Wayne Labs

Wayne Labs

Wayne Labs has more than 30 years of editorial experience in industrial automation. He served as senior technical editor for I&CS/Control Solutions magazine for 18 years where he covered software, control system hardware and sensors/transmitters. Labs ran his own consulting business and contributed feature articles to Electronic Design, Control, Control Design, Industrial Networking and Food Engineering magazines. Before joining Food Engineering, he served as a senior technical editor for Omega Engineering Inc. Labs also worked in wireless systems and served as a field engineer for GE’s Mobile Communications Division and as a systems engineer for Bucks County Emergency Services. In addition to writing technical feature articles, Wayne covers FE’s Engineering R&D section.

Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Articles

ARTICLES

Shami Usmani, VP Engineering & Manufacturing at AriZona Beverages
FA&M 2021 Conference Highlights

Manufacturing facility planning and ops: The planning is vital

AriZona Beverages took years to plan, design and build a new facility in New Jersey, leaving nothing to chance
Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Wayne Labs
December 13, 2021

If you visit AriZona Beverages’ website and click on “Who’s Thirsty?” it seems that once you start scrolling through available beverages, you’ll never get to the end. With more than 300 products sold around the country, it takes some modern equipment and some talented, dedicated people to make all those products.


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Penfolds, one of the world’s most respected winemakers in South Australia, has become the first wine to partner with BlockBar
Blockchain Track & Trace

Getting started with blockchain

Blockchain-based track and trace systems can work standalone, and they can be integrated into MES and ERP systems, giving processors several options
Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Wayne Labs
December 7, 2021
Blockchain applications can be cost effective for small and medium processors, yet integrate into already existing MES and ERP systems.
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Improving operations

Connecting warehouse data with production and business systems

Making the connection provides up-to-the-minute data on scheduling, stock-outs, ingredient substitutions, customer trends and recalls
Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Wayne Labs
November 8, 2021

Often one role of a shop floor or MES is to act as a relay or connection point between the ERP and WMS. In case of a non-automated shop floor where there is no MES, there is a good chance that the ERP system connects with an independent WMS or has some built-in WMS functionality.


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SoftAI is a bundled hardware and software solution

Soft-touch robotics system becomes human-like with new AI software

Gentle grippers can pick up food items on a belt, but to do it well, there must be a fast-thinking “brain” behind their moves
Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Wayne Labs
November 5, 2021

Robotics systems lately have developed a soft touch to pick up delicate foods without damaging them, and there have been a lot of developments in the grippers themselves to handle these fragile products. However, these grippers can’t do it alone.


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New cyber insurance agencies can help shield you from financial ruin caused by hack attacks, but they can also be an important member of a processor’s cybersecurity team
Cybersecurity Protection

Cyber insurance: What it can do and what it can’t

New cyber insurance agencies can help shield you from financial ruin, but they can also be an important member of a processor’s cybersecurity team
Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Wayne Labs
October 30, 2021
Recently, a relatively new source of cybersecurity help comes from cyber insurance providers. Cyber insurance can help save a company from financial ruin, besides helping with a defense plan
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BlackMatter is a new ransomware that is sold to would-be hackers to infect critical systems
Ransomware Attacks

BlackMatter ransomware targets food/agriculture sector

While Black Matter, a new ransomware group, promised not to target critical infrastructure, those purchasing the RaaS don’t necessarily follow that rule
Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor
Wayne Labs
October 19, 2021
This new ransomware as a service provides tools for criminals to attack companies with big pockets, including food and beverage.
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