Automation
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Engineering R&D

New automation controller connects with sensors, actuators, PLCs, networks

Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor

February 20, 2019

Enter EPIC—a controller capable of handling analog and discrete I/O with direct connection to sensors and actuators, running real-time tasks on board and connecting safely to cloud-based and on-premises applications.

Tech Update

Using data to make the most of automation, IIoT and AI on the manufacturing line

Sharon Spielman

February 13, 2019

Motors and drives run the food and packaging production lines that processors rely on, and they are a major consideration of any automation strategy.

2018 Rockwell Automation Fair Food and Beverage Forum

Manufacturing News

Food and Beverage Companies Share Their Approaches to Digitalization

Wayne Labs

January 16, 2019

Three major food/beverage companies described their “digital transformations” at the Rockwell Automation Fair Food & Beverage Forum.

Krones Varioline 1M pick-and-place packer

Automation Series

The connected food plant of the future will be a lean information machine

Wayne Labs

January 14, 2019

To be able to monitor production readings without manual intervention not only improves product quality, but also can stop processes before damage to the final product.

Automation

The human impact of robots in food

Shifting from a labor focus to automation can offer processors improved safety, efficiency

Wayne Labs

January 4, 2019

According to research by the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, almost a third of food processing operations already use robotics in their facilities. What’s more, half of those surveyed said they will increase their level of automation in the next three to five years. However, not every food manufacturer is an automation convert.

Cybersecurity

Smart phones on the plant floor: How secure are they?

Smart phones help key operators stay up to date on process and maintenance information, but should personal or company-supplied devices be employed?

Wayne Labs

January 2, 2019

Smart phones can be an asset on the plant floor, letting operators look at current plant data and make intelligent decisions. But, should personal devices be checked at the door, and are they a potential risk for cyberattacks?

Cybersecurity

Ransomware: Should you pay?

You can pay to get your data back, but there are no guarantees—so at least back up on a regular basis

Wayne Labs

January 2, 2019

We know ransomware can wipe out a business—maybe not so much from the cost of paying the ransom, but from the downtime it causes—so don’t get caught without a backup. I asked the experts whether a processor should pay the ransom, and while the responses were mixed, the moral of the story is: Have a backup!

Automation

Processors turn to robots for production jobs

No matter what shape or weight, any food product can be handled deftly by a robot

Wayne Labs

November 29, 2018

When you think of robots in the food industry, you probably think of heavy-lifting jobs, such as palletizing. However, this article looks at four exacting applications for robots on the production floor—including primary packaging.

Automation

Advances in Vision Inspection Systems

Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into some machine vision inspection systems, but you can expect it take off soon

Wayne Labs

November 23, 2018

If you own a modern DSLR or video camera, you’ve already benefitted from vast improvements in lens technology, sensors and the software/firmware that runs your camera.

Innovation

Inductive Automation announces Ignition Firebrand awards

Winning projects show versatility of programming Ignition industrial applications

Wayne Labs

November 5, 2018

Inductive Automation selected the recipients of its Ignition Firebrand Awards for 2018, which were presented at the recent Ignition Community Conference (ICC) in September, 2018. Several entries included food applications.

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.