PACKAGING
Bulk packaging sorted with Oli Vibrators Mark Thompson, Director at Oli Vibrators, explains how industrial vibrators can help reduce waste and improve consistency on packaging lines.
Oli’s product range is rated at a T4 Temperature Rating and are IECEx and IP66 rated.
AN AUSTRALIAN BISCUIT company faced a dilemma. It was producing an enormous amount of waste due to product degradation during the packaging process. As the biscuits were straightened to line up in the package, many would break. To solve the problem, the company reached out to vibration specialists, Oli Vibrators. Mark Thompson, Director at Oli Vibrators, says after installing Oli’s vibrators, the company was able to save almost 98 per cent of what used to become waste. “When it comes to packaging, customers are looking for two main things: reasonably high, reliable speeds and accuracy,” he says.
“Our vibrators can be used to help straighten products before they go into a bag or box, or to consolidate light and fluffy products such as flour before they are packed into a bag.” Because packaging is a broad industry, Oli Vibrators are used across many industries. Thompson says the vibrators have been used to line up metal tops for cans, help thread prawns onto skewers, and help pack icing sugar. With so many different products and industry, the company works closely with its customers to learn as much as they can about the process. Often the customer will provide a checklist of important information along with some technical drawings to get started. Knowing he characteristics of
34 І Australian Bulk Handling Review: January/February 2022
the material is also vital for success, as different bulk densities, weights, stickiness, and temperature can change the parameters of what is needed. With that information, the company’s engineers will usually find a solution that will work for the customer within 24 to 48 hours. Thompson says it’s important to install the right tool for the application, as not all vibrators will do the job a customer wants. “We once had a customer who wanted the biggest vibrator we had. We told them that they could get what they were looking for out of a smaller vibrator that was half the size. Using the larger vibrator could have done damage to the machine – bigger
