Articles
JDA software implementation helps Wrigley manage its supply chain
Wrigley has implemented JDA Software’s Space & Category Management solutions to manage its large volume of retail planograms, fixtures, floor plans, store/cluster data, product attributes and performance information. [ + ]
Public health improvements through the genomic pinpointing of foodborne pathogens
Detecting foodborne illness outbreaks quickly and accurately determining the source of the outbreak are essential if the risks to public health are to be minimised. By adopting a method based on whole genome sequencing, researchers have been able to discriminate between outbreak-related and non-outbreak-related cases and to identify the temporal, geographical and evolutionary origin of outbreaks.
[ + ]Market predictions for the Australian beef industry
The longer-term outlook for the Australian beef market looks promising as drought continues to affect our major competitor, according to Rabobank’s latest report.
[ + ]Paper-based packaging method to control Listeria and E. coli
The recent Listeria and E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks associated with cantaloupe and raw beef in North America reveal that the current available methods and procedures for food safety are failing to achieve full control of these deadly pathogens. New packaging approaches, by Canadian researchers from the Sentinel Bioactive Paper Network, for improving food safety are ongoing and can provide solutions for biocontrol by using immobilised phage.
[ + ]Class 0 compressed air for the food processing and pharmaceutical industries
Class 0 compressed air ensures higher product purity and process integrity, minimising the risk of oil contamination being transferred directly to a product being manufactured or interfering with the operation of equipment. Dino Alessio, compressor engineer and National Sales Manager at CAPS Australia, reviews the international standard for compressed air quality and the technology to provide Class 0 air.
[ + ]Vacuum assisted lifting aids productivity
Kockums Bulk Systems has installed Tawi vacuum-assisted lifting systems at Zetco. The systems have resulted in improved handling of boxes and cartons of valves with improvements in productivity and safety. [ + ]
The evolution of X-ray inspection systems
Modern X-ray inspection systems can find contaminants in multitextured foods, tin cans, foil pouches and more. The detectors are evolving to function as a both a management tool and food safety measure.
[ + ]Oranges and mandarins are inspected using artificial vision
Scientists at the Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research in Spain have created a machine that automatically detects and separates rotten oranges, another that classifies mandarin segments according to their quality and another that helps citrus fruit pickers out in the field.
[ + ]The changing shape of beverage cartons
The trend toward non-alcoholic beverages is continuing. This is especially clear to German breweries, which for years have been adapting to a decline of 1-2% in the per capita consumption of beer by selling more non-alcoholic beverages.
[ + ]Continuous pasteurisation of pouches and trays
A continuous pasteurisation system for ambient pouch and tray packaged food has the potential to deliver product at a lower cost per unit than cans. Compared to current batch-based systems, users can expect increased output and huge savings in water and energy usage.
[ + ]Understanding the performance of test and measurement equipment
Assumptions about an instrument can lead to unpleasant surprises during the calibration cycle.
[ + ]Vegetables still the heart of the frozen food industry
More than 50 years ago, Wallace McCain, a young Canadian, had a pioneering idea: McCain and his brother Harrison invested in the still relatively uncommon technology for frozen food and began immediately to produce frozen French fries.
[ + ]Vision systems can improve ROI
Vision systems can be used to virtually eliminate rework by making sure products are labelled and filled correctly, compliant and in-spec - straight off the production line. ROI will improve and lean manufacturing will be enabled as vision systems ensure that products are ‘shelf-ready’ as they exit the production line.
[ + ]Yeast’s epic journey gave rise to lager beer
In the 15th century, when Europeans first began moving people and goods across the Atlantic, a microscopic stowaway somehow made its way to the caves and monasteries of Bavaria. Orange-coloured galls, from the beech tree forests of Patagonia have been found to harbour the yeast that makes lager beer possible.
[ + ]Dispelling the myths about machine vision systems
Machine vision is a branch of engineering that uses cameras in the context of process control. Images are collected and analysed and the data extracted used for controlling an automated process or action. When we refer to machine visions systems we are typically referring to smart cameras or vision sensors - devices that possess image capture capability, are able to extract information from captured images and make decisions that are used in wider automation systems.
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