As part of a project to move a packaging line to a new plant to accommodate strong growth in demand for its chicken products, Birds Eye needed a new collator/shrink wrapper. The company chose a Matrix machine from Linkx Systems to meet this requirement
Birds Eye specified this machine, its third Linkx Systems Matrix collator/shrink wrapper, on the basis of the outstanding performance, versatility and reliability delivered by the two machines it was already using. The company had also built up a close and mutually beneficial working relationship with the packaging machine builder.
Refurishing existing machines
The involvement of Linkx Systems with the project was not limited to supplying the machine. Working in close co-operation with Birds Eye engineers, the company also completely overhauled and refurbished the packaging line’s existing conveyors and mechanical handling systems.
Compared with the purchase of new equipment, this allowed significant cost savings to be achieved without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Performance features
Features of the Matrix machines that make them particularly attractive to Birds Eye include their high throughput capacity, their flexibility and convenience and their low running costs.
Thanks to their extensive use of modern servo and automation technologies, Matrix collator/shrink wrappers can handle up to 300 cartons per minute, which is said to be as much as 50 per cent more than traditional machines of comparable size.
Matrix machines are suitable for use with cartons from 130 x 90 x 25mm to 225 x 180 x 60mm and fast, convenient switching between product types is provided by an intuitive colour touch-screen operator interface, which also allows access to powerful data logging features and diagnostic functions.
In addition, the use of energy efficient drives throughout the machines minimises both energy usage and environmental impact.
Linkx Systems
T: 01502 713777
