Automation
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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, Senior Contributing Technical Editor

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.

Software

How processors can guard against cyberattacks

A cybersecurity attack at a food processing plant can lead to production disruptions, theft of intellectual property or even a food safety failure

Wayne Labs

October 17, 2018

For many manufacturing companies—and food and beverage are no different—cybersecurity events are happening more often than you think.

Food Engineering's 2018 State of Food Manufacturing Survey

Our 40th annual survey shows food and beverage processors have automation top of mind

Casey Laughman

October 9, 2018

The food manufacturing industry faces any number of challenges, both great and small, but according to Food Engineering readers, the future is bright.

Tech Update

Processors use interleavers to speed up packaging of raw bacon

Meat processors are increasingly packaging raw bacon using dedicated, high-throughput interleavers and card dispensers, which dramatically increase packaging speeds.

Wayne Labs

September 28, 2018

Meat processors are increasingly turning to newer, higher speed packaging solutions that include dedicated interleavers and card dispensers that maximize throughput of raw bacon.

Automation Series

The challenges of upgrading legacy control systems

A legacy control system may be running just fine, but processors need to be prepared to replace it

Wayne Labs

September 24, 2018

Maybe you still have a legacy control system in your facility, and it’s been running just fine, thank you. But one day in the future, it’ll give you a big surprise when the ancient motherboard dies, and you’re left without a system.

Food Safety

Automated microbiological testing helps speed up determining if food is safe

The adoption of automated or rapid methods for pathogen testing should include some kind of overall assessment of potential benefits and risks.

Richard F. Stier

September 21, 2018

When it comes to pathogen testing, processors must choose from a number of processes, as well as whether the work will be done in-house or through a contract laboratory.

Sensing technology

Wireless sensors help prevent critical line stoppages

Wireless sensors mount on a motor and send data to the cloud or plant network for analytics

Wayne Labs

August 3, 2018

It is estimated that electric motors account for 45 per cent of global electricity demand. That’s not surprising when you consider that they’re used to drive everything from pumps and fans to compressors in industries as varied as industrial, commercial, agricultural and transport.

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.