Food Manufacturing

Three tips for heat transfer systems

The Oxford Electric Bell has been ringing constantly for over 175 years - so much so, that the apparatus has been dubbed the world's most durable battery. But after all this time, it is still a scientific mystery how the bell has functioned for so long. For operators of thermal fluid systems, keeping operations running doesn't have to be a mystery. Here, Clive Jones, managing director Global Heat Transfer, gives three considerations for manufacturers operating thermal fluid heat transfer systems to safeguard the system's future for the long term.

10th July 2017

How electrical interference can cause pacemaker issues

During the French Revolution, beheading was the preferred method of execution. The guillotine was used for thousands of executions, meaning there was no shortage of experimental material for biologist Marie Francois Bichat. Bichat tested the electrical stimulation of hearts, which was instrumental in the development of the modern day pacemaker. Nowadays, pacemakers are commonly used to maintain a regular heart rate. Here, Keith Armstrong, worldwide electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) expert at EMC Standards, looks at how electrical interference can cause pacemaker issues.

23rd June 2017

Pacepacker robots deep dive into BDUs

The average human arm measures just 63.5 centimetres. This makes placing heavy loads of products into deep food Bulk Display Units (BDUs) challenging and subjects manual handlers to high risk of repetitive strain injuries. Torso twisting and bending to reach into low corners is especially hazardous when repeated throughout the working day.

15th June 2017

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

Technical Articles