Upgrades improve the flow at Chivas Brothers

Renowned distillers Chivas Brothers could raise a glass themselves to celebrate the success of the upgrades to their Kilmalid bottling plant.

The Scotch whisky and premium gin arm of the drinks giant Pernod Ricard, Chivas Brothers markets a range of famous spirits, producing some 20 million cases per year. From its bottling plant at Kilmalid, northwest of Glasgow - one of the largest in Scotland - Chivas Brothers distributes leading brands including Ballantine's, Beefeater Gin and Malibu to more than 150 countries around the world.

The picture above shows the Chivas Brothers' bottling plant at Kilmalid, which distributes leading whisky and gin brands worldwide.

Modernisation programme
To ensure that Chivas Brothers could continue to support the increasing worldwide demand for its products, the company decided to invest in a multi-million-pound refurbishment of its conveying, palletising, shrink wrapping, storage and dispatch systems at Kilmalid. In a carefully planned 3-year upgrade programme - undertaken in four phases, each tendered for separately - Chivas Brothers required its 25-year-old equipment to be replaced by equally reliable and robust systems, yet without any disruption to its processing of orders. The control systems for each of the four contracts were supplied by Autotech Controls Ltd, working in partnership with the handling systems main contractor, Excel Automation.

Phased upgrades
Phase one comprised the refurbishment of eight automatic stacker cranes and the new control system specified for the cranes included the latest generation of intelligent Rockwell AC drive system with full closed-loop control via laser positioning devices on the horizontal and vertical movements. This technology eliminates the need for on-board PLC controllers, provides improved functionality and has increased the throughput of the warehouse for Chivas Brothers. The project also included the fitting of two-man manual drive cabs, equipped with HMIs (Human/Machine Interfaces), to facilitate stock checking within the high-bay stores.

The second phase of the upgrade programme involved replacing the seven existing shrink wrapping machines with two new, high-speed wrappers and replacing the warehouse infeed pallet conveyors. Phase three involved the replacement of seven palletisers with eight new ones, and the replacement of case conveyors from the production hall to the palletisers. The final phase saw the twelve dispatch lanes that fed old clamp-type pallet exchangers replaced with an improved pallet exchange system, including laser-guided AGVs (automated guided vehicles).

Improved throughput
Autotech's scope of supply included all the control systems for the carton conveyors, pallet conveyors, palletisers and stacker cranes. The company's proven control solutions - combined with careful planning and project management by the Chivas Brothers, Excel and Autotech teams - not only allowed order processing at Kilmalid to be maintained seamlessly throughout the upgrade programme, but also resulted in an increase in throughput at the site.

Refer to the pictures on the left: Autotech supplied the control systems for the stacker cranes, palletisers, and conveyors.

Chivas Brothers successfully upgraded the handling systems at its Kilmalid bottling plant without disrupting its distribution operations.

Autotech in profile
Autotech Controls Limited is a leading global supplier of automation control solutions. Headquartered in Luton, the company achieved turnover above £9 million in 2008 and employs over 100 highly skilled staff. Autotech designs, installs, maintains and upgrades control systems for blue-chip companies in a diverse range of industries including the automotive, logistics, airports and food & beverage sector. As an approved system integrator for Group Schneider, Rockwell and Siemens, many clients have specified Autotech as their preferred controls supplier. For further information, e-mail: andrew.robinson@autotech.co.uk

Flexicon launch most liquid tight conduit system in the UK

Flexicon claims to have launched the most liquid tight conduit system in the UK by further enhancing its range of compression fittings.  It has an IP rating of IP69k.

The compression fittings are suitable for the company's LTP galvanised steel plastic coated liquid tight range and also for its LPC smooth spiral reinforced pvc system.

An IP69k rating allows equipment to be steam cleaned by a high pressure, high temperature jet wash.  It is suitable for equipment that needs regular intensive cleaning such as in food processing.  The IP69k rating extends the BS EN 60529 rating system to a new standard DIN 40050.

The fittings include a multipart compression fitting with a nylon seal, which you can use for knockout or threaded entries as it rotates until tightened.  Also available are  compression fittings that swivel about the main body even after tightening, a 90^o, 45^o and a multipart compression coupler that includes seals for joining two conduits.   These fittings can be used with conduit sizes ranging from 10mm to 63mm and are available with metric, PG and NPT thread variants.

The LTP conduit range has a smooth, wipe clean outer cover, is resistant to oils and greases and UV light for external applications.  For applications requiring a wide temperature range, you can use the LTPHC variant for temperatures between -45^oC to 135^oC.

The LPC spiral reinforced pvc range is a non-metallic alternative and can accept some torsional movement.  Colour coded versions provide oil resistance (green), high flexibility (orange) or protection against wider temperature ranges of between -5^oC to 90^oC (blue). 

It is a lighter weight than metallic versions and is faster to install, particularly when cutting to length.  The LPC range can also be used with non-metallic or stainless steel fittings making it ideal for the food processing industry.

For further editorial information about Flexicon's range of liquid tight conduit, e-mail:  sales@flexicon.uk.com.

Bag in box specialist Rapak has introduced a new
integral valve for its range of Intermediate Bulk Containers

Bag in box specialist Rapak has introduced a new integral valve for its range of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) from 200 to 1100 litres.  The DN50 Integral valve complements the recently launched 2" version that has been well received by both users and IBC manufacturers.  It is suitable for a variety of liquid non-food and food products including liquid egg, milk and creams, detergents and chemicals and has been developed to offer enhanced performance during filling and dispensing.

The new, user friendly valve is manufactured from a reduced number of parts, underlining the simplicity of the design.  In addition, all valves are 100% leak tested during assembly.

For maximum convenience, the round thread design enables the valve to be used in any orientation, which improves the filling process.  The round shape also simplifies the screwing and unscrewing of the cap for ease of operation by the end user.  In addition, the cap holds the valve flap in position, which avoids accidental opening during transit.

The DN50 can be specified with a special C clip and spanner.  The C clip locates the valve into a variety of box designs, thus enhancing the flexibility of the system, while the unique spanner design has been specifically created to fit Rapak valves.

All parts are manufactured in food contact material and carry full FDA and EEC approvals.  They are also able to withstand irradiation up to 25KGy.

Pictures: The user-friendly DN50 is manufactured from a reduced number of parts (top). The DN50 offers enhanced performance during filling and dispensing (middle). The DN50 can be specified with a special C clip and spanner (bottom).

For further information, contact Stephanie Humez, Rapak Tel: +44 (0) 1788 570612 or Fax: +44 (0) 1788 546903