Customization Slows Process for Automated Equipment

Almost two-thirds of food manufacturers request customized equipment, according to a study from PMMI Business Intelligence. A big hurdle for OEMs is understanding the customer’s needs and seeing the whole process holistically.

Feb 1st, 2018

Aw 195667 Alignment62 0

Requests for automated equipment from consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies often become custom orders—62 percent of food manufacturers request customized equipment at some level, according to 2017 Evolution of Automation, a report from PMMI Business Intelligence.

“We get requests daily for customized equipment,” says a managing director for an OEM. “It takes a lot of time to define exactly what the customer’s needs and specifications are.”

Customization is complex, OEMs say. There are different levels of customization for both hardware and software, and it’s possible to get bogged down specifying each individual component, even sensors.

Custom orders increase the time to market for any project. The 58-page report offers comparisons for custom vs. standard equipment offerings and discusses the future of automation, including 3D model-based engineering and digital twins.

For more information, download the executive summary or full report of 2017 Evolution of Automation.

PMMI

Getty Images 169969711

Predictive Maintenance Pain Points in Packaging Machinery

There are specific packaging machinery needs related to predictive maintenance, and a new PMMI Business Intelligence report researched what is most prominent.

Getty Images 1225909162

Advantech and the Artificial Intelligence of Things

With more sophisticated computing, faster networking, and large-scale cloud-storage becoming readily available, Advantech sees artificial intelligence delivered to the edge as the future of IIoT.

John Clemons, MESA Marketing, Committee Chair

The Challenges of Smart Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association aims to address some of the problem areas of smart manufacturing—such as implementation, fitting different technologies together, and achieving full benefits—through their new comprehensive model.

Adtance Support Feb2021

Reinventing Remote Management

Adtance adds a new twist to remote service with Fieldstreaming, which can connect multiple cameras—from smartphones to drones—providing a live view of machines and the plant floor.

An Open Process Automation testbed was launched in 2020 at ExxonMobil’s The Woodlands, Texas, facility. Working with Yokogawa as the systems integrator, the testbed contains hardware and software products from a variety of suppliers and is currently confirming readiness for components and standards to support the system design for a field trial in 2021.

How COVID-19 Pushed ExxonMobil’s Automation Technology Limits

From remote access and robotics to artificial intelligence-driven operator assistants, ExxonMobil is using industry’s operational realties during the pandemic to drive the development and expansion of open automation technologies.

EPC Design Tips+ Webinar

EPC Design Tips+ Webinar

Easy Design Tips to Maximize the Performance and Reliability of Your GaN Designs

Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deploys Edge Platform

As a key part of its Industry 4.0 strategy, Saint-Gobain Sekurit implements Litmus Edge technology to connect its plant floor and IT assets.

Remote access has seen an accelerated level of interest due to COVID in the past year.

Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: Remote Access

Remote access and augmented reality are two technologies that have seen increased usage in the food industry – particularly since the start of COVID-19.

Randy Otto, CEO, ECS Solutions

Time(er) is on Your Side?

Flowserve Screens

IoT Service Platform Puts Eyes on Critical Assets

The launch of Flowserve’s RedRaven platform provides remote monitoring and optimization of flow-related equipment and devices, enabling predictive maintenance for a number of industries.

Getty Images 1251232974

Open AI Energy Initiative Partnership Formed

Shell, Baker Hughes, Microsoft, and C3 AI fuse their expertise to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) for energy sector applications.

Getty Images 904060684

Predictive Maintenance 101

What does it mean, and why is it important? Learn more from a new PMMI Business Intelligence report.

Pallet Transport1500 1

Mobile Robot Safety Standard Published

R15.08 Part One is the first type-C standard for mobile robots from the Robotics Industry Association; it is expected to reduce costs as well as lower risk and liability for end-users.

How to Implement Edge Computing—From Concept to Launch

In this episode, we discuss how to successfully plan for and implement edge computing technologies at both OEM and manufacturing/processing facilities with Stratus Technologies' Aric Prost and John Vicente.

MWC, Kraft Heinz, and CTI Foods Named Winners of Manufacturing Innovation Awards

The award-winning food companies will reveal technology highlights of their projects and be honored during a special session at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, September 27-29.

The Alpha Turbo High-Level Bulk Depalletizer is among the machines in the Busse/SJI division that feature a range of new Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) machine health monitoring capabilities.

Machine Condition Monitoring via IIoT

This Arrowhead Systems division is taking full advantage of new IIoT tools that make machine diagnostics readily available and help customers maximize OEE.

Alignment 96 Big Data

Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: Robotics

According to the Robotic Industries Association and Association for Advancing Automation, orders of robotic systems by food and consumer goods manufacturers grew by 56% in 2020. Read this discussion about robotics in the food industry for more insight.

U.S. manufacturing annual investment in software vs. PP&E (property, plant and equipment). Source: Bank of America

An Investment Firm’s View of Industrial Automation Spending Trends

In a session at this year’s virtual ARC Forum, Andrew Obin of Bank of America offered insights into current and expected software and hardware spending in manufacturing, with a particular focus on implications in the energy sectors.

Steve J. Malyszko, P.E., Chief Executive Officer at Malisko Engineering

Don’t Shortchange Your Operational Technology Network Investment in Your Race to Digital Transformation.

In order for a highly successful digital transformation and return on investment, special attention needs to be paid to OT network design, architecture, configuration, security, and implementation. Discover tips and tricks your factory should consider.

Getty Images 934890318

Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: vFAT

Watch part three of this three-part series on top automation trends impacting food processing and packaging today.

More in Home

Liquid Metal 3D Printing Makes Its Debut

Xerox’s new ElemX 3D liquid metal printer promises to solve challenges associated with traditional 3D printing methods, though deployment is still in its early stages.

Petasense's VSx vibrations sensor is said to be the first three-in-one industrial sensor to combine vibration, temperature, and speed sensing functionalities.

Sensors Step Up to Industry Demands

From monitoring COVID-19 vaccine temperatures to combining vibration, temperature, and speed in one device, new sensor technology is addressing industry needs on an ever-wider scale.

Getty Images 597182683

Progress Continues on Industrial Open Source Software

With demand for interoperability in the industrial software and hardware space continuing to grow, the Eclipse Foundation releases a report on the status of the organization’s work in several areas affecting industrial technology.

Ofaf Vision Arc 2021

Users Unite as the Open Process Automation Journey Continues

From the evolving standard to test labs, movement to an interoperable framework is taking shape. But the OPAF group is asking for more help from manufacturers.

Nick Bozzelli, Project Engineer, Avanceon

The Journey of Reviving an Un-Commented Code

Discover the six steps you should take when you hit a major roadblock re-writing an old PLC.

What's the Difference Between Standard and Inverter Duty Motors?

In this episode, we connect with Brent Kooiman, senior project engineer and design manager at Interstates, to learn about the differences between general purpose and inverter duty motors and the types of industrial applications each are best suited for.

Getty Images 1202271610

Work on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Standards Begins

Hoping to clear the path for the development of AI and machine learning standards, the Securing Artificial Intelligence Industry Specification Group has released a report highlighting the field’s predominant challenges.

K7ww Ouf5 1920 6026f308c8a5c

Automation Trends in Food Processing and Packaging: Remote Access

Watch part two of this three-part series on top automation trends impacting food processing and packaging today.

Getty Images 1256429704

Integrating Process Safety, Visibility, and Cybersecurity

Following its acquisition by Hexagon, PAS explains how its software integrates with Hexagon’s technologies to address critical industrial process operations factors.

Getty Images 1219106352

Schneider Electric Calls for Greater Cooperation Around Interoperability

With a software development focus around IEC 61499, a new alliance with Wood, and continued work with the Open Process Automation Forum and ZVEI, Schneider Electric helps push the universal automation concept.

How Augmented Reality Became a Serious Tool for Manufacturing

Making monsters appear in games like Pokémon Go is not the only application for augmented reality these days. Industry is using the technology too, harnessing CAD data for training workers, standardizing workflows, and enabling collaboration.

Cassy Gardner, PMP, Engineering Manager at Banks Integration.

How Workshops Can Help You Plan Your Control System Upgrade

Find out why incorporating all stakeholders into conversations around control system upgrades can increase productivity and facilitate a smooth integration of your new systems.