Automating material transfer
An equipment and systems supplier automates material transfer in a manufacturer's new blending line, improving efficiency and increasing product quality and yield.
Compact Industries, St. Charles, Ill., is a contract manufacturer of powdered cappuccino, cocoa, and flavored coffee mixes and other flavored and milk-based powdered drink mixes for various companies. One step in the process - moving a powdered-mix batch from the blender to the packaging system - was proving to be a challenge for the company. An operator discharged the powdered mix from the blender into a portable bulk bin and then used a pallet jack to manually move the bin to the packaging system. This created labor, cost, sanitation, and production concerns for the company. To resolve these concerns, the company worked with an equipment and systems supplier to design a new process line with an improved method for transferring the powdered-mix batches from the blender to the packaging system.