Page 16 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 15th February 2021
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FOOD AND BEVERAGE...
Hot stuff in the food factory
Whether baking bread at 300 Celsius or pasteurising beverages at 70 Celsius, food
production often involves high temperatures. Perspiring humans might have little
trouble in these environments with adequate clothing and rest breaks, but the
process equipment is another proposition entirely. Here, Neil Ballinger of
EU Automation, uncovers the subtleties inherent to high temperature equipment.
aking has been a constant throughout and more intensive processes in environments
human history. Evidence suggests that unsuitable for human occupation. One particular
30,000 years have passed since arena where robotics win over humans is extreme
Bprimordial man discovered it, but it’s temperature environments.
only in the past few decades that its manufacture For instance, consider a large industrial bakery.
changed significantly — the robot has taken over. All of the manufacturing steps – from pouring and
Automation is fantastic for a great many things mixing, kneading and proofing, to baking, cooling
in food and beverage manufacturing. It increases and packing – can be completely automated with
throughput, decreases waste and allows for safer the right equipment. One of these steps in particular
February 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p16
