Datalogic to supply packaging machine sensors for SMI Group

SMI Group has partnered with Datalogic to integrate its sensors in its bottling and packaging machines, which are delivered to F&B corporations including Carlsberg, Coca Cola, Danone, Heinz and Nestlè. 

SMI selected a range of products including photoelectric, inductive, capacitive and ultrasound systems and the IS series, which can detect metal objects at distances from 1.5mm to 20mm. 

Bottling & packaging machines

Cosimo Capuzzello, general manager business unit, sensor & safety, Datalogic, told FoodProductionDaily, it is not the first time the company has worked with SMI Group.

SMI is a world-wide manufacturer of bottling and packaging machines. Datalogic products are installed in a wide range of their systems,” he said.

Prior to the integration of their systems, they were partially using our sensors, but they replaced some of their competitors’ products with ours, based on the performance of our technology, the strong partner relationship we have with them and our service support.”

Capuzzello said it now wanted wanted to leverage its experience in the packaging industry and extend it to other machine manufacturers in other market segments.

SMI is a trend setter for packaging and the contract underlines that Datalogic is a go-to-provider for products, from sensors to industrial barcode readers, to machine vision and laser marking,” he added.

Pietro Volpi, head of marketing, SMI Group, said it was advantageous to collaborate with an Italian company and the machines will be delivered to customers in more than 130 countries worldwide.

Plastics, glass or liquids

It will use Datalogic’s IS inductive proximity, M18 tubular photoelectric sensors in the S15 series, SR21slot sensors, S3Z miniature sensors, S8 compact sensors, S7 fibre optic amplifiers and US18 ultrasound sensors. 

The M18 standard tubular photoelectric sensors in the S15 series include optic functions in diffuse, retro-reflective or through-beam mode, with plastic or stainless versions, IP69K protection, and certified for use in the food and bottling industry. 

The slot sensors SR21 are for label detection at high resolution and speed, with response times of 20 µs and detection frequencies up to 25kHz. 

The S3Z series includes miniature photoelectric sensors, with budget models for basic applications and laser emission models for the detection of small objects or at high speed.

For more advanced applications for the detection of contrast, luminescence, transparent objects, and diffuse mode with background suppression, the S8 series of compact sensors is used.

The fibre optic amplifiers in the S7 series are used for the detection of small objects or in areas difficult to access using normal photoelectric sensors with integrated optics. 

The US18 ultrasound sensors are the best alternative to photoelectric sensors in terms of transparent object detection (e.g. plastics, glass or liquids) or when optical reflections are involved.