Electricity + Control September 2017

Electricity

Control

SEPTEMBER 2017

ore food processors are looking into

the latest technology to fully capitalise

on these developments and opportuni-

ties. It is said that by 2025 the world’s population

will grow to 8 billion and by that time the world’s

food consumption will be 75% higher, according

to figures released by the International Population

Conference that was held in Cape Town at the end

of 2016.

South African meat has gained a reputation

throughout the world for its high quality. But how

do we, as a meat producing country, maintain that

quality? That is the big challenge for the industry.

Advanced technology

Through advanced technology, the food and meat

processing industry can address major issues

such as quality control, improved efficiency and

productivity, worker safety, traceability and oper-

ating simplicity.

“A modular approach to a packaging line makes

it possible to design a complete line by bridging

the different machines interconnected in the most

efficient way. With more than 50 years of experi-

ence in assisting our customers to reach high pro-

duction objectives, Omron can offer a complete

solution in automating packaging lines,” Evert

Janse van Vuuren, Omron automation expert, ex-

plains. “Increasingly, embedded robots and robot-

ic modules are integrated into packaging machines

to enhance the adaptability to new processes and

even permit automating manual tasks. Omron’s

Sysmac automation platform provides complete

control from vision through to robotics by combin-

ing motion and kinematics calculation.”

Robotic pick-and-place systems

With the utilisation of robotic pick-and-place sys-

tems, many meat processing plants can realise

the benefits and improvements in the total cost of

ownership for primary meat owners. The business

drivers for using robotics in primary packaging

have many industry players thinking about cus-

tomisation, hygiene, brand protection, improving

traceability, reducing overall costs and bridging the

skills gap among company employees. “Robotics

are helping businesses to acknowledge the con-

sumer demands for range formats- formulations,

information and quality in the products that they

are buying from companies. The regulations are

becoming more complicated and demanding and

pressure is mounting on large scale investments in

terms of return on investments,” Laetitia de Jager,

Omron South Africa Marketing Manager, notes.

“This is creating concerns about protection and im-

provement of many brands’ image and reputation”.

Advantages in meat processing

The arise from using robotics has many advantages

for the meat processing industry- such as speed-

ing automation processes, precision in operations

as well as reliable operations while performing re-

petitive tasks. Robotics assist in flexible packaging

as product components are placed in the proper

tray compartments and food is kept safe from path-

ogens during direct contact. “Omron is the world

leader in robotic Pick- and place systems and can

offer a complete customisable solution for each

and every client,” said Janse van Vuuren.

The Quattro

Omron’s solution to the challenges faced in the

Food and Beverage sector, is the best Delta robot

available – The Quattro. This robot has a unique

patented 4 arm design and is designed to avoid

the ‘pooling’ of water and to withstand multiple

cleaning solutions at 60°C. Using Pick- and place

robots have many benefits. These can include

everything from quality improvement, cost reduc-

tion, increased output, flexibility, repeatability of

product placements, eliminating manual errors.

Total automation solution

Janse van Rensburg emphasised the need for

greater simplicity in the meat processing supply

chain. “Sysmac integrates control, motion, safety,

robotics and sensing technologies into one plat-

form.”

Intuitive Robotics

Add

Flexibility

Information provided by Omron

With the focus shifting from mining to food production on the African continent,

there is a strong demand globally for world class South African produce.

With Omron’s

Sysmac system,

using the NJ

series controller

and the

Delta Quattro

Robot, you will

have a total

automation

solution.

Take Note!

With the strong demand

for South Africa’s world

class food produce, food

processors are looking

into up to date technol-

ogy to capitalise on this

opportunity.

Meat processing plants

can benefit from robotic

pick-and-place systems.

This company’s solution

to the challenges in the

Food and Beverage sec-

tor is the best Delta robot

available – the Quatro.

Laetitia de Jager

Omron Electronics

laetitia.de.jager@

omron.eu.com