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Ishida Speeds Up Potato Weighing

14/09/2004

An Ishida multihead weigher specially developed for potatoes has provided a cost-effective solution for increased packing speeds at a leading Irish potato grower and packer.

The Meade Potato Company in Lobinstown, Navan, Co. Meath, Republic Of Ireland supplies potatoes and a variety of other products to top retailers. Increased demand led to the need for an additional multihead weigher and at the same time the company wanted to increase speeds from the 27 packs per minute of its existing equipment to closer to 50.

The Ishida CCW-M-214/50-SS-GS multihead weighing machine has been specifically designed to handle potatoes and other fruit and vegetables that require gentle and controlled handling. A low angle reinforced dispersion table with concealed fixings, semi-flat radial feeder troughs with waterfall end and safe edges, and double opening hoppers with cushioned, easy down inserts ensure that the product moves quickly through the weigher without the risk of damage. In addition, the gentle slope configuration of discharge chutes reduces the fall speed of the product and prevents the potatoes colliding, which further minimises bruising.

A ring shutter in the discharge chute stops the product briefly to create a gentle descent into the timing hopper. This ensures that the potatoes reach the packing machine in a compact dose to minimise product blockages and increase packing speeds. A urethane coating for the hopper gates and upper discharge chute reduces noise levels,

At Meade, the multihead weigher operates in conjunction with a Sandiacre Bagmaker weighing potatoes into 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 kg bags.

“The Ishida multihead weigher is ideal for our purposes,” confirms Meade Factory Manager Rodney Kingston.

“As well as increased speed, it has also proved superior to our current weighing equipment in many other respects. Features such as the special linings and reduced angles combine effective control with the gentlest of handling for the potatoes while maintaining high speeds. Weighing accuracy is also very impressive.

“Equally important, the multihead weigher provides a wealth of production data, which can be easily accessed at the touch of button, enabling us to carefully monitor the entire packing process.”

The Ishida multihead weigher operates from 7am to 11pm five days a week. Meade reports excellent reliability and says the multihead weighing machine is simple to set up with minimal operator intervention required.

In addition to potatoes, the company is also using the multihead weigher to pack onions and will shortly be using it for oranges as well.

The Ishida multihead weigher was supplied to Meade via Ishida Europe’s agent Obeeco Ltd of Blackrock, Co Dublin.

Ishida Speeds Up Potato Weighing