TM Robotics SCARA robot utilized in machine demonstration by Abrigo

Photo by TM Robotics (Europe) Ltd

Italian machine builder Abrigo demonstrated its latest Flexcut 1 ultrasonic food cutting machine, which has a Toshiba Machine SCARA robot at its heart, at the Interpack 2014 in Dusseldorf. Some 2,700 exhibitors from more than 60 countries showed their wares at Interpack this year.

The Flexcut 1 is a highly versatile ultrasonic cutting tool for food products that must be divided into portions with cuts in all directions. The Toshiba Machine robot used is a TH1050A high-speed SCARA robot with arm length 1050mm and maximum payload capacity 20kg. It is ideal for clean room applications and is rated to IP65. Blade movement via the 4-axis Toshiba Machine TH1050A, allows unparalleled levels of flexibility to be obtained. Moreover, the machine has been designed with great attention to easy cleaning and safety.

Flexcut 1 is a machine that uses an ultrasonic blade for cutting food products. The oscillation frequency is an amazing 20,000 periods/second, induced in the titanium tool, which allows the product to be cut with minimal product deformation, minimum cutting waste and very low product adherence to the blade. This means a very high quality cut and good hygiene standards within the production process.

The product enters the machine on a conveyor belt directly from the upstream line. It is cut here and returned automatically. Cutting speed, number of portions per round cake, distance between the cuts for rectangular cakes and so forth can be selected from the operator panel for fast format changes.

Abrigo has already installed machines in South America and the Middle East and expects the market to increase significantly.

For more information, please visit http://www.tmrobotics.co.uk.

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