Retrofit of an Individual Sauce Filling Machine
Discover how Alps Group refurbished a filling machine to ensure reliable production of individual sauce portions at Reitzel. This upgrade improved the production rate.
Context
Founded in 1909 in Aigle, the Reitzel factory, specializing in condiments, is a key player in Switzerland and internationally. To maintain high-quality production and optimize its processes, the company needed to modernize its equipment. The Hassia machine, used for filling sauces into individual sachets, was experiencing electronic failures and required electromechanical modifications.
Complete Renovation of the Hassia Machine
Ensuring reliable operation, optimal production rate, and adaptation to new sachet designs.
Achievements
To successfully retrofit the Hassia machine, Alps Group carried out the following tasks:
- Drafting the specifications with optimizations for increased production speed
- Preparing the complete electrical documentation
- Manufacturing the control and power cabinet
- Installing a new Siemens screen to replace manual controls and provide operators with key information (jaw temperature, speed, etc.)
- Programming the PLC S7-1200 using TIA Portal
- Replacing the mechanical camshaft with an absolute encoder for improved precision
- Commissioning the system within the planned schedule, without exceeding the budget
In the end, everything went really well! We worked with competent, flexible people who were pleasant to the operators. Additionally, the machine’s production rate was successfully increased.
Hugo Reitzel SA