PPMA-Group-News-Autumn-2018

Multipix eyes potential of
advanced manufacturing
Free machine vision event
Multipix Imaging has become
a member of the University
of Sheffield Advanced
Manufacturing Research
Centre (AMRC). A world-class
centre for research into
advanced manufacturing
technologies used in the
aerospace, automotive, medical and other high-value
manufacturing sectors, the AMRC has a global reputation
for helping companies overcome manufacturing
problems and is a model for collaborative research
involving universities, academics and industry worldwide.
The AMRC Factory 2050 is the UK’s first state of the art
factory entirely dedicated to conducting collaborative
research into reconfigurable, digitally-assisted assembly,
component manufacturing and machining technologies
and is capable of rapidly switching production between
different high-value components and one-off parts.
“We take great pride in working with the AMRC team
at Factory 2050 and being a part of exciting, innovative
vision solutions, which in turn help support the
development of manufacturing within the UK,” says
Multipix Director, Julie Busby.
Multipix will run ‘Wise Up’ events from the AMRC facilities
in Sheffield, giving those interested in learning more
about machine vision a chance to attend educational
days free of charge. The next Wise Up event, entitled
‘What The Eyes Can’t See’, takes place on Thursday
29 November. Dedicated to exploring infrared, hyperspectral
and multi-spectral imaging cameras, it will give
an insight into vision application using temperature,
colour and bandwidths.
To find out more or register your attendance, go to
www.multipix.com/events
Innovation Q&A with Advanced Dynamics
Malcolm Little is the Managing Director of packaging
and labelling equipment supplier Advanced Dynamics.
As the Bradford-based company celebrates its 20th
anniversary, the PPMA Group’s Communications
Manager, Andy Fitzsimons, asked Malcolm to explain why
continuing to innovate is crucial to remaining successful in
business.
How important has innovation been to the long-term success of
Advanced Dynamics?
“Since acquiring the business three years ago, it has been
as much about innovation as it has succession planning and
bringing people on board who share the same vision. We had
to think more laterally; just because we didn’t have a presence
within a particular industry doesn’t mean to say that we
shouldn’t and that’s the mantra I took to grow the business.”
What innovations
are you most proud
of and why?
“Our most innovative
product is the rotary
filling machine, which
was developed with
our supplier pack
leader and fills, nibs
and caps up to 50
bottles per minute.
It was a complete
change in direction
for us. After going to market with the first machine 19 months
ago, we are already at version five. We recently took orders
worth £1.2m in a single month, which was a quantum leap from
where we were.”
What trend do you think will influence the labelling/machinery
manufacturing sector over the next 3-5 years?
“Without doubt, the type of packaging we’re allowed to use.
Recycling really matters to consumers now; especially when
they see images of sea turtles with a bag on their head. It’s
serious stuff and evident that we can’t just keep doing what
we’re doing; we have to change. It’s a global issue and begs the
question, will we be labelling bottles in five years’ time, or will it
be sachets; and will they be recyclable sachets? How the various
industries react to that is the big unknown at the moment.”
www.advanceddynamics.co.uk
Crunch time for crisp firm
Producing 15 million bags per week,
London-based Kolak Snack Foods is one of
the UK’s leading crisp and snack producers.
The company recently commissioned
UPM Conveyors to design a system for
automating the conveying of finished
goods from the production area to
packaging despatch. This involved elevating
boxes from ground level up to a height
of four metres, passing through a tunnel,
crossing a service road and declining to the
packing area for palletising. The system
incorporates a powered roller S Bend and
custom-engineered belt conveyors suitable
for food production, to ensure compliance
with health and safety regulations.
It also features a programmable logic
controller (PLC) to allow operators in both
the production and packaging areas to
interface with one another.
www.upmconveyors.com
17 www.ppma.co.uk