Filling and dosing and Industry 4.0

FERA (Forschungs- und Entwicklungsverein für Robotik- und Automationslösungen e.V.) is a Germany-based research and development association for robotics and automation solutions. The aim of the association is to integrate innovations into existing plants by modular automation solutions.

ViscoTec has recently joined companies including GEA, Turck, Mettler-Toledo, Lenze, CBS-System and SES in membership of the association where they hope to play pioneering roles in bringing Industry 4.0 to the food and beverage industry.

ViscoTec will bring its expertise in the field of dosing and filling technology to the association. With the proven endless piston principle on which ViscoTec’s technology is based, even complicated applications with highly viscous, solids-laden and shear-sensitive materials can be implemented as part of a complete system.

Another advantage of the FERA membership for ViscoTec is the cooperation with research institutions and scientific institutes. This aspect is an important approach to generate improvements and innovative processes in the food sector around dosing and filling in combination with robotics and automation.

ViscoTec has been awarded an International FoodTec silver medal for its Hygienic Dispenser. The dispenser is based on progressive cavity technology and focuses on the highest hygienic and cleaning requirements. The Hygienic Dispenser enables the high-precision and gentle dosing and filling of very small quantities of liquids or highly viscous pastes in the food industry. Automated solutions with the dispenser can be realised with robots or other systems. With the small and compact design of these kinds of progressive cavity pumps, chocolate or sugar coatings can be applied to baked goods, for example.