The highly compact Vision 400 offers high speed processing of up to 80 trays per minute. Because of its size, tooling and product changes can be carried out in two minutes as the design allows all fixings to be released by hand. This, says the firm, ensures that downtime is kept to an absolute minimum and production rates are enhanced.
The dimensions of the Vision 400 are 1675mm by 2685mm by 910mm. This compares to Packaging Automation's standard Vision 4000 machine, which measures 3685mm by 1326mm by 2152mm.
"Our market research showed clearly that there was a gap in the market for a space saving, fully automatic machine which combined efficiency with ease of use," said Packaging Automation commercial manager Samantha Ashton. "By including an option to hire, we are confident the Vision 400, with its leading edge compact design and versatility of use will be of great interest to the market."
The Vision 400 can seal plain or printed film to any compatible container including CPET, APET, aluminium foil, polypropylene, PVC and board. It is designed to be integrated with chain or flat belt filling conveyors, and with the ability to accept randomly spaced trays.
Other key features of the machine include a rotational touchsensitive control screen, which is menu-operated to allowpre-programming of recipes and tools for quick and easy product changes. The likelihood of operator error is reduced through pre-programmed tooling sets, which are automatically identified by themachine and associated with the appropriate touch button recipe.
Hygiene and cleanability are other key factors in the design of theVision 400. The construction includes stainless steel guarding and asealed machine bed that can be quickly washed down to maintain thehighest hygiene standards.
Packaging Automation says that the Vision 400 is suitable for a wide range of products including meat, poultry, vegetables, fruit, seafood and convenience foods. It can also be used for atmospheric, gas flushing (MAP-F) and vacuum (MAP-V) packaging with the option of high oxygen.
The product is positioned to complement the company's existing offering of the Vision 182 with a speed of 60 packs per minute, and the Vision 4000, which was recently upgraded to operate at a speed of 100 packsper minute.