‘Smart’ sensors have become an essential component in many food manufacturing systems as the demand for ever more sophisticated automation continues apace across a huge range of processing applications. Smart 2D profile sensors from Baumer are playing a key role in an automated sandwich and filled rolls production line at Germany company Weber Maschinebau.

As brewing company AB InBev reaps the benefits of digitalisation using COPA-DATA technology and enhances its sustainability, Stefan Reuther, member of the executive board at COPA-DATA, sheds light on innovation, trust and the role of independent software vendors (ISVs).

When a major UK pet food producer wanted better machine utilisation with the aim of raising its OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) by 3 points, it asked experts at bearing specialist NSK if they could evaluate processes and systems to help with this improvement goal.

When a meat processing plant operator needed a solution to check that transportation bins had been emptied prior to being sent to an automated wash station, it turned to Contrinex. An ultrasonic sensor mounted above a conveyor looks down into the bins and diverts contaminated bins from proceeding to the wash station.

When an automotive manufacturer needed a low cost, easy-to-implement solution to add RFID verification to the automated tooling change system, for a small robot working as a machine tender to an expensive and delicate machining centre, it turned to Contrinex.

Supporting a bachelor thesis project at The Vienna University of Technology, Norelem has provided a range of components to enable students to make their idea a reality.

See Schaeffler at MachineBuilding.Live, 4 October 2023, on stand 69

Installing a robotic pick-and-place and integrated conveyor solution has increased productivity for a pharmaceutical manufacturer while maintaining regulatory compliance. Combining a vision system optimised for accuracy that assures end-to-end traceability, a single controller from Trio manages both the robot and conveyor axes, increasing reliability for the end user.

See Omron at MachineBuilding.Live, 4 October 2023, on stand 44

Emka has worked with Italian control cabinet manufacturer MP Gamma to develop a newly designed handle with changeable lock inserts, with the enclosure company looking to modernise the design of its portfolio.