A specialized compact linear multihead weigher from Ishida Europe has been installed for the efficient weighing of nuts into pots at Brynild Gruppen, one of Norway’s prominent confectionery and snacks manufacturers. This installation, the Ishida CCW-R2-108PL at Brynild Gruppen’s Fredrikstad factory, marks the ninth weigher installation as part of a longstanding successful collaboration between the two companies.
According to Viggo Ersøybakk, the company’s project manager, the Ishida weighers are recognized for their speed, accuracy, and reliability, providing a rapid return on investment. He emphasizes that operators appreciate the machines for their ease of setup and use.
The compact design, speed, and precision of the CCW-R2-108 met several key requirements for launching a new range of nuts in pots. Brynild aimed to minimize the overall installation height to accommodate the filling system beneath the weigher. The linear design of the weigher facilitates precise control of product flow, with vibratory feeder troughs transporting the product to the weighing heads. In this application, the weigher operates in two halves, achieving speeds of around 50 pots per minute in two sizes, maintaining pinpoint accuracy close to the target weights ranging from 15 gm up to 270 gm.
A specialized distribution system beneath the weigher efficiently transfers two separate weighments into two pots simultaneously. These pots are then gas-flushed and heat-sealed to extend shelf life.
While the CCW-R2-108’s top speed is 120 pots per minute, the actual speed is regulated by the pot filler to ensure proper gas flushing. Despite varying line bottlenecks, Ersøybakk emphasizes that the Ishida weighers have never been the cause of these constraints.
The CCW-R2-108 is handling 13 different nut products, some coated with salt or spices. The machine’s ribbed surface on contact parts ensures smooth product movement, while the dust-proof cover maintains low particulate levels. The weigher allows for up to 200 presets, facilitating swift changeovers between products, and all contact parts are removable without tools for efficient cleaning.
The new weigher complements two existing 14-head circular Ishida multihead weighers in the snacks factory, contributing to the production of 72 different product lines. In the confectionery factory, Brynild manages 47 sugar confectionery and 34 chocolate lines, with pack sizes ranging from 15 gm sample packs to 400 gm family bags. The speed and flexibility of the Ishida weighers play a critical role in Brynild’s operational efficiency, enabling the company to increase volumes while reducing reliance on manual labor.
The operators’ knowledge and understanding of the weighers, supported by comprehensive training from Ishida during commissioning, contribute to quick and effective setup and changeovers. Viggo Ersøybakk notes the exceptional service support from Ishida’s office in Sweden in case of any unresolved issues.
Ongoing investments in quality equipment, including Ishida weighers, have been integral to Brynild’s success and growth. The company anticipates a return on investment within three years, a timeline that has been expedited due to heightened demand during the pandemic. Established in 1895, Brynild Gruppen remains one of Norway’s largest family-owned confectionery manufacturers, maintaining its commitment to quality across generations.
