Food Manufacturing

Photo sensors control bags of sweets being fed to robots

During high-speed production of retail bags, a confectionery manufacturer conveys individual bags of sweets to a pick-and-place packing robot for secondary packaging. A highly reliable diffuse-mode photoelectric sensor, mounted beside the conveyor, detects the presence of bags as they approach the packing station and inhibits the pick-and-place sequence if no bags are queued for the packing robot.

18th June 2020

Igus helps autonomous vehicles get to the bottom of ocean discovery

As scientists delve into the study of climate change, new strategies and products are evolving to help them uncover data that is driving the world’s foremost crisis. The scientific community is obtaining significant information from international oceans, especially with the support of autonomous surface vehicles.

17th June 2020

Contrast sensors ensure labels are aligned on boxes of sweets

During high-volume production of confectionery, sealed cartons of bagged candy travel by conveyor to a labelling station. Contrinex’s versatile and high-performance, RGB light-based photoelectric contrast sensor checks the label’s alignment and confirms the presence of print registration markings. If a label is blank, illegible or wrongly positioned, the carton is diverted to a holding area for investigation.

3rd June 2020

Rockwell iTRAK 5730 small-frame intelligent track system

Food and beverage manufacturers are constantly under pressure to package a wider variety of products in more types of packaging without compromising productivity. Now they can answer these trends while increasing throughput using the new iTRAK 5730 small-frame intelligent track system from Rockwell Automation. The system uses independent cart technology to support smart, flexible and efficient machines.

2nd June 2020

Online water analysis module continuously measures iron content

To complement the Type 8905 Online Analysis System, Bürkert has launched its compact flow injection analysis (FIA) module for monitoring iron content in water supplies. The modular design offers simple integration of pH, ORP, turbidity and chlorine sensors all of which can be calibrated quickly and easily.

28th May 2020

Mclennan boost motion system capability with slip ring assembly range

Mclennan, the leading UK motion control component distributor and systems supplier, has recently agreed a partnership agreement with Servotecnica to market and support the Italian manufacturer’s comprehensive range of slip ring assemblies in the UK and France. Mclennan’s extensive system building capabilities for complete motion automated sub-systems include in-house designed projects as single orders or in volume quantities that combine components from its distribution partners (typically motors, drives, and motion control hardware and software) with other sourced or specially manufactured machine components.

25th May 2020

Amputee bonds with son thanks to 3D printed bionic hand

For 21 years, Danny Florence has lived with one hand. But when he became a father, he decided to apply for an Open Bionics Hero Arm. With the help of the Maxon driven prosthesis he can now build a strong bond with his son.

25th May 2020

Rod-style electric actuators deliver 222kN thrust

New rod-style electric actuators achieving force up to 222.4kN have been released. INMOCO is now supplying Tolomatic's RSX Extreme Force actuators to the UK market, which also provides high accuracy and long lifetime. Aimed at OEMs, the RSX electric actuators are a suitable replacement for hydraulic cylinders.

20th May 2020

New filament for 3D printing FDA-compliant, wear-resistant parts

With iglidur A350-PF, igus now offers its proven plain bearing material also as FDA and EU-compliant filament for printing temperature-resistant and lubrication-free wear-resistant parts. The new tribo-filament fulfils the need of machine builders in the food and packaging industry by giving more design freedom to print functional components in special dimensions and small quantities.

15th May 2020

Compact MMA/lift TIG inverters with good price/performance ratio

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products is launching the Rogue series of portable and affordable MMA/lift TIG inverters with professional arc performance and controls such as adjustable hot start and adjustable arc force. These units measure 343 × 153 × 264mm and feature ESAB's next-level control technology to produce a smooth welding arc with all types of MMA electrodes. The Lift TIG (DC TIG) function provides positive arc starts without the use of high frequency. All Rogue models deliver a stable TIG arc down to 10 amps, giving welders the control they need to work on thin metal or delicate components.

14th May 2020