Vegawave level switch controls packaging of Cup-a-Soups

Premier foods manufactures a range of ready meals and soups - including the popular Batchelor's, Pasta'n'sauce, OXO and Vesta brands - at its site in Ashford, Kent. The company uses many level probes across this site for applications such as controlling the level of feed hoppers supplying packing machines that are filling sachets or containers. These machines run at speeds varying from 160-600 packs per minute, and feed hoppers vary in size with, agitators and vibrators assisting with the flow of the powdered products.

One machine in particular packages Batchelor's Cup-a-Soup variety sachets. The machine packs at a rate of 160 sachets a minute, handling differing flavours and consistencies of powders; some are drier and others have larger particles, while some are more adhesive due to ingredients that contain minute amounts of natural oils. To ensure even flow and mixing, the hoppers incorporate a small rotating agitator to maintain consistent product flow and mix as the sachets are filled. Previous switches had reliability problems, particularly when changing over between products.

Vega has supplied vibrating fork devices with remote electronics housings and quick-release hygienic fittings to enable fast removal and clean down between product changes. The units have proved reliable, with different products running through the machine, and a switch design that is robust enough to operate reliably even next to the agitators inside the small hopper. Because it mounts from any orientation, the fork device also has an advantage over proximity-based detectors, which need a polymer window into the vessel. There are concerns over this type of window because, should it crack or chip, the minute plastic shards can be almost impossible to detect.

Vega's Vegawave level switches combine mechanical detection - using the damping of a vibrating element - with the reliability of solid-state electronics. Self-checking is built in; electronic monitoring of the vibration frequency ensures that any damage, high product build-up or device failure makes the switch inherently safe. Vibrating technology is also easy to set up compared to capacitive techniques, and is more reliable than rotating paddle devices.

Vegawave fork and Vegavib rod vibrating switches with adaptive digital technology for solids combine performance with fast delivery and a wide range of options to suit any budget. Devices are available for compliance with ATEX (dust and gas) and SIL requirements.