Food industry
Food industry automation.
In food production, what matters is how quickly you can trace which raw materials went into a specific batch. We supply MES with raw material tracking, line control, weighing and labelling, and packaging inspection.
Every batch traceable back to the raw material.
Food industry automation has different priorities from mechanical engineering. The biggest risk is not a slow cycle time but an expired raw material, a recipe that was not followed or a batch you cannot precisely define during a product recall. Food production therefore needs data collection down to every incoming raw material and backward traceability from dispatch all the way to goods receipt. Audits by customers and retail chains also require you to produce this data immediately, not after a week of searching through paperwork.
Our engineering team has developed its own MES for food production, covering production planning and scheduling, warehouse management and maintenance. On the lines we supply control of conveyors and buffers, for example an accumulation buffer for cans that keeps the upstream part of the line running when a machine further down fails. We also provide automatic weighing and recording of finished goods with non-contact barcode printing using ink suitable for food environments. The control system sends finished goods data via TCP/IP directly to the SQL database of the higher-level system.
Our designs account for hygiene, frequent product changes and seasonal peaks. We send line data to MES or ERP, so quality, warehouse and production all work from the same figures. We introduce automation step by step, often starting with one line or one warehouse and extending the system based on operating experience. We work throughout Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Typical solutions for food producers.
Batch traceability
Recording every incoming raw material and its batch through the production flow. In a complaint or recall you know exactly which products are affected.
Food industry automation with MES
Recipe-based production planning and scheduling, warehouse management with expiry control and a TPM maintenance module in one system.
Filling and packing line control
Control of conveyors, accumulation buffers and machines so that one machine failing does not stop the whole line.
Weighing and labelling
Connection of trade scales, a unique number for every pack, barcode printing and data transfer to the higher-level system.
Vision inspection of packaging
Checking the piece count, label, best-before date and code on the pack. Faulty packs are automatically rejected from the conveyor.
Palletising and handling
Robots and collaborative robots for palletising cartons, transferring products and depalletising packaging, including with 3D vision.
What we deliver to food manufacturers.
From controlling a single machine to an information system for the entire plant.
- Analysis of raw material flow, recipes and traceability requirements
- MES for production planning, warehouse, recipes and maintenance
- Control of lines, conveyors and buffers, PLC and HMI
- Weighing, labelling and barcode printing
- Vision inspection of packaging, labels and codes
- Connection to ERP and SQL databases
- Electrical design, control panels and commissioning
- Training, 24/7 service and remote support
Technologies in our food projects
How the cooperation works.
Consultation
We come to you, look at the operation or the brief and tell you what makes sense. Without obligation.
Concept and quote
Technical design, scope, schedule and price. Always with a reserve for what practice reveals.
Implementation
Engineering, manufacturing, installation, programming and commissioning. One team, one responsibility.
Operation
Operator training, documentation and a service contract according to how critical the technology is for your production.
Related services.
MES system
Production planning and scheduling, warehouse management, TPM maintenance, downtime and OEE in one system.
Machine vision
2D and 3D vision inspection for quality control, OCR and DMC code reading, error-proofing and traceability.
PLC programming
PLC control systems, HMI operator panels and SCADA for Siemens, Rockwell, ABB, Omron and Schneider.
Frequently asked questions.
Did not find your answer? Write to us and we will reply within 24 hours.
What are the benefits of food industry automation?
Consistent adherence to recipes, fewer manual records, fast batch traceability and less downtime on the lines. The result is confidence in audits and less waste.
How does batch traceability work in MES?
At goods receipt every raw material is given a batch number, in production the system records which batches were used in which production lot, and at dispatch where the lot went. You can trace forwards from raw material to customer and backwards.
Can you connect the MES to our ERP?
Yes. We send data on quantities produced, consumption and stock movements to the ERP or an SQL database and take production orders from it. We design the interface around the system you use.
Do we have to replace the whole line to automate?
No. It is often enough to add buffer control, a scale, a code printer or a camera to the existing machines and link them up for data. The rest of the line stays as it is.
How much does MES or line automation cost?
It depends on the number of lines and machines to be connected, the scope of the modules and the ERP integration. We give a fixed price after a production analysis and technical concept, not a rough guess.
Can you provide service during the seasonal peak?
Yes. We offer contract service with 24/7 standby and remote access, so we can solve many problems without a site visit. Before the season we can carry out a preventive check of the control systems.
Where are you lacking visibility today?
Tell us what you produce, how many lines you have and whether your main concern is traceability, downtime or packaging. We will get back to you within 24 hours with a free consultation.