Food Engineering articles from December 2006

Food Engineering archives from December 2006

Attitude adjustment: happy days are here again.(Editorial)(Survey)
December 1, 2006... For over a quarter of a century, Food Engineering has conducted an annual salary and job satisfaction survey. Over the years, our readers have provided some very candid insights about the ups and downs of a career in the food industry. Fifteen...

Calendar.(Calendar)
December 1, 2006... JANUARY 2007 8-11 ProMat 2007, Chicago, IL; The Material Handling Industry of America; 704-676-1190; www.promatshow.com. 8-12 Applied Baking Science, Manhattan, KS; American Institute of Baking; 800-633-5137; www.aibonline.org. ...

Totally Chocolate.(started its operations in its new facility)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Totally Chocolate began operations in its new 60,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Blaine, WA. The facility features new molding and packaging lines for producing premium chocolate gifts and bars.

Northern Beef Packers.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Start-up beef packing venture Northern Beef Packers plans to build a new plant in Aberdeen SD. When finished in 2007, the facility will employ 500 people and process 1,500 head of cattle per day.

Blue Ribbon Cheese Co.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Blue Ribbon Cheese Co. is building a $225 million manufacturing facility in California's San Joaquin Valley. When it opens in 2009, the plant will produce up to 680,000 lbs. of Italian- and American-style cheeses per day.

Gold Kist.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Gold Kist celebrated the opening of a $70 million, 180,000-sq.-ft. expansion project at its Live Oak, FL, poultry processing facility. The company added 100 new employees.

Grafton Village Cheese Co.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... A new cheese plant is being built by Grafton Village Cheese Co. in Brattleboro, VT. The new facility's output, coupled with production at the existing plant in Grafton, will double the company's annual production to 3 million pounds of cheese...

Sarbanes-Oxley: no escape.(Manufacturing news)(Sarbanes-Oxley)
December 1, 2006... Although the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted temporary relief to smaller public companies from Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance reporting, more frequent than quarterly filing/reporting may be in the wings for all public...

Dems head food committees.(REGULATORY WATCH)(Democrats)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... With Control of Congress passing to the Democrats, changes are taking place on key food industry related committees. Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte will step down as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He'll be replaced by Minnesota...

WIC to get a makeover.(REGULATORY WATCH)(Women, Infants and Children food list)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... USDA is expected to make changes in the food list for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program for the first time in 30 years. WIC program managers have proposed adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to the list and less dairy....

Frito-Lay.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(manufacturing network reduced)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Frito-Lay is consolidating its manufacturing network from 34 to 32 sites to increase productivity and optimize its supply chain. The company plans to close its Lubbock, TX, and Honolulu, HI, facilities and move production to larger sites in...

Coca-Cola Co.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointment of president J. Alexander M. Douglas Jr.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Coca-Cola Co. named J. Alexander M. Douglas Jr. as president of Coca-Cola North America. Douglas, who had been senior vice president and chief customer officer, replaces Donald Knauss who left the company.

Monterey Gourmet Foods.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointment of chief executive officer and president)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Eric Eddings succeeds Jim Williams as president and chief executive officer at Monterey Gourmet Foods. Eddings was most recently senior vice president and president of the company's Natural Foods division.

Lawrence Foods.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointment of quality manager Daryck Beyer)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Daryck Beyer was named as quality manager for Lawrence Foods, an Illinois-based manufacturer of bakery ingredients. He joined Lawrence Foods after working as a quality manager for a multinational confectionary, frozen desserts and inclusion...

Smithfield Foods expects to complete its purchase of Premium Standard Farms, a fellow pork processor, during the first quarter of 2007.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(acquisitions)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Smithfield Foods expects to complete its purchase of Premium Standard Farms, a fellow pork processor, during the first quarter of 2007. PSF has net sales of $880 million.

Arthur Daniels Midland Co. acquired Classic Couverture.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)
December 1, 2006... Arthur Daniels Midland Co. acquired Classic Couverture, a Liverpool, England, chocolate manufacturer.

Food Technology Noord-Oost Nederland B.V (FTNON).(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Food Technology Noord-Oost Nederland B.V (FTNON), a manufacturer of food processing equipment, recently opened an office in Salinas, CA. Gene Rizzo will become head of FTNON USA's contracts and service operations.

Prairie Farms Dairy.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointment of executive vice president and chief executive officer )(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Edward Mullins is executive vice president and chief executive officer of Carlinville, IL-based Prairie Farms Dairy. Mullins joined the coop in 1980 and most recently served as senior vice president.

Klockner Pentaplast Group.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(appointment of director)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... The Klockner Pentaplast Group appointed Patty Enneking as director of global sustainability and environmental affairs for the company's worldwide operations. Prior to joining the company, she was vice president of packaging/consumer products...

Know the package score: Wal-Mart execs unveiled a packaging scoreboard by which products will be judged.(FOOD PACKAGING)
December 1, 2006... A crowd of more than 500 packaging suppliers, food company executives and other consumer packaged goods professionals were in rapt attention at PACK EXPO/PROCESS EXPO in Chicago for "The Wal-Mart/Sam's Club Packaging Vision," a presentation on...

Pottery packaging.(FOOD PACKAGING)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... From jelly jars to microwavable platters, food packages with secondary uses have been delighting consumers around the world for decades. Those containers are becoming more upscale with terra cotta bowls from the Spanish firm Arbresa SA. ...

Sortation system.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The TGW-ERMANCO Turbo narrow-belt sortation system sorts 150 cartons per minute. It uses Wave technology and Commander controls to provide throughput that previously required sliding shoe sorters. The controls and technologies that make up the...

Vision sensing.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The new color version of Omron's ZFV-C electronic sensor offers sensing capabilities close to human vision, including the ability to distinguish shapes and colors, says the company. Color sensing enables the unit to see images invisible to...

Combination scale.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The eight-head combination scale from CombiScale is suitable for applications such as dry, fresh or frozen foods, snacks, candies, nuts, spices, cheese, seeds, fruits, vegetables and more. Called the CS-8 Head, the unit runs 7 grams to 1.5 lbs....

Camera system.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Providing real-time control room monitoring of processing applications at a range of up to 1,000 meters, the Lumiglass Visulex Ex camera system from L.J. Star is for quality control/assurance programs. Visual process data may be continuously...

Laser sorter.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Key's Optyx 6000 Series sorter with Raptor Laser Technology features a double-wide platform and Key's G6 engine to detect small defects and foreign material at double throughput. As a wide-belt laser sorter that maintains the same...

Detection systems.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The Phantom conveyor metal detection system from Fortress provides inspection wherever machinery, products and packaging are in motion. The systems offer digital signal processing system and user-friendly controls provide on-line detection of...

Optical inspection.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Value Engineering's HueView delivers comprehensive color analysis of multicolored, patterned and textured items. It can be used to measure color and texture, monitor product appearance, classify/grade goods, facilitate sorting operations,...

Vision solution.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... PPT Vision's Impact A-10 Intelligent Camera along with the bundled IMPACT software suite's three modules--Impact KickStart, Vision Program Manager and Control Panel Manager--allows quick set up, storage and viewing of captured images through...

Thermal imager.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Wahl Instruments' Heat Spy HSI3000 thermal imaging camera is an ergonomically designed, hand-held camera used for detection, diagnostics and condition monitoring of electrical and mechanical systems and building diagnostics applications such as...

Metal detector.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The APEX High Performance metal detector from Thermo Electron uses multi-coil technology to increase the effect of the magnetic field in the aperture by more than 1.5 times, enabling the detector to target and amplify signals from much smaller...

Machine vision camera.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Toshiba Teli America's CS6910F, a next-generation FireWire digital camera, leverages a honeycomb-style Super CCD to achieve SXGA (1280 x 960) resolution images at up to 30 frames-per-second. The set includes random trigger shutter, electronic...

Vision sensors.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The DVT 515 and DVT 535 entry-level machine vision sensors from Cognex operate with Intellect software to facilitate setup, integration and maintenance. They have built in Ethernet for connecting to factory networks and software, facilitating...

Dimensioning system.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Accu-Sort's DM3500 dimensioner determines the volume of in-motion, cube-shaped packages on flat conveyor belts and calculates real volume and the smallest box to enclose an object without contacting the object. It also measures length, width...

Weight controllers.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... At 3-in. deep, Hardy Instruments HI 4050 general-purpose weight controller can be configured to meet the needs of tank farms, batching/ blending, filling/dispensing, check weighing, level-by-weight, and force measurement applications. Available...

HMI indicator/controller.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The 8201 programmable HMI indicator/controller from Rice Lake Weighing Systems features an intuitive interface that permits automated formula selection, batch start up, data recall or any frequently used process with the push of a button. The...

Drum scale.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The Alliance/Cardinal portable drum and barrel scale has built-in wheels and handles for moving it around the plant. Featuring a battery-powered digital weight indicator with a five-digit, 1-in. high LCD display that can be mounted anywhere,...

Inspection tools.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... By combining the capabilities of digital Gigabit Ethernet cameras and dual processing technology, Applied Vision says it has made machine vision more cost efficient. The company's Genius vision systems use the longer transmission links of...

Sanitary magnets.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... CESCO Magnetics' says all its products, including magnetic chutes, ducts, plates and line traps, employ powerful rare earth magnets and are now manufactured to sanitary grade standards, They are made at the company's new machining and...

Weight indicators.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Avery Weigh-Tronix 640 Series family of indicators for weighing applications offers the indication of gross and net weights along with a tare function that allows the temporary zeroing of a scale at the push of a button. All products offer...

Filling machine upgrades.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Thompson Scale's 4693 filler upgrade is available for a variety of filling and packaging equipment, including machinery that puts product in bags, boxes, tubs, totes, drums or bulk bags. Highly integrated controls along with new components...

Force measurement suspension.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Thayer Scale's Force Measurement Suspension system is available in several capacity ranges and configurations to suite the needs of continuous weighing and feeding equipment. The company says it is effective in high-speed, high-volume to...

High-shear mixer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The Ross Series 700 high-shear mixer creates high-quality emulsions and dispersions. It incorporates high-speed rotors running in close proximity to fixed stators and generates the high-shear rates needed for manufacturing small droplet...

Metal detection.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The PowerPhase PRO detects metal contaminants up to 40% smaller than other metal detectors, says the manufacturer. It is available in two and three-frequency models for simplified changeovers and product set up. It offers a full-color operator...

Multihead weigher.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Ishida's RS-series of multihead weighers from Heat and Control, available in 14- and 16-head models, integrate simple operator controls with advanced load cell technology. Interactive menus facilitate weigher set up and operation, while 200...

Heat exchanger.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The Custom Metalcraft CM-3-Tube heat exchanger can be cleaned and sanitized with standard CIP systems and can be disassembled without tools for inspection. The unit operates with a variety of mediums, including glycol and water. It also...

Point level control.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Bindicator's VRF Series uses variable radio frequency to detect the presence or absence of material in a vessel by compensating for the load of the probe, as well as the load induced by vessel environment, and automatically determining the...

Load cells.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... The hygienic load cell PR6202 from Sartorius has smooth, steeply sloped surfaces for easy draining. All gaps and undercuts have been eliminated and materials and surface quality meet international food and beverage industry standards and...

Conveyor convection.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Available with product conveyors up to 80-in. wide, Heat and Control's MPO-D2 convection oven features a controlled moisture process that cooks rapidly while sealing in natural moisture and flavor. Available with direct and indirect gas fires,...

Gripper blocks.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Vi-Cas produces fit-in replacement gripper blocks to fit capping equipment made by Resina. As the wear part of capping equipment, these gripper blocks, or rubbers, can impact the production of capping machines. These new gripper inserts are...

Floor scales.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... DuraWeigh heavy-duty floor scales from Gainco are designed for harsh meat and poultry processing environments. The suspended platform design of the scales features a flee-floating chain-and-rod system that protects load cells from forklift and...

Metal detector monitoring.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Weighing Equipment and Inspection: Machine Vision, Sorting, Metal Detection)
December 1, 2006... Mettler-Toledo Safeline's Explorer is a software program designed to network Safeline metal detectors from multiple locations to a central computer. The software has user-friendly, intuitive graphic interfaces and operates on a standard TCP/IP...

Life is good, but it could be better: food and beverage workers find their jobs satisfying, but say there's room for improvement.(Annual Salary & Job Satisfaction Survey)(Statistical data)
December 1, 2006... Life is good in the food and beverage industry, at least according to Food Engineering's 2006 Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey respondents. For the first time in five years, there has been an increase in the job satisfaction rate with nearly...

The Vermont three-step: brick-and-mortar projects opened the door to automation improvements at Cabot Creamery, including the world's first enclosed-vat cottage cheese production system.(Fabulous Food Plants)
December 1, 2006... Neighboring New Hampshire may be the Granite State, but the same rugged terrain marks Vermont, home to Cabot Creamery Cooperative. The state's vertical ascents top out at 4,400 feet, modest compared to western ranges but mountains...

Heat transfer: advances, borrowed and new: technical improvements are occurring on several fronts, from heat exchangers to boilers, retorts and new-to-the-world pasteurizers.(TECH UPDATE)
December 1, 2006... Heat transfer is core technology in food and beverage processing, yet the days when in-house engineering expertise on thermal transfer existed are fading fast. "As people drift away from engineering as a discipline, there are very few plant...

Bimetalix: www.bimetalix.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger Cylinders Please visit our website for descriptions of our complete line of Scraped Surface Heat Exchanger Cylinders; from our patented TITAN Trimetallic cylinder to our refurbishing services. Quotes may be...

Eriez: www.eriez.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... While the resources of major equipment suppliers often are required to develop new technology, implementation of those innovations often depend on small, entrepreneurial food companies. FMC FoodTech's new almond pasteurizer is a case in point....

Hapman: www.hapman.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Over 50 years providing equipment for efficient handling of powders and bulk solids. Four conveyor systems--Tubular Drag, Flexible Screw, Vacuum Pneumatic and Screw Feeders allow effective solutions to handle even the most difficult problems....

C-Flex Bearing Co., Inc.: www.c-flex.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Frictionless Pivot-Bearings In limited rotation applications and high accuracy requirements, or long cycle life expectancies, C-Flex pivot-bearings are free from performance limitations exhibited by other hearings. No lubrication required....

Flexicon Corporation: www.flexicon.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Bulk Handling Equipment Website details flexible screw conveyors, pneumatic conveying systems, volumetric feeders, bulk bag unloaders, weigh batching systems, bulk bag fillers, manual dumping stations and lift-and-seal drum dumpers offered as...

Lee Industries: www.leeind.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... "TANKS, KETTLES, SWEEP, AGITATORS, MIXERS/BLENDERS, SANITARY BALL VALVES" Lee web site offers both general information and specific technical data on stainless alloy process vessels and systems used by the Food/Beverage, Bio-Pharm, Cosmetic and...

Douglas Machines Corp: www.dougmac.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Douglas Machines Corp. specializes in the design and manufacture of automated washing and sanitizing equipment for all containers commonly used in the Food Processing Industry. Batch and continuous cleaning systems are available. This newly...

Grayling Industries, Inc.: www.graylingindustries.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Grayling manufactures custom engineered Guardian form-fitted disposable container liners for liquid and dry applications. Guardian liners protect your materials from contamination and leakage during storage shipping and processing, Guardian...

Material Transfer: www.materialtransfer.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Material Handling Equipment& Integrated Systems Company custom designs and manufactures material handling equipment, including container and drum dumpers, bulk bag discharging and filling systems, bulk bag conditioning systems and engineered...

Mettler Toledo Safeline: www.mt.com/safelineus.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... METTLER TOLEDO Safeline is the product inspection expert for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Safeline is the world's largest manufacturer of metal detectors and the new leader in x-ray inspection systems. Safeline's equipment...

PCM Inc.: www.pcmdelasco.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Hygienics progressive cavity pumps with flexible shaft instead of open sin joints. You have no more open pin joints to replace. The best choice cut costs and improve reliability. Solutions for transfer, feeding, or dosing of viscous products up...

Urschel Laboratories, Inc.: www.urschel.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Visit www.urschel.com to learn about the wide variety of food cutting applications to see how Urschel machinery can assist you with your application. New online is the blow to Cut Meat Brochure featuring the new M6 Dicer. Urschel Laboratories,...

Miura Boiler, Inc.: www.miuraboiler.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Miura Energy Saving Boilers Miura Boiler's website describes four, energy and space-saving watertube gas and oil, steam and hot water boiler lines--their unique 5 minute start-up & 20% energy savings. See multiple unit systems that can...

Siegling America, LLC: www.siegling.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Siegling stands for high quality conveyor and flat belts made of synthetic materials. With conveyor and processing belts as well as modular, timing and flat beds, we've been creating customer driven solutions for power transmission and light...

Waukesha Cherry-Burrell: www.SPXPE.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Located in Delavan, Wisconsin; Waukesha Cherry-Burrell, An SPX Process Equipment Operation, is a major supplier of component equipment including pumps, valves, fittings, and heat exchangers The organization and its network of distributors are...

National Bulk Equipment: www.nbe-inc.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... NBE is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative equipment for material handling and dry solids processing, Our website showcases our comprehensive line of Bulk Bag Handling Equipment, Sealed and open Container Dischargers, Tilt Tables,...

Sterling: www.sterlco.com.(WEB WATCH)
December 1, 2006... Since 1916, Sterling has provided quality in production and control with a complete line of food, pharmaceutical and sanitary equipment. Temperature control and chilling systems are designed to maintain consistent temperatures for critical...

Masters of heat transfer: Plate design is everything in a heat exchanger. When the leading fabricator's plates grew long in the tooth, an engineering team tackled the challenge of updating them.(Aluminium Plant & Vessel Co.'s Jon Shaw interviewed)(Interview)
December 1, 2006... Aluminium Plant & Vessel Co. (APV) founder Richard Seligman is credited with the invention of the plate heat exchanger, and APV's R5 plate was dominant in this method of indirect heating and cooling of fluids throughout the latter part of the...