Feature Communications & Networking Improving hygienic production
Due to increasing consumer demands, hygiene requirements in the food industry are becoming ever more stringent. However, these can only be met if the design of all the production systems is geared towards hygiene, as Gilbert Schwartmann from HBM and John Browett of the CLPA explain
ponents with such certification are able to meet the hygiene requirements of the EU Machinery Directive.
Naturally this sort of process gener- ates large amounts of data, as does pro- duction when the machinery is actually in use. It is essential that this data is collected efficiently and processed appropriately. Most modern production machinery includes a sophisticated electronic control system, which communicates with a plant wide network that synchronises all the different activates involved in production and plant maintenance.
tives. To be able to implement this in production, you must try to make it vir- tually impossible for micro-organisms to get in during the production process. This means that hygiene is even more crucial in food production plants than it was in the past.
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As a result new techniques and technologies are being put into prac- tice by food processors in order to address this. Some are unique and original while others are ‘borrowed’ from the pharmaceutical, medical and other super-hygienic industries. The European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG), a consor- tium of manufacturers, food producers and research institutes, promotes hygienic engineering and design in all areas of food production. This includes a focus on the geometry and the surfaces that are used on compo- nents, and another on ensuring clean- ing processes - both manual and automated - are truly effective right down to the microbial level. It has also developed suitable test methods to aid compliance with European legislation. Systems and/or components are deliberately polluted with bacteria, dried and then cleaned. In a further step, a culture medium with a pH indicator, in which bacteria can reproduce, tests whether any bac- teria remain after cleaning. Typical components that are EHEDG certified include fittings, pumps and sensors. Plant engineers deploying com-
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ore and more, consumers these days are demanding food that is fresh, untreated and without preservatives or other addi-
Above: hygienic design is mandatory for filling and dosing processes of foods and beverages
Sensors and communication Discernible in the food industry, as in many other sectors of industry, is the increasing trend towards system automation. The cleaning procedures for this type of system are often auto- mated as well, and must therefore work without the need to dismantle system parts and components. At the same time, automated systems of this type also make increased use of sensor tech- nology. The sensors used must therefore also meet hygiene requirements. As an example, HBM has developed the PW27 platform load cell to comply
with IP69K as an option.
Naturally the PW27 has data commu- nications capabilities so that it can send information off to higher level con- trollers. One of HBM’s favoured commu- nications protocols is the ‘open’ CC-Link protocol, which allows sensors, con- trollers, and other products from over 250 different manufacturers to be mixed and matched on the same network. CC-Link is an open network technol-
ogy, allowing any company to make com- patible products. This gives end users tremendous freedom in choosing what equipment to install in their plants, and makes the practice of restricting compati- bility employed by some automation suppliers a thing of the past.
For component manufacturers like HBM this means their products are suitable for use in a vast number of installations around the world. Global companies are increasingly adopting open communications because it aids the development of worldwide pur- chasing strategies, whilst reducing stockholding needs and procurement costs. Further technical benefits accrue when all of their production equipment, wherever it is located, conforms to the same control and com- munication specification.
Conclusion
Above: HBM’s PW27 aseptic load cell
with EHEDG guidelines and therefore be suitable for this type of food sector appli- cation. To meet the high cleanability requirements, it is hermetically encapsu- lated and is stainless steel throughout. This guarantees that it is compatible with all the cleaning and disinfection agents currently used by the food industry. The design of the PW27 also makes it particularly easy to clean. For exam- ple, the top surfaces are all inclined to prevent the collection of dirt, product residue or water droplets, while laser etching replaces the usual specifica- tion stickers. With daily cleaning likely to include disinfection agents and/or high pressure steam cleaning, the PW27 is ingress protected to IP68 -
The role of hygienic design in the food and pharmaceutical industries is becoming increasingly important. Thanks to their new load cells with EHEDG certification, HBM can enjoy a position as a supplier for food and pharmaceutical sector applications. Plant engineers who integrate the load cells into their applications can rely on a guaranteed hygienic design. Similarly CC-Link has proved to be highly suitable for communications in hygienic applications, where its sim- plicity enables plant engineers to install new systems or adapt existing ones freely and effectively without excessive down-time.
HBM
www.hbm.com T: 0208 515 6100
CLPA
www.clpa-europe.com T: 0776 833 8708
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