Cloetta sees production increase with Ishida weigher

09/12/2015

The Ishida CCW-RS-216B-2D was installed as part of Cloetta’s transfer of the production of Finland’s most famous confectionery brand Sisu from its Finnish factory to the San Pietro in Casale plant. The weigher has replaced two machines in the previous operation, achieving speeds of up to 150 packs per minute on 32g and 70g cartons. Accuracy on the 70g pack is to within 0.3g of target.

The 16 head Ishida model is operating in twin mode, with two sets of eight heads weighing the product simultaneously, which effectively doubles output from a single weigher. A set of booster hoppers situated beneath the weigh hoppers increases the number of weighments from which the combination closest to target weight is selected, thereby further increasing accuracy. A special rotary distribution system underneath the weigher then fills the cartons.

The automatic packing line is able to handle both single and double packs, which are film sealed, with the single packs placed into retail ready cartons and the double packs into boxes.

Sisu is an iconic brand so it was important that the new production facility in Italy was able to meet the high standards expected of the product.

“Our facility was recognised as delivering the highest production quality and it was vital that we could match this quality in our packing operation,” explains Plant Manager, Marco Bagato.

“Cloetta has Ishida weighers installed in its plants throughout Europe so we were well aware of the machines’ capabilities. It was therefore a natural decision to opt for the Ishida weigher as it represented the ideal balance of quality, performance and price. Indeed, we know it has the capacity to operate at even greater speeds of up to 180 packs per minute, but at present we are restricted by the speed of the cartoner.”

The Ishida weigher, installed by Ishida’s Italian agent Itech Italia, is handling a variety of Sisu products, including sugar-free (Leijona) and sugar coated varieties. Changeovers can be carried out quickly via the weigher’s easy-to-use remote control unit (RCU). Cleaning of the weigher, which takes place every time production changes from sugar-coated to non-sugar-coated varieties, is also simple with no need for the dismantling of parts.

The San Pietro in Casale plant is committed to reducing waste throughout all areas of its operations and the Ishida’s excellent accuracy, which has minimised giveaway, and simplicity of cleaning are a vital part of this.

“We needed a weigher that could combine ease of use with maximum reliability and efficiency,” concludes Mr Bagato. “The Ishida has delivered on all counts.”