Wayne Labs

Technology companies are employing AI/ML techniques to deter nefarious actors, but users still need to exercise common sense in defending their industrial control systems.

Aquacycl used bacteria to clean up a wastewater stream and generate enough electricity to run the system and produce clean water.

Gray, a fully integrated, international A&E/C design/build service provider, has again partnered with Clemens Food Group, a sixth generation family owned pork business, to build a new smoked meats processing facility in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. The companies recently broke ground on the new facility that will support increased smoked meats and cooked sausage production.

Egan Food Technologies, based in Grand Rapids, MI, supplies customized food process machinery for the confectionery, baking, and snack food industries. The heart of molding plants is the PLC/servo-controlled depositor, which optimizes center-to-shell ratios and overall product weights. Since each chocolatier is unique, Egan builds engineer-to-order (ETO) solutions—including parts and equipment.

SunOpta, which produces organic, non-GMO snacks and plant-based beverages, worked with Dennis Group to expand a production facility to meet demand for oat milk.

Cybersecurity may seem only for enterprise systems and critical infrastructure, but at the control system level there are too many gaps in the food and beverage industry.

There are several methods to reduce energy needs, usage and costs. Some are basic and simple; others are more sublime. Four recent news items show how processors can take steps to decrease energy inputs, improve their carbon footprint and look smarter and be more sustainable.

AI is taking significant strides by providing a no-coding platform so operations can concentrate on manufacturing instead of programming.

Once a hacker connects via RDP to any computing system, unless operators take immediate action, the hacker can use this connection to log in at any time in the future, extort money, install ransomware on the computer, and/or sell the connection login/password and other data on the dark web, making an unprotected system available to anyone who wants to purchase the information.

Recent developments from energy providers and equipment suppliers are providing new ways to reduce energy usage and costs. We look at developments on the AI (artificial intelligence) front from Constellation (an Exelon company) and integrating process with heating/cooling systems from GEA, supplier of manufacturing equipment to the food and beverage industry.