Teflon Linear Bearings

 Omni 6-12 

Hardened Spherical Link Arm Bearings

Back-Seal Bar

Independent Digital Temperature Controls

Quick-Change Film Spindle

Computer-Controlled Bag Length

Computer-Monitored Jaw Closing

Fully guarded with auto stop to protect operating personnel

Omni  1

Fixed-ratio Mechanical Drive Components

Aluminum Jaw Frame Assembly 

Variable-Speed Motor Controller

Display Unit

Product Setup Memory

Twin-Scale Filling System

Gas-filling Valve

Omni 9-18

Product Orientation Device

Bag Stripping Mechanism

Code Dater Assembly

Optical Static Hopper

Optional Product Diverter   

Bag Formers

Alternative Fillers for the Omni-Series Machines

                   About the Omni Series

The Blodgett OMNI-series form, fill, and seal machine is designed to provide high production speeds while ensuring durability through a simple and rugged design. The  machine is based upon a reciprocating jaw system that provides a smooth and consistent pull on every bag.

OMNI series are capable of high production rates; the maximum rate of the OMNI 6-12 is 80 bags per minute. The model number indicates the maximum bag dimensions (width x length) which may be produced on each machine.

The OMNI base, combined with the Blodgett twin-scale Weight Miser weigher, results in a packaging machine that is fast and accurate, yet simple to maintain and operate.

The Weight Miser scale system is designed around a solid-state analog computer. The control system matches feed rates to machine speed, adjusts weights automatically to achieve the optimum weight cutoff point, and checks each weighment for underweight. In addition, the auto-tare control performs a periodic empty-bucket tare, to compensate for variables such as the accumulation of seasoning in the bucket. This system results in weight control that is far superior to that of any other linear weigher. It is not uncommon for this scale system to accurately fill small bags at rates of 30 to 40 weighments per minute per scale, yielding 60 to 80 bags per minute on a twin-scale system. When compared to alternative systems, the Blodgett Weight Miser typically provides higher production rates, together with significant reductions of product give-away and wasted film.

On the OMNI series, both stroke length and production rate are readily adjusted. The stroke length may be changed by loosening a single bolt. The production rate is changed via the operator display, which adjusts an electronic motor speed controller. Changes in system timing necessitated by changes in stroke length and machine speed are handled automatically by the control system, so proper operation is ensured at any production speed and any stroke length within the design range of the machine                                

         DESIGN FEATURES

TEFLON LINEAR BEARINGS RUNNING ON STAINLESS STEEL SHAFTS

The use of Teflon linear bearings on stainless steel shafting results in a machine which runs cleaner and with lower friction, while lasting longer, even when operated continuously in areas of high salt contamination. Unlike ball bearings, Teflon bearings will not trap food product, dirt, or salt. Teflon bearings allow the use of stainless steel shafting, which is immune to attack by salt and most caustic chemicals. Teflon bearings provide long life for the shafts, and require far less service than ball bearings. This Teflon-on-stainless bearing system is used both on the vertical slides of the jaw frame assembly, and on the horizontal jaw slides.

HARDENED SPHERICAL LINK ARM BEARINGS

Hardened Spherical bearings in the link between the jaw carriage and the motor crank arm simplify maintenance and protect the drive assembly from damage and unnecessary wear. Spherical bearings have a much higher load capacity than sleeve-type bearings, which translates into lower wear and increased service life.

BACK-SEAL BAR

The electrically-heated back-seal bar seals the vertical seam on the bag. In drag mode, the bar remains continuously in contact with the film. In reciprocating mode, the bar is brought into contact with the film as the bag is pulled, and is released at the end of the pull stroke. The back-seal bar can be swung out of the way for cleaning and for threading the film.

INDEPENDENT DIGITAL TEMPERATURE CONTROLS

The temperature of the back-seal bar and the temperature of the sealing jaws are controlled by independent temperature controls. The temperatures are set digitally via the operator display, and may be entered either in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Centigrade.

QUICK-CHANGE FILM SPINDLE

The roll of bag film is mounted on a spindle at the rear of the machine. At one end of the spindle is a hand wheel which actuates a locking mechanism. Turning the hand wheel clockwise locks the film roll in position; turning the handwheel counterclockwise releases the roll. Because no tools are needed, roll exchange time is greatly reduced, resulting in higher production for the machine.

COMPUTER-CONTROLLED BAG LENGTH

When making bags with clear film which has no registration marks, adjustments in the length of the bag can be made with the touch of a button, through the control system. This allows precise control of bag length, resulting in film savings. On other machines, adjustments in bag length typically require the changing of cams or the mechanical adjustment of limit switches.

COMPUTER-MONITORED JAW CLOSING

On every machine cycle, the computer monitors the closing time of the jaws, and automatically adjusts the point in the cycle at which air pressure is applied to close the jaws. This compensates for variations in air pressure and changes in machine speed, ensuring that the jaws always close precisely at the top of the machine stroke, resulting in bags of the proper length on every cycle. This feature typically provides production increases of up to 20 percent over other machines, and a reduction in film waste of up to 5 percent.

FULLY-GUARDED WITH AUTO-STOP TO PROTECT
OPERATING PERSONNEL

The jaw assembly is surrounded by a tough, transparent polycarbonate guard. The doors of the guard, together with drive access door, are interlocked through the control system. When any door is opened, the control system turns off the drive. As an additional safeguard, the control system vents air pressure from the jaw system whenever the emergency stop button is pressed or any door is opened.

FIXED-RATIO MECHANICAL DRIVE COMPONENTS

Variation in machine speed is accomplished electronically, through use of a motor speed controller utilizing an AC inverter. The gear box is a special "cone drive" design which provides smooth movement with no backlash; this results in enhanced longevity, lower maintenance requirements for the machine, and reduced vibration.

ALUMINUM JAW FRAME ASSEMBLY

The sealing jaws are operated by twin opposed pneumatic cylinders. To ensure maintenance of proper alignment, the assembly features a one-piece aluminum back-drive frame with twin parallel shafts of stainless steel. This design provides maximum strength, ensuring longevity of the air cylinders and chrome steel jaw faces. Twin air cylinders are used to move the cut-off knife into cutting position, thus eliminating the wear points usually associated with reciprocating knife actuators; the result is precise and repeatable cut-off. Knife blades can be replaced without the use of tools.

VARIABLE-SPEED MOTOR CONTROLLER

The variable-speed motor controller drives a three-phase AC motor from a single-phase or three-phase AC supply. The controller minimizes the effect of variations in supply voltage upon motor speed, resulting in consistent production and less film waste. Motor speed is adjusted through the display unit.

DISPLAY UNIT

The machine is controlled through a display unit; the display has a keypad for entry of sealing bar temperatures, all machine timing functions, and motor speed. The display unit uses vacuum fluorescent technology with blue text on a black background, which is easy to read in any light. The quick and simple adjustment of the machine afforded by the display unit increases production and decreases operating costs.

PRODUCT SETUP MEMORY

The control system allows machine settings for up to 20 products to be stored and instantly recalled, at the touch of a button. Settings which are stored include all parameters, including temperatures, motor speed, and (when running unregistered film) bag length.

TWIN-SCALE FILLING SYSTEM

The Twin-Scale Filling System is our best linear weighing system, providing the ultimate in weight accuracy for a linear weigh-and-feed system.

A complete system consists of the following components: a pair of Weight-Miser scales, weight controls, timing controls, feed rate controls, 6 stainless steel product feed pans mounted on 6 tuned vibrators, 2 feed gates to stop product flow, 2 stainless steel weigh hoppers with doors to discharge the product in synchronization with the bag maker.

The feed control automatically adjusts vibrator amplitude to match feed rate to the speed of the machine, eliminating need for manual adjustment. Product weight is checked every cycle; in the event the weighment is under-weight, the feeder is automatically restarted to top off the weighment.

GAS-FILLING VALVE

A gas-filling valve and flow controller are provided as standard equipment. The valve may be used with an air simply to inflate the bag, or with nitrogen to both inflate the bag and preserve product freshness.

PRODUCT ORIENTATION DEVICE

Large products tend to "bridge" or wedge together in the chute, rather than dropping smoothly to the bottom of the bag. The resulting stoppages in product flow can result in inconsistent package weight and can be a significant source of film waste, due to product dropping late and being trapped in the seal region of the bag. Our machines have a product orientation device which operates on every machine cycle. The device breaks up bridges within the transition chute and ensures that the product flows to the bottom of the bag. The transition chute, located above the bag former, funnels the product stream down to the diameter of the bag.

BAG STRIPPING MECHANISM

Stripping is a technique frequently used when bagging snack foods and other large products. Stripping moves the product down into the bag, away from the seal area, and simultaneously traps and compresses the air or nitrogen which is used to inflate the bag. The result is a bag with a pleasing, full appearance, and a reduced incidence of product being trapped in the seal area. Stripping is accomplished with spring-loaded stripper plates. The are closed partially as they begin their downward stroke, bringing the stripper plates into contact with the bag. As the jaws travel downward, the volume of the bag is reduced and the trapped air or nitrogen fills out the bag. Finally, the jaws are brought into contact to seal the bag and pull the next bag.

OPTIONAL FILM REGISTRATION EYE

Film which has a repeating design or logo also has registration marks, which are designed for detection by a photoelectric sensor, called a registration eye. The marks are provided so that the placement of the design or logo may be accurately maintained from bag to bag. The registration eye used on the OMNI series automatically adjusts itself to detect registration marks of any color.

CODE DATER ASSEMBLY

The code dater is a contact printing device used to print on the film information such as date and price. The printing takes place prior to forming and filling the bag. The code dater utilizes ink cartridges and a small print head which accepts changeable rubber type. Any alphanumeric combination (limited to a maximum dimension of 25 mm x 25 mm) may be printed in any position on the surface of the film. The code dater assembly includes mounting brackets, film rollers, air valve, flow controller, and pressure regulator. Changes in the location of the imprint may be made quickly and simply, and are independent of film registration.

OPTIONAL STATIC HOPPER

Free-flowing products such as rice, beans, peas, nuts, and round candy are typically supplied to the scale system from a static hopper, mounted above the rear feed pans. Sliding doors located on the front of the hopper allow the operator to adjust the rate of product flow.

OPTIONAL PRODUCT DIVERTER

It is difficult to obtain consistent weights with products such as corn chips, potato chips, and tortilla chips which are not free-flowing, because the product tends to clump, rather than distributing itself evenly within the feed pan. The product diverter solves this problem, providing a consistent supply of product from a single hopper or conveyor to a two-scale system, eliminating need need for a separate product supply for each side of the machine.

The diverter mounts over the rear feed pans, and accepts product from a single source, such as an incline belt conveyor. The diverter routes the product alternately to each feed lane, resulting in a consistent supply of product to both sides of the machine. The diverter utilizes a pair of photo sensors which actuate the diverter as necessary. An additional set of contacts is provided to actuate the incline belt conveyor, overhead feed, or bucket elevator which supplies product to the feed pan.

BAG FORMERS

The bag former is the mandrel used to convert the flat sheet of film coming off the supply roll into a round tube which, when sealed, becomes a bag. A former is designed to make a bag of one specific width, so a former is required for each width of bag which is to be made.

A former is designed to make a specific style of back seam, either a fin seal or a lap seal. In a fin seal, the inside surface of one edge of the film is sealed to the inside surface of the other edge. A fin seal is typically a strong seal, but it requires a slightly wider film than does a lap seal, and it requires more attention by the machine operator. The end seals of a fin-seal bag may not be as attractive as those of a lap-seal bag, because four layers of film (the front and back wall of the bag and the folded-over seam) must be sealed on each end.

In a lap seal, the inside surface of one edge of the film is sealed to the outside surface of the other edge. A lap seal uses slightly less film width than does a fin seal, and is easy to run. However, the film must be capable of sealing inside-to-outside; such film may be more expensive than film designed for inside-to-inside sealing.

Each machine is shipped with one bag former as standard equipment; the customer must specify both the bag width desired and the style of back seam. Each former is supplied with a transition chute (the device which funnels the product stream down to the diameter of the bag).

ALTERNATIVE FILLERS FOR OMNI-SERIES MACHINES

Auger fillers are best-suited to flour, soap powder, and ground coffee. The pricing of auger fillers and tooling is based upon the product flow rate and the bag volume. Auger fillers can be supplied with the latest in servo drives, as well as with conventional clutch brake drives.

Volumetric fillers are well-suited to low-cost products that compact well, such as rice. The pricing of volumetric fillers and tooling is based upon the product flow rate and the bag volume.

Multi-head scale fillers can be supplied for OMNI series machines. An existing multi-head scale filler can be interfaced to any OMNI machine.