NEWS
TROY STEHR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, LAB & ANALYTICAL
BÜRKERT UK Q
: Why is precision dosing about process control, and not just a pump? A: The biggest misconception with precision dosing is that precision
comes from the dosing device alone. In reality, repeatable dosing is the result of the whole fluidic system: pressure control, temperature stability, valve response, sensor feedback, recipe management, dispensing tip and cleaning strategy all influence the final dose. If any one of these elements change, the measured volume can change with it. Additionally, data to confirm that the dose has actually been delivered is a consideration and requirement in many quality regimes. The best approach, therefore, is to treat dosing and batching as a control problem rather than simply a pump-selection process. If process variables change during a batch, the dosing strategy must be able to see that change and compensate for it in real time. How to decide between time-pressure and volumetric dosing: Where only moderate accuracy dosing is needed, yes, a volumetric technique can be simple and extremely effective. Bürkert’s micro dosing-unit delivers a defined stroke volume, giving repeatability, precise control and high dosing speed while varying total dose by changing the number of strokes, but this technique does not give data to confirm that the dose has been delivered. For small, high-value doses where process conditions are stable, time-
pressure architecture can also be simple and effective. This is an open loop technique where the supply pressure and the valve opening time are precisely controlled to deliver the same dose repeatedly, but again there is no data to confirm the delivered dose. Where more accuracy is needed, and/or data is required to confirm every dose delivered, we need a closed loop system. In this instance we use a flow measurement device with very fast response to measure each dose and adjust valve opening time to dynamically compensate for any process variables.
Often dosing and batching projects will fail to deliver the required accuracy because overrun and valve dynamics are ignored. Remember, the commanded stop point is not the actual stop point. A proper batch controller measures flow, predicts the endpoint and compensates for overrun. Modern batch control should support recipe selection, logging and parameter management so that operators can run validated batches without editing logic. Bürkert’s batch controller software includes recipe handling, flow-based totalising and batch logs.
My advice to an engineer starting a dosing or batching upgrade: Define the allowable dose error before selecting hardware. Measure the variables that actually move the dose (typically pressure, flow and temperature). Choose the dosing principle around process behaviour, not catalogue familiarity. Specify cleaning, traceability and recipe handling up front, and finally, validate the complete system with real fluid, real temperature swings and real batch transitions.
Over the years, I have found that the most successful dosing
projects are those where operations, quality and engineering teams collaborate from the outset. If I had to summarise it in one sentence: The most accurate dosing device in the world cannot compensate for an uncontrolled process, but a well-instrumented dosing system can compensate for a surprising amount of process variability. That is the real lesson behind modern precision dosing and batching solutions. u
www.burkert.co.uk/en
ASK THE EXPER DETECTING IN SYNERGYT O
n Stand E36 at this years PPMA Show, Fortress Technology will present a compact, productive and compliant food production microcosm. See four interconnected, high performance food metal detectors working together, rejecting contaminated products, sharing data and weighing packages in total synergy. Showcased for the first time at a UK exhibition, the Raptor Tritek is a 3-in-1 combination system that features metal detection, checkweighing and label inspection vision technologies in a single easy-clean frame. Designed to improve TCO and OEE, it ensures food manufacturers maintain rigorous food safety compliance all-day-long, by prioritising metal detection on every pack. All in the smallest possible inspection footprint.
Demonstrating the inspection of large format applications weighing up to 25kg is the Fortress Technology Big Bag Combination System. Integrating metal detection and case weighing in one unit, this easy-to- use and ergonomic system handles bulky products effortlessly without slowing production lines. Rather than requiring separate machines for each stage of the inspection process, these intelligent Metal Detector/Checkweighing Combination systems can work side by side and talk seamlessly with each other using Industry 4.0 connectivity and automated data reporting. This helps to streamline quality control, improve user safety and minimise human errors.
A standalone Stealth Metal Detector will demonstrate how all manufacturers can improve inspection operational efficiency and productivity at the final packaging stage. Connecting seamlessly to existing upstream and downstream equipment, see how the Stealth Metal Detector can be built to match specific line heights, widths and plant configurations. Many processors optimise floor layouts by expanding vertically. Engineered specifically for tightly packed production facilities, low ceiling heights and for insertion between product chutes and hoppers, the Fortress Technology Gravity Metal Detector is packed full of useful labour and time saving features.
All four machines can be supplied with Halo Automatic Testing to validate the performance of each metal detector. u
www.fortresstechnology.co.uk
THE BENEFITS OF ROBOTICS T
ekpak Automation will demonstrate a LIVE working 3-axis pick-and-place cell on Stand G74 at the PPMA Show 2026, showcasing the benefits of robotics to food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers of all sizes. TekPak has been shortlisted in THREE categories at the Automate
UK Awards, and the centrepiece of its stand this year will be the TD3/R Series, a dynamic 3-axis robotic pick-and-place cell suitable for loading or stacking products into trays, cases, cartons, a thermoformer or a flow-wrapper infeed.
This compact automated system is flexible, offers rapid size change capability and features a quick-change gripper for multiple formats. Ideal in cleanroom environments or where space is limited, it’s also highly accurate thanks to robot positional accuracy of +/- 0.1mm and position tracking using vision control. In addition, the system is easy to use thanks to accessible touch-screen displays and boasts gentle handling and optimal safety functions.
u
www.tekpakautomation.com SEPTEMBER 2026 | PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING 5
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