Sweet Motion Solution

Before any new candy goes into production, it runs down an R&D processing line. The cost of this processing and consistency in the product's initial phase impacts its market acceptance. To provide cost-effective production methods for the development phase of center-filled products, Bottom Line Process Technologies (BLT) developed a servo-driven depositor instead of using the more traditional pneumatic cylinders.

The Single Shot Servo Depositor uses alpha gear's Ternary actuator, a space-saving integrated design. The unit's servomotor, feedback, amplifier, closed-loop control and a ballscrew-driven cylinder are enclosed in a single package to provide design flexibility and control. The integrated servo actuator positions and stops with a holding force of up to 190 or 600N, depending on the model, so the depositor fills the candy with precision and at the desired rate set by the operator. The precise position control occurs without requiring mechanical stops and limit switches.

A single Ternary servo controls up to 16 points. Velocity, acceleration and force data stored in EEPROM can be loaded into or from the memory and easily edited. The depositor can use multiple servos with independent control of parameters for each, such as up/down speed, start/stop timing and stroke length.

In addition to food processing, the Ternary actuator can handle packaging industry applications that include positioning and format changes, pick-and-place robots, and product diverters and stackers. Additional applications beyond the food processing industry for the servo depositor include medical, health and beauty sectors.

For more information about Bottom Line Process Technologies, Single Shot Servo Depositor, go to http://rbi.ims.ca/4931-505.

For more information about alpha gear's Ternary linear and rotary actuators, go to http://rbi.ims.ca/4931-506.

	REALLY FILLING: Independently controlled linear servos provide the motion for the depositor’s multiple pump heads to handle heat-sensitive, viscous products. The highly integrated servo includes servomotor, feedback, amplifier, closed-loop control and a ballscrew-driven cylinder in a single device.