PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2017

TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PET planet Insider Vol. 18 No. 04/17 www.petpla.net 53 Layer preparation for single packages offers flexibility for palletisation systems Simplifying the handling of difficult packages Gea will be showing its Polaris F layer preparation for single packages, built around an anthropomorphic robot. Polaris F represents a consolidated solution specifically designed to simplify palletisation systems for the beverage, food, dairy, bakery and pharma indus- tries. It is said to offer advantages in terms of total cost of ownership. Smooth handling and switching With variable speed operation, the Polaris F layer preparation system flexibly handles single packs, with a dedicated gripping head, and prepares an entire layer of product for palletisa- tion. Polaris F automatically rotates and moves the packs on a preparation table so that they can be prepared in a smooth, gentle way. The gentle move- ment allows a wide range of complicated and unstable packs to be handled simply and efficiently in a continuous process without any interruption in the prepa- ration of each layer. Products can be switched quickly and easily without the need for any mechanical intervention. Simplifying the handling of difficult packages Polaris F has been developed by Gea to work with its Omnia palletising and de-palletising system. The use of the anthropomorphic industrial robot gives the Omnia system flexibility allow- ing it to comply with a wide range of different requirements and simplify the handling of difficult packages. It can operate at variable production speeds, up to medium capacity, to suit the appli- cation and be equipped with a range of accessories such as gripping heads for loose containers or for palletising single rows or complete layers of packed product. The system also inserts an interlayer divider as part of the process. The Omnia anthropomorphic indus- trial robot features include simultaneous palletisation from multiple lines; simul- taneous palletisation of packages of different types and dimensions; simul- taneous palletisation and de-palletisa- tions; fast gripping and automatic head change for east product switchover, as well as small footprint to optimise the use of floor space. Omnia is available with a range of gripping heads to meet the needs of each application. This allows the system to be easily adapted to handle different sizes of loose bottles up to five gallon capacity and shrink-wrap packs, cartons and crates, loose jars and cans. There is also a magnetic head for han- dling canned goods. Market needs No two applications are the same so Gea uses its engineering know-how to design systems that match pre- cisely each customer’s needs. This has allowed Gea to meet the growing trend for the palletisation and de-palletisa- tion of aseptic beverages and powder products that are growing in popular- ity worldwide. For example Gea has recently installed a high-speed aseptic filling line equipped with Polaris F in the Middle East and a new packaging system for dairy powder containers in Latin America. Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a key factor in any cost/benefit analysis. Gea has brought together its many years of experience and the skills of its engineers to create a palletisation and de-palletisation system that provides true cost benefits over time. The com- pany has achieved this through a pro- cess of continual improvement that has minimised the footprint of the equipment thereby releasing free space within the plant for other uses, reduced energy consumption, and made its equipment as easy as possible to operate and maintain. Combined, these factors pro- vide the user with advantages in terms of TCO and a fast return on investment. www.gea.com Themed “Packed with Inspiration”, the Gea stand will demonstrate engineering solutions for the packaging and processing industries. The company will be exhibiting beyond the food package industry and displaying process equipment, solutions and services for the beverage, bakery, confectionery, dairy and pharma sectors. Polaris F represents a consolidated solution to simplify palletisation systems. Hall 7a - Booth B09/B31