FDBusiness.com

When quality manufacturer of oatcakes and oat biscuits, Nairns Oatcakes, needed to further increase the capacity of its latest state-of-the-art production line, while continuing to ensure high levels of product protection and brand integrity, it chose a second, well proven CW3 Combination Checkweigher and Metal Detection unit from Loma Systems.

In response to growing sales, Edinburgh-based Nairns Oatcakes recently commissioned a new, fully automated line dedicated to the production of its popular oat biscuit products. Prior to this, the company had introduced cutting edge robotics into its cartoning and case packing areas to boost capacity of its oatcakes. At the same time, it also invested in a first Loma CW3 Combination Checkweigher and Metal detector to help link these now highly efficient functions.

Nairns Oatcakes was so impressed with the reliability and accuracy of the initial Loma CW3 Combination Checkweigher and Metal Detection system, which replaced an outdated competitor machine, it had no hesitation in purchasing another unit for the new production line. Both machines, which are built to Loma’s ‘Designed to Survive’ specifications, are currently operating at speeds up to 80 cartons per minute.

Nairns Oatcakes’ Gavin Love comments: “Nairns Oatcakes is one of the largest manufacturers of oatcakes and oat biscuits in the world and continues to expand rapidly. As a result, it is vital that we only use best of breed packaging and processing equipment geared to improving production efficiencies and boosting capacity.”

He continues: “We supply all the major supermarket retailers so ensuring high levels of product protection and brand integrity is especially important to us. The first Loma CW3 Combination Checkweigher and Metal Detection system more than met these requirements and offered significant benefits in terms of build quality, hygiene and accuracy. It made perfect business sense to choose the same model for our new production line.”

Loma’s CW3 Combination Checkweigher and Metal Detector unit is produced from stainless steel and offers reliable product inspection in a compact and space saving design. One of the most advanced combination systems available on the market, the OIML R51 and EC TA (MID) accredited machine saves valuable line space while eliminating the expense of a separate conveyor for the metal detector.

Offering low lifetime cost of ownership and significant cost savings, the combination machine features the superior operation and accuracy of Loma’s CW3 checkweigher with the high performance of its IQ3 metal detector. The checkweigher measures product weights quickly and precisely: with a specially developed diverter rejecting ‘out of tolerance’ items, while the metal detector consistently detects and rejects contaminated products.

With true variable frequency, the metal detector can automatically calibrate within seconds. Plus frequency data for many different products can be stored for added ease of operation and optimum sensitivity.

The combination system is capable of weighing a wide range of flexible and rigid packs up to 6kg and is available in line heights from 700mm to 1200mm and widths from 1900mm to 2900mm. It can inspect up to 400 packs per minute.

The CW3 features a multi lingual, integrated colour graphical touch screen interface with dual controls for both machines designed to facilitate fast and simple product changeover. Built with heavy duty conveyor components and high quality electronics, it is ideal for tough industrial environments and meets IP65 wash down specifications.

For further information contact Loma Systems on Tel +44 (0)1252 893300 or visit www.loma.com.