Automation technology for the food industry

High demands in all branches of the food industry

The food industry is one of the most important branches of industry. Food must meet high quality standards, be inexpensive, fast as well as available in large quantities.

Therefore, in industrial food production it is all about constant product quality, compliance with hygiene regulations, high system availability and efficiency. Regardless of whether in beverage production, milk processing, confectionery and bakery production, in meat processing or in frozen food processing – a smooth production process can only be achieved with high-quality automation technology.

Suitable products for the food industry in the range of Automation24

In the Automation24 portfolio you will find a selection of high-quality products from ifm electronic, PHOENIX CONTACT as well as LED2WORK, that are suitable for food production areas. You will find an overview below:

Inductive sensors

Robust models from ifm with high protection ratings of IP68/IP96K for reliable position detection.

Conductivity sensors

Conductivity sensors from ifm for concentration detection of cleaning liquids, rinse water monitoring for residues and the granting of production approval in cleaning processes (CIP).

Photoelectric sensors

Compact sensors from ifm with Ecolab certification for object detection even in highly reflective environments.

Pressure sensors

Hygienic and temperature-resistant series PI27 and PG27 from ifm for pressure monitoring and level measurement.

Pressure transmitters

Vibration-resistant pressure transmitters from ifm made of robust stainless steel housings.

Temperature transmitters

Temperature transmitters from ifm in a hygienic design with a fast response time and high protection rating.

Resistance thermometers

Resistance thermometers from ifm in a hygienic design with fast response times for precise measurements and a high protection rating.

Point level sensors

The hygienic sensors of the LMT series from ifm have all relevant approvals (EHEDG, 3-A and FDA).

Sensor cables

The vibration-resistant EVF series from ifm made of stainless steel enables secure and permanently sealed connections.

Circular connectors

The type EVF from ifm with its highly elastic cable seal directly at the cable entry ensures reliable protection against contamination.

Sensor/actuator boxes

The stainless steel series SACB from PHOENIX CONTACT with a high protection rating thanks to the encapsulated housing.

Surface mount luminaires

Material-resistant and IFS-compliant INROLED-50 series from LED2WORK for perfect lighting conditions in wet areas.

Control & signalling devices

Robust SIRIUS ACT control and signalling devices from Siemens with protection rating up to IP69K and high media resistance.

In addition, at Automation24 you will find many products for secondary processes in food processing such as compressed air meters for compressed air monitoring and vibration sensors for vibration monitoring of your pumps. You will also receive monitoring of valve and flap positions as well as position reporting inductive dual sensors as well as their associated target pucks for status visualisation. In order to efficiently monitor and control the perfect interaction of your components, you do not have to do without the appropriate control systems from Siemens in your food production.

What requirements should automation technology meet in the food industry?

The sensor and automation components used in food processing should meet the prescribed norms of food processing and high technical standards.

Known standards that certify suitability for use in food production

One of the standards that should be met is, for example, the EHEDG standard for the European market. This is awarded according to the guidelines of the European Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG). This is an association of experts from health authorities, food specialists and research institutes who have specified guidelines for hygienic food processing and packaging.

For the American market, the components should also be 3A and FDA compliant. 3A compliance is confirmed by 3A Sanitary Standard Inc., the American counterpart to the EHEDG. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American regulatory authority for pharmaceutical products and food, however, assigns the FDA approval. This confirms that the regulations for the use of materials in the hygiene area are complied with.

At the international level, the International Featured Standard Food (IFS Food) certification is another well-known standard in the food industry. This certifies a safe and quality-preserving handling of food and was created by the main association of the German retail trade (HDE) as well as representatives of the food retail trade (LEH).

Required product properties for food processing

Food processing machinery carry a high risk of contamination from residues that can repeatedly enter the production process. Therefore, frequent and regular cleaning of the machinery is essential. This is done using the automatic CIP/SIP cleaning procedure. CIP stands for "Clean-In-Place". This means that the automation components are largely cleaned without dismantling the inner surfaces that come into contact with food. SIP is the abbreviation for "Sterilisation-In-Place" and is performed as a supplement according to the CIP procedure if necessary. In this step, harmful microorganisms are killed using hot water as well as optionally, by adding aggressive cleaning agents or steam.

To withstand these intensive cleaning processes, the automation components used must have a high level of impermeability such as protection rating IP69(K) as well as a high temperature and material resistance. Ecolab certification confirms the durability of the cleaning solutions. Particularly recommended in this context are components made of high-alloy stainless steel or plastic, such as e.g. PEEK because they are corrosion-resistant and insensitive to the chemical substances used in cleaning.

Furthermore, the automation components should have a continuous and smooth hygienic design according to DIN EN 1672-2 to prevent food residues from getting stuck in the dead zones. Compliance with EU directive EC 1935/2004 confirms that the materials may come into contact with food.