We understand the equipment requirements for an industrial application. With rigid framework and robust controls, our equipment is designed to operate around the clock, year after year. Our experience in the food equipment industry results in machinery that is easy to operate, easy to maintain and easy to clean.
Here are just a few of our product offerings...
.
Distribution Systems
Complete distribution systems for cookies, crackers, bars, baked goods and frozen foods. Key components include:
Cracker Distribution Systems
Benchmark Automation can provide turnkey distribution systems for cracker lines that include breaker conveyors, spreader conveyors, dump conveyors, and associated vibratory and belt conveyors to transfer crackers from the oven to the packaging area. Product is conditioned into an on-edge orientation and delivered in groups of lanes to the packaging machinery.
Row Removal Systems
Benchmark Automation can provide turnkey row removal systems for bakery lines that include transpositor conveyors, wrapper infeeds, and associated belt conveyors to transfer cookies, brownies, etc. from the oven to the packaging area. Product is aligned into rows width-wise across the transpositor belt, then transferred to perpendicular belt conveyors to produce a single file row of product entering the packaging machinery.
. Automatic Infeeds
We offer a complete line of infeeds built to automate product loading into horizontal wrappers or cartoners. The InFlight product line consists of the FT, NC and BL loaders. The InFlight FT is ideal for high speed loading of products that cannot be backlogged or products that are sticky or fragile. For moderate speed loading of product that cannot be backlogged, we would recommend our InFlight NC. The InFlight BL is used for high speed loading of products that can be backlogged.
The InFlight series of loaders are built to address the main concerns in the industry today. They feature quick changeovers, intuitive operation and are easy to maintain and clean. Changeovers for most products can be completed in 5 minutes or less without the use of tools. Operators select a new menu item from the touchscreen and manually adjust the side guides to accommodate the new product width. The touchscreen operator interface is designed to minimize training for operators, mechanics and sanitation personnel. It includes complete machine diagnostics to alert operators to all fault conditions and minimize downtime. The InFlight series of loaders are designed with preventative maintenance and sanitation in mind.
. InFlight FT
The InFlight FT loader is a non-contact feeder that delivers precise, continuous motion loading of product that cannot be backlogged. The floating belt-to-belt transfer times a single lane of randomly spaced product into the receiving flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner. The InFlight FT is a high speed loader that is ideal for fragile, sticky or narrow products.
The InFlight NC loader is a non-contact feeder that delivers precise, continuous motion loading of product that cannot be backlogged. A servo driven ramp times a single lane of randomly spaced product into the receiving flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner. The InFlight NC is ideal for product loading at moderate speeds.
InFlight MB
The InFlight MB feeder delivers precise, continuous motion loading of product that cannot be backlogged. Multiple servo driven belts are used to time randomly spaced product directly into the flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner at speeds from 200 to 400 ppm.
. InFlight BL
The InFlight BL loader is an economical feeder that delivers precise, continuous motion loading of a single lane of backlogged product into the receiving flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner. The InFlight BL automatically starts/stops the horizontal wrapper and controls wrapper speed based on signals from the Low Backpressure Conveyor positioned upstream.
Powered Side Belts
We offer a variety of servo driven powered side belts for a wide range of custom applications, including washdown. Ideal for use on Laning Conveyors or Product Mergers to orient fragile or sticky product into a single lane.
.
Shuttle Feeders
Ideal for loading stacks of product into horizontal wrappers at moderate speeds (less than 300 ppm). Reciprocating plate feeds product between continuous motion lugs.
.
Disk Feeders
Perfect for loading stacks of product into horizontal wrappers at high speeds (up to 500 ppm). Rotating disk feeds product between continuous motion lugs.
.
Tray Loaders
Cracker Placer
Turnkey systems for automatic loading of crackers into single serve trays.
Sandwich Cookie Tray Loader
The Automatic Tray Loader (ATL) delivers precise slug loading from the discharge of a 2-lane or 4-lane sandwiching machine and automatically loads the slugs into trays. This servo driven machine eliminates the time-consuming changeover process associated with replacing the overhead slug transfer chains. Changeovers for most slug lengths can be completed by a single operator in less than 10 minutes.
. Slug Loaders
We offer a complete line of slug loaders used to automatically measure one or more lanes of on-edge product into slugs and transfer them into trays, pre-made bags or directly into the flights of a horizontal wrapper. These loaders are ideal for thin products with round or tapered edges.
Slugger SL
Automatically measures and loads slugs of product from a continuous on-edge supply into the lugs of a horizontal wrapper.
Multi-Lane Slug Loader
The Multi-Lane Servo Slug Loader (SSL) delivers precise slug measuring and loading from multiple lanes of on-edge product. The SSL transfers measured slugs into a rodded conveyor and sweeps them into trays or directly into the flights of an on-edge horizontal wrapper at speeds up to 250 slugs per minute.
.
In-Line Stacker
The In-Line Stacker can be incorporated into new or existing horizontal wrappers. A series of flight chains, a lift ramp and a stacking plate are used to automatically build 2 high stacks of product while it travels along the wrapper infeed. The system is servo driven and can provide 1 or 2-high stacks with changeovers of less than 1 minute.
Product Mergers
We offer servo and pneumatic actuated equipment to merge 2 lanes of product into a single lane. The Servo Merger is used for high speed merging of product that cannot be backlogged. The Pneumatic Merger is an economical solution for products that can be backlogged.
.
Servo Merger
The servo driven Product Merger can accept 2 lanes of randomly spaced product and automatically merge them into a single lane. This system is ideal for high speed merging of products that cannot be backlogged. Each servo driven timing belt will advance/retard based on product location in the adjacent lane. The timing belts present product out-of-phase to the merging belt. Powered side belts are mounted over the merging belt and are used to direct the product into a single lane.
.
Pneumatic Merger
The pneumatic actuated Product Merger can accept 2 lanes of randomly spaced product and automatically merge them into a single lane. A programmable controller is used to alternately stop product in one lane while the adjacent lane passes through. Sensors are mounted at each Product Stop to ensure product has cleared before the stop extends down. This alters the normal cycle rate for applications where a single lane has a higher percentage of product. A static plow is used to direct out-of-phase product into a single lane.
Card Sheeter
The Card Sheeter accepts hand loaded rolls of card stock from an operator and automatically cuts stock to the desired length and transfers the cut cards into the flights of the horizontal wrapper at speeds up to 500 cards per minute. Card stock can be perforated prior to cutting for U-boards.
USDA Designs
We have experience designing and building distribution and automation equipment for USDA environments. Most of our equipment is available in a sanitary or USDA version.
Equipment Rebuilds
Existing equipment can be refurbished to like-new condition allowing existing assets to be reused instead of written off. Typical rebuilds include cleaning, sandblasting, painting, replacement of worn or damaged components and updating controls to current technology.
.
Custom Solutions
We offer one-of-a-kind solutions for your innovative products. Our Engineering group will develop, present, design and build custom solutions to meet your manufacturing requirements.
For additional information via the internet, please complete and submit our Information Request form.
Here are just a few of our product offerings...
.
Distribution Systems
Complete distribution systems for cookies, crackers, bars, baked goods and frozen foods. Key components include:
- Spreader Conveyors
- Vibratory Accumulation
- Channeling Boards
- Full Line Dump Conveyors
- Breakers
- Row Removal Systems
- Laning Conveyors
- Stepped Packing Tables
Cracker Distribution Systems
Benchmark Automation can provide turnkey distribution systems for cracker lines that include breaker conveyors, spreader conveyors, dump conveyors, and associated vibratory and belt conveyors to transfer crackers from the oven to the packaging area. Product is conditioned into an on-edge orientation and delivered in groups of lanes to the packaging machinery.
Row Removal Systems
Benchmark Automation can provide turnkey row removal systems for bakery lines that include transpositor conveyors, wrapper infeeds, and associated belt conveyors to transfer cookies, brownies, etc. from the oven to the packaging area. Product is aligned into rows width-wise across the transpositor belt, then transferred to perpendicular belt conveyors to produce a single file row of product entering the packaging machinery.
. Automatic Infeeds
We offer a complete line of infeeds built to automate product loading into horizontal wrappers or cartoners. The InFlight product line consists of the FT, NC and BL loaders. The InFlight FT is ideal for high speed loading of products that cannot be backlogged or products that are sticky or fragile. For moderate speed loading of product that cannot be backlogged, we would recommend our InFlight NC. The InFlight BL is used for high speed loading of products that can be backlogged.
The InFlight series of loaders are built to address the main concerns in the industry today. They feature quick changeovers, intuitive operation and are easy to maintain and clean. Changeovers for most products can be completed in 5 minutes or less without the use of tools. Operators select a new menu item from the touchscreen and manually adjust the side guides to accommodate the new product width. The touchscreen operator interface is designed to minimize training for operators, mechanics and sanitation personnel. It includes complete machine diagnostics to alert operators to all fault conditions and minimize downtime. The InFlight series of loaders are designed with preventative maintenance and sanitation in mind.
. InFlight FT
The InFlight FT loader is a non-contact feeder that delivers precise, continuous motion loading of product that cannot be backlogged. The floating belt-to-belt transfer times a single lane of randomly spaced product into the receiving flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner. The InFlight FT is a high speed loader that is ideal for fragile, sticky or narrow products.
- Wrapper speed control based on production rate
- Automatic wrapper start/stop based on product supply
- 3-6 axis servo control
- Color touchscreen interface
- Hinged front guards for access
- No painted surfaces
The InFlight NC loader is a non-contact feeder that delivers precise, continuous motion loading of product that cannot be backlogged. A servo driven ramp times a single lane of randomly spaced product into the receiving flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner. The InFlight NC is ideal for product loading at moderate speeds.
- Wrapper speed control based on production rate
- Automatic wrapper start/stop based on product supply
- 2 axis servo control
- Color touchscreen interface
- Hinged front guards for access
- No painted surfaces
InFlight MB
The InFlight MB feeder delivers precise, continuous motion loading of product that cannot be backlogged. Multiple servo driven belts are used to time randomly spaced product directly into the flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner at speeds from 200 to 400 ppm.
- Wrapper speed control based on production rate
- Automatic wrapper start/stop based on product supply
- 3 or 4 axis servo control
- Color touchscreen interface
- Hinged front guard for access
- No painted surfaces
. InFlight BL
The InFlight BL loader is an economical feeder that delivers precise, continuous motion loading of a single lane of backlogged product into the receiving flights of a horizontal wrapper or cartoner. The InFlight BL automatically starts/stops the horizontal wrapper and controls wrapper speed based on signals from the Low Backpressure Conveyor positioned upstream.
- Wrapper speed control based on production rate
- Automatic wrapper start/stop based on product supply
- 2 axis servo control
- Color touchscreen interface
- Hinged front guard for access
- No painted surfaces
Powered Side Belts
We offer a variety of servo driven powered side belts for a wide range of custom applications, including washdown. Ideal for use on Laning Conveyors or Product Mergers to orient fragile or sticky product into a single lane.
.
Shuttle Feeders
Ideal for loading stacks of product into horizontal wrappers at moderate speeds (less than 300 ppm). Reciprocating plate feeds product between continuous motion lugs.
- Single and multi-lane versions available
- Flexible feeding of multiple product sizes
- Optional lowering device for tall stacks
- Mechanical or servo drive
.
Disk Feeders
Perfect for loading stacks of product into horizontal wrappers at high speeds (up to 500 ppm). Rotating disk feeds product between continuous motion lugs.
- Horizontal or vertical configuration
- Single and multi-lane versions available
- Product size for a given disk is dedicated
- Mechanical or servo drive
.
Tray Loaders
Cracker Placer
Turnkey systems for automatic loading of crackers into single serve trays.
- Vertical or shingled configuration
- Round, rectangular or square product
- Continuous or intermittent motion
Sandwich Cookie Tray Loader
The Automatic Tray Loader (ATL) delivers precise slug loading from the discharge of a 2-lane or 4-lane sandwiching machine and automatically loads the slugs into trays. This servo driven machine eliminates the time-consuming changeover process associated with replacing the overhead slug transfer chains. Changeovers for most slug lengths can be completed by a single operator in less than 10 minutes.
- 4 axis servo control
- Color touchscreen interface
- No painted surfaces
. Slug Loaders
We offer a complete line of slug loaders used to automatically measure one or more lanes of on-edge product into slugs and transfer them into trays, pre-made bags or directly into the flights of a horizontal wrapper. These loaders are ideal for thin products with round or tapered edges.
Slugger SL
Automatically measures and loads slugs of product from a continuous on-edge supply into the lugs of a horizontal wrapper.
- Round, oval, rectangular or square product
- Single and multi-lane versions available
- Feeding is fully automatic or hand-loaded
- Wrapper speed control based on backlog
- Full servo control
Multi-Lane Slug Loader
The Multi-Lane Servo Slug Loader (SSL) delivers precise slug measuring and loading from multiple lanes of on-edge product. The SSL transfers measured slugs into a rodded conveyor and sweeps them into trays or directly into the flights of an on-edge horizontal wrapper at speeds up to 250 slugs per minute.
- Wrapper speed control based on production rate
- Automatic wrapper start/stop based on product supply
- 4 axis servo control
- Color touchscreen interface
- Hinged front guards for access
.
In-Line Stacker
The In-Line Stacker can be incorporated into new or existing horizontal wrappers. A series of flight chains, a lift ramp and a stacking plate are used to automatically build 2 high stacks of product while it travels along the wrapper infeed. The system is servo driven and can provide 1 or 2-high stacks with changeovers of less than 1 minute.
- Round, oval, rectangular or square product
- Full servo control
Product Mergers
We offer servo and pneumatic actuated equipment to merge 2 lanes of product into a single lane. The Servo Merger is used for high speed merging of product that cannot be backlogged. The Pneumatic Merger is an economical solution for products that can be backlogged.
.
Servo Merger
The servo driven Product Merger can accept 2 lanes of randomly spaced product and automatically merge them into a single lane. This system is ideal for high speed merging of products that cannot be backlogged. Each servo driven timing belt will advance/retard based on product location in the adjacent lane. The timing belts present product out-of-phase to the merging belt. Powered side belts are mounted over the merging belt and are used to direct the product into a single lane.
.
Pneumatic Merger
The pneumatic actuated Product Merger can accept 2 lanes of randomly spaced product and automatically merge them into a single lane. A programmable controller is used to alternately stop product in one lane while the adjacent lane passes through. Sensors are mounted at each Product Stop to ensure product has cleared before the stop extends down. This alters the normal cycle rate for applications where a single lane has a higher percentage of product. A static plow is used to direct out-of-phase product into a single lane.
Card Sheeter
The Card Sheeter accepts hand loaded rolls of card stock from an operator and automatically cuts stock to the desired length and transfers the cut cards into the flights of the horizontal wrapper at speeds up to 500 cards per minute. Card stock can be perforated prior to cutting for U-boards.
- Cuts cards from 2" to 12" in length
- Card widths from 2" to 7"
- Roll diameters up to 36"
- Full servo control
USDA Designs
We have experience designing and building distribution and automation equipment for USDA environments. Most of our equipment is available in a sanitary or USDA version.
- Stainless steel bar stock frames
- Seam welded connections
- Pneumatic belt take-ups to detension belts for cleaning
- Mechanical mechanism to lift belts for air dry
Equipment Rebuilds
Existing equipment can be refurbished to like-new condition allowing existing assets to be reused instead of written off. Typical rebuilds include cleaning, sandblasting, painting, replacement of worn or damaged components and updating controls to current technology.
.
Custom Solutions
We offer one-of-a-kind solutions for your innovative products. Our Engineering group will develop, present, design and build custom solutions to meet your manufacturing requirements.
For additional information via the internet, please complete and submit our Information Request form.
