Most processes in the food industry are repetitive and monotonous. Automation engineering may offer solutions to cut costs and improve inefficiencies. For a long time, robots were out of reach for small businesses in the beverage and dairy industry. In this article, we’ll look at the recent trends in automation in the food manufacturing sector.

Accessibility to Advanced Technology

In the past, robotics and automation tools were the preserve of big businesses. The capital outlay was too high for small businesses.

But today, technology has not only become more affordable but also easily accessible. Organizations in the food processing industry are using different types of control systems to manage their supply chain. Automated systems employ features such as machine vision for picking, packing, and quality control tasks.

Demand for Processed Foods

Another advantage of automation is eliminating errors and waste in the beverage, food, and dairy industry. Also, consumers are increasingly demanding specialty products. They range from vegan spreads to unique coffee merchandise. Automation can improve efficiency and uphold the quality of output.

Quality assurance is attainable in the competitive dairy industry through sophisticated controls that can capture errors in real-time. By using robotics, small businesses can meet market demands and cut down the turn-around time.

Meeting Safety Regulations

The food and dairy industry is subject to ever-changing regulations. Current rules emphasize maintaining hygiene and minimizing contact in the food industry.

Traditional robotics do not have the flexibility to adapt in the face of changing regulations. However, manufacturers are adopting a modular industrial construction approach to allow for flexibility. Therefore, it is cost-effective for SMEs to modify their food processing plant design when the need arises.

Saving Space with Robotics

Automation engineering is also becoming a viable solution for addressing warehouse challenges, especially for packing applications. An assembly may consist of a ceiling mount robot arm whose aim is to save space. It can place and pick parts from a moving conveyor.

Machine vision can identify foreign objects inside a package by analyzing specific characteristics of the product in the supply. The system has proven to be more efficient when integrated with management warehouse applications. By reducing the need for personnel on the industrial floor, businesses in the dairy industry can save time, money, and space.

Intuitive Systems

The lockdown has, in recent times, raised hygiene and safety concerns in the food and dairy industry. One of the main problems technology seeks to solve is the presence of staff members in the food processing plant. These developments have compelled organizations to seek effective automation solutions.

Companies want intuitive robotics that can integrate seamlessly into their existing supply chain applications. They also want to understand the impact their investment in technology will have on ROI. There is a need for comprehensive automation engineering solutions that are also cost-effective and easy to deploy.

The industrial flooring sector has reported a 3.85% increase in dollars and 3.2% in volume. Automation has had the most significant impact on manufacturing in recent years. There are a lot of opportunities for businesses in the food and dairy industry. However, each case is different and needs to be analyzed independently to attain optimal results.