When making any investment decision, particularly when purchasing high-value processing equipment, capital cost is usually one of the first things to be considered. But a far more accurate metric is actually the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or Total Expenditure (totex), as Matt Hale, Global Key Account Director, HRS Heat Exchangers, explains.

OMRON has announced the launch of the FHV7-AI Detection Camera, the latest addition to its proven family of industrial vision systems. The new model combines advanced AI-driven inspection capabilities with a simplified, step-by-step user interface and a compact, all-in-one design - reducing engineering time and overall cost of ownership.

Whether producing fruit juices, bottled water, dairy drinks, beers, or fine wines, the removal of unwanted particles, control of microbial contamination, and maintenance of product quality are essential to the process. Effective filtration supports regulatory compliance, reduces waste, and preserves the flavour and consistency that consumers expect - factors that are increasingly important as the industry responds to tighter standards and rising consumer expectations, as the experts at Atlas Copco explain.

The digitalisation of processes in hazardous areas places high demands on explosion protection. All infrastructure components used in these areas must be intrinsically safe or explosion-proof and certified. Pepperl+Fuchs meets these requirements with a comprehensive portfolio of certified solutions, from smartphones, tablets, and HMI systems to intrinsically safe barriers and remote I/O systems to Ethernet APL technology and sensor technology in hazardous areas.

Contaminant detection plays a critical role in food safety. However, the reject system performs an equally important task - removing food safety risks and preventing contaminated product from reaching consumers, explains Fortress Technology.

In food and beverage, the stakes are especially high; a single point of delay can undo the efficiencies achieved everywhere else. Here, Beth Ragdale, software business manager at Beckhoff UK, explains why tackling bottlenecks requires a rethink of traditional production lines, moving beyond purely mechanical fixes to embrace flexible, software-driven solutions.

It is always important to choose the right heat exchanger for the right product and process, whatever industry you are working in. However, for manufacturers of fruit products and fruit-based drinks the wrong system can affect not only operational efficiency or cost, but also product quality and consistency with potentially significant results for your business, as Matt Hale, Global Key Account Director at HRS Heat Exchangers, explains.

Andrew Ritchie, technical sales manager at dairy systems integrator Technidrive, explains why manual overrides in three-phase systems are an essential safeguard for the dairy sector.

As the drink manufacturing and bottling industries evolve with growing demand for speed, hygiene, and precision, equipment manufacturers are under increasing pressure to deliver streamlined, efficient, and intelligent solutions, as the experts at Regal Rexnord explain.

Additional product versions are now available for the PSENmgate safety gate system from Pilz: a new version for more operating functions and another with optimised wiring for faster installation; and a door handle module specifically for swing gates also adds to the system.