a photo of a robot in a chocolate processing facility

Robotics, Machine Vision, and Automation Advance Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Automation is hitting the food and beverage packaging industry hard, with a recent report from the Association for

Automation is hitting the food and beverage packaging industry hard, with a recent report from the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies revealing half of the companies it surveyed substantially increased plant automation over the next three to five years. That said, those food and beverage manufacturing professionals surveyed admitted that while they knew automation had to be adopted, they didn’t know where to begin when it came to the implementation of robotics, automation, or ERP software.

a photo of a robot in a food and beverage manufacturing facility where chocolate is made.

Advances in agriculture, food, and beverage processing automation and robotics technologies have been drastically changing how these industries operate.

Advances in agriculture, food, and beverage processing automation and robotics technologies have been drastically changing how these industries operate. The benefits to progress these technologies provide are too numerous and too significant to ignore. However, the trend is at odds with the very nature of these industries, which are among the most highly controlled and restrictive in the world. This is one of the main reasons these manufacturers have only now been able to build momentum in modernizing operations.

Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at EU Automation attributes the shift to the decrease in implementation costs as well as improved performance provided by more refined technologies in the sector. These manufacturers are ready to adopt new technology now that it has been proven to offset the rising costs of raw materials and the energy required in production.

Food And Beverage Manufacturing Advice From The Experts

Nigel Smith, CEO of industrial robotics specialist firm TM Robotics, has some choice advice for those in food and beverage manufacturers looking to adapt their operations to the rapidly changing manufacturing landscape. By incorporating the latest in robotics and advanced automation technology these enterprises can improve performance and overall value. Smith highlights a few key factors that will boost potential ROI and minimize the headaches associated with integrating new systems into existing infrastructure.

Plan With Purpose

No two systems are the same. Whether canning kombucha or creating ready-made meals on an assembly line, assessing the specific needs of a food and beverage manufacturing operation before implementation is essential. The right robots and associated hardware to complement them will make or break your automation efforts. The software powering the backend is an often-overlooked element to consider, as well. Operating systems for your robotic workforce, trained human counterparts, and ERP software all come together to create a manufacturing floor working with precision, driving productivity, and optimizing operations. Once the creation of goods is complete, what about distribution and order fulfillment? additional components of the sales cycle come into play long after your goods are packaged and ready to go. The right technology to compete in a modern distribution environment is essential, as well.

a photo of glass beer bottles on a bottling line in a food and beverage manufacturing brewery - encompass solutions.

Whether canning kombucha or creating ready-made meals on an assembly line, assessing the specific needs of your operation before implementation is essential.

 

When it comes to installation, designers and consultants need to think beyond the process, like their manufacturer, to understand the importance of consistency, compliance, and presentation. Partnering with the right system integrators and ERP consultants and managed services can make or break manufacturers’ modernization efforts.

Personalize Performance

Once you’ve completed the broad strokes of selection, you’ll need to zero in on the supplementary components of your plan to drive ROI.

food and beverage manufacturing in a grain sorting plant

Calibration is another key component that needs to be considered and deemed precise when handling products to ensure waste is kept to a minimum.

Let’s say you’ve got the SCARA machines to pick and place ingredients for each batch in your process, but do you know which grippers to use to ensure minimal damage to those ingredients? What about the right vision system to properly identify those ingredients or potential defects? Calibration is another key component that needs to be considered and deemed precise when handling products to ensure waste is kept to a minimum. These details are exactly why food and beverage manufacturers looking to modernize should work with experienced and reputable integrators and consultants to bring operations up to a competitive pace.

About Encompass Solutions

Encompass Solutions, Inc. is an ERP consulting firm and Epicor Gold Partner that offers professional services in business consulting, project management, and software implementation. Whether undertaking full-scale implementation, integration, and renovation of existing systems or addressing emerging challenges in corporate and operational growth, Encompass provides a specialized approach to every client’s needs. As experts in identifying customer requirements and addressing them with the right solutions, we ensure our clients are equipped to match the pace of the Industry.

Sean Balogh

About Sean Balogh

A marketing professional working hard to deliver relevant and engaging content to audiences in education, technology, and manufacturing.