A dynamic weighing line has a lot of advantages when it comes to preventing losses and increasing efficiency when packing soft fruit, says Piotr Milewski, CEO of Milbor PMC: "Our semi-automatic line for delicate fruits and vegetables answer the needs reported by many companies aiming at higher efficiency and top accuracy of the packing process. How can these goals be achieved thanks to a dynamic weighing line? The case study of Polish strawberries' producer Chenczke farm can elaborate."
What is a dynamic weighing line? (click on image to enlarge)
According to Milewski, this system is designed for handling products that require minimal sorting, repacking, or weight verification. "It combines human effort with machines, and thus we call it a semi-automatic system. The dynamic weighing line is intended for manual packing of a wide range of food products, such as soft fruits, including raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, vine tomatoes, mushrooms, fish, meat, salads, and ready-made meals."
"Its compact structure makes it ideal for packing houses with limited space. While the machines comprising the line can be adjusted to the customer's needs, it always combines two elements: a check weigher and a diverter," Milewski states. "When packages of fruit arrive from the field, having been manually weighed, they pass through a check weigher to determine their precise weight. Based on this data, a 3-lane conveyor with a diverter guides each punnet to a designated path."
"Punnets with the correct weight proceed along path A for further packing. Underweight punnets are directed to path B, where an operator adds more fruit to meet the required weight. Overweight punnets go to path C, where excess fruit is removed. Once the adjustments are completed, all punnets merge onto path A for the next processing stage."
Milewski emphasizes that there are several advantages to using the dynamic weighing line: "For one, there is a noticeable productivity boost by 30%, as tasks can be completed with a smaller workforce and reduced operational expenses. There's also improved weighing precision, which minimizes financial losses caused by overweight. The use of this machine will also lead to fewer complaints and higher employee retention, as the work ergonomics improve. Finally, thanks to the modular and flexible design, it allows customizations according to the investor's needs."
Case study
Chenczke Farm was looking for an answer to the challenges typical for a company dealing with soft fruit packing: workforce shortages, lost income due to overweight, as well as low efficiency and a slow packing process, limiting the production capacity. To tackle the problems and optimize their processes, in 2024, Chenczke invested in a dynamic weighing line designed by Milbor PMC.
"The dynamic packing line allowed the investor to accelerate the packing process while maintaining high fruit quality and enhancing production oversight. As a consequence, that was a 300% increase in order processing speed. Moreover, the line enables to monitoring of the weight of each package easily and effectively, minimizing the problem of overweight," Milewski explains.
Mariusz Chenczke comments: "After one season with the dynamic weighing line, I can say that being able to control the weight of each package has helped me avoid overfilling and unnecessary giveaways, allowing for more efficient use of our strawberry harvest. The system has improved our operations measurably, benefiting both the staff and production managers. I also value the ability to work with various packaging formats, which helps us stay flexible and respond to shifting market demands and retailer expectations."
"If you are wondering how a dynamic weighing line might fit your business model, do not hesitate to contact a Milbor PMC specialist given below," Milewski concludes.
For more information:
Maciej Chmielewski
Milbor PMC
Tel: +48 538 359 172
Email: [email protected]
www.milborpmc.com