The demand for prepacks has steadily risen over the last few years and you can understand why.
From a consumer’s point of view the pack is small and fits in the fridge, and the unit is sealed which prevents anyone handling the fruit.
This has been a growing market for major growers in Australia. Those who are geared up for it are reaping the benefits.
Specifically built for cherries
A&B Packing Equipment is the only weigh–and–fill machine manufacturer that has designed and built a system specifically for the cherry industry.
The ‘Cherry Evolution’ was designed with the assistance of a premier Californian grower and was tested at their facility before being released to the market.
Since then, machines have been sold in British Columbia, California, Washington, Oregon, and the UK.
Based on the successful Evolution series, the key to the success for the Cherry Evolution is the way the fruit is delivered to the scales.
Because of the unique properties of the cherry—it has a stem and frequently comes in twos and threes—it was apparent that to accommodate this, all the components needed to be wider than the Evolution series.
As a result, it was decided to limit the machine to 10 hoppers rather than the 12–scale used on blueberries. This allowed the fruit to flow through the machine and be delivered to the scales with minimal hang ups.
Fast packing, easy maintenance
Speeds up to 120 clamshells per minute can be achieved on the 10–scale machine running a 340 gram cup. The system can pack from 100 grams to a 2 kg box.
Featuring a denester and closer for clamshells, the machine is easy to operate and changeovers are quick.
For ease of cleaning and maintenance, the entire machine lifts up to allow access to hard to reach places.
Check out the video on our website:
http://impactautomation.com.au/impact-product/0/1111/26007/a-and-b-packing-evolution-10-for-cherries
First Cherry Evolution in Victoria
The first Cherry Evolution will be installed in Victoria in the coming weeks for the start of the 2016 season.
This adds to the 18 A&B Evolution’s already successfully installed for blueberries and tomatoes.
Impact Automation Solutions
Impact Automation Solutions are A&B Packing’s agents in Australia. We support every machine we install with back-up service.
For more information on how we can improve your productivity through automation, contact :
Marty Rodgers, Impact Automation Solutions
mobile: 0448 881 223
phone: 02 9874 0804
email:
web: impactautomation.com.au
See this article in Tree Fruit September 2016
