"I'm quite confident that we will achieve a short payback time. The most significant benefit is realised in batching precision. The level of automation will also enable direct gains with labour costs," said Ásmundur Baldvinsson, manager of FISK Seafood's land-based production.
Giveaway is a crucial factor in packing any fixed weight product, and Valka has taken a new approach with a Valka Batching and Packing robot capable of recognising the weight of several pieces in advance before applying a game a theory algorithm – a significant advance on the traditional statistical guess method.
Consequently, close to zero giveaway is achieved with a system that continually optimises the best configuration, based on actual piece weights.
As traditional pneumatic arms would damage glazing, and potentially break thin parts such as tail pieces, the Valka Packing Robot is designed with a unique carousel. The built-in cars pick up and transport the product. An integrated cartesian robot then gently slides the portion for delivery directly above the final packaging, taking gentle handling to a new level.
"This is a key contract for us," said Valka's marketing manager Ágúst Sigurðarson.
"It's a source of real satisfaction to have as highly reputable a company as FISK Seafood as a customer. They are the first ones to adopt this technology for frozen production and we very much appreciate their confidence in us and we look forward to working with them."
He commented that the chief advantage lies in the highly improved configuration technology, and that the company is certain that there is a worldwide demand for Batching and Packing robot for frozen fillets and portions.
"The system we are delivering to FISK Seafood, along with the system recently supplied to Murman Seafood and the new IQF grader were are about to install at Samherji's Dalvík production plant, Valka has demonstrated its capacity to provide a range of production options for frozen seafood," he said, adding that Valka expects to have its range of innovations on show at this year's IceFish exhibition.
"We hope the situation will be such that IceFish will be held as usual. This exhibition has always been good for us, providing an important platform, and it has played a part in Valka's growth in recent years. IceFish will probably be the only exhibition Valka takes part in this year – which makes this event even more important," Ágúst Sigurðarson said.
If you are interested in exhibiting, sponsoring, attending or speaking at 2020 IceFish please call +44 01329 825 335 or email info@icefish.is.
International sales:
Diane Lillo Tel. +44 1329 825 335 or email dlillo@mercatormedia.com
Icelandic sales:
Birgir Þór Jósafatsson Tel: +354 896 2277 birgir@icefish.is or Bjarni Thor Jonsson GSM: +354 896 6363 bjarni@icefish.is
