Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/622093
38 tobaccoasia MANUFACTURING NEWS 制造新闻 TOMRA Sorting Tobacco developed the world's first tobacco sorting machine integrating string removal, small product fragmentation, metal detection, and product singulation/monolayer formation, all within one compact machine: the Cerberus. TOMRA developed Cerberus in conjunction with Italian tobacco machinery manufacturer COMAS, and TOMRA's Cerberus is the first of its kind and makes it an exemplary piece of advanced tobacco sorting technology. Cerberus uses COMAS's industry proven SRS-type string removal system which contains a set of scalping rollers fitted with Velcro strips to agitate the product and remove any strings. Following this, a precision-engineered set of disc-type rollers installed in cascade combine with high speed accelerating belts to gradually increase the speed of the product. This creates an optimal monolayer spread of tobacco product which is essential for further downstream sorting tech- niques. The roller set-up also ensures that small tobacco fragments are segregated from larger tobacco parts, which are known to be the most contaminated product fraction. This bi-directional belt underneath the rollers then provides the option to either process the small tobacco fragments separately or keep them combined with the product over the rollers. The product monolayer is then processed further by passing an electromagnetic (EM) sensor which detects both ferrous and non-ferrous items at an accuracy level beyond what is achievable with existing systems. TOMRA Sorting Tobacco is able to deliver this by combining Cerberus's EM sensor with its SUPPIX image processing technology which has been successfully used by TOMRA's global recycling business for over 15 years. Where other systems use one large drop flap to remove contaminants, Cerberus combines the EM sensor and SUPPIX technology to allow it to employ extremely accurate high pressure air valves to expel metal fragments. Cerberus also significantly reduces both the floor space needed to accommodate such a system and the amount of equipment which requires cleaning and maintenance, as it is much more compact and has fewer components than the traditional multiple ring loop metal detection and conveyor machines currently available. NDC's Quality Management Gets ISO Recertification NDC Technologies, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, proudly announces its quality management system (QMS) has been recertified for ISO 9001:2008 by DNV-GL business assurance for the design, manufacture, and service of continuous process measurement and control equipment. This recertification applies to all of NDC's manufacturing facilities, including its headquarters in Irwindale, California and facilities in Maldon, UK, and Dayton, Ohio. "DNV-GL is a world-class ISO 9001 certifica- tion body," says Andy Hall, quality and compli- ance director at NDC. "With their help, our organization has now achieved a higher standard of QMS certification. As our business and customer base continues to grow, this certification not only differentiates us from other measurement solution providers but demon- strates our on-going commitment to continuous quality improvement and maintaining the highest levels of customer satisfaction." ISO 9001:2008 certification is based on quality management principles including strong customer focus, leadership and motivation of upper management, the process approach, and continual improvement and review. Certification to this standard requires an accredited third- party auditing organization to thoroughly review the company's internal quality management system processes, to ensure it is capable of consistently delivering products and services that meet customers' needs and expectations. The ISO QMS standard has been the basis for NDC's internal processes for a number of years. NDC Technologies was formed in 2014 as a merger between NDC Infrared Engineering and Beta LaserMike (both part of the Spectris plc family of companies and recognized global leaders in non-contact measurement and control solutions). Prior to the merger, both companies were ISO certified and managed their internal processes in accordance with strict ISO and in-house quality management standards. TOMRA's Cerberus: Processing Watchdog for Improved Quality