater to a wide array of industries, the Endra Horizontal Strapping System specifically has emerged as an effective solution for the common challenges facing today’s dairy manufacturers. “Strapping systems can be a great solution for packaging temperature-sensitive products,” says Andy Thibodeau, container equipment manager for Signode. “In addition to load breathability, which is essential for maintaining cold temperatures in transit, the Endra Horizontal Strapping System provides the load stability needed to protect product value upstream.” This versatile solution is easily integrated into most production lines and features a compact footprint and customizable strap tension options to accommodate mixed product lines from softer boxed items to crates and large barrels. Requiring just two or three straps to sufficiently stabilize pallets of dairy products, this horizontal strapping system can significantly reduce consumable costs and material waste. Shorter strapping cycle times and fewer strap coil changes enable high-speed processing while still handling products gently, meeting most dairy manufacturers’ needs for reliable transport and retail-ready products. |
StoneX Financial Inc. |
Contact: Nate Donnay, director of dairy market insight; email: Nate.Donnay@StoneX.com; website: www.stonex.com/. New products: StoneX Financial has launched a new weekly free podcast, Heard Mentality, to discuss the dairy markets and what is driving them. Each episode is kept to a brief 10 or 20 minutes. They are available on Apple Podcast and Spotify, respectively, at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dairy-insights-heard-mentality/id1746125402 and https://open.spotify.com/show/6CNjSoZDBljvocdqsMc1oN. Everyone in the dairy supply chain faces widely fluctuating input and output prices that can be driven by the weather, government policy, disease outbreaks and the normal fluctuations in supply and demand, StoneX says. StoneX tries to dig into what is driving the U.S. and global dairy markets each week to help the industry understand why the markets change and possibly give some insight into where markets are going. |
Staubli Corp. |
Contact: Mathias Konne, food market leader, Staubli Robotics North America division, 864-316-7935; email: mkonne@staubli.com; website: www.staubli.com/us/en/home.html. New products: Staubli Corp. recently released the TX2-200 HE. The TX2-200 HE is the largest robot in the TX2 series and features a new level of safety, flexibility and user-friendliness, combined with a proven hygienic design for the food industry. The machine has been modified for the most demanding tasks in food production, the company says, and features a load capacity of up to 170 kilograms and a reach of 2.209 millimeters, making it ideal for heavier handling applications. It is a precise processing machine with dynamics to deliver on short cycle times. It includes an enclosed structure and smooth contours and is compliant with the requirements of Food Safety Management systems and GF SI recommendations. It also is designed to be compliant with EHEDG guidelines and EC standards. |
Surdry North America |
Contact: email: sna@surdry.com; website: www.surdry.com. New products: Surdry North America (SNA) recently introduced a new Continuous Sterilizer. This new technology offers steam consumption savings of up to 50% compared to batch retorts, the company says, promoting cost savings and more sustainable operations. The Continuous Sterilizer has secured patents in both Europe and the United States, and can simultaneously process diverse package types and sizes, including cans, jars, pouches and more. This allows food manufacturers to increase efficiency and expand their businesses, SNA says. The technology enables food processing through its loading and conveying system, utilizing baskets or trays capable of handling various container sizes as per customer preference, either rigid or flexible. The food product travels through the system along the sterilizer tunnel, receiving the required heating or cooling treatment at each thermal station. Each station maintains a constant temperature, with complete insulation to prevent temperature transfer between individual stations. “Energy consumption is the main lever of differentiation compared to conventional retorts. Our innovative Continuous Sterilizer conserves up to 50% of the energy typically required for steam generation,” says Sergio Bertomeu, general manager for Surdry. “The process is designed to even recycle the heat extracted during product cooling back to the heating section, resulting in additional energy savings.” Entry time to the sterilizing equipment is determined by the speed of the food or beverage packaging, allowing access to each load batch at intervals of up to five minutes — lower than the average time of batch retorts. “Reducing the time between packaging and sterilization has an enormously positive effect on the quality and safety of food,” says Julian Stauffer, CEO of Surdry North America, the U.S.-based partner of the parent company. “This is especially important at a time when people are increasingly concerned about consuming healthier, higher-quality food.” Entry and exit lines, including robotic loading and unloading systems, can be uniquely designed to accommodate any container type, ensuring that plant occupancy remains significantly lower compared to batch retorts’ loading and unloading systems. This adaptability empowers food manufacturers to switch between different packaging materials, diversify product offerings and adapt to market trends, which emphasizes a growing commitment to sustainability in production practices. “The Continuous Sterilizer is the culmination of nearly a decade of testing and validating various designs, thermal insulation technology operation processes and mechanical components. These components, such as doors, air locks and tray transport lines, endure extreme pressure and temperature conditions,” says Bertomeu. “We are very proud of our Continuous Sterilizer solution and look forward to seeing our customers reap the benefits.” |
TC Transcontinental Packaging |
Contact: Christopher Gabriel, director, strategic marketing for dairy, 530-632-0748; email: christopher.gabriel@tc.tc; website: www.tc.tc/packaging. New products: TC Transcontinental recently released a significant expansion of its vieVERTe portfolio of sustainable packaging products. “Vieverte” means “live green” in French, reflecting the product portfolio that consists of the company’s previously released VieVERTe PCR (post-consumer resin) line as well as its vieVERTe COMPOSTABLE line of compostable films. Additionally, this year the company has developed the vieVERTe RECYCLE READY produce line for dairy applications. This line consists of sustainable, recycle-ready film structures, designed to meet the Association for Plastic Recyclers critical guidelines for plastics recyclability for all major natural and process cheese applications. All of the vieVERTe RECYCLE READY high-performance films are available with a variety of specialty print options and convenient opening features. This packaging is a much-needed option to help cheesemakers meet both their sustainability goals as well as to prepare for the impact of fast-approaching extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislative initiatives, the company says. These EPR laws aim to assign costs associated with plastic packaging to the producers that put it into circulation. Therefore, TC Transcontinental’s vieVERTe RECYCLE READY will provide a cost-effective solution to reduce the financial burden to these initiatives, the company adds. TC Transcontinental also expects to announce additional vieVERTe RECYCLE READY dairy application extensions later this year. |
Yale Lift Truck Technologies |
Contact: 800-233-YALE; website: www.yale.com/en-us/north-america/industries/food-processing/ New products: Yale Lift Truck Technologies recently released a new integrated lithium-ion counterbalanced lift truck. The Yale ERP30-70UXL four-wheel counterbalanced truck offers 3,000 to 7,000-pound load capacity and is an appropriate fit for distribution centers and warehouse applications. The new lithium-ion truck is available as part of the cost-effective Yale UX product line, offering reliable performance and the advantages of lithium-ion power in a value-driven package. The lithium-ion battery eliminates the need for a battery changing room, can fully charge in about two-and-a-half hours and can be charged during operator breaks to maximize equipment availability during shifts. Lithium-ion produces zero tailpipe emissions and requires no gassing in battery charging or maintenance processes, making it a strong choice for operations subject to FDA regulations and strict food safety standards, the company says. The truck packs the advantages of lithium-ion power, such as low energy costs compared to fossil fuels and lead-acid batteries and fast charging. It also supports productivity with consistent power delivery. |
| Cheese Market News provides these new product profiles as a service to our readers and does not assume liability for errors or omissions. Cheese Market News does not endorse the product of any advertiser. Please note that many new products in this section are patented and have registered trademarks. For consistency's sake, we have elected not to include those marks on individual products. |
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