July August hi-res with ads

68 MACHINERY UPDATE JULY/AUGUST 2018 www.machineryupdate.co.uk
Feature: Automation, robotics and vision
A cut above in operation
WMH is introducing a twin-robot, in-line ultrasonic cutting unit to make
cutting and slicing of food products an accurate and hygienic process
WMH is in the final stages
of manufacturing its
new twin-robot in-line
ultrasonic cutting unit.
One of a range of cutting
cells, the new machine is designed for
in-line production in a high-care food
manufacturing environment and
benefits from the company’s expertise in
building hygienic systems for producers
of sensitive food products.
The twin-robot in-line system
incorporates two Mitsubishi
Electric Melfa robots, fitted with
Telsonic cutting blades, combined
with WMH conveying and controls
technology to provide an accurate
and compact solution for the cutting
and slicing of cakes, pies and
other food products.
It has been designed to handle platens
of product, which enables these products The unit is for high-care production environments
to be accurately located for each cut and
provides product containment during the the nature of the product and the number
cutting process. The platens also act as of slices required.
a cutting surface, protecting the conveyor The inline cutter will be programmed
belt from damage in operation.
to cut rectangular slabs into small
Each platen is designed so the system squares and round cakes into wedge
can identify the orientation of the product slices. Control of the line is via a touchscreen
HMI panel with operator and
and adjust the orientation of the cutter
to suit. Working in tandem the two robots engineering level function control.
allow a production rate of up to 12 pieces As with all its systems, WMH says
per minute to be achieved, depending on hygiene is paramount during operation
Simmatic MU S-O 2017 V2 ARTWORK.qxp_MU 04/08/2017 09:26 Page 1
and for post-production cleaning.
An integrated wash-tank with air knife
provides interval cleaning of the cutting
blades during operation. The complete
line is designed with washdown features
built-in including a cantilever conveyor
design for quick and easy belt removal,
spaced off brackets and bearings to
eliminate areas where debris could
accumulate and enclosed cabling and
fully welded stainless-steel frame
construction.
The cutting unit will go into production
in the coming months.
T 01579 383788
W www.wmh-uk-ltd.com
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T: +44 (0) 1299 877770 www.simmatic.co.uk E: sales@simmatic.co.uk