Sensor keeps track of bearings’ condition
The Ability Smart Sensor can alert end users when mounted bearings are about to fail. It attaches easily to a pillow block or other bearing structure for wireless, Bluetooth-enabled communication of the bearings’ condition. Appropriate personnel can be notified of excessive vibration, temperature changes and other parameters – changes that often indicate larger equipment problems. Included in the cost of the Ability sensor for bearings is access to technologies such as Microsoft Azure cloud services, IBM Watson machine learning and HANA data analysis from SAP. All software is cloud-based, allowing access on smartphones or other internet-connected devices through an intuitive graphical interface. Users register every bearing mount on installation, allowing easy identification when events occur. A traffic light system instantly communicates the condition of each individual bearing mount, and an event log can provide a complete service record. Installation is simple, especially for later-model Dodge mounted bearings, which come with drilled, threaded and plugged sensor holes. For older models or bearings from other suppliers, the sensor fits into a grease stud with a simple adapter. In either case, it can be installed by hand. ABB Motors and Mechanical; Fort Smith, Ark.; 479-646-4711; new.abb.com/motors-generators
Vacuum conveying with mobility
Mobile Vacuum Conveying Systems offer ease-of-mobility for applications requiring access to tanks or other hard-to-reach processing areas. System incorporates an adjustable suction wand where operator introduces product to the vacuum system. Mobile frame incorporates the vacuum producer, conveying product up to 5,000 lbs. (2268kg) per hour and beyond. Vacuum receiver is manually hoisted for easy up-and-down mobility, to a height of at least 91 in. (231cm) at the discharge point. Vacuum receiver includes replaceable inlet assemblies, easy access to filters, pulse filter cleaning, and full opening discharge valves. Vac-U-Max; Belleville, N.J.; 973-759-4600; www.vac-u-max.com
Cold-extracted juice solution
Capable of processing everything from whole watermelons to carrots, beets and berries, the ReadyGo FVP offers continuous, hygienic juice extraction at up to 5 tons/hour of raw product. The fruit and vegetable processing skid incorporates the company’s FVX-5 chopper pump with an external FVG flow-through grinder and a UCF110 screw finisher. No heat is applied during extraction, making the juice or blends suitable for immediate bottling followed by HPP processing with Avure high-pressure processing systems. It does not require emptying and refilling after each batch. Instead, it offers continuous processing, which is hygienic, easy to clean and completely enclosed. JBT Corp.; Lakeland, Fla.; 863-683-5411; www.jbtc.com
Vertical multistage pumps increase efficiency
The newest generation of CR pumps features improved efficiency and reliability, making them particularly suitable for pressure-boosting in food processing applications. The new line includes three extra-large flow sizes of up to 580 psi pump pressure. Energy efficiency is essential when you are working with large pumps. And the attendant CUE drives are specifically optimized for pump operation and available in all voltages and frequencies for pumps in the CR range. CR pumps up to 30 horsepower can be fitted with either integrated drives (CRE) or stand-alone drives (CUE). For the large CR/CRN range, the vendor offers plug-and-play drives that can even be preconfigured and tested to suit specific needs. Grundfos; Brookshire, Tex.; grundfos.us/cr
Software for digital sorters
FMAlert software for Veryx digital sorters captures and saves digital images of foreign material (FM) contaminants and can alert operators immediately, signaling a downstream device during critical FM events. The next-generation software annotates each image to pinpoint the FM object detected and eases access to records. Coupled with Veryx’s advanced detection capabilities, the software helps processors control FM, speed response to FM events, recognize trends and improve documentation to protect food safety. It can be programmed to identify specific user-defined FM types and to trigger a smart alarm to alert the operator or team when critical FM is found. Key Technology; Walla Walla, Wash.; 509-529-2161; www.key.net
Tunnel freezers
The ColdFront tunnel freezer lineup offers food processors three options for their freezing operations. The CryoVantage straight tunnel freezer incorporates technologies for quick, thorough freezing. It incorporates sanitation improvements to speed and facilitate cleaning and meets USDA sanitation standards. The CryoSaver was designed to optimize cryogenic gas use. Its angled design capitalizes on the pooling characteristics of cold cryogen vapor. Advanced features block ambient, room temperature air in a manufacturing plant from entering the freezing zone and also help prevent cryogen vapor from escaping. The Ultra Performance freezer improves the use of cryogens to increase product throughput in the same or smaller footprint of existing operations. This system delivers colder temperatures per square foot efficiently. Praxair; Danbury, Conn.; 800-772-9247; www.praxairfood.com
3-A sanitary certification and agglomerate-free results
The Ystral Conti-TDS brings efficiencies to the mixing and blending process by offering powder induction, wetting and dispersion of an agglomerate-free liquid within one machine. The system has been certified by 3-A Sanitary Standards. It is designed to improve the manufacturing process of food products such as salad dressings, baby food, milk drinks and gelatin solutions. It is available in mobile and inline versions. The patented system operates dust- and loss-free. It offers clean-in-place without disassembly as well as transfer to storage tanks with the same machine. Powder Technologies Inc.; Hainesport, N.J.; 609-914-0521; www.powdertechusa.com
Custom hand fillers
This custom hand filler is suitable for tasting rooms and visitor centers. With the pull of a lever, visitors can fill their own bottles with company products. One option is to have a product in a filling bowl, with four stations, and each station fills the same size bottle. This allows multiple people to fill their bottles at once with a signature product. Another option is to have a single product in a bowl with four filling stations, and each station fills a different size bottle. The bowl on a custom filler also can be split into four sections to accommodate multiple products. Fogg Filler; Holland, Mich.; 616-786-3644; www.foggfiller.com
USDA-approved multi-spectrum metal detector
The CEIA THS/MS21 is available with optional USDA-certified construction, compliant with the USDA’s stringent hygiene and sanitation guidelines for the design and fabrication of dairy, meat and poultry equipment. This design eliminates any difficult-to-clean areas that could harbor bacteria. The multi-spectrum metal detectors use multiple detection frequencies simultaneously to deliver sensitivity to all magnetic and nonmagnetic metals and compensate accurately for product effect to reduce waste and false reject signals without reducing sensitivity. For fresh and frozen foods, the technology also detects smaller particles of all metals, including AISI-316 stainless steel. Heat and Control; Hayward, Calif.; 800-227-5980; www.heatandcontrol.com
Clean-in-place check-weighing machines
The clean-in-place (CIP) version of Dynamic checkweighers uses a framework that minimizes horizontal flat surfaces, using sloped faces and round tubing where possible, and a sloped cabinet. An enhanced safety conveyer design minimizes entrapment and other hazards from rotating shafts or equipment. These changes meet sanitary and hygienic standards for CIP clients. The fully automated system is designed to weigh items automatically while in motion for quality control or sorting applications. The checkweigher controller can communicate both upstream and downstream across Rockwell Automation’s The Connected Enterprise. This high-speed check-weighing system can process as many as 350 pieces/min. Hardy Process Solutions; San Diego; 858-278-2900; www.hardysolutions.com
X-ray system for loose and free-flow products
The X5 Bulkflow is an advanced X-ray inspection system for bulk loose, unpackaged and free-flowing food products. It detects such foreign-body contaminants as ferrous, nonferrous and stainless metals; stone; ceramic; glass; bone; and dense plastics regardless of their shape, size or location within the product. The types of products it can check include meat, poultry, convenience foods, frozen products, nuts, berries, dried fruit, lentils, cereals and vegetables before they are packaged or used as ingredients in finished products. It also can be used to inspect raw products before the production process. Loma Systems; Carol Stream, Ill.; 800-872-LOMA; www.loma.com
Motor and drive packages
Combination motor and drive packages allow OEMs and end users to select a solution for their heavy-duty industrial motion control applications from a predetermined list. The combinations are power-matched for 480-V high-overload operation through a 20-hp range, with I2T protection from thermal damage provided as a standard in both the motor and the drive components. Included are the Siemens Intelligent Operator Panel (IOP), application macros via the Sinamics G120C drive for easy installation and wiring, and Simotics SD100 motors with inverter duty ratings in a 4:1 speed range for constant torque and 20:1 speed range for variable torque. Siemens, Elk Grove Village, Ill.;800-241-4453; www.usa.siemens.com
Multishaft mixer with improved lift and seal design
This 1,500-gal. multishaft mixer’s dual-post hydraulic lift and seal design has been updated. Model PVM-1500’s current design is a double-acting, fully hydraulic cylinder operating at a higher pressure, which allows for a smaller cylinder and less oil for operation. In addition, the seal arrangement now allows seal replacement without removing agitator shafts. Unlike the historical design, seal replacement no longer requires removal of the mixer from the tank or tank entry to access the seal. Charles Ross & Son Co.; Hauppauge, N.Y.; 800-243-ROSS; www.mixers.com
Tubular LED for harsh environments
Designed for food processing, the Starduster Q3 Series LED light fixture features a 3-in. diameter acrylic housing with sleek lines, stainless steel end-caps and smooth surface. Available in 2700K-5000K, the fixture offers an output of up to 135 lm/w. The enclosure has IP67, IP65 ratings. It can be suspended or surface-mounted and comes in 2-, 4- and 8-ft. lengths. Fixtures can be customized for specific applications. Paramount Industries; Croswell, Mich.; 810.679.2551; www.paramountlighting.com
