Food Manufacturing

A simple business case for integrated robotic vision

As the need for flexibility and adaptability within packaging operations grows, Steve Capon, technical manager of FANUC UK looks at how integrated vision technology can help businesses respond to evolving market requirements more easily and package more complexly shaped products.

2nd November 2016

Retrofit your way to Industry 4.0

The English language has the phrase: "˜you can't have your cake and eat it too'. Put simply, this phrase means that you can't have it both ways. However, it is possible to retrofit while migrating to Industry 4.0. As industrial plant managers struggle with aging infrastructure and strict regulations, they're looking for cost-effective ways to upgrade. With industry trends such as Industry 4.0 on the rise, many engineers may consider retrofitting a step backwards. In reality, system retrofits can contribute to improved communication and optimised production, resulting in a cost and energy efficient factory where you can eat as much cake as you like. Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of EU Automation, discusses issues to consider when retrofitting in your migration to Industry 4.0.

25th October 2016

Bespoke process control systems for the food & beverage industry

Process control systems that are unique to the food and beverage industry can be used to deliver higher levels of efficiency and reliability. Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager .Hygienic - Food and Beverage for Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at the benefits of a bespoke control system, the features it should include and how to achieve the most effective system.

18th October 2016

The 'I's have it - the three pillars of automation

As the trends towards digitalisation and the mobile information society gather momentum, consumers are demanding more information about the origin and content of the products they buy. Furthermore, they expect products, information and services to be increasingly targeted and personalised. This is how Omron sees the future.

27th September 2016

The benefits and challenges of IT/OT convergence

The convergence of industrial automation and communication is an integral part of the growing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In the modern industrial realm, automation should provide a consistent way of executing tasks and processes - including those usually associated with information technology (IT). As a result, the operational technology (OT) used to support manufacturing processes is experiencing significant changes. Here, Martyn Williams, Managing Director of COPA-DATA UK, explains the changing responsibilities of IT and OT.

16th September 2016

Automatic monitoring of mobile harbour equipment

The increasing globalisation of the world economy is pressurising ports, docks and harbours into handling ever-increasing volumes of cargo, so mobile harbour equipment has to work efficiently and reliably at all times. Tony Ingham of Sensor Technology Ltd explains how monitoring the work rate of cranes, loaders and unloaders means their performance can be optimised and downtime for maintenance can be scheduled for minimum disruption to operational requirements.

14th September 2016

Motors: the tip of the iceberg for drivetrain efficiency?

Fuelled by the introduction of more stringent IE efficiency classes, manufacturers are chasing headline efficiency figures which could only have been dreamed of just 10 years ago. There's no denying that this is a positive thing for industry, but is motor efficiency just the tip of the iceberg?

2nd September 2016

Upgrading process safety with compact control valves

Manufacturers in the food and beverage industry are finding that they need to upgrade the safety on their process plant. Fortunately, compact valves and relatively simple changes to control circuits make this a straightforward task.

11th August 2016

High-speed polymer gearboxes deliver material gains

The ongoing development of advanced, heat resistant materials such as polymers is increasingly providing today's machine designers with practical and effective products. A good example of this is the high-speed polymer gearboxes developed by ROTALINK which have been successfully used for diverse applications, ranging from welding wire feeders to coffee grinders.

20th July 2016

Retrofit safety using innovative control valves

The food and beverage industry has embraced automation - partly due to the necessity of reducing production costs, but also to help meet food safety standards and personnel safety legislation. By taking a modular approach to automation, plant owners can gradually introduce new technologies and expand the number of automated processes, in order to maintain productivity and keep up with the latest safety legislation.

14th July 2016

Technical Articles