Drives & Controls September 2022

41 www.drivesncontrols.com September 2022 FOOD & BEVERAGE n more efficient. Automation systems and robots can help by transporting, sorting or palletising loads, both in mass and customised production. Automated lines can incorporate technologies such as industrial robots, high-speed pick-and-place systems, smart conveyor belts, and AI-assisted data analysis at the machine level. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can provide flexibility, as they can adapt to change faster than permanently mounted industrial robots. They can transport goods and rawmaterials efficiently, reducing working days lost through injuries to employees as they move around factories or warehouses. AMRs can transport products rapidly, dispose of waste or move finished packages. Fleets of these machines with on-board manipulators can also support quality control, traceability, order management, fulfilment and warehousing functions. Zero-touch The more often that employees touch a food product during manufacturing, packaging or labelling processes, the more likely it is that recalls or returns will be necessary. Damaged packaging or non-compliant labels are other areas where improvements can be made. To avoid contamination and soiling, goods and raw materials can be sorted or transported mechanically rather than manually. Such “zero-touch” strategies can help to make companies more competitive and future-proof, as well as reducing recalls and protecting brands. To minimise human contact, labelling and quality control can be handled by automated systems, cameras and robots. Vision systems can also detect contaminants on products or in containers much more accurately than human employees. High- performance inspection systems provide support; and a single controller can take over various tasks at different locations and times, which isn’t possible for employees. Another risk is biological contamination. Technology can eliminate direct contact with products. In mass production lines, this can be achieved using high-speed industrial robots, integrated automation systems and high- performance inspection systems. In some applications, cobots equipped with smart cameras can help to ensure that pick-and-place processes remain hygienically clean. A major challenge today is to provide consumers with safe, sustainably sourced and healthy food. Product quality and safety need to meet increasingly strict regulations. At the same time, consumers are demanding product, supplier and supply chain transparency. Traceability in food manufacturing can provide peace of mind to both manufacturers and consumers. Food and beverage regulation mandates traceability – the practice of recording the origins and whereabouts of products and raw materials by scanning barcodes, DPMs (direct part marks) or RFID (radio frequency identification) tags across production processes and supply chains. From raw materials suppliers and production lines, to supermarkets and customers, the creation and distribution of food items should be as transparent as possible. Food and beverage manufacturers can benefit from traceability protocols that minimise costly issues such as product recalls by providing real-time data on materials, processes and the machinery involved in production. These protocols can cut the costs of recalls by isolating tainted items and avoiding the need to pull non-tainted products off the shelves. Smart camera technologies can combine quality control, code and digit reading in one step. AI-supported automated and scalable quality control ensures increased accuracy, as errors are no longer ignored. In summary, then, a committed workforce is integral to the food and beverage industry. Being able to work seamlessly, quickly and efficiently is vital to success. To overcome the skills shortage in a post-Brexit, post-Covid age, it’s not just about looking within, but also thinking differently, understanding the bigger picture and starting to embrace the opportunities of working with new technologies. This can help to improve the quality and freshness of food and reduce waste. Similarly, AI and machine learning can help to deliver a smarter, more sustainable use of resources, while also helping to optimise products and brand image. There is potential for a fresher industry-wide working environment, with employees and technologies blending to meet the demands of today’s increasingly discerning customers. n 0800 034 5850 www.thorite.co.uk Tubing, Hose & Quick-Connect Fittings Vacuum Pumps & Blowers Actuation, Automation & Control Systems Pumping & Filtration Systems Valves, Sensors & Switches Delivering significant cost savings whilst reducing downtime and energy consumption on production lines across all Food & Beverage Sectors. Shop Online: Product Ranges Suitable for Direct Food Contact AVAILABLE NOW Are you getting the most out of your compressed air system? Thorite Air Auditing & Energy Saving Solutions