HCI Snack Solutions end-to-end processing and packaging solutions

Heat and Control and Ishida have formed an alliance, known as HCI Snack Solutions, that provides snack customers with full ‘end to end’ processing and packaging solutions. The alliance specifically targets the EMEA region.

A single-source supplier like HCI Snack Solutions can add value through increased connectivity levels and digital data exchange along all stages of the processing and packaging production lines. Working with one supplier is an easy process, as customers only need to speak to one team.

One example of product moving through key sections of the processing and packaging lines is potato chips moving from the SwitchBack conveyor and up into an incline conveyor, which can move the product vertically and reduce drop damage.

After reaching the top of the incline conveyor, the chips are transported down the line through Heat and Control’s FastBack Revolution Proportional Gate. This eliminates product breakage during gate closure and provides a feed of product to weigher via the FastBack Left Right Center (LRC). The LRC is a double multihead weigher feed solution designed to provide a precise and consistent product stream to Ishida’s back-to-back 218 twin weigher, which provides weighing accuracy to meet production requirements.

The product then moves from the weighers into the Inspira twin or single snack food bagmakers. For quality control, Ishida DACS checkweighers verify correct product weight or count, and eliminate underweights and product overweight giveaway. The snack product is then packed using the ACP-700 case packer, which can be integrated into any snacks production line.

Automation of the line was controlled using Heat and Control’s New Horizon and Ishida’s Senital controls and data solutions technology, which enabled operators to oversee the production line and provide real-time feedback to the operator.