Weighing solutions for delicate produce

Yamato Scale Dataweigh UK has delivered a bespoke weighing solution for Cornwall’s premiere fresh produce grower Riviera Produce.

Yamato supplied and installed an Omega ADW-O-1214S Multihead Weigher with a 12-litre capacity and 14 heads. The machine was specifically designed to work with salad crops and fresh produce.

The basic infrastructure for the line was already in place which meant that Yamato’s solution had to fit into it. The line included an infeed, a slicing machine and a bagger all fixed to a bespoke platform. The specifications of the Yamato machine meant that Riviera Produce was able to use the roof space above the line and simply alter the configuration of the machinery in order to get the height needed for the weigher.

Re-jigging the new line and installing the Yamato weighing machine had to be completed quickly in order to minimise down time and lost production to avoid a negative impact on Riviera’s customers.

Riviera Produce operations manager Matthew Wiggins said:

“We always buy machinery on reputation and recommendation which is why we approached Yamato. We had looked into other companies. Yamato’s Paul Burton visited the site and spotted the problem straight away; we needed a salad specific weigher. Yamato was able to source and install a machine in a matter of weeks. The others had quoted 3-4 months.”

Matthew added:

“The installation met all our objectives 100 per cent. It was very useful having Yamato’s service staff available at the drop of a hat and on the end of a phone throughout the process.

“As soon as we fired up the new weigher it worked. It really was as simple as that.”

The Omega ADW has a two-stage top cone that features high amplitude to move the product along the machine and salad-type linear feed pans/feed buckets and weigh buckets.

Yamato’s unique Dimple is used on the bucket doors. This is a specific type of dimple/embossed plate designed to stop product sticking to the machine. This ensures that the product flows evenly and quickly along the production line.

Salads and greens are difficult to weigh without causing damage which affects their quality and this could mean increased rejection by the customer because the salad leaves are extremely delicate. Like fruit and vegetables, they also have a short shelf-life so speed and accuracy of handling is essential.

The Omega features high speed packaging and weighing; the ability to handle frequent, rapid changes to pack sizes and formats, delicate handling, weight, quantity and portion control and stainless steel construction for hygiene control.