What to Expect from a Factory of the Future?

Digital services and the industrial internet of things (IIoT) are rapidly transforming potato processing operations with intuitive and intelligent analytical capabilities. Specialists say that cloud-based management, or the digital relationship, can enable a back-and-forth flow of information analytics between the processor and the provider, while the IoT data management interconnects information, to help customers realize new business models, optimize internal processes and achieve major cost savings. It also allows customers to take advantage of process knowledge, full time, and make it sustainable.

At the other end of the spectrum, automation of a packaging line starts at the multi-head weigher – where the product enters – and finishes at the case packer. This includes the individual components that make up the packaging process too, like the metal detector, date coder, vertical form fill and seal system and take away conveyor. In an integrated line, the human machine interface (HMI) takes center stage and becomes the command center and central processing unit of the entire process. From here, experts say that operators can control practically any and every associated component from a single source for the ultimate simplicity and convenience. Depending on the sophistication of the technology employed, it’s also possible to adopt varying levels of access control, to ensure specific levels of functionality are assigned to certain personnel.

For this and everything in-between feel free to access your complimentary edition of the Potato Business Dossier – Autumn Edition by clicking here.