Food Manufacturing

Technical Articles

Pacepacker forecasts the next packaging automation trends

In the last decade the packaging industry has profoundly altered. External market forces have projected robotics and automation into mainstream manufacturing, with labour efficiency and productivity, implicit in Pacepacker Services earlier work, continuing to be a key driver. The automation specialist's Commercial & Information Systems Manager, Paul Wilkinson looks back on recent packaging developments and shares his predictions for the next decade.

11th January 2017

Metal detectors: the natural choice for food-on-the-go SMEs

Britain's appetite for food-on-the-go (FOTG) looks set to continue, with greater product innovations, clean and healthy eating, ethnic foods and artisan local produce driving consumers away from the daily sliced bread sandwich ritual. Fortress Technology's European Sales Director Phil Brown explores the implications that this has on the 6100-plus micro, small and medium sized enterprises who are catering to our more adventurous pallets and explains why metal detectors are the most cost-effective and popular route to protect FOTG suppliers from the most likely contaminant risk - metal.

9th January 2017

Gears for packaging machines

Most people probably open tens of packaged goods a day without even realising it. Opening jars, cereal packets and sandwich boxes are all part of our daily routine, but we don't tend to notice the packaging until something goes wrong. When milk cartons burst, drinks spill in your bag or crisps go stale when they're not properly sealed, it can be infuriating. Here, Graham Mackrell, managing director of Harmonic Drive UK looks at how gears for packaging machines keep your goods fresh.

29th November 2016

Steam control valves: getting the most from this vital component

Process control in hygienic applications, such as the food and beverage sector, demands a great deal from the components that are used to manage the manufacturing and cleaning processes. Choosing the right steam control valve can bring a number of benefits including precision, reliability, minimal maintenance and durability in challenging environments. Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager, Hygienic Food & Beverage at Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, explains the benefits of making an informed decision when it comes to general purpose steam control valves.

21st November 2016

Flexible manufacturing through automated engineering

Science fiction has taught us to fear things that are out of our control. Whether its alien invaders from another planet, highly-evolved apes or artificially intelligent robots, sci-fi culture is built on humanity's fear of being second in command. With that being said, automated equipment and robotics are the basis of any smart factory, meaning that to stay competitive, manufacturers must learn to embrace this technology. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of EU Automation, discusses automated engineering.

15th November 2016

Flexible machines to produce at batch size 1

Lenze as an automation provider view Industry 4.0 is simply another phase in the increasing automation that has been underway for many years. Automation is being consistently advanced by digitisation, networking and the use of new communication systems. This progress allows automation providers to provide smart systems that satisfy the changing demands of makers of machinery who in turn must fulfil the market needs. One of these demands is the growing individualisation of products. A car maker no longer simply offers a wide range of models, nowadays buyers can select a mix of options that is only produced once for their car. This is batch size 1.

14th November 2016

A simple business case for integrated robotic vision

As the need for flexibility and adaptability within packaging operations grows, Steve Capon, technical manager of FANUC UK looks at how integrated vision technology can help businesses respond to evolving market requirements more easily and package more complexly shaped products.

2nd November 2016

Retrofit your way to Industry 4.0

The English language has the phrase: "˜you can't have your cake and eat it too'. Put simply, this phrase means that you can't have it both ways. However, it is possible to retrofit while migrating to Industry 4.0. As industrial plant managers struggle with aging infrastructure and strict regulations, they're looking for cost-effective ways to upgrade. With industry trends such as Industry 4.0 on the rise, many engineers may consider retrofitting a step backwards. In reality, system retrofits can contribute to improved communication and optimised production, resulting in a cost and energy efficient factory where you can eat as much cake as you like. Here Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director of EU Automation, discusses issues to consider when retrofitting in your migration to Industry 4.0.

25th October 2016

Bespoke process control systems for the food & beverage industry

Process control systems that are unique to the food and beverage industry can be used to deliver higher levels of efficiency and reliability. Mark Lilley, Field Segment Manager .Hygienic - Food and Beverage for Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, looks at the benefits of a bespoke control system, the features it should include and how to achieve the most effective system.

18th October 2016

The 'I's have it - the three pillars of automation

As the trends towards digitalisation and the mobile information society gather momentum, consumers are demanding more information about the origin and content of the products they buy. Furthermore, they expect products, information and services to be increasingly targeted and personalised. This is how Omron sees the future.

27th September 2016