The automation level in the food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals markets is developing rapidly due to the adaptation of new solutions globally. The acceptance is increasing thanks to the obvious benefits of automation, such as improved product hygiene and employee safety. Heightened consumers’ expectations and legislative agency regulations also force manufacturers to re-evaluate their processes, but there are still some reasons why they choose not to invest. Currently, manufacturing plants often consist of separate silos of automation where process steps are not entirely connected.
One of the main concerns against the adaptation is the organisation’s lack of acceptance of new technologies. A high fluctuation rate and the scarcity of trained, competent operators or technicians makes it difficult to take the leap. Therefore, all new equipment introduced must be as user-friendly as possible in order to decrease employee onboarding time and to reduce the possibility of human error.
Piab has taken all the above requirements into account when they developed their new product series, called the piFLOW® Batch Volume Optimisation, besides their standard piFLOW® vacuum conveyor range. The Batch Volume Optimisation functionality is easy to maintain, compliant with industry standards, and enhances productivity dramatically.
The vacuum conveyor takes solids from a pickup point and releases them into a receiving vessel or a piece of equipment in batches. Batch Volume Optimisation features a level sensor. Once the conveyor is filled up by each cycle, the sensor automatically triggers the release process. This way, operators can set the conveyor up quickly, and the automatic level sensing adds an extra layer of safety, which protects the equipment from unplanned maintenance.