July 2018 | Food Engineering

2018 Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference and Expo

Speakers shared insights on automation and the state of the food manufacturing industry

Wayne Labs, Senior Contributing Technical Editor

July 9, 2018

One of the main purposes of FA&M is to explore the future of food processing and what food and beverage companies are doing now to position themselves well for the next few years.

Replacement Parts Survey

Survey: Replacement parts spending continues to decline

Survey shows almost 60 percent of processors spend less than $100,000 on replacement parts

Casey Laughman

July 16, 2018

The trend of processors spending less on replacement parts continues to grow, according to Food Engineering’s 2018 Replacement Parts and Components Trends Survey.

Automation Series

New tools offer options for preventive maintenance

Today’s computerized maintenance management systems and enterprise asset management systems take the drudgery out of keeping track of service records, replacement parts and breakdowns.

Wayne Labs

July 11, 2018

Most machine builders supply PM schedules for the equipment they build. But managing a large number of machines—all with their own PM cycles—is no picnic.

Tech Update

How to evaluate and specify food-grade lubricants

Food-grade lubricants offer processors performance, safety benefits.

Casey Laughman

July 9, 2018

In every food plant, there are gears and bearings that need grease, machines that need oil changes and components that need regular lubrication to continue performing at their best.

Editor's Note

Food Engineering's new editor-in-chief on embracing change

Industry faces challenges and obstacles, but embracing change provides exciting opportunities

July 2, 2018

We’re undergoing some changes here at Food Engineering.

Manufacturing News

Solving the tech skills problem

Programs aim to provide more technical training for needed skills

Wayne Labs

July 5, 2018

There is a real shortage of engineers and technicians. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Regulatory Watch

FDA extends compliance date for certain uses of partially hydrogenated oils

Extension is designed to account for shelf lives of products already produced

Casey Laughman

July 2, 2018

The FDA has announced that it is extending the compliance date for certain uses of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs).

Regulatory Watch

USDA, FDA announce effort to streamline produce safety requirements

Alignment is intended to make it easier for farmers to assess their food safety practices

Casey Laughman

July 2, 2018

The USDA and FDA have announced that they will be aligning the Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices Audit Program (USDA H-GAP) with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.

Engineering R&D

Easing the automation update process

It’s time to update your control system—both for security and performance improvements—but prayer shouldn’t be necessary for success.

Wayne Labs

July 16, 2018

You probably don't have to think back too far to realize how tedious it was updating your automation software for PLCs, PACs, smart sensors or industrial network devices.

People & Industry News

People and Industry News: July 2018

July 5, 2018

Announcements about new hires, staff promotions, association news, awards, mergers and acquisitions.

Plant Openings

Plant Openings: July 2018

July 5, 2018

Announcements about new food and beverage plant construction projects, plant renovations and plant expansions.

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.