Zacmi provides complete filling, seaming and processing lines for a huge variety of food types and formats. Conscious of the needs of local markets and food types, its technology is tailored to the precise needs of every application
Rehydrated legumes are a popular food the world over, delivering simple-to-grow high nutrition in an easy-to-store, -cook and -serve format. Their popularity varies across the world, but in local markets where they are more prevalent, advanced packaging technologies are needed to ensure they can be delivered locally, quickly, safely efficiently and at a competitive cost.
As with most modern packaging operations, completely integrated lines – from raw materials in to finished goods out – deliver the optimum solution, and the canning of rehydrated legumes is no exception.
Italian company ZACMI is an expert in this field, with many successful reference projects, not just in the Middle East region, but all over the world too. Supplying complete turnkey lines and solution – from dry pulses in to seamed cans out, its solutions can cater for all types of legumes, including peas, beans, fava beans and chickpeas.
ZACMI’s complete legume packaging line comprises multiple stages, all of which have been designed and developed specifically for this type of application (according to type, variety and size). A typical machine flow would include a receiving and dry cleaning systems with pneumatic separator and proper conveying system.
This stage would then feed to an automatic distributing conveyor belt with pneumatic gates, which passes the legumes into a soaking tank (designed to fit line capacity and factory space).
Following gentle agitation-based soaking, which allows the use of larger tanks, and automatic discharge, the mixture is filtered and separated before passing through a variable-speed screw blancher with direct/ indirect steam injection to stabilize the legumes microbiologically.
The legumes are then cooled and separated from the blanching water before being discharged onto a sorting belt equipped with a metal detector. They are then accurately filled into cans using a state-of-the-art pocket filler/vacuum filler and can seamer, which works in parallel with a brine or sauce preparation system.
This complete processing and packaging line is fully integrated, with the entire line flow control being managed from the can seamer’s operator panel.
An empty-can-handling system can also be provided as an option. Another option is ZACMI’s Double Seam Monitoring (DSM) for seamers technology.
This DSM solution checks the cans’ seaming performance in real time using special sensors mounted on the second operation cam. These record the force signal measurements and can detect – in real time – any potential out-of-range seaming operations, or can/lid defects, such as damaged flanges or foreign bodies between the can body and the lid.
The system offers data exporting, collection and result reproduction – even remotely – and the option for analysis by ZACMI technicians. As well as detecting defects, by measuring the real force exerted on each seaming head, the D.S.M. technology can also be used for machine settings-regulation, ultimately helping to extend the service life of chucks and rolls.
Customers can also connect with ZACMI’s Remote Assistance System, which is integral part of every machine – from Installation all the way through the machine’s life cycle.
As well as monitoring and supporting trouble shooting activities, it can guide operators through HMI interaction and addressing software issues and upgrades without the need for a technician.
The system boosts efficiency too, by reducing both start-up times and downtime.
