Page 29 - Food&Drink magazine July 2022

happening on the factory floor. By using IoT connectivity, this information is shared as
data that manufacturers can access in real-time and use to make decisions.
“Using sensors to transmit real-time data can alert employees when equipment malfunctions so that they can make the necessary adjustments to avoid goods from becoming contaminated or destroyed.
“Data insights allow employees to adjust equipment in real-time to get it back to normal functionality, reducing the need to shut down production completely,” says Richard Roberts, Industry 4.0 operations manager at ZI-Argus and fellow member of Open IIoT.
In the food and beverage industry, where contamination is always a risk, data-driven insights have further advantages. If there are reports of consumers getting sick from products, manufacturers can check machinery data to trace
back the food production line and determine the source of the contaminants. This gives them the facts necessary to decide whether a product should be recalled.
Combining predictive maintenance with data visualisation helps to boost equipment reliability, quality standards and production.
WHY SO SLOW?
With all these benefits, why is predictive maintenance not more widely adopted by food and beverage manufacturers?
“Compared to other manufacturing industries, the food and beverage sector has historically been a late adopter of digital trends. This is often because of the complex manufacturing processes needed to comply with the strict safety and hygiene standards of this industry, which may result in manufacturers being more hesitant to adopt new solutions,” explains Roberts.
The initial cost of implementing predictive maintenance and related Industry 4.0 technologies on the factory floor is a factor, but Roberts reassures manufacturers that these tools have not only become much more affordable in recent years but will soon pay for themselves in gains realised.
“Predictive maintenance is a cost-effective strategy as it reduces downtime and helps prevent food waste.
“Smart connected systems give
LEFT: Jim Wallace, Balluff Australia.
FAR LEFT: Richard Roberts, ZI-Argus.
food and beverage manufacturers a competitive advantage, boost product quality and safety, increase efficiencies and increase productivity – there is very little to lose by implementing them,” Roberts says. ✷
The Open IIoT Group is an initiative of some of Australia’s most prominent automation brands – SMC Corporation ANZ, Beckhoff Automation, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, Balluff, ZI-Argus and KUKA Robot Automation.
Ready to unlock the power of IIoT?
Bringing you future-proof smart manufacturing solutions.
Don’t get left behind!
Visit us at Stand G22
7-8 July 2022
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland
www.openiiot.com
# lesstalkmoreimplementation
A collaboration of
INDUSTRY 4.0 & IIOT
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | July 2022 | Food&Drink business | 29