Food Interleaving and Underleaving

Interleaving Food

Interleaving in the food industry is the process of putting sheets of wax, parchment, foil and other types of materials between food such as meat and seafood patties, dough, cheese, and more to keep the food products from sticking to each other as they are stacked in the package. Interleaving can produce a lot of material waste with the imprecise manual cutting of material but automating the cutting process saves time and money. Automation allows for reliable and uniform material cutting and placement at faster speeds than human workers. Integrated with a conveyor belt, the interleaving process can be done efficiently with the right system.  

MFT Automated Interleaver for Food Processing and Packaging

MFT Automation has over 25 years of experience in the food packaging industry. Our latest innovation, the MFT Automated Food Interleaver System, is increasing productivity and efficiency in food packaging lines. The compact system is built to fit into existing production lines, integrate into new production lines, or stand on its own. The MFT Food Interleaver System places a sheet of paper, film, or foil under food products. When the food product enters the conveyor belt, a sensor triggers the cutting of the sheets. After being cut from the roll, the sheets travel up and onto the conveyor belt as the food product is traveling above it. The sheet is dispensed between the split between the two conveyors. The moving food product intersects with the dispensed sheets, trapping the sheet between the conveyor and the food product.  The system can run one or two rolls of sheet material for up to two lanes of sheets. Designed and built using sanitary design principles, the stainless steel system can be cleaned with harsh chemicals and requires minimal disassembly to clean. 

Automated Food Interleaver

MFT Automation has been helping customers design, build, and integrate high-performance automation solutions for over 27 years. MFT Automation’s equipment, systems, and services are known for their flexibility, accuracy, and performance. Our success is made possible by our engineering-oriented and customer-driven approach to finding the best possible automation solution for customers’ applications. With an abundance of in-house resources including teams of Mechanical, Electrical, and Software Engineers, and a machine shop with modern CNC and lathe machine tools, we work with customers from the first solution draft to installation and integration. Contact us today to discuss your application further. Call 1-651-407-3100 or contact us online.

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Robotics Trends in the Packaging Industry

by Shane

The future is now! What was once thought to be science fiction is now happening right in packaging production lines around the world. With an increase in consumer demands and tightening budgets, packaging companies have turned to automation to save money and increase productivity and efficiency.  Lights out manufacturing, the idea of a factory with little to no humans and therefore no need for lights, seems to be within reach with the advancements in robotics and automation. Read more to learn about 3 robotics trends in the packaging industry. 

Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning have been hot topics these past years with the rise of public-facing applications such as ChatGPT and AI assistants like Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. In robotics, AI is commonly used to process and analyze data from the robots’ sensors to adapt performance and more in real-time.  Machine Learning (ML) refers to the algorithms that learn from robotic data to make predictions and decisions. As the algorithm is exposed to more data, it makes more data-driven decisions. In packaging, there are hundreds of applications for AI-powered robots, from simple pick-and-place robots to automated quality control. In Pick-and-place applications, AI technologies use vision sensors to gather information and train the robot’s algorithms to detect and classify objects as well as understand the robot’s environment better. Allowing the robots to make inferences and complete the task faster. The sky is the limit with AI robotics as they are connected through the Internet of Things (IoT) and can not only utilize its own data, but also the data from the entire production floor. 

Cobots

Collaborative Robots or Cobots simply refer to robots that work alongside humans. There’s a huge increase in productivity and efficiency when humans work alongside robots as the robots complete difficult or tedious tasks while humans do the more complex tasks. Commonly pick and place robots and other robotic arms. In the past, humans working alongside robots was a safety concern as they were bigger, heavier, and moved faster than any human worker, the risk was just too great. Robots were guarded by cages that took up space on already densely packed production floors. Now, new advancements in sensors, AI, and programming have made it possible for robots to work side by side with humans safely. AI allows Cobots to respond to and learn human movements, making them safer while working next to humans. Cobots also include autonomous guided carts and vehicles that move around the warehouse.  

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Automated Guided Carts (AGCs)

Alternatives to conveyor belts, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Automated Guided Carts (AGC) are autonomous robots, usually mobile, guided by software predefined routes. They can be as large as a forklift or as small as a wagon, allowing for a wide range of applications.  With new advancements in safety and AI, AGVs and AGCs are becoming more prevalent in warehouses for transporting materials, packages, pallets, and more. The AGVs and AGCs work side by side with humans with special safety sensors and programs to avoid collisions. Optical sensors trained with AI quickly identify obstacles, such as human workers, boxes, machines, and more to alter the AGCs path and avoid collisions. Using RFID and sensors stationed around the warehouse makes the AGVs and AGCs easy for workers and technicians to locate them. The real-time location data can be used to extrapolate productivity and efficiency statistics for managers to make data driven decisions for the production process. 

Your Robotics Integrator MFT Automation

MFT Automation is a proud Mitsubishi Electric Automation Diamond Solutions Partner. We integrate robotics into a variety of systems for complete packaging automation solutions. Ranging from simple pick-and-place applications to more complex packaging applications, we manufacture, design, and integrate systems for flexible and semi-rigid packaging. Specializing in 6-axis robotic arms, we work directly with customers to fit the robot to their application. Robots are available in ISO3 clean room, IP20, IP65, food grade, and chemical resistant versions. Payloads range from 1 kg to 20 kg with 150 mm to 1000 mm reaches. Contact us about your automation challenge! Call 1-651-427-1264 or contact us online.

Text: MFT Automation- Booth #5410. Pack Expo International 2022, Oct 23-26, 2022 - McCormick Place. Chicago, IL USA.

Join us at PACK EXPO International 2022

by Shane

MFT Automation is excited to be exhibiting at PACK EXPO International 2022. Join us October 23-26, 2022 in Chicago, IL for one of the world’s largest packaging & processing tradeshows. You can find us at Booth #5410 in the North Hall.

Add us to your show planner: https://packexpo22.mapyourshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=02002142

Use code 91W64 for FREE registration for the show or follow the link below!
https://pei22.nvytes.co/lp22/91W64.html

Keep up to date on the latest and greatest innovations in the packaging industry and network with experts, suppliers, and more at this year’s biggest packaging and processing show! PackExpo International brings together people from 40+ vertical markets making it easy to explore ideas from other industries and build relationships with new and different experts and peers.

At the Booth

Booklet to Web

Our web-tipping system effortlessly applies tip-on products to a web at high production speeds while providing years of reliable operation. Featuring our robust ip3 Friction Feeder and our high-performance IMPRESSO Labeler, the Booklet to Web System combines proven software with a powerful, robust 800-watt servo-motor, and using a zerØ backlash spider coupling into one comprehensive and productive system. See the system’s reliable accuracy in action during our live demonstrations at the show!

Impresso Labeler and Friction Feeder System

Our IMPRESSO Labeler and Friction Feeder System utilize an ip3 series friction feeder and our innovative IMPRESSO labeler in a compact configuration that allows the System to be highly mobile and have a cost-effective footprint. The Labeler and Friction Feeder System’s intuitive and easy-to-reach single-sided controls provide exceptionally efficient operation. Designed for long production runs, the IMPRESSO Labeler and Friction Feeder System provide years of uninterrupted and quality service.

Roll-to-Sheet Cutting System

The Roll-to-Sheet Cutting System incorporates a module-speed unwind web feeding to a driven discharge cutter system that is ideal for a variety of cutting and placing applications. The servo-driven roll unwind and driven discharges combine to make lightning-fast feeding and cutting. The system maintains consistent light web tension by signaling the unwind to release more product as the driven discharges move the web through the system. The speed and accurate placement and cutting of sheets, film, wrap, soaker pads, or other material is maximized via a fast and accurate shearing blade motion of the pneumatic guillotine cutter (320mm cutting area), and pneumatic air blast pad transfers. Set up and operation is easy, with roll capacities maximums reaching 22 inches (diameter) or 150 lbs.

Robotic Integration

We’re excited to be showcasing our knowledge in Automation Robotics. Partnering with Mitsubishi Electric, we have taken a deep dive into how to integrate robotics into our total system solutions. Our robotic capabilities range from simple pick-and-place applications to more complex packaging needs. Robotic integration brings many benefits to any packaging line and is the perfect piece to finish off a fully integrated system. Stop by our booth to see our automation and robotics knowledge in action with a live demo of a robotic arm!

About MFT Automation

MFT Automation is a privately held company that provides high-performance friction feeding and labeling solutions throughout the world. With state-of-the-art control technology and robust mechanics, our products feed more quickly and accurately to provide customers with a greater return on investment. All friction feeders, labelers, and accessories can easily be integrated with other machines to provide a total system solution for any application. With experience in industries such as pharmaceutical, food, packaging, printing, financial/security, and fulfillment, MFT Automation can help any sized business with production efficiency.

See the other tradeshows we’re attending: mftautomation.com/tradeshow

 

Robot with suction cups picking up cans

Robotics in the Food Packaging Industry

by Shane

The fast-paced food packaging industry works hard to keep up with the growing demands of consumers and recently has been trying to overcome the recent global events and concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased public interest in food safety with many consumers demanding transparency and pushing for more regulations and requirements for food packaging. This public outcry has incentivized companies to eliminate even more human contact from their food packaging production lines. To meet the growing food safety and output demands of consumers, the food packaging industry is once again turning towards more automation. Let’s explore some of the applications and trends in the food packaging industry.

 

MFT Automation is a proud Diamond Partner with Mitsubishi Electric Automation. We provide a robotic, end-of-arm tooling option for a wide variety of packaging solutions.

Food Packaging Trends of 2022

by Shane

The pandemic, resource and labor shortages, and more have noticeably altered the food packaging industry this past year. With some of the new trends being years in the making and others skyrocketing to the top with the recent circumstances, here are some of the top food packaging trends for 2022.

How to Automate Your Pouch Packaging Process

by Shane

In many industries, heat-sealed pouches have become an efficient and cost-effective way to send product samples, and sometimes even products themselves to customers. Heat-sealed packets are highly versatile as they can be made with many different materials and come in many different sizes. Because of their versatility, they are used in many industries for many different kinds of products. And a new demand for custom samples and products has risen in consumers that make re-sealable and disposable pouches as a good way to fulfill lot size one orders for small items. The small and portable pouches are also perfect for the current grab n’ go culture. Anything from snacks to beauty creams to medicine, the pouches can hold a little bit of everything and fit easily inside bags. Looking to start using heat-sealed sample packets or looking to automate your pouch packaging process? From verifying barcodes to labeling pouches, there are many opportunities for automation. Here’s our guide on automating your pouch packaging process.