Where previously olive oil had to be poured by hand into containers, FoodTech, a machine supplier from the Netherlands, has automated the process using level and pressure sensors from SICK Automation.
Thousands of containers per day
One of FoodTech’s recently completed projects is an automated solution for bottling and packaging olive oil for a retailer specialising in dried tomatoes, olives and olive oil. CEO Wim Reede says, “For this customer, we developed and constructed a pumping system which fills containers with olive oil automatically. Previously, they filled an average of 250 containers per day by hand, but now our customer can produce thousands of 250 ml containers every day.”
He explains how the system works: “The olive oil is supplied in large, white IBC tanks from which it is pumped into a larger stainless steel tank. Next, the oil is conveyed through pipes from this tank into the two buffer tanks of the bottling system. Finally, the bottling system fills the individual containers with exactly the right amount of olive oil.”
SICK sensors monitor the pressure in the pump and the pipes. According to Reede, it is vitally important that the pressure in the pump and the pipes is always kept at the correct level: “As soon as the pressure drops due to air bubbles, there is a risk that olive oil could accumulate on the inner surfaces. It then becomes rubber-like in consistency, making cleaning extremely difficult. Thanks to SICK, we can monitor this perfectly. The TDR level sensor LFP Inox checks whether there is still a sufficient amount of oil in the stainless steel tank. If this drops below a certain threshold, more is pumped from the IBC tank.”
Reede has been exposed to SICK products for many years. “At the start, when we were only involved in system maintenance, I dealt with sensors from a very wide range of manufacturers. From then, we could see that SICK sensors simply do not break, they have a long service life, and they are available at a reasonable price. They think about all of the little points in detail and I haven’t even mentioned the excellent customer service yet, they are always very approachable.”
SICK launches AI-powered 3D quality inspection SICK Automation Southern Africa
IT in Manufacturing
SICK has combined deep learning with 3D height data analysis in its Nova machine vision platform.
Read more...‘Control Talk SA’ podcast with Emerson on level measurement for the mining industry Emerson Automation Solutions
Level Measurement & Control
Reliable level measurement is critical to keeping South African mines safe, productive and sustainable, but harsh conditions can make accurate readings challenging. In this Emerson podcast, Shivam Misra explores how advanced radar technology and remote monitoring are helping mines improve measurement reliability while reducing operator exposure to hazardous areas.
Read more...VEGA leads Africa’s next mining era VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
Africa’s mines demand instrumentation that performs under extreme conditions, and VEGA’s level, pressure, point-level and density solutions are engineered to deliver exactly that. From flotation circuits to tailings management, its technologies help operations convert reliable process data into measurable gains in productivity, safety and control.
Read more...Inductive ring sensors monitor material flow in feeding technology ifm - South Africa
Level Measurement & Control
Inductive ring sensors detect metallic parts moving through tubes at up to 35 m/s, whatever their size, enabling precise counting, flow control and reliable detection of blockages or misfeeds.
Read more...Groundwater level measurement using LoRa module Instrotech
Level Measurement & Control
Monitoring groundwater levels across large industrial sites is critical. Salzgitter Digital Solution was tasked with developing a fully automated and digital monitoring system using Long Range Wide Area Network technology.
Read more...Where corrosion meets control VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
Reliable level measurement is essential in copper and cobalt processing, and at KCC, VEGA Controls is helping ensure uninterrupted operations with robust vibrating level switch technology.
Read more...Safety, hygiene and quality management for Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
VEGA sensors support critical processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing such as fermentation, purification, formulation, filling, storage and CIP/SIP cleaning cycles. Their design ensures that pharmaceutical manufacturers can maintain sterility, reduce downtime and achieve consistent batch quality, even in demanding production environments.
Read more...Level measurement for hygienic applications Endress+Hauser South Africa
Level Measurement & Control
Endress+Hauser’s Liquiphant is considered to be the most reliable and safe point level detector in industrial plants. The latest generation of devices is ready for Industry 4.0 and, with the Liquiphant FTL63, is ideally suited for applications with hygienic requirements.
Read more...Level measurement of an acid dosing tank at a WWTP
Level Measurement & Control
Ferric chloride and other acids are essential chemical substances in water and wastewater treatment. To control the dosing of acid solutions, an Australian wastewater treatment plant uses a special container to store, mix and add these chemicals. The company opted in favour of KROHNE’s OPTIWAVE 1540 radar level transmitter
Read more...SICK earns Great Place To Work certification SICK Automation Southern Africa
News
Sensor specialist SICK South Africa has been awarded Great Place to Work certification recognising the positive working environment and strong workplace culture it has developed.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version