Customized Accumulation Tables for Industry-Specific Applications

Jan 11, 2021 | Equipment, Accumulation, Pharmaceutical, Beverage, Food Processing & Packaging

Accumulation tables serve a variety of purposes on production lines. They unscramble and orient products; single-file, multi-file, or mass flow products into packaging machinery; and, most importantly, provide buffers to keep lines moving even when one machine goes down (e.g., a labeler needs to be refilled).

We invented our first accumulation conveyor in 1981. Since then, we’ve worked with clients in many industries to develop accumulation systems for all kinds of applications, even the most challenging ones involving highly unstable products.

As we head into 2021, manufacturers will be faced with increased pressure to optimize their operations. The pandemic has exacerbated many of the existing challenges in the industry — such as the labor shortage and the continuing need to maximize throughput without increasing costs. Accumulation helps companies boost their production and lower labor requirements by minimizing downtime. Here’s a look at some of the customized accumulation solutions we’ve developed over the years to support manufacturers across a range of industries.

Bi-Flo Accumulation Tables

The Bi-Flo was our first accumulation table. Originally built to accumulate and single-file heavy projectiles, this system has now become an industry standard in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical manufacturing.

With the Bi-Flo, we pioneered the design of two conveyors running in opposite directions. It was also the first accumulation table that didn’t jam. The machine remains an economical solution for slower lines, i.e., those running up to 300 products per minute.

Industry-specific customization

Our Multizone Bi-Flo was built specifically for the food and beverage industry. Popular with craft brewers, this machine feeds a case packer with multiple products using only one accumulator, which gives it a compact footprint. It also has FDA-grade raised wearstrips and other features that allow it to withstand the strict cleaning protocols required in food and beverage manufacturing environments.

Learn more about our Bi-Flo accumulation tables.

Infinity Accumulation Tables

The Infinity is our flagship product. We invented it in 2001 to single-file and accumulate tapered bottles at high speeds, and since then we’ve continued to innovate and design Infinity systems to serve as multi-laning devices, buffer systems, and unscramblers. Featuring our patented loop technology, the Infinity line can handle products with no backpressure, no breakage, no label damage, and minimal noise.

Industry-specific customization

We’ve built Infinity systems to meet the needs of a variety of industries, even those that have strict regulations for safety and integrity. For example, all of our Infinity solutions allow for complete access to all surfaces for easy cleaning. We’ve also developed a couple of solutions specifically to meet the needs of certain industries.

  • The W-300 Wine Infinity system can handle even the most unstable tapered wine bottles. What sets our solution apart from the competition is the pressureless technology and guide design that allow the machine to run at up to 300 bottles per minute without damaging the label.
  • The Infinity Rx is an accumulation table tailored to the pharmaceutical industry. It can accumulate and single-file even very small vials (2ml) at speeds of up to 900 per minute without damaging them. This is the highest run rate achievable by any pharmaceutical accumulation system on the market.
  • The 3D Infinity was designed to help food processors simultaneously accumulate and orient products, such as RTE food trays, at high speeds. It can also single-file products into multiple lanes without slowing down production.

Learn more about our Infinity accumulation tables.

These are just a few examples of the customized solutions we’ve developed to meet the needs of different industries. If you have a production line that would benefit from accumulation, we can create a solution for you! Contact us to learn more.