| User Menu | Lost password?
Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As a registered user can gain access to the additional features on this website. |
|
| Who's Online | There are currently, 4 guest(s) and 0 member(s) online.
|
|
 | |
Welcome to the UK food automation academic and industrial groups site
This brings together professionals from food manufacturing, academia, research institutes and automation suppliers, with the goal of increasing the engineering research and development infrastructures within the sector and to promote best practice, whilst fostering advanced engineering in automation procedures.
- Visit our News section or subscribe to our RSS feeds( with conjuction with any RSS reader software)
- or copy our upcoming Events into your diary
- or register for free to gain access to the Proceedings from the previous meetings including Leeds meeting
|
|
Aims
- To promote world class research in the field and establish a strong UK engineering research community in this sector, including the Food Automation Centre sponsored by Yorkshire Forward
- To establish a focus for food automation research expertise and research facilities
- To maintain a comprehensive network that links academic researchers with those in the food-manufacturing and equipment providers and others with an interest in food automation
- To provide a forum that encourages collaborative research, the formulation of interdisciplinary research proposals, technology transfer and which promotes staff/student mobility between academia and industry
- To form an authoritative group of experts willing to inform Government and Research Councils on strategic trends in research directions
- To stimulate and promote high level training courses
|
|
Food 2030 - a major report
Anonymous writes "
Food 2030 Defra strategy paper
The Food 2030 strategy is the result of discussions over a long period with many
stakeholders. Defra thanks those who have contributed to this process
including FMEG.
The six key themes of the strategy are:
- Having a resilient and economically sustainable food system
- Increasing food production sustainably
- Reducing the food system's greenhouse gas emissions
- Reducing, reusing and reprocessing waste
- Having the appropriate research, skills, knowledge and technology
- Encouraging and enabling people to eat a healthy, sustainable diet
The goals can only be achieved through a strong contribution from
research and innovation and the strategy provides a framework for this.
It recognises the need for further commitment to co-ordination.
The UK has great strengths in the science base and industry. However, innovation in a commercial sense takes place predominantly in
industry. The government can invest in research, education and skills.
The research programme needs close engagement with industry, building a
more integrated community of researchers, funders and users that
extends across disciplines, organisations and sectors. A new Technology
Strategy Board led Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation platform
will fund innovative techological research on waste reduction and
management and greenhouse gas reduction (£90m over 5 years). The
strategy encourages exploitation of European research opportunities,
will lead to a major Foresight food study on global food supply and
lead to a new BBSRC Advanced Training Partnership scheme (masters,
doctoral and CPD) with higher and further education. New metrics will
be developed to monitor research collaboration, innovation and skills.
Engineering is highlighted as an underpinning skill, p7.This will be needed for a projected increase of 45% in energy demand in
2030 and the need to reduce greenhouse gases. In addition , the amount
of water needed in food processing will increase. The UK food and drink
supply chain accounts for 7% of GDP and employs 3.7 million people.
Food manufacturers, processors, distributors and retailers will need to
be more resource efficient and reduce waste throughout the system. The
food system produces about 18% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and
reduction will pose some interesting challenges. Automation is
mentioned, p72.
Skills are needed in both research and manufacturing,with a lack of academic food science and manufacturing laboratories
highlighted. The research community will have to attract and train the
next generation of researchers and overcome the negative perceptions of
the industry. The industry needs to provide clear demand signals and
not only want these skills, but also upskill and professionalise the
workforce to meet future challenges, p51.
Translation of research into use is often cited as a systematic weakness.To combine the strengths of the research base to the industry requires
effective translation of research outputs to application, p52. Many
companies will feel distant from their community and may find it
difficult to articulate their needs. SMEs in particular are typically
less able to engage directly with research services and this should be
investigated. Building stronger relationships between universities and
businesses will be important. This may involve dialogue related to
products, technologies, processes, knowledge and skills. There should
be more career recognition/promotion of translation skills and
activities. End users include suppliers of equipment, food processors
and retailers. Government roles in funding responsibilities need
clarification.
For the full report see the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/index.htm ...
"
Posted by admin on Monday, February 01 @ 11:06:40 CET (10 reads)
| | (Read More... | comments? | Score: 0) |
|
Special offer for FMEG members for Appetite 2010
Anonymous writes "Appetite for Engineering is back – bigger and better
The third Appetite for Engineering networking conference will take the food and beverage industry by storm when it takes place at the Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire on 29 April 2010.
Appetite for Engineering (A4E) is the one-day conference where automation meets the food industry – and where delegates will learn how to gain competitive advantage and increase profitability.
‘’It will deliver a truly networking conference and forum for the food processing industry,’’ says Peter Middup, publisher of Food Processing magazine, A4E’s associated publication.
‘’It will satisfy buyers’ and specifiers’ appetites for better plant, better equipment, better control and better management of their food and drink processing establishments – and ultimately deliver better products.’’
Conference delegates will meet with and learn from companies that have provided food processors with real improvements in their plant processes. Delegates can arrange exclusive one-to-one consultancy sessions with equipment suppliers, capital investment specialists, supermarkets and several independent food processing advisory bodies. In addition, an international delegation will be on hand to advise you about potential overseas markets.
The event will this year present its most impressive list of speakers yet. After an official opening from Lord Chris Haskins, former Northern Foods chairman, you’ll hear from Marks & Spencer, Lloyds TSB, the Chilled Food Association (CFA), the Food & Drink Federation (FDF), Westaway Sausages, the Centre for Robotics & Automation (CenFRA), the PDM Group, KW Trident, British Sugar and Promar International.
The speakers will be addressing issues and concerns from right across the sector including investment, hygiene, skills and training, robotics and automation partnerships, waste management and sustainability.
Marks & Spencer will talk about retailers’ expectations with respect to suppliers and food manufacturers – a crucial area for many in the sector who are keen to remain informed about supermarket requirements and standards.
A4E has attracted several high profile partners, the principal one being headline sponsor Bosch Rexroth. Other partners include Ishida Europe, Festo, Rockwell Automation, Carruthers, CenFRA, University of Lincoln, PPMA, Rittal, IATC and Siemens.
There is still time for FMEG members to book a 2-for-1 delegate deal. Contact Peter Middup at peter.middup@imlgroup.co.uk ...
"
Posted by admin on Tuesday, January 12 @ 18:31:32 CET (21 reads)
| | (Read More... | comments? | Score: 0) |
|
Challenges to make better use of R&D
Anonymous writes "
What are the challenges to making better use of R&D in the food system?
(DEFRA On line discussion document; Improving the food system through research and innovation)
Chair John Reed, Silsoe Technology
The culture of the UK food industry is craft-based and is not geared to academic research. The industry is customer led. This in turn, leads to the equipment requirements. Thought needs to be given to appropriate R&D for food manufacturers, who have to identify engineering researchers, who are not just able, but willing to work with the industry. The other issue is that the number of engineers in the industry is low, the technical in house engineering liaison is lacking. In addition, the research base in the UK is reducing. BBSRC closed Silsoe, Bristol University has closed FRPERC, and IFR Norwich has just declared redundancies. The Food LINK grant scheme has closed
Initiatives such as CenFRA in Yorkshire have helped by providing technology audits. However, there was a need for more regional centres and a national co-ordination of these centres.
Investment carries risk as food is a quickly changing market. For example, in the recession, demand for high value foods has dropped. Thus equipment must be flexible to meet the changing market. Packaging changes a lot and so much thought should be given to a modular approach. Space in factories is an issue, as new equipment must have sufficient space. However, there are radical suggestions such as the Factory in a pipeline that could reduce space requirements. The industry is competitive and concerned about confidentiality. It is easier to go out of industry to seek advice, this advice must include architects and consultants other than engineers. The suppliers have to accommodate the customer's requirements. Very short contracts, like 24 hours, only do not encourage investment and innovation.
There was a need to educate food manufacturers and to create a virtuous triangle of retailer, manufacturer and equipment supplier. Marks and Spencer had a vision for 2020. Companies could install tried and tested automation such as dispatch automation. Proven technology can be deployed but this is not happening. Companies can claim research tax credits and smaller companies can come together in co-operatives.
University research was blue sky and driven by the Research Assessment Exercise criteria. There was a culture gap between universities and manufacturers and communication needed improvement. There was useful knowledge on imaging and sensors in universities but there was a development gap. Reviews of technology areas would be more helpful to industry than one off research papers. A 'who does what where and why guide' may be helpful. Regional guides to help on grants, waste, tax and the local food cluster champion would be helpful. Clearer routes to help are needed. Note FMEG member has supplied the following websites
‘Grants’ column at http://www.nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk/.
The established EEN (Enterprise Europe Network) http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
The brand new "IP NET" (www.theintellectualproperty.net ). It was described to me as:
- "A completely new & FREE technology exchange
- Gives us an "Ebay for innovation" - "Free web tools to support innovation",
- Innovation Park Search
- www.innovationparksearch.info
- Searches the web sites of the tenant companies on UKSPA Science Parks and incubators
- 1000+ technology companies
- Academia Search
- www.academiasearch.info
- Searches the contents of the research web pages of all 120 UK University web sites
- Ideal for finding research partners, expertise, or knowledge
- Investor Search
- www.investorsearch.info
- Searches the contents of 2000 VC and Private Equity firms
- 300 UK
- 350 USA
- 1400 others internationally
- Ideal for searching investor Portfolios
- The Knowledge Vine
- www.theknowledgevine.net
- A new type of knowledge network
- A simple email system for asking questions of a large range of experts and getting answers back efficiently.
BUT there is a need to identify food industry friendly academics.
Research led to proof of concept: development grants were needed. Best practice needed to be defined and next best practice to set benchmarks. The food equipment industry introduces technology to food manufacturers and is more familiar with the industry than the academics.
The need for UK to maximise national food production was highlighted. This would need research and innovation.
The answers to the three questions are
- Lots
- No
- Yes
Reports on the other discussions will follow later. ...
"
Posted by admin on Friday, January 01 @ 11:32:47 CET (37 reads)
| | (Read More... | comments? | Score: 0) |
|
Report of Festo meeting - afternoon session
Anonymous writes "FMEG MEETING AT FESTO, NORTHAMPTON - 4 November 2009
- ENERGISING FOOD MANUFACTURING TO EMERGE FROM RECESSION TO A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE PAPERS FROM AFTERNOON SESSION
This successful
meeting was attended by more than 40 delegates. Steve Land welcomed the
meeting to Festo, explained the history of the company and the focus on
automation, industrial control and pneumatics.
Getting Automation into SME's - making the business case Steve Diggines, Head of MES Consulting, Enterprise Market, Atos Origin UK Ltd
Automation
brings the ability to improve the control of the production process. It
reduces variability and defects. It improves efficiency, use of
material, equipment and energy. It does not necessarily reduce the
people deployed but their roles may change.
A micro-brewery
flourishes by producing high quality ale. It wishes to expand without
compromising quality. The process can be approached in a number of
ways. Process engineering, quality improvement or other improvements
can be examined.
Improvements can come in varying sizes. These are smaller point solutions versus major changes. Each potential solution should look at the impacts on:
- People
- Processes
- Organisation
Point changes will involve few people, some technology and should be more straightforward.
Major changes will involve:
- The whole organisation
- People - whose roles may change
- Technology
- Quality
- Engineering
The two types of change can be combined
What you need to know before you change:
- Business priorities
- Identify automation opportunities
- Prioritise your changes
- Build a business case
- Gain approval for funding
Priorities may not include cost reduction but
- Improve competitive advantage
- Improve throughput
- Improve service
- Improve quality
- Improve the environment including health and safety
- Reduce risk
- Increase sustainability
How do you spot opportunities?
By walking through the process, understanding best practice and by increasing the knowledge of the staff.
Where do you seek help?
There are sources of help such as the Manufacturing Advisory Service,
National Industrial Synergy Programme, automation suppliers and some
universities.
How do you prioritise?
You look for the bottlenecks, can you streamline and where are the
biggest benefits? Initially look for some quick wins as this will help
build confidence in the change process. Plot benefits against
automation components. You must specify benefits and be clear how you
would measure improvement and when. Write down key assumptions,
variables and compute financial impact
Then you must Do Something -
Build up ideas and look at:
Costs, benefits and implementation
Outputs, payback, discounted cashflow look at options on funding
Gain approval for funding by selling the ideas internally, look for
outside support eg grant for business investment, Carbon Trust or EU
schemes.
The aim is to create factories fit for the future.
Synergies within Food & Drink Manufacture Charlotte Harper, Regional Manager East Midlands, NISP
The National Industrial Synergy Programme (NISP) works across
industrial sectors. It aims to improve the use of materials in industry
by redirecting waste materials and resources, water and improving
logistics.
The programme is government funded and free. The programme is
regionally based with 12 regional teams and each region has an advisory
group. In the East Midlands the group includes representatives from
Arla, Boots and Nobel Foods.
The scheme allows companies to access practitioners to examine the flow
of raw materials into a process, the waste material out and look at
uses for the waste.
Examples of successful synergies include:
- Turning waste milk into energy
- Bio generation of gas for combined heat and power from aerobic digestion of food waste
- Waste plastic from a crisp manufacturer recycled saving £2,500
- Dissolved air floatation treatment of effluents with solids allowing compliance with legislation
- Surplus carbon dioxide from a nitrogen gas producer re routed to a tomato grower created 65 jobs
Food waste mixed with packaging was a problem as it could contain plastic, metallised polypropylene and low grade plastic.
Food fit for consumption is being channelled to social enterprizes and food waste to anaerobic digestion and vermiculture. ...
"
Posted by admin on Thursday, December 03 @ 12:11:48 CET (76 reads)
| | (Read More... | comments? | Score: 0) |
|
Emerging from the recession and Food 2030
Anonymous writes "
FMEG MEETING AT FESTO, NORTHAMPTON - 4 November 2009 -
ENERGISING FOOD MANUFACTURING TO EMERGE FROM RECESSION TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE MORNING SESSION
This successful meeting was attended by more than 40 delegates. Steve Land welcomed the meeting to Festo, explained the history of the company and the focus on automation, industrial control and pneumatics.
The Managing Director of Festo, Gary Wyles, addressed the meeting on emerging from the recession and urged companies to consider three dimensions of waste and energy. These are: power, process and people. An example of wasted power was leakage from pneumatics. Processes needed to be productive, flexible, add value, be sustainable, be continuously improved and part of the lean agenda. Any process that does not add value creates waste. People need to be engaged in the agenda and tasks and the engagement needs to be from the ground up. Staff will mimic the management so leadership must have conviction and communicate clearly.
Robert Matthews of Defra outlined the consultation 'Food 2030'. He emphasised the importance of the food industry as an employer, creator of wealth and providing nutrients essential to health. He listed the future challenges of feeding a larger population in a sustainable way, with thriving food and farming and reductions in the use of water and energy and minimising waste. Defra was leading co-ordination across the government. There had been a good response to the consultation. This would be published in early 2010.
Andrew Cowey of Siemens chaired the discussion. The first question was to focus on the changes needed to assist food companies and where they could obtain the knowledge for change. Mike Dudbridge of the University of Lincoln stated that consultations with food manufacturers indicated that they needed training to cope with the present technology and that additional training was needed for advanced technology such as automation. The University was developing courses to support companies in adopting new technology. Consumer expectations may have to change on 100% availability that comes at a high cost of short and expensive runs. The lack of engineers in the food industry especially senior management and in government departments was retarding progress.
Ginsters had automated but had to seek information and advice from the automotive sector. There had to be a shift in skills and the new technology needed to keep simplicity. The behavioural change was the most difficult to manage and it was challenging to align people to new ideas in other businesses. Ginsters had had a payback time of under 2 years on their investment in automation.
John Reed of Silsoe Technology said the goal of higher production with less environmental impact would require more inovation and better technology. The industry had to lead on innovation. Government has control of legislation and taxation to influence and research funds to assist innovation. Dr Cole of Defra explained the new funding via the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and suggested that FMEG should start a dialogue with the TSB on innovation in the food industry.
The delegates toured the Festo site and saw technology demonstrations of automation, robotics and control systems. ...
"
Posted by admin on Monday, November 23 @ 09:29:29 CET (77 reads)
| | (Read More... | comments? | Score: 0) |
|
|
