April 2020

37 www.drivesncontrols.com April 2020 FOOD AND BEVERAGE n Robotic machines remove Brtivic’s pallet straps safely B ritvic is the UK’s largest supplier of branded still soft drinks, and the number two supplier of branded carbonated soft drinks. As part of a £100m investment in its Rugby site, the company has installed three new canning lines that are among the fastest in Europe, with each line producing up to 2,000 cans per minute. “The investment is designed to step-change the speed and flexibility of our production lines whilst delivering environmental benefits through greater efficiencies,” says the site’s canning maintenance manager, Mick Haswell. “Britvic’s vision is to be the most dynamic, creative and trusted soft drinks company in the world, which is why we are investing in technologies that enable us to operate more safely, effectively and efficiently.” Every hour, Britvic needs to load almost 100,000 aluminium cans from pallets onto each of the three new lines. The process of removing each pallet’s plastic retaining straps has been automated using vertical debanders manufactured by Nottingham-based L B Foster Automation & Materials Handling. The robotic debanders locate, cut and remove the vertical plastic straps from stacks of drinks stored on the pallets, automatically. These retaining straps are used widely in the food and beverage sector to secure goods on pallets during transportation. Removing and disposing of the straps safely is a challenge. “In the past, straps were removed manually,” Haswell explains. “That‘s time-consuming and repetitive work, which runs the risk of repetitive stress injury. Robotic debanders automate this task, which is a win/win in terms of safety, productivity and improved working conditions for our operatives.” The robotic debanders have built-in recycling hoppers that hold the straps after they have been cut. These are then shredded and the resulting plastic granules are sent for recycling. Haswell concludes that the new vertical debanders “tick all the boxes when it comes to speed, accuracy and safety, with the added bonus of reducing our environmental footprint with its clever, in-built recycling hopper”. n The drinks-maker Britvic has integrated automated debandingmachines into three new canning lines at its Rugby plant that are among Europe’s fastest. Electric Motors Electric Motors Contact Adrian Hall – +44 (0)7795 574412 or email adrian.hall2@btinternet.com www.carpanelli.co.uk or www.carpanelli.net Now BREXIT is done are you ready for the American market? Standard IEC & NEMA Motors Special Motors Our products are 100% MADE in ITALY Exceptional Quality, Service & Reliable delivery Small or large batch sizes European & International Standards Motors for Air Handling Speed to 20,000 rpm Special long shafts Special Applications Loose Stators & Rotors, Hollow shaft for pumps, Brakes, Blowers, Rain Cowls Motors for Food Machinery Mixers, macerators, meat cutters, potato peelers, etc Also STAINLESS STEEL