Smart Product Inspection Technology Solutions for Reducing Material and Energy Costs

If we know (and we do) that a savvy move involves integrating the right product inspection systems into your production line, paving the way for substantial savings in raw materials by curbing product giveaway and minimising false rejects, let's look at an example. Step forward a flour manufacturer embracing an advanced checkweigher equipped with FlashCell™ EMFR (Electro-Magnetic Force Restoration) technology. With sophisticated algorithms, the smart checkweigher identifies excessive flour dispensing and triggers automatic corrective action. Transmitting this intel directly to filling stations makes for precise fill levels, thanks to tight tolerances and high precision load cells, leading to material savings and heightened production efficiency.

- Kati Hope

While the per-pack savings might seem modest when adjusting flour weight, the cumulative impact over time is colossal. Let's break it down with a simple calculation: 100 one-kilogram packs produced per minute across three eight-hour shifts daily result in a whopping 144,000 kilograms of flour produced every day. (100kg x 60 minutes x 8 x 3 shifts) = 144,000 kg produced every day (144,000 bags) The scale of potential savings hinges on regulatory standards. Operating within the European Union's Measuring Instruments Directive (MID), for instance, tighter tolerances can save approximately 720 kilograms of flour per day (5 grams saved per 1000-gram bag x 144,000 bags), translating to a significant annual saving of 216,000 kilograms based on 300 working days.

Combating Costs

This strategic use of product inspection technology is vital for combating escalating manufacturing costs and boosting productivity. A prime example is the current global scenario, where food manufacturers grapple with inflation impacting raw material and energy costs.

While there is nothing that food manufacturers can do about these kinds of escalating costs, there are ways that inflationary pressures can be mitigated within the production facility and these need to be seriously considered by manufacturers.