New checkweigher software improves factory efficiency, claims Ishida

Checkweighers are increasingly being used by food manufacturers to ensure their products comply with legal specifications regarding pack weights as they measure the weight of the product and reject packs that are under or over the regulatory allowance. Added value​Ishida marketing manger Torsten Giese told FoodProductionDaily.com that the software, the Ishida Data Capture System (IDCS), is an upgrade of the existing version on its checkweigher range but that its new functionalities add value. "The IDCS, as well as ensuring legal compliance, can now be used as a quality control tool by the food processor,"​ said Giese Processing control​He said the IDCS, as well as recording the percentage of packs rejected, also enables processors to gauge line speed and down-time, thus providing its customers with a complete processing line control mechanism. "The software assists the line operator to monitor any weight variation developments in packs and can thus alert the user to probable causes in the processing line, such as a slicing or filling machine not working at the optimal rate or humidity in the factory causing clumping in gravy granules,"​ said Giese He added that the software can also assist food processors in terms of tracking product: "If a pack containing chicken pieces shows weight differential, the data capture function can trigger an alarm in relation to the original grading of the meat by the supplier."​Innovation​ Giese claims that the statistical reporting that the software allows far outweighs any costs incurred in upgrading to the new model, and that its product has the competitive edge over programmes of a similar type: "We are driving innovation in this area to ensure processors choose Ishida checkweighers. The IDCS contains all our customer's key requirements in one simple, but powerful, easy to use package​," added Giese. He said that the IDCS can be retrofitted on all Ishida checkweighers and that it includes 13 different language capabilities to suit a range of users. Giese added that the IDCS will be commercially available in September, when it will also be showcased at the equipment supplier show, PPMA, in Birmingham. The company said that it will also be displaying its tray sealer for entry level ready meal processors, the QX-300 at the UK event as well as its Atlas-122 bagmaker.