Small inverter has big impact making ice cream

A frequency inverter with stall prevention is helping to ensure improved efficiency and performance in traditional ice cream production.

Cleaner cooking with steel belts

Steel belts from Belt Technologies cook meat up a treat.

Keeping the running costs down

Look beyond purchase price to see the true cost of en-masse chain conveyors, and how "Bolt 'n' Go" chains keep running costs down

Pneumatic automation system design and component selection

As the complexity of pneumatic control systems grows, so it becomes more important to ensure high levels of reliability and integrity. However, not every system requires a huge valve island or bus communication to achieve the required level of automation. Neil Saunders of Bürkert looks at the common components and processes involved, from the most basic design to a complete production line.

New from HMK - Neugart HLAE hygienic gearbox

Neugart is launching the Neugart HLAE, a hygienic gearbox that meets and exceeds the environmental demands of the most arduous applications. The Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical sectors have had their needs for high performance and reliability in a hygienic package go largely unfulfilled, but not for any longer.

Making baked products manufacturing fit for the future

Pressure on prices is rising in the bakery market. Of particular concern is the increasing pressure from the discounters who are competing with cheap products baked freshly in store. At the same time, productivity and profit margins are low in the food processing industry in comparison to other producing industries. Above all small and medium-sized operations are facing the challenge of competing in price terms with the discounter and supermarket offers manufactured largely on automated monolines. To stay competitive in the long term, operations are increasingly looking for opportunities to increase efficiency in production while at the same time reducing energy consumption. Reliable characteristics and the collection and accurate analysis of process and production-related data provide the necessary transparency.

Compact washdown motor offers excellent performance

Available in the UK from Inmoco, the new Kollmorgen AKMH stainless steel motors are designed for quick and easy cleaning CIP (clean-in-place). With 19 sizes available in multiple standard configurations, the AKMH family is suitable for many applications including replacing pneumatic and hydraulic axes with a clean, high-performing, modern servo motor.

Omron launches tough photo sensors for wash-down applications

Specifically developed to meet the needs of users in the food and beverage industries, photoelectric sensors in Omron's new E3FC range are detergent resistant and are suited for use in operating environments where they will be subjected to regular wash down with high-pressure jets. In these tough operating conditions, E3FC sensors will provide a significantly increased lifetime compared with standard sensors.