Food Manufacturing

Turning up the lights on dark data

In 1945, an engineer named Percy Spencer was testing energy sources for radar equipment in a laboratory, when he realised a chocolate bar in his pocket had somehow melted. Not long after, the microwave oven was born. In the manufacturing industry, it is also possible to make accidental discoveries; one avenue which is proving particularly fruitful is the use of dark data. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at EU Automation, discusses how manufacturers can use their dark data for commercial benefit.

6th June 2017

Using smart sensors: what do your motors really do?

In 1969, the first home security system was born, consisting of four peepholes and a camera that could be moved to look through any of them, broadcasting the images to a monitor. Nowadays, we can now stream and view a feed of our home security cameras on our mobiles, giving homeowners greater piece of mind. Here, Markus Brettschneider, of ABB's food and beverage program, explains how food plant managers can add a similar level of connectivity to retrofit most motors with smart sensors to bring their plants to the digital age.

1st June 2017

How to extend service life of plain bearings and reduce costs

Replacing traditional metallic bearings with high-performance tribopolymer parts will extend service life and reduce costs, particularly in demanding environments where water or caustic chemicals are present. Typical applications include equipment used outdoors and those requiring wash-down, such as food and beverage or pharmaceutical processing.

25th May 2017

Smart manufacturing - the challenges and benefits

Chris Evans, Marketing & Operations Group Manager at Mitsubishi Electric explores what is actually meant by "smart manufacturing" by considering the benefits of adopting the concept and what challenges may lie ahead.

11th May 2017

Three ways to boost British productivity

The UK is not much more productive now than it was after the 2008 recession. However, because productivity is measured by the amount of goods produced per person per hour, Government creates incentives and applies pressure on businesses to simply hire more people. Here, Stephen Harding, managing director of materials handling expert Gough Engineering, explains why simply adding more people is not the answer and outlines three things businesses can do to genuinely boost manufacturing productivity.

9th May 2017

Bearing requirements for food and beverage manufacturers

When an Aldi customer recently discovered packs of KP-branded Hula Hoops inside a pack of the discount store's own-brand products, the media was quick to reveal that both products were made in the same place. Consumers have long speculated that food giants produce both luxury and budget versions of goods for supermarket own-brands, but in the highly regulated world of food and beverage manufacturing, a simple mistake during packaging is the least of manufacturers' worries. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings, explains the considerations manufacturers must take when choosing bearings and lubrication in the food and beverage industry.

27th April 2017

Do Food & Beverage SMEs need more process automation?

Most large-scale food processing plants have already grasped the advantages of improved automation and used them to minimise production costs and boost productivity. However, some medium and smaller-scale businesses, although appreciative of the benefits, remain reticent about the process of implementation and how the latest technology will combine with an existing installation. Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager, Hygienic - Food and Beverage for Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at the best way to implement an automation project and the benefits it can deliver.

11th April 2017

TIJ coding systems drive down costs

Cost savings are welcome at any time, but the exceptional pressure being put on British manufacturers by today's rapidly rising raw material prices is forcing many to re-examine their operations for fresh ways to save money and protect their margins. With that in mind, we can expect a surge in popularity for coding systems based on convenient, cost-effective thermal inkjet (TIJ) technology, argues Steve Ryan, UK sales manager for Rotech Machines.

3rd April 2017

The immediate future for automation in the food industry

Chris Evans, Marketing and Operations Group Manager at Mitsubishi Electric - Automation Systems Division UK comments on what to look out for now and what is just round the corner in terms of automation for the food and beverage industry.

22nd March 2017

The cost of functional safety for food processing

In 2014 in the UK, a large food manufacturer had to pay a £800,000 fine after a serious industrial accident. An engineer was trapped by the machinery while examining a conveyor belt and suffered major injury and ongoing nerve damage. An investigation revealed that this dangerous accident could have been prevented if a guard was in place on the machine. Here, Jorgen Saxeryd, safety products and functional safety advisor to ABB's food and beverage programme explains how safety procedures must be developed in food processing plants.

10th March 2017

Technical Articles