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LATEST COMPAC DVD
Have you seen the latest version of Compac’s DVD?
Released in August 2007 this edition includes new sections on Citrus, Pomegranates, Tomatoes and Bell Peppers. It is available in 4 language options - English, Italian, French and Spanish. If you have not yet seen it ask your local sales representative or email
info@compacsort.com
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The NIR T1 in action
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WEBSITE CUSTOMER AREA
Apply now for a password to view the customer area of www.compacsort.com and have online access to:
- Compac parts catalogue
- Upgrade information
- Service information
- New features available
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FREE AUSTRALIAN COMPAC SERVICE NUMBER
A free call number for Australia has been created to access the Compac Service team.
Call: 1800 682 857
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WEBSITE IN ITALIAN AND SPANISH
www.compacsort.com has been fully translated into Italian and Spanish. These are easily accessible from anywhere on the site.
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SEASON'S GREETINGS
From everyone at Compac, we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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PAST NEWSLETTERS
For the last Compac Innovations newsletter click here.
For past Compac Innovations click here.
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FEEDBACK
If you'd like to contribute any information or have any comments please forward them to info@compacsort.com
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Jody Jackson at the Great Lakes Expo, Michigan.
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COMPAC NEWS
Just-in-Time Supply for Beta Spuds
Contributed by Kevin Shelton Australia Market Manager
The installation of a 6 Lane Blemish Grader for Beta Spuds is nearing completion with final commissioning and operator training being undertaken this week.
Whilst Electronic Sizing and Blemish Grading of potatoes is common-place in the primary Australian potato producing state of South Australia, the Beta Spuds install marks a new era for the highly regulated Western Australian potato industry. It is the first of two such installations ultimately representing 75% of all WA Potato volumes, and 50% of the four potential sites.
The potato industry in Australia is demanding of the pack-house, with typical expectations being that potatoes are on the supermarket shelves within 24hrs of harvesting. This creates a “just-in-time” style supply chain. This puts a huge emphasis on completing such installations around tight timeframes and unrelenting deadlines.
This key Compac installation for Beta Spuds has been completed well in time meeting all customer requirements.
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Internal Defects Exposed
Near Infra Red (NIR T1) technology used to identify internal defects is making major in-roads in apple, potato and pomegranate sorting in the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Designed to detect brown heart in apples and pomegranates; and hollow heart and zebra chip in potatoes, this smart technology from Taste Tech is proving invaluable to the grower right through to the end consumer. Installations of NIR T1 units in the USA alone are forecast to double before the start of next season. For further information click here.
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AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
InVision 9000 Takes Top Honours
Nigel Beach has been awarded the Bayer Innovators Award for Research and Development into work on Apple Blemish detection using Compac’s InVision 9000 technology. As Compac’s R & D Manager Nigel is quick to say he has accepted this award in behalf of his R & D team of over 30 engineers and developers. Nigel’s role involves commercialising the research, taking the technology from the lab to the packhouse where the highest levels of accuracy are required.
Ongoing developments such as InVision 9000 are at the core of Compac’s growing global success.
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NEW INSTALLATIONS
Apple Blemish Proves Vital
Surface blemish detection in apples is proving vital for packhouse operators who want to maximize yields and grower returns. In Feb 08 three large apple blemish installations all with InVision 9000 CIR with colour and infrared cameras will be commissioned.
Evans Fruit Company, the largest independent apple packer in Washington State, are installing an 8 lane Red Apple Blemish system to specifically detect surface stem punctures.
Freshco in Nelson, NZ, are installing a 6 lane pre-sizer with InVision 9000 to detect external surface blemishes on apples, with a combination Presizer commit-to-pack line.
Compass Fruit in Nelson, are also installing a 6 lane Presizer with InVision 9000 Apple blemish grading system.
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NEW RELEASES
Gentle Box Filler
The Gentle Box Filler is designed to minimize damage to fruit as it is gently transferred from conveyor to box. Ideal for loose packed delicate fruit such as gold kiwifruit, 40 units have been trialed over the past year in packhouses in New Zealand and Belgium. Following small modifications and improvements the new improved version of the Gentle Box Filler is now available. We have received a number of large orders for 2008.
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New Larger Compac G Carrier
The new larger 127mm G carrier with a regular 95mm roller is now available to use on all Compac SLS, DLS and MLS systems. It enables the sorting of larger fruit varieties up to 150mm such as as grapefruit, pomegranates, large onions and small melons. The minimum size for rotation is 65mm. For more information on Compac's carrier range, speak to your local Compac sales office.
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NEW TECHNOLOGY
Multi-Pack Weight Optimizer
Increase flexibility, yields and profits with the new Multi-Pack Weight Optimizer. This smart software enables the sizer to efficiently and accurately sort fruit for multiple pack weights at one time. It selects fruit from overlapping weight ranges and achieves the target pack weight with no mixed sizing and without costly giveaway. For further information click here.
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NEW SOFTWARE FEATURES
Emailing ReportsCompac’s software now enables reports to be emailed directly from the sizer software to multiple recipients.
Outlet Usage
Throughout any production run Compac’s sizer software can calculate the optimum number of outlets required based on the rate of fruit/minute to be processed.
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ELECTRICAL AUTOMATION
Compac now provides increasing levels of electrical automation and machine wiring such as:
Motor Control Centre – may include variable speed drives, motor starters, overloads and PLCs
Electrical machine wiring – such as gutters, channels and isolators
Scada Control System – PC/Touchscreen which interfaces between the sizer and peripherals
Key Scada features include:
• On screen user interface – ability to view plan of machine on screen.
• Co-ordinated control of the machine - using master start/stop/speed-control functions.
• Recipe driven machine operation – adjust machine speed and performance as desired, one touch control to save machine settings to a recipe for future recall.
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WHO'S NEW
Around the World in the Compac Sales Team.
Recent key appointments we welcome to Compac:
Australia – new Sales Team
Kevin Shelton – Australia Market Manager
Grant Konias - Sales Manager
Chile – new Compac Sales and Service Office
Klaus Erdmann – Chile Market Manager
Florida – new Compac Sales and Service Office
Jody Jackson – USA Central-East & Canada Sales Manager
Marketing – based at Head Office in New Zealand
Sally Eustace – Compac’s new global Marketing Manager
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SERVICE UPDATE
2007 has brought about several changes to the Service Department.
Our California office has almost doubled in size to facilitate greater warehousing and storage of spare parts. We have also seen a change in the structure of this office, with Matt Buys moving into the role of Service Coordinator, and Mike Hemara into the role of Service Operations Manager. To contact our USA office:
Email:usaservice@compacsort.com
Phone: Freecall 1877 402 1755 (or 559 334 0118)
Fax: 559 334 122
We have also opened a new East Coast Office in Vero Beach, Florida. Our East Coast Service Manager Bob Rice, will be looking after this office, and can be contacted in the following ways:
Email:bobr@compacsort.com
Phone: 772 678 9186
The Bay of Plenty office, New Zealand has welcomed Paul Carrol to their team. Paul will be working as the Field Service Engineer Team Leader. You can contact our Bay of Plenty office in the following ways:
Email:bopservice@compacsort.com
Phone: 07 573 0202
Fax: 07 573 6065
Ben Hamilton has taken over in the Shepparton area, Victoria, Australia as the new resident technician. You can contact our Australia office in the following ways:
Email:ausservice@compacsort.com
Ben (Shepparton): 0428 627 572
Kevin (Service Manager) 0428 828 377
Freecall Helpdesk: 1800 682 857
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USED MACHINES
There are currently 3 Used Compac machines available:
• Compac 6 Lane Cup Weight Sizer – New Zealand
• Compac Single Lane Sorter with 8 outlets – New Zealand
• Compac Single Lane Colour and Weight Sorter with 24 outlets (1997) - South Australia
For more information contact your local sales office.
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