Internet of Things (IoT) is the latest three-letter acronym (TLA) in an industry that loves to come up with new TLAs for use in our prodigious streams of hyperbole-laden marketing collateral. And David Essex of TechTarget, one of the more astute enterprise software journalists out there is not afraid to call a spade a spade.
The use of new digital technologies in the industrial manufacturing industry is not new. In fact, manufacturers have been users of digital technologies for years. However, the term “digital transformation” is relatively new to the industry. Industrial manufacturers have been using new technologies for years now, so will digital transformation really add value to a manufacturing business?
Mandates like the Food Safety Modernization Act and GS1 standards are constantly evolving, making it difficult for manufacturers to enforce and avoid fines. To succeed, food and beverage manufacturers depend on business software.
Lifecycle costs of packaging lines are similar have two sets of costs: initial costs—machines and equipment — and hidden costs — integration, energy, spares, and indirect costs. To reduce these costs, a tight integration of operations and data is required across your packaging line. This video explains the concepts and advantages of optimized packaging line (OPL).
Opened in 1991, St. Louis-based Schlafly Beer, suddenly found itself with the best of problems: consumers loved the product so much, the company couldn’t keep up with demand. How did the company maintain its high quality standards while being able to keep up with consumer demand? The answer lied within automated control systems. This video explains the process Schlafly went through when choosing and implementing an automated control system.
In this podcast, Sharon Nowak, Global Business Development Manager for Food and Pharmaceutical at Coperion K-Tron, discusses with Food Online Voices the recent merger between Coperion and K-Tron and how the merger has benefitted food manufacturers across the globe. Nowak continues the conversation by explaining some of the innovations, and what is driving those innovations, across feeding, weighing, and handling of bulk solids. Further, Nowak acknowledges the large price tag of new material handling technology, but addresses the benefits and ROI of investing in these new machines and technologies. Finally, Nowak offers her foresight regarding how the food manufacturing industry will be evolving in the coming years.
In this podcast, Scott Reed, VP of sales, marketing and customer service with Adco Manufacturing, addresses automation and robotics in secondary packaging. Major reasons for the rapid growth of robotics in packaging include the fact that the automation has become less expensive and offers increased precision, speed and flexibility. Reed also discusses how cartons and cases play a role in the protection of food products, while helping to build product brands.
In this podcast, Scott Boersma, Business Development Manager at Nilfisk, discusses with Food Online Voices combustible dust solutions and what food manufacturers should consider when implementing one. Boersma continues the conversation by mentioning the most overlooked aspects of combustible dust in food manufacturing facilities, why those aspects are overlooked, and what can be done to make sure those issues are addressed. Further, Boersma discusses the latest government regulations affecting the way food manufacturers address combustible dust in food making facilities. Finally, Boersma offers some advice to food manufacturers looking to educate themselves on preventing the dangers and hazards of combustible dust.
In this podcast, Mike Chen, product engineering manager with Omron, a manufacturer of controls equipment and factory automation systems, talks about modularity in production lines. He describes how modularity gives the food industry the ability to customize their lines and profitably perform shorter production runs. With the implementation of new FSMA regulations, he says, automated traceablity solutions also are becoming increasingly important.
In this podcast, Kyle Thomas, Strategic Business Unit Manager at Eagle Product Inspection, discusses with Food Online Voices some of the greatest product inspection challenges that food manufacturers are facing amidst a changing regulatory landscape. Thomas also explores some product inspection innovations on the horizon that will improve product quality and operational efficiency. Additionally, Thomas offers some advice for food manufacturers looking to update their food safety plans and their overall product inspection philosophy. Finally, Thomas touches on some new technology options currently available to food manufacturers for inspecting liquid products.
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