EDITOR’S CHOICE
ISHIDA FLEXGRADER
ISHIDA
ISHIDA FLEXGRADER INCREASES
THROUGHPUT
The installation of two Ishida FlexGraders
at leading Hungarian poultry processor
Tranzit Food has enabled the company
to nearly double capacity with the same
number of line operators.
The FlexGraders are grading packed duck
and goose – both whole birds and pieces
– into specified fixed weights for Tranzit’s
retail customers. Each pack is individually
weighed and then diverted to a series of
packing stations, according to its weight,
where it is placed into a transit case for
onward supply.
The 20 station FlexGrader is able to handle
around 80 packs per minute, giving it the
capacity to process around 3,600 ducks
and 1,600 geese every hour, compared
with the 2,000 and 1,000 birds delivered
by the previous manual system. Line
operators are assigned three or four
stations, where the packs are placed into
the cartons and an outer case label is
produced.
38
PECM Issue 35
The system also has the flexibility to weigh
and grade each pack by its individual
weight where customers do not require
fixed weights. Ishida has been a very good partner to
work with, with constructive suggestions,
as well as providing excellent training for
our operators.”
Packs sizes vary from 700g to 1200g for
individual pieces and 1400g to 6500g
for whole birds. Any pack not within the
specified tolerances for a particular run
is diverted to a special bin so that it can
re-weighed. Tranzit reports that the Ishida FlexGrader
is simple to use. Changeovers between
birds can be done in less than a minute by
calling up the required specification on
the user-friendly Remote Control Unit, and
tolerances can also be adjusted while the
FlexGrader is in operation. The hygienic
open frame design allows fast and easy
cleaning, which takes place at the end of
each shift.
The Ishida line, supplied by Ishida
Hungarian agent MasterQuality, was
specifically designed for Tranzit Food’s
requirements.
“We originally considered a 16 station
FlexGrader,” explains Ferenc Botos of
Tranzit Food. “However, in discussions
with Ishida to explain what we wanted to
achieve, we opted for a 20 station solution
and the company designed the system to
meet our requirements and to maximise
use of the available space in the factory.
The FlexGrader is operating two shifts, five
days a week, with an extra shift on every
second Saturday. Output is up to 28,000
birds per shift.
“Reliability has also been good and in the
event of any issue, we receive excellent
support and back-up from Ishida,”
continues Ferenc Botos.