Cremer launched the Electronic Counter HQI-4100 at ProSweets in Cologne last week.
“It is especially optimized for the confectionery industry; a 24-hour industry,” said Charles Bakker, sales & projects for Cremer.
“This machine is completely servo-controled, so no more pneumatics in it. We need a lot of high speed movements to catch the product moving at a high speed and with pneumatics it’s an on/off system.”
Before the HQI-4100 launch, Cremer supplied only pneumatic counting machines for the confectionery industry. Servo-driven machines were sold only to pharmaceutical companies.
No more 30 minute stops
“The pneumatics system from time to time needs some adjustment. It will always work correctly, but it needs more maintenance over time. Every couple of weeks you have to do cleaning, checking and calibration,” said Bakker.
“If you don’t want the half an hour to do that every three to four weeks then you go to the next level, and that’s completely servo-driven.”
According to Cremer, the servo driven machine is quieter and faster than its pneumatic counterpart.
“This machine is really for customers that run 24/7. If you only run a couple of hours a day then stay on the pneumatic machine. This is for the big players,” said Bakker.
Time and space saver
“The pneumatic system will not vanish– there’s a price difference of course – but if you really rely on three shifts and you don’t want any downtime this is the next level,” he continued.
The HQI-4100 can handle 170 drops per minute, whereas pneumatic versions could only manage 115 drops per minute.
“The pneumatic cylinders also took up more space, so a servo-driven system can be built far more compact,” added Bakker. He said the machine would also require almost zero maintenance.
Cremer said it was already talking with the all of the top five confectionery companies.