Consumer & food

Consumer & food

Consumer goods companies manufacturing products like food, beverages and cosmetics require reliable vacuum technology in multiple production stages. Piab provides solutions that improve the entire manufacturing process, from conveying ingredients into mixers and filling machines, to handling plastic bags during filling operations, to placing a finished product in a package and to palletize heavy carton boxes.

Powder/granules transfer

Piab has over 30 years of experience of powder and granules transfer through vacuum conveying. We handle particle sizes from 0.5 micron. The conveying capacity reaches up to 10 tons/hour and the conveying distance up to 30 meters. However, capacity and distance is very dependent on the properties of the conveyed material. In some cases ...

Robot pick-and-place

The use of robots for placing products in cartons and transfer of cartons and products between different stations in the packaging lines is very common in all industries. High speed pick-and-place robots for placing small items like candy and cookies in packages are often combined with a visual observation system for identifying products ...

Handling of flexible packages

Flexible packaging material is the generic term for soft packages made of film, foil or paper sheeting. Popular forms are stand-up pouches, bags, sachets and envelopes. These packages are often formed, filled and sealed in a vertical or horizontal form-fill-seal machine. The package is then finally put into a case by top loading, ...

Cartoning machines

Cartoning machines erect boxes from flat sheets of corrugated material. The erected boxes are then filled with products or individual cartons and are then prepared for the palletizing process. As with most packaging machines, vacuum cups, vacuum pumps and other pneumatic components are an essential part of the cartoning ...

Rotary cartoners

Rotary cartoner is one of the most popular types of cartoning machines. These machines use a series of vacuum bars equipped with suction cups that move in a continuous rotary motion. Rotary cartoners utilize a "pick-and-carry" motion to move cartons Advantages with Piab Reduced energy consumption with COAX® technology and ...

Carton

Cartoners (carton erectors) are designed to construct cartons and containers from flat blanks made of flexible paper board or similar materials. Vacuum is used extensively to handle the paper board in various stages of the production process. Initially, flat cartons are stacked in a magazine or rack and held in place by rails or ...

Palletizing and depalletizing

Palletizing is the process of placing packages on a pallet alternatively removing them from a pallet (depalletizing). Palletizing machines use vacuum pumps, suction cups and other pneumatic components. These machines typically pick up multiple boxes at a time and place them on a stack (or remove them from a stack). Today, because of the ...

Small products transfer

Piab has over 30 years of experience of small products transfer through vacuum conveying. We handle parts from granules up to 50 mm. The capacity and distance is very dependent on the conditions of the conveyed products and therefore a test in one of our conveying laboratories around the world is recommended. Key advantages with Piab ...

Mill/sieve/mixer/blender filling

Piab has over 30 years of experience of powder and granules transfer through vacuum conveying. We handle particle sizes from 0.5 micron. The conveying capacity reaches up to 10 tons/hour and the conveying distance up to 30 meters. However, capacity and distance is very dependent on the properties of the conveyed material. In some cases ...

Big Bag unloading

The application is typically to transfer material from a Big Bag into a suction pipeline. We use a Feed Adaptor with a universal interface to connect to the Big Bag unloading system. The feed adaptor is designed to optimize the flow of the material in the pipeline with multiple valves for adjusting the airflow. This feature is essential ...

Ergonomic lifter

Reducing injury and increasing productivity are often accomplished with the aid of ergonomic lifting devices. This type of equipment allows one or two operators to lift, move and manipulate large and small objects with vacuum. Unlike a robot, the lifting device requires an operator to position the part being handled. Reliable safety ...

Applications in explosive atmosphere

Conveying powder and granules can in some cases generate an explosive dust/air mixture. To eliminate the risk of dust explosion, Piab meets the international ATEX standard. This is done by removing all sources of ignition from the system, i.e. electric and electrostatic. Piab has over 30 years of experience of powder and granules ...

Automated pick-and-place

The use of specialized machines for high speed pick-and-place of small items with suction cups is very common in the electronics and consumer industries. This application is typically characterized by short cycle times, high acceleration forces and large variations on the parts to be handled. Advantages with Piab Reduced energy ...

Evaporation/crystallization

Vacuum is used to reduce the point of boiling so that an optimised temperature and pressure can be applied during evaporation or crystallization of liquids. Advantages with Piab No service required on Piab vacuum pumps Easy adjustable vacuum level Easy to install

Filtering of liquids

Vacuum is used to achieve a wider differential pressure of a filter material to get a more effective and faster filtration. Typically used in applications where liquids are separated from solids. Advantages with Piab No service required on Piab vacuum pumps Easy adjustable vacuum level Easy to install

Horizontal form-fill-seal

The very first part of the packaging process might require a filler tube or a hopper to be loaded with the product. Vacuum conveyors are used for this purpose. They convey the material to be packaged into a hopper or filler tube where it is then delivered into pouches and sealed. When the machine is of horizontal form-fill-seal design, ...

Customized applications

For special projects where customized design is required, Piab uses a global network of engineers. Piab has 30 years of experience in customized designs with several hundred projects worldwide. We have designed and tested solutions for all industries using powders, granules or small products. Our focus when designing vacuum conveying ...

Working environment

Vacuum conveying is an excellent alternative to manual operations such as carrying or lifting or mechanical operations such as belt conveyors, when it comes to working environment. Piab’s systems eliminate manual operation steps and at the same time reduce the amount of maintenance and dust contamination with positive results for the ...

Hygienic applications

Piab systems are designed to meet requirements specified by international standards such as 3-A Sanitary Standard and FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Piab vacuum conveyors are developed in accordance with USDA guidelines and meet the demands of dairy, food and other farm producers. Piab has over 30 years of experience of powder ...

Drum/bag filling

Piab has over 30 years of experience of powder and granules transfer through vacuum conveying. We handle particle sizes from 0.5 micron. The conveying capacity reaches up to 10 tons/hour and the conveying distance up to 30 meters. However, capacity and distance is very dependent on the properties of the conveyed material. In some cases ...

Tablet/fragile transfer

Piab has over 30 years of experience of small products transfer through vacuum conveying. We handle parts from granules up to 50 mm. Conveying fragile products requires long experience in order to secure the quality of the product. Piab work with various technical concepts such as reducing speed in the pipeline, minimizing physical ...

Vacuum drying

Removal of liquid from a solid material with the aid of vacuum. Drying with vacuum is often used when products are sensitive to heat (cause oxidation), to recover toxic material or if the final product has to be extremely dry. Advantages with Piab No service required on Piab vacuum pumps Easy adjustable vacuum level Easy to ...

Seal machines (vertical form-fill-seal)

During the pouch/bag forming phase vacuum is often applied to transport belts that help provide a grip on both sides of the pouch/bag material. The vacuum belt moves the pouch material from a web roll into position to receive the product from the filler. Holes in the belt allow vacuum to hold the pouch while the belt is rotating and ...

Vacuum belt conveyors

Vacuum belt conveyors consist of a perforated conveyor belt that is connected to a vacuum through grooves in the bed of the belt. It holds flat parts of almost any material to the belt by vacuum. Vacuum belt conveyors can also be used "upside down" in some applications. Advantages with Piab Reduced energy consumption, vacuum COAX® ...

Vacuum packaging

Many food products including meats, poultry, coffee and produce are often packaged under vacuum in order to extend their shelf life. In Modified Atmosphere Packaging, MAP, a gas is introduced into a package to further modify the internal condition of the atmosphere and thereby ensure even longer lasting, high quality food ...

Vacuum holding for testing/measuring

Vacuum is used in test equipment for printed circuit boards to press the board against the electrical test points. The vacuum creates an even pressure/force over the entire board. Vacuum and suction cups are also used to clamp/hold parts in several industries during quality control by measuring the critical dimensions of ...

Labelling and decoration machines

By using vacuum, labels can be applied to objects in high-speed labelling machines in a simple and efficient way, even on soft and uneven objects.   Advantages with Piab Reduced energy consumption with COAX® technology and optimisers Secure and fast grip thanks to high initial vacuum flow of Piab vacuum pumps Specialized ...

Bag opening

Vacuum and suction cups are used to pick and open paper and plastic bags. Suction cups with stiffer bellows and a soft sealing lip are preferred in these quite often high-speed applications. Advantages with Piab Reduced energy consumption with COAX® technology Fast and secure grip thanks to high initial vacuum flow of Piab vacuum ...

Labeling

Two fairly common methods of applying labels with vacuum are tamp-on labeling and blow-on labeling. Tamp-on labeling machines apply pressure-sensitive spot labels. A vacuum tamp pad is used to hold and place the label on the package after it is released from its backing sheet. The vacuum holds the label as the pad pushes (tamps) the ...

Palletizing

Palletizing is the process of placing packages on a pallet. Palletizing machines use vacuum pumps, suction cups and other pneumatic components. These machines typically pick up multiple boxes at a time and place them on a stack. Today, because of the high speeds required, robots are often used to accomplish this task. Another vacuum ...

Evacuation and filling of liquids

In final assembly of certain machines/products like cars and refrigerators, fluid systems are filled before the machine/product leaves the manufacturing facility. To speed up the process of filling fluids the air is evacuated from the volume that is to be filled. A second vacuum is required that is applied at the end of the filling ...

Vacuum packaging

Many food products including meats, poultry, coffee and produce are often packaged under vacuum in order to extend their shelf life. In Modified Atmosphere Packaging, MAP, a gas is introduced into a package to further modify the internal condition of the atmosphere and ensure even longer lasting, high quality food products. Also other ...

Pick-and-place

The use of robots for placing products in cartons and transfer of cartons and products between different stations in the packaging lines is very common in all industries. High speed pick-and-place robots for placing small items like candy and cookies in packages are often combined with a visual observation system for identifying products ...

Blister

A thermoformed blister or skin protects products and presents them in an attractive manner. In order to form the blister, vacuum is applied to a mold or series of molds. Heat and/or pressure may be applied to the topside of a flat blister while the mold cavity is evacuated, causing the container to form in the mold. Different levels of ...

Case & tray

Case erectors erect boxes from flat sheets of corrugated material. The erected boxes are then filled with products or individual cartons and prepared for the palletizing process. As with most packaging machines, suction cups, vacuum pumps and other pneumatic components are an essential part of the case erection operation. Advantages ...