Automation | Food Engineering

Innovation

Inductive Automation announces Ignition Firebrand awards

Winning projects show versatility of programming Ignition industrial applications

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Automation Series

How to get the most out of sensors

Processors can get more out of sensing technology than ever, but only if they do their due diligence.

Casey Laughman

August 1, 2018

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Sensors can help ensure that automated processes are working correctly, provide feedback on production and improve quality control efforts. But food processors have to be sure that they understand what they need to do to get the most out of their sensing technology.

Maintenance

TPM, integrating maintenance systems and the cloud

Total productive maintenance takes PM to the next level, while integrating CMMS, EAM and ERP systems increases the level of performance of maintenance activities

Wayne Labs

July 23, 2018

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In Part one of this article, published in the July 2018 issue of Food Engineering, we looked at the costs of reactive maintenance strategies, preventive maintenance (PM), risk-based PM strategies—and whether any form of PM could provide the depth-of-maintenance knowledge as that of a predictive maintenance (PdM) system. In the second part of this article, we’ll look at TPM, integrating CMMS and EAM systems with ERP systems, training and manpower issues and IIoT integration.

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

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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.

On-Demand: Forward-thinking plant managers aren’t just reviving their aging plants with automation – they’re building thriving, operationally effective workplaces.

On Demand This Food Plant of the Future webinar explores how to think about tomorrow, today, without going overboard or getting locked into an untenable position. Also discussed: strategies and flexible technologies that are available to keep buildings as unrestricted as possible for future growth and how to build the space and systems to accommodate unanticipated needs.

ON DEMAND: The business of customers is more and more impacted by the Internet. End customers are increasingly able to tell their manufactures directly - via the net - exactly what they want and when. Alternatives can often be found easily and potential business can be lost quickly. Manufacturers need to respond with significant reduction in their time to market, with massively improved flexibility to enable individualized mass production and all that at reduced energy and resource consumption.