INDUSTRY 4.0

1. Factories of the future

Production automation and efficiency are key challenges for potato processing — and industry 4.0. Intelligent factories are optimising processes and adopting lean manufacturing principles. Research and innovation are a driving force behind the development of new equipment, new technology and a range of exciting new digital solutions — which are already transforming the business of potato processing.

Intelligent equipment with the ability to predict problems and plan (instead of reacting) to your maintenance needs is a crucial element of achieving process optimisation and managing the costs of high-speed production facilities.

2. Data integration and process monitoring

Data integration and process monitoring can help food processors collect and retain important production data, while simultaneously creating a database of vital information on their production run. As a single source supplier, we’re ready to help you achieve increased connectivity and digital data exchange — at every stage of your processing and packaging line.

Our vast range of integrated product handling and processing solutions are designed to help you achieve maximum optimisation, and efficiency. Our custom-made fryers, heat exchangers and oil filtration systems — achieve industry’s highest travel rates and flow rate capacity — and all integrate easily with FastBack® conveyors which deliver the fastest product travel rates of any horizontal motion conveyor on the market.

3. Store, recover and analyse data

The constant evolution of machine and device level networks mean more data is available than ever before. Equipment with the capability to store, recover and analyse important production line data is critical for high-speed production.

Most Heat and Control equipment has programmable controllers which connect to plant MES, or data acquisition systems, and can be remotely accessed for commissioning and customer support.

Looking ahead

Process monitoring and data integration continue to evolve at a rapid pace. Innovation and advancement of processing equipment will see certain elements of the production line streamlined, or completely eliminated. Potato processing will continue to be a fiercely competitive market, but strategic partnerships will help processors gain the access they need — to ongoing process and industry 4.0 equipment support — for their intelligent factories.

Industry changing equipment

Finding ways to automate and simplify frying control has long been our priority. Heat and Control frying technology is a great example of industry changing equipment — already helping some potato processors achieve the ultimate optimisation for their industry 4.0 operations.

Automation controls on the fryers utilise feedback from a moisture meter (after the fryer) to control frying temperature and dwell time, to meet moisture targets. This improves the quality of the final product, increases shelf life and ensures the product is the right size, shape and texture. Frying parameters are monitored remotely, and the operator has great flexibility in how they manage the fryer. Waste is monitored at key gate posts in the production line (by using product weighing systems to control throughput) which optimises whole-of-line performance.

Energy Saving and Pollution Control – is a further example of the industry changing equipment seen in the sustainable improvements achieved by our industrial energy saving and pollution control solutions. Our systems are proven to reduce fuel costs, energy waste, air pollution, and water consumption — to help you process more responsibly — benefiting the environment and your bottom line. For example, our heat exchangers, which can be fitted with oxygen sensing — to automatically regulate combustion levels, to save fuel and reduce emissions — while ensuring continuous efficiency.