Weighing and packaging machinery supplier edp Australia is advancing automation in fruit and vegetable packing with its latest gantry bin tipper systems, combining high-throughput produce handling, automatic flow control, and integrated weighing to help packhouses improve operational efficiency.
edp has designed its gantry systems to supply multiple grading and packing lines, while matching product delivery to individual line requirements.
The systems handle different varieties and types of fruit, feeding produce from plastic bins into grading and packing operations. A single gantry head can handle bins weighing up to 600kg and tip up to 63 bins per hour, depending on the gantry length and product type.
Each gantry head can supply multiple feed hoppers, allowing several grading lines to operate simultaneously. Automatic full-bin supply and empty-bin removal further streamlines operations, reducing forklift movements and the floor space required for bin handling.
Gentle handling and controlled product flow
For fresh produce packhouses, maintaining product quality during handling is critical. edp's gantry bin tipper incorporates gentle tipping to minimise bruising, alongside a specially designed door that controls the rate at which fruit is discharged.
Conveyors transport bins to and from the gantry, supporting a consistent flow of produce through the packing operation. By automating bin movement and discharge, the system helps coordinate product supply with downstream grading and packing requirements.
The equipment has been installed by Australian citrus businesses, including Mildura Fruit Company and Nippy's Waikerie Producers, demonstrating its application in commercial produce handling environments.
Integrated weighing improves operational control
The latest gantry bin tipper model incorporates an integrated weighing system designed to improve weight tracking and reduce manual record keeping.
Before operation begins, the operator enters the grower's name and the number of bins scheduled for tipping.
As each bin is processed, its weight is automatically added to a running total. Once the nominated bins have been tipped, the system stops and saves the grower's details and total weight for future reference.
The system is operated through a human-machine interface (HMI), allowing weighing functions to be calibrated and configured to suit individual operational requirements.
By combining automated handling with weight recording, the equipment reduces repetitive administrative tasks and the risk of recording errors. It also provides a more consistent process for tracking the volume of produce handled for individual growers.
Automation designed around material flow
While edp's gantry bin tipper is designed for fruit and vegetable packing, the underlying principles of automated material handling and weighing have applications across other industries.
In plastics processing and recycling, for example, automated systems can support the movement and measurement of raw materials and recyclable plastics.
Equipment must be suited to the specific materials being handled, but the operational objectives remain similar – improving material flow, reducing manual handling, and supporting consistent production.
Through continued investment in R&D and Australian manufacturing, edp is building on its experience in automation, weighing and packaging technology.
Its latest gantry bin tipper systems bring these capabilities together in a single solution, helping produce packhouses coordinate multiple packing lines while improving handling efficiency, weight tracking and operational control.
