Food Manufacturing

Retrofitted control heads extend life of 200 process valves

Investing in high-quality process control valves have several operational advantages, including an extended service life. However, when just the valve actuators reach the end of their service life, the options can be limited, especially when the OEM parts are obsolete. Fortunately for a UK-based malt processer Bürkert has been able to provide a cost-effective retrofit solution for 200 third-party valves, upgrading them with Bürkert Type 8691 control heads to keep the full complement operational for years to come.

20th November 2019

Siemens Digital Industries Software for efficient manufacturing

Siemens Digital Industries Software is collaborating with The Absolut Company regarding Siemens Opcenter Execution software, part of the Siemens Digital Enterprise Suite, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solution. The company will conduct a pilot of Siemens Opcenter Execution Process (formerly known as SIMATIC IT Unified Architecture Process Industries) in one of their three factories in Ã…hus as the first step of an enterprise-wide roll-out across the three factories which produce spirits for global distribution.

13th November 2019

Fetch Data Collector: real-time access to critical asset data

MAC Solutions has supplied its Fetch Data Collector software to Nordikeau, a water and wastewater treatment company based in Quebec province, Canada. The software enables Nordikeau to log data from critical assets and equipment in real-time (every 10 seconds), providing data for alarms and early notifications of any equipment or process issues.

11th November 2019

Sine pump solves yeast transfer problem for independent brewery

Yeast is arguably the most important ingredient in the brewing process. This single-cell organism takes simple sugars such as glucose and maltose, and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide - the latter giving beers like Pilsners its essential fizz. With these thoughts in mind, when yeast is pumped around a brewery, the utmost care is required so as not to cause any damage that could degrade its effect.

14th October 2019

Sensonics proximity probes monitor engine performance

Among the many performance and monitoring tests required to ensure dependable and durable engine performance across a wide range of power applications is the need to measure relative shaft vibration in dynamometers. This is where Sensonics excels, with a range of proximity probes that make an essential contribution to overall engine performance.

30th September 2019

Ultrasonic sensors used in AquaBattery's innovative Blue Battery

With modest dimensions, sensors often can make the difference in many applications. One example of this is the Blue Battery from AquaBattery. The Blue Battery is an electrical energy storage system that uses membrane technology, water and kitchen salt. In order to measure the height of liquids in several tanks, tests were done in their own workshop with ultrasonic sensors from elobau. The robust ultrasonic sensors were selected because they provide the necessary reliability, accuracy, IP rating and are compatible with the control system.

2nd September 2019

Case erectors benefit from Pilz safety controllers and switches

Cardboard trays or secondary packaging must be optimised for the product and its logistical requirements. As the means of presenting the goods, they should also meet the handling and design concepts of the respective customers. The Tablomat LE from Wächter folds and glues a wide variety of formats; Pilz PNOZmulti 2 compact configurable safe controller and the PSENslock safety gate system provide this machine with a flexible operating concept, rapid implementation of format changes and smooth operation.

26th July 2019

Schaeffler CMS helps prevent water treatment station downtime

A drinking water treatment company in Asia is preventing unplanned downtime of critical equipment across its pumping stations following the successful installation of a condition monitoring system from Schaeffler.

25th July 2019

Fully automated cake cutting line uses Mitsubishi robot

Mitsubishi Electric has assisted Western Mechanical Handling (WMH) to develop a fully automated inline cell for cutting and slicing food of any size and shape on the fly. The solution is based on Mitsubishi Electric's MELSEC Q series high-performance PLC, plus system-matched components including HMI, variable speed drives and two MELFA articulated arm robots. The resulting machine maximises performance, flexibility and productivity for customers in the food sector.

10th July 2019

Thermal imaging identifies freezer insulation faults

As important as they are for storing quantities of foodstuffs, commercial walk-in freezers use a lot of energy. So, it is imperative that this consumption is kept to a minimum by ensuring the temperature inside the freezer is not compromised by any breach in the freezer's insulation.

27th June 2019

Applications