Smart and energy-efficient packaging of food products

The new fieldbus nodes EX600-WEN from SMC operate wirelessly with up to 127 slaves. Especially in mobile applications such as robot arms, this creates entirely new freedom of movement.

The new fieldbus nodes EX600-WEN from SMC operate wirelessly with up to 127 slaves. Especially in mobile applications such as robot arms, this creates entirely new freedom of movement.

With more than 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries, the Anuga FoodTec in Cologne is a global leading trade fair for suppliers of the food and beverage industry. From March 20 to 23, 2018, providers from areas such as process technology, packaging, food safety, and ingredients will showcase their products. This year, the focus of the fair is on the topic of "Resource Efficiency." SMC, as a leading manufacturer, partner, and solutions provider for pneumatic and electrical automation technology, will present state-of-the-art technologies to increase the efficiency of packaging processes. And these can be experienced up close: together with other team partners in the "Robotics-Pack-Line" alliance, SMC operates a fully automated packaging line at the Anuga FoodTec, which is energy-efficient and operates with reduced compressed air of only 0.4 MPa. Visitors to the SMC booth in Hall 7.1, Stand D090, can pick up a filled and packaged travel snack box from this innovative system and learn about the broad product and solution portfolio of the Egelsbach automation experts.

Communication across all levels

More transparency, more flexibility, and more production efficiency—shortly, more Industry 4.0—are what machine and plant manufacturers also want in the food industry. The IO-Link technology is intended to help meet this demand. However, to truly realize the hoped-for scenario of largely autonomous and highly efficient cooperation between machines, system understanding, broad application know-how, and extensive experience in solving automation technical questions are required. For this purpose, SMC presents its systemic approach at the Anuga FoodTec with intelligent interplay of various components. As one of the few manufacturers worldwide, SMC develops and supplies complete IO-Link systems from the master to the actuator/sensor from a single source—including consistently in high protection classes (IP67).

No chance for water, dirt, and germs: Series CG5 cylinders

In the food industry, hygiene is rightly given high priority. With the cylinders of series CG5-S/CJ5-S, SMC in Cologne shows the suitable solution for the wet area: corrosion-resistant and splash-proof. The outer parts of the cylinders made of stainless chrome-nickel steel in SUS 304 quality, which corresponds to DIN designation X5CrNi18-10, are impervious to permanent splashing water or aggressive cleaning agents. Additionally, the rounded housing is easy to clean because it has hardly any corners and edges. To protect the interior from water, a durable special wiper minimizes the ingress of liquids. The lubricating grease used complies with FDA guidelines—ideal for use of the cylinders in the food and beverage industry. This also applies to the new stainless steel cylinder series CG5-X2977, which is specially designed for humid or aggressive environments and can be used worldwide. Its blue special wiper is FDA and EU 1935/2004 compliant, thus meeting the requirements of American and European food law. Furthermore, the stainless steel housing of the cylinders is designed in a continuous clean design: without corners and edges, equipped with laser marking instead of labels, and a hygienic damping screw. Quickly and efficiently cleaned, dirt or germs have no chance—saving cleaning effort and increasing system availability.

Wireless fieldbus nodes for more freedom of movement

Connecting slaves without cables and over a distance of up to 10 meters: With the fieldbus node of series EX600-WEN, SMC demonstrates a solution at the Anuga FoodTec for all who frequently need to change tools in their applications or work in kinetically challenging environments. Rotation tables or robot arms can move freely thanks to the wireless connection, without restrictions from laid cables. Within just 0.25 seconds, the new fieldbus nodes integrate any tools into higher-level automation systems. They enable control of up to 127 slaves and are equipped with a maximum of 1,280 inputs and outputs. Additionally, the connection is particularly interference-free: the used 2.4 GHz band lies outside the typical frequencies in drive, machine, and packaging technology. For connection to higher-level controllers, the EX600-WEN bus systems support common network protocols such as EtherNet/IP or Profinet.

Why is it so important to make packaging processes efficient—and what answers does SMC provide to the important questions of Industry 4.0? "Easy to clean, flexible, and quickly integrable: this is how technologies for tomorrow's packaging lines should be designed. Because digitalization has also arrived in the food industry," says Torsten Klein, Strategic Market Manager Food at SMC. In his lecture "Solutions for optimal energy efficiency in machines and plants," he will show on Thursday, March 22, from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Speakers Corner, Passage 4/5, how SMC is meeting future challenges.