710264Controlled Actuation Liquid Filler (CALF)ClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKThe project is intended to investigate the feasibility of developing a liquid filling machine utilising specially developed electronically controlled actuators in place of traditional pneumatic cylinders. It is anticipated that resulting technology will be developed to provide a highly accurate, competitively priced and easily controllable liquid filling machine with potential applications across a wide range of manufacturing, bottling and packaging companies throughout the World. Current volumetric filling systems suffer with a number of issues which impact on the reliability, consistency and accuracy of machines using this technology. Pneumatic volumetric filling machines often require complex operator intervention to set and maintain filling volumes. They are susceptible to changes in product viscosity (which can be caused by changes in ambient temperature) and frequently require change parts to accommodate different fill volumes. Despite these (and other) significant shortcomings, their mechanical simplicity and low cost ensure Volumetric filling systems remain the predominant machinefor many small to medium size filling applications. It is anticipated that innovation in the proposed system will address the problems described above. By accurately measuring certain characteristics of the liquid during the filling process, the new electronically controlled device will automatically compensate for differing viscosities. It is a key objective of the project that the resulting technology will maintain the simplicity and low cost of existing machinery, that set-up times will be minimised and that filling accuracy, repeatability and consistency will all be enhanced.