Boosting efficiency in food manufacturing

Demand for pre-portioned food products is growing, but has not been without problems for manufacturers, including the tendency of these types of food products to adhere to a traditional mechanical blade, resulting in smearing and cross contamination, as well as a risk of crushing on the softer and more delicate products.

The ongoing application of field proven ultrasonic technology has not only eliminated many of the challenges relating to soft and delicate products, but also played a key role in driving efficiencies, greater productivity, higher yields and improved product quality when used for food cutting and portioning.

Telsonic UK has worked closely with both end users and a number of system integrators to deliver the benefits of ultrasonic cutting for a diverse range of products and applications across the UK. These customers have firmly embraced ultrasonic technology in a range of guises, from dedicated automation systems, perhaps incorporating one or more ultrasonic blades, to highly flexible multi-robot systems, capable of producing cuts in different positions and orientations.

The many benefits of the ultrasonic process mean that a growing number of items such as sandwiches, cheesecake, gateaux, cheeses, and a host of other products, are now being successfully cut and portioned automatically using this efficient and clean process. Using the ultrasonic process also allows food manufacturers to consider new products or ingredient combinations, which may have been extremely difficult or impossible to cut and portion successfully using traditional methods.

The clean cutting nature of the process also improves product aesthetics by providing consistent portion control and eliminating crumbs, important considerations for customers viewing products on the shelf. Manufacturers also realise increases in yield, due to the consistency in cut, and the ability to cut very thinly. Significant productivity gains are achieved through the speed of the process

Energy efficiency in processes

With energy costs still relatively high the importance of an energy efficient operation cannot be underestimated. This is something that the businesses operating under the Aegeus Industries umbrella takes seriously.

Spooner Industries, Dowson Food Machinery and Process Energy cover the manufacturing of commercial baking process equipment, bakery baggers and slicers and energy process engineering. Each business identifies the need for energy efficiency that support customers sustainability and net zero targets. For example, Spooner's Equipment Energy Efficiency Surveys of ovens and dryers are led by a team of specialist engineers can evaluate a variety of options to reduce running costs, ensure optimum performance and even help support your sustainability goals.

On completion of a Spooner survey, a comprehensive report is provided which evaluates the condition of the equipment, prioritises any mechanical and electrical repairs and highlights any relevant health and safety issues. And whatever is identified or required, Spooner can offer a wide range of machine upgrades or refurbishments and continuing support to keep your equipment and processes in top condition

Vision systems for food processing applications

IDS Imaging Development Systems develops powerful, easy-to-use USB, GigE and 3D cameras with a wide range of sensors and variants. The industrial cameras can be used in a wide variety of non-industrial and industrial sectors such as equipment, plant and mechanical engineering. With the vision app-based, intelligent IDS NXT cameras and Ensenso 3D robot vision solutions, IDS opens up new dimensions in image processing.

Providing more relevant data for applications in the food and beverage industry, the Ensenso C is a stereo vision camera that not only generates 3D point clouds, but also delivers 2D images in colour thanks to an additionally integrated image sensor. This enables realistic 3D images and supports subsequent processes for example when the images are to be further processed to perform sorting tasks.

Its compact housing is completely enclosed and complies with protection class IP65/67. This reliably protects the components from environmental influences and vibrations. In addition, the camera is delivered pre-configured and is thereby ready-to-use.

Digital panel meters and large digit displays

For over 30 years London Electronics has been manufacturing digital panel meters and large digit displays with an emphasis on production line displays. When production line operatives can see their targets and results in real time on a large overhead display it helps to ensure that production run rates don't drop behind schedule.

Products on show at Food Manufacturing Live include the INT5-U which has a patented analogue input circuit as well as a digital input circuit, making it a truly universal input meter. It is the fastest and highest performing panel meter London Electronics has produced to date. The 6-digit, 7-segment, LED display is the company's own custom designed module and gives the user a choice of green, red or yellow digits.