24 October 2017

Intelligent scanners for the food & beverage industry

Submitted by: CubicICE (PTY) Ltd
Intelligent scanners for the food & beverage industry

SICK Automation has developed a range of bar code scanners to address the challenges of the food and beverage industry. These bar code scanners feature innovative technologies to provide high-accuracy track and trace performance in challenging environments, such as in freezers and in wet conditions. The scanners also adhere to strict hygiene requirements and are resilient to potentially harmful cleaning chemicals.

Traceability is of paramount importance in the food and beverage industry. Companies need to be able to identify when, where and by whom products were received, processed, stored, transported, consumed and disposed of, and must provide fully documented proof thereof. SICK Automation bar code scanners are used throughout the industry for this reason, tracking and tracing all processes from delivery of the raw materials through to intralogistics.

“In this highly regulated and fast-paced industry, it is essential to not only have scanners that are able to track and identify every single item for safety and logistical reasons but also that are able to withstand the challenges of the industry, like constantly changing temperatures and high-pressure cleaners, for example,” explains Mark Madeley, Identification Manager, SICK Automation Southern Africa

SICK Automation offers intelligent sensor solutions for every application challenge in this industry, ranging from easily-integrated compact devices and standalone systems to programmable high-speed cameras. The company offers a range of technologies to detect bar codes, 2D codes and RFID tags, even when the print quality is poor, the codes are damaged or films or other reflective surfaces have been applied over the top of them.

Safe and clean scanning solutions
Undoubtedly two of the largest concerns in the food and beverage industry are safety and hygiene. SICK Automation has addressed these with scanners that feature IP69K-rated stainless steel housings, providing chemical and corrosion resistance and fully leak-proof performance, even in high-pressure cleaning applications. In order to guarantee that no broken glass contaminates the production process, the scanners’ optical interfaces are manufactured from robust polycarbonate – making them also resistant to water, chlorine-based disinfectants, solvents, oils and greases.

Solutions for cold storage
Another challenge affecting scanner performance in the industry is its fluctuating temperatures in manufacturing and storing processes. “When a scanner is exposed to constantly changing temperatures, from the freezer to the loading bay for example, its screen often mists which reduces its readability,” points out Madeley. SICK Automation has addressed this with front-screen heaters that prevent the scanner’s reading window from misting up. SICK Automation scanners operate reliably at temperatures as low as - 25 degrees Celsius.

Ideal for fast-paced manufacturing
This range of food and beverage scanners is suitable for fast-paced operations, with frequencies of up to 1 200 Hz. They also feature optimised depth of field, oscillating mirrors and real-time autofocus functionality to increase the accuracy of their read rates and ensure data is accurately captured. In addition, owing to the scanners' wide aperture angle, one device can cover the majority of conveyor belt widths – making them well-suited for long reading distances.

Easily integrated into your application
SICK Automation offers these food and beverage scanner solutions to ensure the safety and efficiency of every process, from produce to consumer levels. These various solutions easily integrate with each other by utilising the company’s standardisation connectivity system, 4Dpro. 4Dpro allows the different scanners to be combined and exchanged with one another, owing to their standardised connectivity system, user interface and accessories. This protects users' investments, reduces the amount of integration work needed during commissioning and maintenance and keeps stock levels and storage costs to a minimum.

SICK Automation Southern Africa offers this range of food and beverage scanning and sensor solutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

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About SICK Automation
SICK is one of the world’s leading producers of sensors and sensor solutions for industrial applications. Founded in 1946 by Dr.-Ing. e. h. Erwin Sick, the company with headquarters in Waldkirch im Breisgau near Freiburg ranks among the technological market leaders. With more than 50 subsidiaries and equity investments as well as numerous agencies, SICK maintains a presence around the globe. In the fiscal year 2015, SICK had more than 7400 employees worldwide and achieved Group sales of just under EUR 1.3 billion. Additional information about SICK is available on the Internet at http://www.sickautomation.co.za or by phone on +27 11 472 3733.

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