Page 18 - Beverage Master February March 2020

Craft Beverage

PakTech and Switchback to improve efficiency and lor-made for the needs of the customer. When
offer customers more variety in package types. designing your system, use an experienced firm to
make determinations on present and future needs.
“All of our equipment uses a Human Machine Pay close attention to details. Things that may be
Interface (HMI) to allow operators and mainte- simple to implement during the design phase can
nance to operate and repair the systems,” said cost several times that amount if done post-pro-
Christopher Bradley, Sr Packaging and Automation duction. Everything from the placement of a light
Manager, Abita Brewing Company. “They are fixture or a convenience outlet could save years’
Automation PC powered touchscreens working worth of headaches and expenses.”
with other Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s)
and safety systems. A Line Data System (LDS) moni-
tors our system via an internal network and server,
providing real-time data to help us look for efficien-
cy gaps or machine issues.”

Bradley tells Beverage Master Magazine that
while they have the ability, they don’t allow remote
operation of their systems due to the risks and
dangers involved. And because obtaining parts
can sometimes be a challenge, they stock many
replacement parts to prevent large periods of
downtime. There is additional support available
from their OEM and other outside sources.

“Innovations allowing for speed and efficiency With the 2009 acquisition of Kosme, an Italian
improvements are coming at a fast pace in this based producer and developer of packaging and fill-
industry,” said Bradley. “Bottling systems are tai- ing lines for lower output beverage industries, the

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