In response to ongoing challenges faced by the soft fruit sector, Milbor PMC has engineered two innovative solutions: manual and dynamic packing systems. These lines aim to improve efficiency, reduce labour costs, and enhance the accuracy and speed of packaging operations. Designed with flexibility and scalability in mind, these lines are especially effective for companies processing over 150 tonnes of fruit per season.
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Who are these systems for?
Both packing lines cater to a broad range of food products, not just soft fruits like raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. They are also suitable for packing vine tomatoes, mushrooms, meat, fish, salads, and ready meals.
Manual packaging line
The manual packing line is ideal for products that require careful sorting or products on the vine. This line allows for detailed manual inspection and adjustment of packaging weights. Punnets filled in the field are placed on a three-deck conveyor, where they are inspected by operators at weighing stations.
Each station includes a built-in scale used to ensure that packages meet the target weight — neither underweight nor overweight. Once a punnet’s weight is adjusted, it is moved to the next conveyor deck for further processing, which may include sealing, labelling etc. One of the major advantages of the manual line is its flexibility. The design, size, and components of the system can be customised based on the specific needs and layout of the investor’s facility.
Dynamic (semi-automatic) packing line: compact and efficient
The dynamic packing line is a more automated option, ideal for products that require minimal sorting, repacking or top-accurate weight control. It is especially useful in facilities where space is limited.
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After manual pre-weighing in the field, the fruit-filled punnets enter the dynamic system, where they first pass through a checkweigher to assess their actual weight. Based on the results, a 3-lane conveyor equipped with a diverter directs each punnet to one of three paths:
Path A: Correctly weighed punnets proceed to the next packing stage.
Path B: Underweight punnets go to an operator who adds more fruit.
Path C: Overweight punnets are directed to an operator who removes the excess fruit.
The weighing machine is divided into three tracks; 1 track for good weight, 1 track for underweight and 1 track for overweight. The underweight and overweight tracks each have 3 independent weighing belts. Punnets with good weight are automatically transported to the next station in the packaging line. Punnets with under- and overweight are manually processed by an operator.
On each weighing belt, the machine indicates with an LED indicator how much under- or overweight there is in a punnet. The operator sees at a glance whether a large or small product should be taken from the punnet or added to reach the desired weight. By weighing products in this way, the weight per punnet becomes more stable and the give-away weight lower.
The only difference between the PM-MC and the PM-HC is that the middle capacity (MC) can process up to 60 punnets per minute and the high capacity (HC) up to 100 punnets per minute.
Are you interested in learning more about Weighing Packing lines for soft fruits? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!