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| TurbiCheck white light turbidity meter New from Lovibond is the TurbiCheck WL White Light Turbidity Meter! The TurbiCheck WL allows easy turbidity measurement in either the field or laboratory. Using a white light source and 90° detection, the TurbiCheck WL meets the specifications for EPA turbidity measurement (US EPA Standard 180.1). A power efficient micro-circuit design allows the instrument to yield 5000 tests on 4-AA alkaline batteries with an estimated 7–10 year bulb life. The instrument features Auto-Ranging, automatically selecting the correct turbidity range for your sample. Calibration is simple with the included calibration standards. The instrument comes with all required items for testing including the TurbiCheck WL turbidity meter, sample cuvettes, batteries, calibration standards, manual and carrying case.
TurbiCheck WL specifications
The Australian distributor is: New freezer proof RFID tags The Dogbone RFID tag design offers up to 240-bit of EPC memory and
an additional 64-bit locked tag identifier code and 32-bit serial number.
It has a printable white synthetic face that can be printed over with
an RFID thermal transfer label printer for encrypting and printing of
user readable information. The RFID tags can be placed on pallets, cartons and even product packaging and does not require “line-of-sight” to be read. If RFID readers are installed onto the forklifts, then the entire process of receiving, dispatching and storing of frozen goods can be automated. This system eliminates data errors from manual input, provides a platform for instant real-time locating of products and product movement information and reduces labour costs. Thermal mass flow meter for carbon dioxide applications The ST75 Flow Meter is designed for demanding process industry plant environments. The meter is designed for line sizes from 6 to 51mm and provides three unique outputs: the mass flow rate, totalised flow and media temperature. With accuracy to ±1% of reading and ±0.5% repeatability, the ST75 meter’s design includes media temperature compensation to ensure performance under variable process and plant temperature conditions. Its precision flow element has a no-moving parts design that employs platinum RTD sensors embedded in equal mass thermowells with microprocessor electronics that can be calibrated to laboratory standards for CO2 as well as many other gases. The ST75 Flow Meter operates over a wide flow range, from 0.01 to 950 NCMH depending on line size, which makes it equally well suited for low flow and high flow applications. For variable process conditions, the ST75 is factory preset to a wide turndown range at 10:1 to 100:1. Developed with FCI’s thermal dispersion technology, the ST75 provides direct-flow measurement for more accurate performance at a lower cost by eliminating the need for temperature sensors, flow computers, or other devices that are required with orifice plates, Venturis, Vortex shedding and other meters. Its no-moving parts feature is designed to ensure superior service life. There are no orifices or inlets to clog or foul, which significantly reduces scheduled maintenance and unplanned shut-downs. The ST75 Flow Meter’s standard outputs are fully scaleable 4–20mA and 0–10V. They are user assignable to flow rate and/or temperature and a 0–1kHz pulse output of total flow. The instrument can be ordered for input power with either 18 to 36 Vdc or 85 to 265 Vac, with or without a built-in LCD digital display. The ST75 is enclosed in a rugged, all-metal, dust and water resistant NEMA Type 4X (IP66) rated package designed for hazardous area installations. AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd In-line gas analysers for packaged meat One key way to inhibit discolouration is to package food in a modified atmosphere with precisely controlled proportions of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Fresh meat typically requires a high oxygen atmosphere to retain its red colour by keeping the red pigments in the meat stable, while processed meat usually benefits from a low oxygen content to impede browning by oxidation. The correct gas mixture is, therefore, critical during Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP). The best and most cost-effective way to ensure that the mixture retains the appropriate proportions of gases is to continuously monitor the gas mixture within the packaging chamber by an in-line gas analyser. The machine measures concentrations of relevant gases in real-time, and if these levels fall outside the acceptable limits the analyser stops the packaging line automatically to allow the source of the problem to be identified and corrected. “Many plants use manual testing to ensure that the correct gas mixture is in the package. Typically this might involve taking two or three sample packages from the line every 15 minutes and testing the gas composition within the package,” said Karsten Kejlhof, Sales and Marketing Director for PBI-Dansensor (www.pbi-dansensor.com), a manufacturer of quality control and assurance equipment for the food industry. This approach has two main problems. Firstly, if an anomaly is detected it means that some or all of the packages processed since the previous test will be affected; further testing is necessary to locate the point at which the problem arose, or else they all need to be scrapped. “Given that modern packaging machinery can process 100 packs a minute, the previous 15 minutes’ worth of packaging since the last manual gas test could affect up to 1500 packets,” explained Mr Kejlhof. The second problem is the wastage that arises from the testing process itself. If, for example, three packages are tested every 15 minutes, this equates to nearly 100 packages in a day – or some 2000 packages in a year assuming 200 days of packaging activity. Continuous monitoring of the gas mixture is a good example of quality assurance. “You are assuring the quality of your process all the time. Manual testing provides quality control and this is important but, robust and reliable quality assurance systems need to be in place for the full economic benefit to be achieved, ultimately saving costs. In-line gas analysers represent a key component of a good quality assurance system,” concluded Mr Kejlhof. Seal & Shrink machine showcased at AUSPACK 2009 Diego Barbaro from PackSynergy showcased a new Australian manufactured and designed Seal & Shrink machine called the ZINZINA. The ZINZINA machine has the capability to shrink the new generation of polyolefin films, minimise the amount of film required, maximise air flow around the pack and reduce shrink time and energy by up to 40%. According to Mr Barbaro, the ZINZINA is the most advanced seal and shrink machine designed and manufactured in Australia; offering minimal capital outlay, improved production results and minimised floor space. “The ZINZINA includes a new generation of PLC Control and Touchscreen operator interface with Ethernet gateway and Fieldbus module for remote control and programming. “When I designed the machine I felt it was also necessary to not only convey the finished product but also to position it in the centre of the shrinking chamber. The machine is designed to open mechanically and close by its own gravity, eliminating any possible danger to the operator, to the product or the equipment. The design also allows the machine to be positioned against a wall to minimise floor space,” explained Mr Barbaro. Multi-pack cycles, sealing bar opening position, automatic sealing time compensation, stand-by time, self diagnostic mode and password settings are just some of the standard features on the ZINZINA. Foil imprinting system “Adding shiny gold and silver graphics to your labels dramatically increases your visibility on the retail shelf and getting noticed almost always means more sales making it easy to cost-justify. Products that can benefit from shiny metallic borders and graphics include wine, specialty and fancy foods, high-end gift items and much more,” explained Neil Crump, Managing Director of Peacock Bros. Clear film for FX400 is also available. When printed onto inkjet-printed labels, it not only adds a professional, glossy finish but also makes labels virtually waterproof. Additionally, the clear film adds UV resistance to printed output, allowing longer exposure to natural and artificial light sources. Primera’s exclusive PTFoil™ Software is included with FX400. The software makes it fast and easy to combine two different graphics – one for inkjet printing and the other for foil imprinting – on the same label. Peacock Bros. Environmental cleaning solutions Tennant’s products include equipment for maintaining surfaces in industrial, commercial and outdoor environments and specialty surface coatings for protecting, repairing and upgrading concrete floors. Over the past year, Tennant has been receiving accolades for its chemical free ec-H2O™ technology, winning R&D Magazine’s Top 100 Innovation award in 2008, an 2009 Innovation award at New Zealand’s industry trade show CleanNZ, Sustainable Industries business magazine’s 2009 Top 10 Green Building Product award and a 2009 European Business Award. In addition, ec-H2O™ gained approval for The Smart Approved Watermark (www.smartwater.com.au) earlier this year. Developed by Tennant researchers and engineers in 2007, ec-H2O™ technology aims to meet the ever-growing need for sustainable cleaning. The ec-H2O™ technology delivers cleaning results without the potential negative environmental and health concerns associated with producing, packaging, transporting, using and disposing of traditional cleaning chemicals. The technology starts with water and ends with water, so it can be handled and disposed of easily and safely. It is claimed to use 70% less water than traditional cleaning methods, which increases scrub time up to three times per tank, leaves behind no slippery detergent residue on the floor and releases no used detergent discharge into water systems. Eliminating the need for chemical additives enhances worker safety and reduces costs for purchasing and disposal of chemicals. The technology works through special ec-H2O™ units installed in the floor-cleaning equipment. Inside the unit, two primary steps transform normal tap water into a effective cleaning solution. In the first step, water passes through electrified screens in the oxygenation chamber, creating highly oxygenated micro-bubbles. In the second step, the oxygenated water is sent through a water cell where an electric current is applied. Flowing out of the water cell is highly charged acidic and alkaline water with all the attributes of a powerful cleaner. In this activated state, ec-H2O™ is claimed to be an effective cleaning agent that poses no harm to the surfaces or finishes it cleans, or to the people using the technology. The electrically charged water breaks the dirt into smaller particles and suspends it off the floor’s surface, enabling the scrubber’s pads or brushes to easily remove the soil. Approximately 45 seconds after it is created, the cleaning solution returns to plain H2O, leaving just water and dirt in the recovery tank. In this process, 100% of the water used reverts to neutral tap water and can be handled and disposed of safely. Tennant Company’s ec-H2O™ technology is available in a wide range of their cleaning machines including walk-behind automatic scrubbers, battery-powered rider scrubbers and the walk-behind automatic scrubber dryer, which cleans and dries small, congested spaces in one pass. Tennant Australia Hazard protection with electronic tapware The Australian-manufactured range uses sensor or single-touch activation to ensure that hygiene is maximised, contamination is minimised and extra water savings are achieved in applications including washrooms, foodservice areas, medical facilities, schools and shopping centres. Automatic shutoff helps reduce the risk of hand cross contamination, which has been emphasised as important to prevent food contamination and the spread of diseases such as swine flu. “Expansion of the durable Enmatic range with these new wall-mounted products is also particularly timely in relation to food quality assurance and facility and product purity initiatives, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) initiatives to identify and prevent food safety hazards,” said Enware Managing Director Paul Degnan. New options in the Enmatic 5000 range include touch-activated time flow and wave-on, wave-off. Enmatic tapware is 24 V mains powered and controlled by either an infrared sensor or piezo touch technology. Timings can be set to best suit particular application requirements. The Enmatic 5000 series is vandal-resistant and WELs registered for water efficiency compliance. The range is built to the same exacting safety, hygiene and toughness standards that have resulted in other Enware safety and tapware products being specified throughout Australia and internationally in applications ranging from the finest hotels, laboratories, restaurants and medical facilities to factories, mines, building sites and correctional institutions. Enware swine flu protection pack The pack, available individually through supermarkets and in bulk through Enware, has a shelf life of up to two years from the date of manufacture to provide families, businesses and individuals with protection as the global flu runs its course in Australasia and internationally. The World Health Organisation raised its swine flu alert to the highest level, declaring the first global influenza pandemic in 40 years. Suitable also for use in emergencies such as bushfire, cyclone, flood, storms, earthquake and energy utility failure, the protection pack contents include:
“We certainly hope the impact of this swine flu outbreak will be contained as much as possible, but believe it is sensible to have the best protection available at hand at home or work, just in case,” said Paul Degnan. “It is also responsible to have advice readily available about hygienic product use and guidance on preparations for the many emergency events affecting Australia from time to time, including flu outbreaks. “Tested and accredited to recognised international standards, the products in this pack are of a standard known and trusted by some of Australasia’s leading health, laboratory and industry organisations and backed by our national service and distribution network,” concluded Mr Degnan. Enware Australia Pty Ltd Sterile product sampling system The sampling system includes a unique, patented, aseptic sampler that enables quick monitoring of sterile product for contamination. Samplers are easily installed at many points in either process lines or tanks, such as for beverages like milk or a pharmaceutical product. Microbial contamination can occur at any time in any processing plant so continuous monitoring is important. The effectiveness of any sterile process monitoring program is only as good as the quality of the samples. Only QMI’s system claims to ensure aseptic process sampling while virtually eliminating the risk of introducing new contaminants to the product, process or sample. Samples obtained by the Tru-Test system help monitor for and determine the source of microbial contamination from malfunctioning valves, airborne contaminants, cracked tanks, ineffective pasteurisation and ineffective cleaning procedures. Arrow Scientific Pty Ltd Dust collectors stop food exploding! According to Dominique Ollitrault, a consulting engineer at Donaldson Australasia, dust in the atmosphere in a manufacturing environment poses a serious “likelihood for explosions”. “As food processing utilises sugar blends and many additives,
it is not uncommon to be in the middle of an undesirable mix, so constant
monitoring of atmosphere along with appropriate technology upgrade is
important for OH&S issues. We have seen this a number of times and
managed to overcome any potential for problems with solutions based
on Dalamatic technology,” he said. “In the manufacturing process, the collectors are often used in conjunction with fans to extract the dust generated after the sugar or other additives added to a mixture and often it is a confectionery mixture which can cause potentially explosive clouds. This combination of technologies removes any hazardous sugar dust from the atmosphere,” said Mr Ollitrault. A Dalamatic Cased (DLMC) standalone collector can be ducted into many different applications in the production plant. A Dalamatic Insertable (DLMV) is then added to the configuration as it is a versatile collector that can be inserted into various applications such as bins, silos, bunkers, storage vessels or transfer points. These technologies run non-stop for continuous collection and filtration of high dust concentrations at high filtration velocities and constant levels of resistance. The products are compact in design, which enables them to be used for installation in restricted areas. Envelope size bags increase the amount of media in a given space between bags and allow for greater space between bags. This minimises the scope for bridging. Donaldson also opened a new larger office and warehouse facility in Sydney in March to combine its operations for a closer working arrangement and better direct response time. Donaldson Australasia Dust free flour applicator The CFS OptiFlour® is claimed to be a no-nonsense flour applicator, which applies coatings ranging from a thin pre-dust to seeded flour types and light to medium crumbs. It delivers more output and longer production runs, is simple to operate and clean, and is available in hydraulic and electrical versions. And in combination with the CFS OptiAir, it contributes to a dust-free work environment. Coating pick-up and uniformity are critical, so the pick-up (yield) in the CFS OptiFlour® is controlled through a patented flour divider, and is adjustable for both top and bottom coating supply. An integrated lump remover ensures that lumps and other contaminants don’t reach the product. It runs with dry seasonings, fine pre-dust flour, fine- and medium crumbs and sticky, seeded flours. The closed construction of the CFS OptiFlour® minimises dust production. It is possible to connect the machine to an existing blower and exhaust system. Alternatively, adding the CFS OptiAir puts an end to flour inconveniences such as blocked blower pipes and cleaning the room after production. The CFS OptiFlour® is designed as easy to operate. All process settings are adjusted from outside the machine, even during production, with a direct view into the hopper. The control panel is ergonomically placed, there is accessibility for inspection and cleaning is improved, and there are no loose parts. Australian made heat transfer solutions The range has recently been expanded to include all stainless steel components providing a more hygienic, maintenance-free heat exchanger option. All stainless steel construction eliminates the requirement for epoxy coatings or spray painting, which is essential where traditional mild steel frames are used.Advantages over traditional powder coated frames include aesthetics, elimination of painting and a sanitary finish with high corrosion resistance. The all stainless steel Mueller Accu-Therm Plate Heat Exchangers are also available with a full range of fittings and connections including BSM, BSP, Triclove, Table Flange, ANSI Flange and Camlock. Plate materials include 316 SS and titanium to provide corrosion resistance. The DEEP Dimple design eliminates laminar flow characteristics that prevent traditional heat exchangers from processing high viscosity products efficiently. Products that can be processed through the DEEP Dimpleflo include mince, dips and tomato paste. Dimpleflo Heat Exchangers generate levels of turbulence similar to a scraped-surface without the high capital or maintenance costs. The new design can be incorporated into most of the existing Dimpleflo range and retains features such as flexibility in heat transfer design to meet specific dimensional or functional requirements; a self-draining, high efficiency heat exchanger that is virtually unblockable due to a unique Dimple profile monotube; Dimple profile to promote a highly turbulent flow and thus maximise heat transfer coefficients; corrosion-resistant alloy construction such as 2205 Duplex and Titanium; short lead times and minimal maintenance. Most Spiraflo Multi-annular Heat Exchangers sold over the last 35 years in Australia can be cost effectively retubed and reconditioned. Reconditioning can include new spiralled tubing, new gasket sets, high pressure cleaning and hydrostatic testing to applicable Australian Standards. If a Spiraflo is unrepairable then a replacement Dimpleflo Tubular Heat Exchanger can be supplied with exact dimensions to fit into pipework or plant where the Spiraflo was. Repair and recertification of existing heat exchangers to new condition is promoted as both cost effective and tax effective, as the repairs are, in most cases, fully tax deductible. Teralba Industries Seal-free pump cuts costs and annual maintenance “Every year, when we had to replace the seals, I used to search for another type of pump that didn’t depend on mechanical seals,” said Mr Arandall. Aside from the cost and downtime associated with the annual replacement of seals, the gear pump seals had to be flushed with a constant flow of water that added up to hundreds of litres of drinking water a day. Mr Arandall was concerned by the wasted resources and potential for breakdowns. “If an operator forgot to turn on the water, the pumps would fail. I wanted to reduce the risk of human error,” he said. An international supplier of bakery and food ingredients, Australian Bakels used the pumps on a line producing fondant for the decoration of doughnuts, cakes and pastries. The glucose and water syrup must be kept hot and it is corrosive. “There really wasn’t anything else that could cope with corrosive, viscous liquids running at up to 120°C. It looked like we were stuck with the gear pumps and mechanical seals but Richard Eisenbise of Hurll Nu-Way presented a solution that addressed all our issues and improved consistency,” said Mr Arandall. Australian Bakels also demands exceptionally accurate flow rates, with tolerances of ±1.6% and an equally high degree of consistency. Unlike lobe pumps, which leak faster as they age, the Mouvex automatically adjusts for piston and cylinder wear, delivering full flow efficiency and high levels of product stability at all times. At the heart of the pump is an oscillating piston that moves a disc eccentrically against the chamber, gently forcing the liquid out at constant flow rates – even at varying pressures and low viscosities. “When Hurll Nu-Way introduced the Mouvex pumps to us, they hadn’t yet been installed in Australia but I could see they were exactly what I’d been looking for. They made mechanical sense and since we commissioned two pumps four or five years ago, we haven’t had to touch them,” explained Mr Arandall. Hurll Nu-Way Pty Ltd New vegetable cutter for modern food industry demands Several new features are noticeable on the exterior of the machine. An additional stop button is conveniently located opposite the electrical enclosure. There are more sloped surfaces on the machine including the redesigned electrical enclosure and bottom feed pan along with new sturdy stainless steel guard locks. A 3 HP stainless steel dynamic brake motor enables smooth operation of the cutting wheel. New, larger discharge chute simplifies product flow and deters product damage. The TranSlicer 2510 also offers greater accessibility with increased hinged compartments and panels to ease maintenance and reduce cleaning time. At the feeding end of the machine, stainless steel belt guards overlap the feed belts to promote positive product feed. Optional stainless steel lead-ins are also available to further assist product flow. Feed belt servicing is simplified through quick feed belt release levers. In addition to quick release belts, Urschel also offers independently replaceable feed belt guide supports, eliminating the cost of replacing an entire assembly. The TranSlicer 2510 offers the choice of combined primary
and secondary feed belts with two 1 HP feed belt motors, or simply a
single feed belt with one Urschel Laboratories claim to be the world leader in the manufacturing and sales of food cutting equipment. Their slicers, dicers and size reduction equipment are available in Australia and New Zealand exclusively from Heat and Control. Amber Crowley Dairy milk analyser “The MIRIS DMA fills a niche in the market for companies that need an extremely accurate instrument, one that is reliable, easy to use and affordable,” said Lucas Anstiss, Managing Director of Graintec Scientific. Many manufacturers are still using either time consuming chemical analyses (Gerber, Kjeldahl etc) or expensive analytical instruments. The MIRIS DMA offers an alternative. It integrates a tested and certified analysis method (mid IR) in combination with a new, unique technique (patent-pending). Both IDF (International Dairy Federation) and AOAC INTERNATIONAL (Association of Official Analytical Chemists) have approved Mid IR technology for milk analysis. From only one sample, the DMA analyses milk or cream for fat, protein, lactose, SNF (solids not fat) and dry matter (total solids). Components are measured in one step and the results are shown within 60 seconds. Other features include its small, robust construction, ease of operation and reliability due to the elimination of all moving parts. The MIRIS DMA also has high accuracy with a measuring range that covers anything from low fat milk to cream (50% fat). The results are presented on the display to two decimals points and can easily be transferred to a computer. Graintec Scientific Intermediate storage of dairy bottles Traditionally, bottles are produced all day every day and the production is then sealed and stored in plastic bags onto pallets before being depalletised, debagged and then fed to the fillers that normally run on a one shift basis. This system has high direct labour costs together with substantial packaging and handling costs. Autefa’s system automatically stores the empty dairy bottles in sealed trays thereby ensuring cleanliness and then allows the bottles to be drawn down on an as-need basis to meet the needs of the milk filling lines, irrespective of container size. The system virtually eliminates all labour requirements from the blowmoulder through to the filler. The flexible system can be custom designed to fit existing warehousing or optimised for minimum floor area in a new facility. Storage of two days or more production can be achieved. A UK dairy facility running five filling lines was able to re-allocate 40+ warehouse staff to more productive functions after installing the Autefa buffer system. Autefa claim that their system provides improved efficiency on the
filling line, reduced damage to bottles and neck finish, elimination
of packaging materials and improved hygiene. Labour/handling and fork
hoist movements are eliminated and inventory management is improved.
‘Total Cost of Ownership’ (TCO) is reduced by using a robust,
reliable and proven technology. Autefa’s partner in Oceania is HBM Plastics & Packaging Technologies. Barton Porter/Geoff Kelly AOAC approval for new E. coli methods The AOAC Research Institute (AOAC-R1) has certified Vacci-Test’s FoodChek™-E.Coli as a Performance Tested(SM) method for detecting E.coli O157 in raw ground beef. This extremely rapid and accurate new test is claimed as a technological breakthrough for meat processors. This approval clears the way for FoodChek™-E.Coli to be sold as a certified food safety test in the United States and internationally. FoodChek™-E.Coli is promoted as fifty times more sensitive than PCR methods. By utilising magnetic nanotechnology and an inexpensive easy-to-use magnetic reader, FoodChek™-E.coli provides the sensitive and quantitative result in a fraction of the time required by conventional testing. Dr. Richard Flanagan, Chief Scientific Officer, said, “We have now received confirmation that our state-of-the-art technology can easily be implemented in routine food safety testing. We also know that its extraordinary sensitivity will provide highly accurate results in much shorter testing times, enabling meat-processors to quickly and confidently release products into the marketplace with less likelihood of product recalls.” Vacci-Test is a privately held Canadian corporation based in Calgary, Alberta that specialises in the development and commercialisation of proprietary food safety tests, based on magnetic nanotechnology, for the rapid, accurate detection and quantitative measurement of pathogens in food. BioMérieux has also announced that an AOAC-RI certification has been granted (No. 060903) to the VIDAS® UP E. coli O157 (including H7) method for screening beef, selected produce and irrigation water. The new solution is based on recombinant phage protein, the latest technology available for food pathogen screening, which offers unique specificity and sensitivity. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially lethal strain of Escherichia coli that has caused many food outbreaks in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe. VIDAS® UP is claimed as the fastest method to detect E. coli O157 (including H7) in raw beef that has obtained both AFNOR Validation/ISO 16140 and AOAC-RI certifications. The method can deliver results in as little as eight h, where traditional methods can take up to 24 h. It also has the flexibility of analysing a broader range of sample sizes (up to 375 g), allowing the food industry to more effectively manage their quality control process and improve their risk management. “Our unique bacteriophage technology represents a new generation of tests for the VIDAS platform that delivers speed, added specificity and sensitivity. E. coli O157:H7 is an increasing problem that greatly concerns us and we are pleased to have achieved AOAC-RI and AFNOR Validation/ISO 16140 approvals for a new solution that will help to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses,” said Alexandre Mérieux, bioMérieux Corporate Vice President, Industrial Microbiology. Bacteriophages are highly specific viruses that only infect bacteria. They use adhesion structures to bind to their bacterial hosts. In VIDAS® UP, special binding proteins from bacteriophages are used for the first time for the targeted capture and detection of bacteria from a sample. This technology provides best-in-class sensitivity and specificity. Exclusively licensed to bioMérieux, the recombinant phage technology was developed by the German biotech company Hyglos GmbH. This is an automated system for foodborne pathogen detection. Further information is available from www.biomerieux-industry.com/vidasup/. Lateral flow technology for food pathogens “The superior particle technology allows for both faster sample flow and more distinct line formation producing a clean background with crisp, clear lines and easy to read results. Additionally, the configuration of the tests can significantly improve lab efficiencies. The multi-test format with break-away devices reduces the set up time and handling required with other lateral flow devices. VIP Gold is a versatile detection system ideal for both low and high volume test days,” stated Anita Kressner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, BioControl. VIP Gold is available for Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7. Australasian Medical & Scientific Ltd Monitoring the sugar content of confectionery The PAL-Patissier is dual scale (Brix and Baume) with a range of 0.0–85.0% Brix (accuracy ± 0.2%) or 0–45o Baume (accuracy ± 1o). The PAL-Patissier is water resistant and conforms to IP65. Damian Moran Allergen test kit A food allergy is typically an immune system response to a protein present in food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Common food allergens are gluten containing cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, lupins, nuts, milk, mustard, sesame, celery, sulphur dioxide, sulphites and molluscs. Food allergies affect 1–3% of the whole population and 5–8% of children. Even minor exposure to a food allergen in the nanogram range can cause symptoms from mild skin rashes to a fatal anaphylactic shock. Cross contamination during the production process often occurs so that residues of food allergens in different products may be present. Testing with the sensitive AgraQuant® Allergen ELISA Test Kits can assist in ensuring safe food and contribute to consumer protection. Craig Moore New generation sampling devices for food and pharmaceuticals The tubes are available with a choice of 1 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL precision fills. There is also a complete range of diluents including NRS™ medium, Buffered Peptone Water, Letheen Broth and Peptone Saline. NRS II™ Transwab® devices also feature Medical Wire’s new leak-proof self-standing screw cap tubes. Andrew Odd Micro rheology instrument Rheologists have long wanted to measure the rheological properties of materials under zero shear. This is now possible with the Rheolaser, as it measures rheological properties without any additional applied energy. The Rheolaser measures the Mean Square Displacement (MSD) of particles using light scattering, specifically Diffuse Wave Spectroscopy. From the MSD, QC level or research level parameters can be extracted. Simple Elasticity and Viscosity factors may be suitable for a QC environment. G’ and G” may also be extracted at a single frequency for base level research. For the high level researcher, G’ and G” are available across the full range of frequencies. In addition, Elasticity, Relaxation time and Macroscopic Viscosity can be calculated. Data on stability can also be extracted. All of these parameters are available at with the use of a single button. All frequencies are acquired concurrently, so comparing the Rheolaser to traditional rheometers is likened to comparing a traditional and diode array spectrophotometers. No longer is it necessary to denature or destroy a sample to measure its rheological properties, no added force is required, so this opens up the whole new world of rheological kinetics, or ageing studies on a single sample. The instrument is claimed as easy to use, there are no mechanical components where the sample has to be carefully loaded. The sample simply sits in a sample tube and its Brownian motion observed. The instrument also has six sample positions, so it is capable of multiple analyses, or some positions can be used for sample conditioning. Scientific Solutions Food texture analysis Textural parameters such as firmness, stickiness and hardness are established numerically and graphically for ease of communication and comparison to product specifications. These characteristics are determined by measuring the resistive and reactive forces of product samples during the application of controlled stresses such as compression, shearing, extrusion, puncture, bending or other deformations according to the textural properties of interest. The TMS-Pro is a fully programmable, computer operated test system for use in the laboratory or factory. It is a rugged and portable system, which provides high specification analysis with a user-friendly operator interface. The major benefits promoted for the TMS-Pro Texture System are flexibility (capable of accepting a wide range of fixtures for testing many products); durability (built to withstand the most challenging of production environments); accuracy (measure from 0.1 g – 250 kg); and ease of use (intuitive and straightforward software easily operated by production, laboratory and R&D personnel). Eric St Martins Energy efficient mixers In answer to these demands in numerous industries including chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and wastewater, Mixquip a division of Teralba Industries has developed a high energy efficient clamp-on mixer with a low shear rate which in turn reduces the power consumption by returning 65% more agitation per kilowatt over against other conventional agitator units. These Australian made mixers can be used to blend and mix any liquids of viscosities up to 15 000 cP, and can be fitted to all open top tanks of capacities up to 8000 L and relocated to additional vessels. Mixquip’s energy efficient range of clamp-on agitators/stirrers have all stainless steel wetted parts and have been successfully installed into many and various applications which included food, dairy, meat, beverage, wines, soft drink and juice processors. Brent Ovenden, Teralba Automatic process regulation reduces dairy waste The XDS Process Analytics solution aims to help dairy producers reduce out of specification production and optimise the use of valuable raw materials such as protein and fat. The system can be used to control the production of products such as quark, butter, powder, mozzarella and whey protein concentrate. At the heart of the system is a near infrared (NIR) analysis unit housed in a robust cabinet. Up to nine sensor cables can be connected to the unit and the sensors positioned to measure key stages of the process. A software system handles the continuous flow of results and either regulates the process automatically or helps the production operator to make required adjustments. Product Manager in FOSS Denmark, Ib Haunstrup said,
“Automatic control is the future of dairy production and many
producers are already benefiting through savings in raw materials. Producers
can also follow what they have in the process line at any time –
product type, mix of products, CIP reagents, air and so on, so they
always know exactly how the process is performing.” The FOSS process installation team combines expertise in NIR analysis with in-depth knowledge of dairy engineering. Start-up calibrations for all major dairy applications are provided. The calibrations are transferable for high reproducibility across measurement points and instruments. System users can take the option of allowing FOSS experts to monitor and maintain the system online using FOSS remote internet analysis (RINA) software. For a range of products and process environments
Installation options available with XDS Process Analytics
include application specific sensors, ATEX classification, cooling option
for operation under high temperature and a range of standard communication
interfaces. Rapid hygiene monitoring for beverage CIP Andrew Odd, National Manager – Scientific Division,
Australasian Medical & Scientific Ltd Heat transfer solution for wineries Teralba Industries has innovatively provided the heat transfer solution for a mass production Winery at Griffith, NSW. To provide the most cost effective solution with restriction to limited space requirements the Dimpleflo units were built with 12 m long tubing. This meant that less bends were needed resulting in a 30% cost saving to the client. Increased performance, due to its length and configuration also proved to be an overall benefit for the client. With the unique Dimple Profile technology these heat exchangers are promoted as ideal for processing must, mince, sauces, juices and virtually any pumpable product with up to 85% particulates. This Dimpleflo Modubloc has the capacity to cool Gref Haak, Teralba Industries New pilot continuous–direct steam injection cooking equipment The cooking and processing mechanism is the direct steam injection RotaTherm® Continuous cooker, with quick (20 s) and even heating, precise process control, good viscosity management, constant product quality, formulation flexibility, with pause capability and long production runs. The new pilot system is promoted as suitable for R&D and single shift production with a daily throughput of 800–1200 kg. It has a throughput range of 100–250kg/h, with a cook temperature range 20–145°C and vacuum or indirect cooling to 60°C. RotaTherm® Continuous Cooking systems are available in configurations for pasteurisation, UHT and aseptic production, with throughput rates from 100 kg/h to 7500 kg/h. Further information is available from www.goldpeg.com/rotatherm/rotatherm-range.htm. Portable, low cost dairy analyser Dairy processors, cheese makers and research laboratories looking to amplify or automate their bench chemistry testing or for more simplified, less complicated solutions than infrared testing may find this low-cost, user-friendly LactiCheck a solution to their needs. Dairy farmers, cooperatives and herd management groups looking for quick, affordable, reliable information for herd- management and/or artisan cheese making, ice cream processing, etc may be assisted by the simplicity and robustness of this portable unit. The LactiCheck is easy to operate and requires no costly or proprietary chemicals. Other benefits include streamlined calibration and minimal maintenance requirements. An automated dated collection system, the LactiLog, facilitates recording and reporting processes, meeting or exceeding ISO and HACCP requirements. Australasian Medical & Scientific Ltd |
TurbiCheck
WL highlights
Peacock
Bros. (www.peacocks.com.au) now supply UPM Raflatac freezer
proof RFID tags designed to operate reliably within freezer environments
down to –40°C.
The
ST75 Flow Meter from Fluid Components International (FCI) claims
to deliver precise direct mass flow measurement of gases in an easy
to install insertion style instrument that requires almost no maintenance
over a long life.
When
meat and meat products lose their colour on the shelves they appear
unattractive to the consumer and are unlikely to be sold.
As
the largest biennial packaging and processing machinery, materials and
associated technology exhibition for Australasia, AUSPACK 2009 showcased
a range of Australian manufactured and designed products during the
four day event in June.
Earlier
this year, Peacock Bros, a label manufacturer and a supplier of specialty
printers, released the new Primera FX400 In-house Foil Imprinting
System capable of automatically applying shiny gold and silver film
to inkjet printed labels. The Primera FX400 foil imprinting
system is an optional accessory to LX-Series Colour Label Printers
applying shiny gold and silver borders, fonts and other graphics to
inkjet-printed labels. The effect is virtually identical to the traditional
metallic hot-stamp technology, adding brilliant, shiny highlights to
labels. Since the process is 100% digital, there are no set-up charges.
Virtually any design can be printed.
Tennant Company,
a worldwide designer and manufacturer of environmental cleaning solutions,
has expanded its direct business with a New Zealand branch opening in
September.
A
new range of hygienic and water-efficient Enmatic 5000 series
electronic wall tapware is being introduced by Enware Australia Pty
Ltd for a broad range of commercial and public applications.
In
light of the recent swine flu outbreak, Enware Australia has produced
a Household Protection Pack to help householders and businesses
guard against swine flu.
Sterility
control of food product can be monitored using the QMI Tru-Test
aseptic sampling system from Arrow Scientific.
Manufacturing
some types of foods can be dangerous. The fine powders that are produced
from the blending of sugars and other such ingredients, if left unattended,
build up and can result in explosions. These conditions could evolve
into optimum conditions (cloud formation, oxygen and ignition source)
in a dust collector.
Flour
that escapes from pre-dusting equipment can run into thousands of dollars
per year. In addition, there is the extra cost of cleaning it all up.
Also, pre-dusting equipment that only handles a few flour types, or
delivers poor performance in terms of pick-up or production run length
will cost money. These are the drivers for the new CFS products (www.cfs.com),
CFS OptiFlour, which, in combination with the CFS OptiAir,
aims to reduce the cost per kilogram of coated products.
The
complete range of Mueller Accu-Therm Plate Heat Exchangers
are made in Australia by Teralba Industries Pty under license from US-based
Paul Mueller Co. 
Teralba
has also released a new DEEP Dimple evolution of their Dimpleflo
Heat Exchanger range.This new design is claimed to give the Dimpleflo
heat exchanger unprecedented heat transfer coefficients when processing,
slurries and viscous products or waste streams. 
In
addition, Teralba Industries have expanded their refurbishment options
for Spiraflo Tubular Heat Exchangers. This includes S5.5 and
S6, which were installed into many heat transfer systems and pasteurisers
in the 1970s and 80s.
“The
engineer who invented mechanical seals for pumps has a lot to answer
for,” says Australian Bakels site manager, David Arandall.
Years of replacing seals in gear pumps triggered annual frustration
for Mr Arandall until they became the first Australian company to install
an unusual seal-free pump: Hurll Nu-Way’s Blackmer Mouvex
Eccentric Disc Pump.
The
TranSlicer 2510 Cutter uniformly slices a wide variety of food
products at high production capacities and replaces the TranSlicer
2500 Cutter in the Urschel line-up, with useful features to ease
maintenance, increase positive product flow and decrease operational
costs. The new machine accepts the same types of products; ie input
of compressible food products up to 203 mm in diameter, or firm, round
products such as cabbage up to 171 mm in diameter (larger cabbage heads
if cut in half).
Graintec
Scientific has announced the Australian release of the MIRIS Dairy Milk
Analyser (DMA) for determining fat, protein, lactose and total solids.
Autefa
Automation of Augsburg, Germany, has a unique system for the intermediate
storage of Extrusion Blow Moulded (EBM) dairy bottles. The system eliminates
the need for packaging materials, palletising and handling of bottles
when they are produced using the typical ‘hole-through-the wall’
manufacturing system common to the fresh milk markets in the UK, USA,
Australia and New Zealand. 
BioControl
Systems, Inc. have introduced the new VIP Gold™ pathogen
detection kits. VIP Gold is promoted as representing the latest
achievement in lateral flow technology. It merges advanced particle
design and highly specific antibodies in a new innovative multi-test
format. The result is a simple, easy to use system providing rapid and
accurate detection of foodborne pathogens.
John
Morris Scientific has introduced the pocket-sized Atago’s PAL-Patissier
refractometer for confectioners to measure sugar levels in fruit, jelly
and syrup.
Another
option is Atago’s PEN-PRO refractometer. This is promoted
as quick and easy to use, by pressing the start button, dipping the
end of the refractometer into the sample and stirring. It continues
taking measurements until the readings become stable. The PEN-PRO
has a measurement range of 
Graintec
Scientific, the Australian distributor for Romer Labs® has launched
the new AgraQuant® Allergen ELISA Test Kits that detect
food allergens sensitively in a wide range of processed foods and raw
materials. The kits include all ready-to-use reagents.
NRS
II™ Transwab® is a new range of pre-filled sampling
devices with a choice of fill volume and diluent formulation. Each device
comes as a pre-filled self-standing tube, complete with rayon swab,
ready to use in a variety of sampling situations. The swab is already
mounted in the screw-cap. There are no peel pouches or plugs to dispose
of, reducing packaging, and the risk of components getting lost on food
or sterile product lines.
Scientific
Solutions has announced the release of the world’s first commercially
produced micro rheology instrument, the Rheolaser.
Texture
analysis using the TMS-Pro system, available in Australia from
SI Instruments claims to provide precise, objective and repeatable measurements
of the texture of food products.
In
the face of a universal energy conscious society, and ever-increasing
energy costs, many Australian and New Zealand manufacturers and service
providers are seeking energy efficient agitators and stirrers for the
effective mixing and blending of products and for processing.
FOSS
has launched XDS Process Analytics™ for the dairy industry,
promoted as a powerful analytical and process control solution in a
simple-to-integrate form.
Hygiene
monitoring of Clean In Place (CIP) systems is often carried out independently
to surface hygiene monitoring. However a single instrument is now available
which can be used for both surface and rinse water testing with rapid
results. The Lightning MVP® Hygiene Monitoring System provides
beverage and food manufacturers with the ability to provide immediate
feedback on the hygiene of surfaces and CIP systems that enables appropriate
action to be taken immediately. This is achieved by the detection of
ATP residues which indicate cleaning effectiveness. The same instrument
can be used with either surface or liquid swabs to provide rapid results
in a single step that takes only 10 seconds to read. 
A
new high efficiency, Dimpleflo Modubloc Heat Exchanger, is
also proving to be very successful in the beverage and wine industries.
The photograph depicts a 22 Module Dimpleflo Modubloc with
150 mm product flowpath, the largest Australian made unit built to date.
Destined for a large New Zealand winery, this innovative design provides
increased energy efficiencies, with higher heat transfer co-efficents,
lower pressure drops on the product side, all within a more compact
footprint.
Gold
Peg™ International has released a new pilot RotaTherm®
Continuous Cooking system, which forward feeds and cooks, with options
for various cooling setups, including flash de-aeration, indirect or
a combination.
The
LactiCheck is a small, portable ultrasound analyser for comprehensive
milk composition and provides a rapid, affordable method for compositional
analysis of milk from the farm to the factory. Fat, SNF, protein, density
and added water, are all automatically displayed giving details relevant
to the nutritional value and safety of milk and milk products. The instrument
is promoted as easy to use, providing accurate results to both farm
management people or trained laboratory technicians, bringing timely
information for herd management, quality, product standardisation and
nutritional norms to those who are making the critical decisions on
a day-to-day basis.
