equipment briefs

Even the smallest leaks in protective gas packaging have serious consequences for the shelf life of the products. The new LEAK-MASTER PRO 2 from WITT finds such micro-leaks: reliable, fast and non-destructively. The current product generation of the German MAP specialist is especially designed for intuitive operation and economy. Food producers can thus ensure product quality, improve their packaging process and increase customer satisfaction. +49 (0)2302 8901-0 www.wittgas.com

GS Centrifugal Sifters from process equipment manufacturer Gericke USA automatically capture and remove foreign objects from granular and powdered product streams to prevent contamination and safeguard downstream equipment. Installed at the silo, bulk bag discharge station or other storage unit, the GS Sifters pass the product stream through a rotating mesh screen sized to allow on-spec material to continue downstream while rocks, bones, metal parts, bulk bag pieces, and other foreign objects are blocked and diverted for analysis and disposal. Contaminants are safely removed, product quality assured, and downstream equipment protected from damage. 855-888-0088 www.gerickegroup.com

Fortress Technology has unveiled its newest conveyor innovation and overcome the longstanding industry challenge of loosening belt tension when regularly sanitizing food inspection machinery and equipment. The unique conveyor and tool-less maintenance design, first unveiled on the company’s new Raptor checkweighing series, introduces a new tight-fitting conveyor concept. Featuring a quick release and disassembly of the deck, belt, motor, and rollers, the new conveyor saves valuable time, money, and labor, and provides hygiene peace of mind. During the sanitization process, machine operators simply unclip and disconnect the conveyor motor and lift out the entire assembly. 888-220-8737 www.fortresstechnology.com

TOMRA Food is proud to launch the TOMRA 5C, an optical food sorting system that will transform nut and dried fruit processing. The TOMRA 5C premium optical sorter combines industry-leading sensors with machine learning and big-data analysis to ensure the most accurate foreign material removal possible. With the TOMRA 5C, operators can view a clear picture of each and every individual product and foreign material—setting processors up to make real-time decisions that boost chances of a better profit, higher-quality yield, and fast equipment payback. 916-389-3900 www.tomra.com

Piab has extended the pi-SOFTGRIP family with a new pinch gripper developed for automation in the food industry. The vacuum-based soft gripper can grip sensitive and lightweight oblong objects with odd geometries and/or objects with an unusual surface. piSOFTGRIP has two gripping fingers and a sealed vacuum cavity, all made in one piece, resulting in a simple and robust product. The product is not sensitive to dust, and the gripping force is easily adjusted and controlled by the applied vacuum level. The gripper can easily be put in rows (multiple mode) to support picks of extended objects. 800-321-742 www.piab.com

A new Low-Profile, Combination Bulk Bag/Drum Filler from Flexicon allows filling of bulk bags and drums in low headroom areas. When filling bulk bags, full-length forklifting tubes integral to the rear-post fill head allow incremental height adjustments secured with hitch pins to accommodate bags of all popular sizes, from 42 to 59 in. tall, and widths to 45 in. The filler is equipped with an inflatable bag spout seal, a feed chute dust vent, and a low-profile densification deck that de-aerates material in bags weighing up to 2 tons as they are being filled. 610-814-2400 www.flexicon.com