Automation | Food Engineering

Industry 4.0

I/O system solutions provider teams with machine builder to create new business models

With Weidmüller’s new Automated Machine Learning Software, GEA intends to expand and enhance its range of services in terms of systems and plants

Wayne Labs

April 2, 2020

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Machine builder install smarts in its machines to improve performance and reliability for food industry users.

preparedness measures for internet outages

Preparing for internet outages

Wayne Labs

March 16, 2020

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Today, we regard the internet as just another utility: electricity, city gas, water, etc. But like any utility, it can go down unexpectedly.

Instrumentation & control

Use the right instrumentation to improve batch manufacturing

Ditch the antiquated clipboard and meet quality and regulatory demands with digital instrumentation, and get more consistent batches

Joshua Friesz

Nicole Meidl

March 10, 2020

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Ensure the consistency of each batch with on-line instrumentation.

Improving OEE

Finding new AI-based methods to boost productivity requires digital data

Large gains in productivity have been made over the years using lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, but today new technologies can further efficiency improvements

Wayne Labs

February 13, 2020

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AI-based tools are the next step beyond Six Sigma and lean manufacturing to improve production

Automation

How to ensure your automation system can be recovered

Take backups seriously to avoid disaster

Wayne Labs

February 11, 2020

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If you haven’t become serious about backups, it’s time to do so now—before a key system goes down and puts you out of business while you try to recover.

Twinlode Automation Joins IARW to Support Initiatives in the Growing Cold Storage Industry

February 5, 2020

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Twinlode Automation, an integrator of warehouse automation and storage systems, announced it has become an official member of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW). Twinlode Automation has long held expertise in the movement of time-sensitive food and produce items as they are moved from field to store shelves, and the decision to join the IARW underscores that commitment and better positions the company for being more deeply involved in the industry.

Cimcorp MultiPick robotic material handling

Field Report

Bakery improves fulfillment time by automating headquarters warehouse

The bakery also reduced space utilization by 50 percent and decreased labor by 30 percent

Wayne Labs

January 30, 2020

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Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe Inc. finds the summer season really good for business—except mostly manual practices in the warehouse put a real crimp on the way the company would really like to handle the distribution side of its supply chain.

Tech Update

Employing wireless sensors without a clear goal could prove inefficient

Wayne Labs

January 22, 2020

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How do you implement a sensor-based IIoT system that can fulfill your needs now and into the future?

Robotics

Palletizing cobots handle tea, ease workload

Nestlé needed a robust, precise and user-friendly cobotic solution—one that could handle pallet stability.

Wayne Labs

December 17, 2019

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Nestlé Suisse SA in Orbe, Switzerland, a facility producing tea in capsules under the well-known brand of Special.T, was in a bind as it looked for a cobotic palletizing solution. Not only was accurate placement of cartons necessary, the robots had to work safely among people.

Pet Food Series

Tomorrow’s pet food plant: What it takes to stay competitive

Plants of the future will rely on automation to produce consistent safe quality pet foods

Wayne Labs

December 13, 2019

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What does the modern, competitive pet food plant of the future look like? What are its key design considerations to make it fast, efficient and safe (e.g., product flow, building, internal and external environmental considerations, waste streams, automation, equipment, etc.)?

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 new generation of adaptive machinery can reduce total cost of ownership, improve and maintain quality and consistency and provide the flexibility needed for the changing trends in the industry.