Food Manufacturing

Camera-based cap control with artificial intelligence

In the beverage and bottle industry, reliably detecting cracks and micro-cracks on plastic caps in numerous different colours and shades running at high speed on a production line is a real challenge. Aprex Solutions from Nancy, France has successfully achieved this goal with the help of image processing technology and artificial intelligence. The basic images are provided by a USB 3 industrial camera from IDS Imaging Development Systems.

13th December 2021

Creating competitive automation devices with TSN

Automation device vendors need to keep pace with the latest technologies more than anyone else in order to deliver competitive products that address market requirements. As an enabler for Industry 4.0 applications, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is quickly becoming a must-have to deliver state-of-the-art connectivity.

10th December 2021

Exploring the advantages of electric actuators

A linear actuator is usually needed to move an object in a straight line, from a conveyor to a metal press. While some applications requiring the highest forces and longest strokes might need hydraulic actuation, in the majority of cases, electromechanical actuator technology provides both machine builders and machine users with significant advantages. Gerard Bush of Inmoco compares electric and hydraulic actuator technology.

7th December 2021

Solenoid valves enable more compact machine designs

Emerson has launched a range of two-way and three-way solenoid valves that support OEMs’ need to develop more compact machines and equipment without compromising on fluid control performance. The optimised body design and internal flow path of the new Asco Series 256/356 not only provides a smaller footprint, but also reduced power consumption and increased pressure ratings critical in industrial and commercial applications.

2nd December 2021

Shared programming environment brings robot and CNC technologies together

The last five decades have seen tremendous advances both in robotics and in CNC machining centre technology. In recent years manufacturers have begun reaping the benefits of bringing these two technologies together and robot tending of CNC machines is already helping to improve productivity for many businesses. However, there is more to come from these two important technologies thanks to the development of a single programming environment for both.

1st December 2021

NSK Life-Lube bearings drive cost-saving improvements in food plants

NSK says its Life-Lube bearing units are proving increasingly popular in the food and beverage industry. The company says these advanced bearings combine the corrosion-resistant properties of Silver-Lube housings with the excellent sealing and lubricating properties of Molded-Oil inserts.

23rd November 2021

White paper outlines why food and beverage manufacturers should opt for oil-free compressors

CompAir has published a new white paper for the food and beverage industry, discussing how the right compressed air system can make an important contribution to an organisation’s overall sustainability ambitions, as well as help protect the environment.

19th November 2021

New programmable linear measurement solution unveiled

More durability and resistance to contamination amongst benefits highlighted

18th November 2021

Contrinex M12 and M18 metal-bodied photoelectrics launch at SPS Exhibition

Contrinex will launch metal-bodied M18 sized photoelectric sensors which feature the same exclusive ASIC technology as their plastic-bodied counterparts at the upcoming SPS Exhibition in Hannover.

15th November 2021

RS Components expands control line for Smart Manufacturing

RS Components has expanded its industrial control portfolio with a range of IIoT-enabled technologies from Sick. As a result of the ongoing strategic partnership between the two companies, RS will now support Sick’s M12 and M18 inductive proximity sensors, IO-Link sensors, and light curtains.

12th November 2021

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