INDUSTRY 4.0
19 EQUIPMENT
Gas Detector Logging Cloud Solution
21
Solvent Recycler for Chromatographs
"Paw on it": Crispy Dried Dog Food Creates a Wow Effect
In the production of pet food, Fessmann relies on JUMO technology when it comes to temperature monitoring and control.
Author: Michael Klose, press spokesperson, JUMO
The industrial production of dog food is a highly complex process that requires technical expertise, precise control and consideration of market requirements. At the heart of this process is the drying of the products, which plays a decisive role in terms of both quality and profitability. Fessmann has mastered these processes. Fessmann and JUMO have had a close and trusting partnership for years. Currently, FESSMANN mainly purchases the JUMO variTRON 500 as a control component, as well as resistance thermometers and thermocouples to operate its own ovens optimally.
Control of the drying process in pet food production
Compared to other food segments, such as sausage production, the drying of pet food is fundamentally different. While the drying of the surface is the main focus for sausage products, the focus for pet food is on consistent and even drying - both inside and out. This is a critical factor in ensuring high product quality, especially for products that have to be visually appealing to the end customer. The development of technical and scientific know-how is essential here. "It's about enabling even drying that ensures both the shelf life of the product and the sensory quality. Pet food manufacturers invest significantly in this area to meet the demands of the market," says Fessmann partner Uli Fessmann. Controlling the drying process is a technical aspect that requires precise control. Important factors here are exact temperature control, even air supply and humidity control.
Each of these parameters must be closely monitored in order to achieve even drying. Quality assurance plays just as important a role as in the production of food for human consumption. The drying process must be designed in such a way that it is reproducible and precisely tailored to the respective pet food recipes. "Since each recipe has different requirements for the drying process and requires higher heating than for conventional products, a separate process must be developed for each product," says Denis Gabriel, Managing Director of Fessmann. This makes the development of pet food production "empirical and very exciting".
Challenges in pet food production
The production of dog food covers a wide range of products, from snacks and treats to dry food and wet food. "The days of feeding dogs with leftover food or slaughterhouse waste are long gone," Gabriel continues. This diversity presents Fessmann's systems with particular challenges, as each product variant has different requirements for the production process. The system must be configured and monitored accordingly for each product, especially with regard to the drying process. The lying position of many products during drying makes this process even more difficult. Detailed control of the drying process is therefore crucial to ensure even drying and high product quality. Another challenge is resource conservation. Sustainability is a key issue in modern pet food production. Increasing attention is being paid to ensuring that
Temperature plays a decisive role for the best results in a drying process.
the processes are resource-efficient and economical without compromising the quality of the products.
As soon as the snacks have left the Fessmann oven, distributors of different sizes are supplied. These in turn deliver to dealers or directly to the OEM market according to the respective sales concept. Market development and special features North America is the
largest sales market for pet food. The market for pet food stands out clearly from conventional food production. Not only the inner values of the products, but also their appearance play a central role.
The products must be visually appealing and attractive to the customer, who increasingly demands high-quality food for their pets. The texture of the surfaces of pet food products is also different from that of food for people. When producing pet food, care must be taken to ensure that the products are easy for animals to consume. "One bite and the treat is as good as in the stomach," says Gabriel. A decisive quality factor in pet food production is the so-called aW value (water activity). This value indicates how much water is available in a product, which directly influences shelf life and microbiological safety.
Exhibition of Fessmann HMI display with JUMO variTron 500 for control on the left.
"The aW value is subject to strict specifications and must be precisely monitored and adjusted in the production process in order to meet the desired quality requirements," explains Gabriel.
The dog wants irresistible snacks
The production of dog food is a technological challenge that is mastered by using modern equipment and developing tailor-made processes. The even drying of the products, the control of temperature, air supply and humidity as well as compliance with high quality standards are crucial factors. Denis Gabriel puts it in a nutshell: "Man's best friend is the dog. And after all, they want irresistible
GASDETECTORLOGGINGCLOUDSOLUTION
FromFieldDatatoActionableBusinessData
Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection is makingitsnewandproprietary TeledyneGDCloud™availablewith thecompany'sGS700,GS500and Shipsurveyorportablegasleak detectors,aswellasitsPS200 portablefour-gasmonitorforpersonalsafetyandconfinedspace applications.Theintegrationof cloudconnectivitysignificantly enhancesthegasleakdetectionprocessbyvisualisingallinstrumentdataandturningitintoactionablebusinessinsights.TeledyneGDCloud™isacomprehensivecloudsolutionthatelevates gasdetectionmeasurementbyrecordinghazardousevents,ensuringregulatoryadherence,andstreamliningsafetyprogrammes. The abilitytovisualisedetailedgassensorreadingsfromfieldsessions isamongTeledyneGDCloud'smostpowerfulcapabilities.Userscan tracetheroutetakenbyeachtechnicianduringinvestigationsby utilisingitsadvancedlocationmappingfunctionality,enabling breadcrumbmappingtoshowthepreciselocationsthatcorrespond toallgasreadingsloggedwithintheGS700detector.Whenlookingtopinpointleaks,analysehazardsanddocumentsourcesof emissions,thislocationintelligenceisinvaluable.Additionally, userscaninteractwithdynamicchartsandtabulateddatadisplays torevealfurtherinsightsintofieldactivityandevents.
snacks. That's something you can really put your foot down on. Paws on it!"
65627 at www.pcne.eu
ROBUSTSTAINLESS-STEELSENSORS
Forhygiene-sensitiveproductionandpackaging Leuze offerstwonewsensorseries instainless-steel.Thankstosmooth housingcontourswithnofastening holes,Series33Cisparticularly suitableforapplicationsinthefood, beverageorpharmaceuticalindustry. The35Cseriesisdesignedfor robustness.Itisidealforhighmechanicalloadsandintensivecleaningprocesses.The35Cseries sensorscanbeusedinthefoodindustrytoo.Thetwoserieseach includediffusesensors,throughbeamsensorsandretro-reflective photoelectricsensors.The33Cand35Cseriesrangealsoincludes specialsolutionsforpackagingprocesses.Theseincluderetro-reflectivephotoelectricsensorsforglassandPETdetection,sensors withbackgroundsuppressionfordetectingsmallobjects,dynamic referencesensors,andthroughbeamphotoelectricsensorsforradiationthroughfilms. The33Cand35Cseriesoffersensorswith PowerPinPointLEDforthefirsttime.Thislighttechnologymeans thesensorscanbealignedandcommissionedparticularlyquickly andeasily.Thisisachievedthankstoabright,roundandhomogeneouslightspot.Itpreciselydisplaysthesensor'sresponsebehavior.Thesize,shapeandhomogeneityofthelightspotremain constantthroughouttheentireworkingrange.Protectionclasses suchasIP67,IP68andIP69KaswellasECOLAB,CleanProof+and Diverseycertificationsconfirmthedevicesrobustness.
20 new products
Scaling Up the Private 5G Infrastructure
Siemens announced a significant update to its industrial-grade private 5G infrastructure solution, that will enable manufacturers to cover larger industrial areas with enhanced connectivity capabilities.
The expanded 5G solution now supports up to 24 radio units, with each unit capable of covering approximately 5,000 m². The updated private 5G infrastructure is available in multiple countries including Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, and Brazil, and there are plans to expand to additional countries throughout 2025. When the initial version of Siemens’ private 5G infrastructure was launched in 2023, it was exclusively available in Germany. To complement the infrastructure expansion, Siemens is also introducing the new compact Scalance MUB852-1, an entry-level 5G router for cabinet use with IP20 protection class, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio. The router matches the Siemens Simatic ET200 I/O footprint and integrates seamlessly into Siemens’ Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) landscape.
The enhanced solution comes at a crucial time, when reliable wireless connectivity in factory environments is facing increasing challenges. The traditional unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum often becomes overloaded in crowded settings, leading to communication outages and potential production shutdowns. Siemens' private 5G infrastructure directly addresses these challenges by providing a dedicated, network solution for mission-critical applications. Private 5G networks also create the flexible communication infrastructure needed to easily integrate smart sensors and edge devices, enabling data-driven decisions on the shop floor through artificial intelligence applications.
User-friendly design meets industrial requirements
Building on these capabilities, Siemens has developed this solution specifically for indus-
trial use cases and requirements. The system features an innovative, user-friendly approach with a straightforward configuration process that only requires about 20 variables in a single comprehensive Web user interface. A clearly arranged dashboard offers a comprehensive overview of the network status making it accessible even for non-IT users. While many industry solutions require specialized expertise, Siemens' approach prioritizes user-friendly operation and simple implementation to support mission- and business-critical applications. This private 5G infrastructure will be extreme-
ly valuable across a variety of industrial sectors, including manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, intralogistics, heavy industries, and mining. The system allows companies to operate their networks independently without relying on third-party providers, which ensures enhanced cybersecurity and data privacy thanks to on-site installation. Users can flexibly modify their networks to meet changing demands and perform fast troubleshooting when necessary. 65486 at www.pcne.eu
RUGGEDPANELCOMPUTERSERIES
WithSun-readableandglove-friendlytouch-displays Moxa announcesthelaunchof itsMPC-3000Seriespanelcomputers.Designedtoaddressthe diverseneedsofindustrialenvironments,theMPC-3000panel computersofferarangeof screensizes,arobustfeature set,andindustrycertifications aimedatreliability,durability, andversatilityindemandingoperatingenvironments.Theseriesis poweredbyIntelAtom®x6000Eprocessors,offeringexceptional versatilitywithsixscreensizesrangingfrom7'' to15.6''.Designed foruseinharshindustrialenvironments,thesepanelPCscome withadvancedglove-friendlytouchscreenfunctionalityandsunlight-readabledisplays,andsupportwide-temperatureoperations from-30to60°C,makingthemwell-suitedforavarietyofoutdoor applications.Whetherdeployedinoilandgasfields,marineoperations,outdoorapplications,orotherdemandingsettings,the MPC-3000panelPCsarereliableandefficient,evenintoughconditions. Designedspecificallyforindustriessuchasoilandgas, marine,andoutdoorapplications,theMPC-3000panelPCsare certifiedtomeettherigorousdemandsofextremeoperatingenvironments.CertificationsincludeClassIDivision2,ATEXZone2, andIECExZone2forhazardouslocations,aswellasDNV,IEC 60945,andIACSstandardsformaritimeoperations.
65247atwww.pcne.eu
SOLVENTRECYCLERFORCHROMATOGRAPHS
Improvingsustainabilityinanalyticlaboratories
Biotech Fluidics reportsthata majorpharmaceuticalcustomer haspurchased17SPR-200solventrecyclerstoimprovethe sustainableuseofsolventsfrom HPLCsystemsintheiranalytical laboratories.Theexternally poweredSPR-200standalonesolventrecyclerdoesnotrequirean externalcomputer,eliminatingpotentialconnectivityissueswith users'ITsystems. CompatiblewithmostHPLCsystems,theSPR200continuouslymonitorstheoutputsignalfromthedetectorsof liquidchromatographyinstruments.Incustomerlabs,theSPR-200 hasbeenshowntorecoverupto90%ofthemobilephasebyredirectingthepurerecoveredsolvent.TheBiotechSPR-200Solvent Recyclerisacompletelyself-containedunitwithanintegraldisplaytoshowcurrentinputandsettings,andcontrolbuttonsto easilysetitsoperatingparameters.Itisnormallypoweredexternallyvia5VDC,butcanalsobepoweredandprogrammedviaa USBconnectedcomputerrunningaterminalsoftwareapplication. TherecyclercanreducethemobilephaseinisocraticHPLCbyup to90%byrecyclinguncontaminatedmobilephaseintothecontainer.TheleveloftheinputsignalandsettingparametersaredisplayedonaneasytoreadLCD.Valvepositionandcurrentdisplay modeareindicatedbyLEDs,theinstrumentfunctionsarecontrolledviaasix-keymembranekeypad.
FULL-METALINDUCTIVESENSORS
Cylindricalproximitysensorsforsafetyapplications ifm presentsnewinductive proximitysensorsinfullmetal housingsinthreesizesforsafety applications:M12,M18andM30 withahousinglengthof60mm. Foruseinmobilemachinery,they aredesignedforatemperature rangeof-40°Cto+85°C;forfoodapplications,thetemperature rangeis-25°Cto+100°C.Therearesixdifferenttypesofthenew sensors,whicharesuitableforapplicationsuptoSIL-2according toIEC61508orPLdaccordingtoENISO13849.Theconnection technologyisbasedonwell-provenM12connectors. Therobust fullmetalhousingeffectivelyprotectsthesensoragainstharsh environmentalconditions.Shocksandvibrationsdonotposea problem.Unlikemodelswithaplasticfront,therearenoproblems withpermeationthroughthematerial.Thismakesthesensors extremelydurableandminimisestheriskofmalfunction. Atypical applicationinthefoodindustryisthemonitoringofmanholesin tanks,silosandotherlargecontainers.Accesstothesemustbe reliablymonitoredtopreventhazardstopersonnel.Manholesmust alsobereliablymonitoredwhenmobilemachineryisinoperation. Anotherapplicationisthemonitoringofjibsonmobilecraneson trucks.Thecraneisonlyallowedtoliftloadswhentheoutriggers areextendedandlowered.Thenewfullmetalinductiveproximity sensorsareidealforthisandmanyothersafetyapplications.
65373atwww.pcne.eu
HIGHLYEFFICIENTRELUCTANCEMOTORS
Compactseriesforcosteffectivefan&pumpapplications
Delta Electronics announces thelaunchofitsMSImotor seriesintheEMEAregion. Designedasahigh-efficiencyPMreluctancemotor,the MSIseriesbringsunparalleledcompactness,energy savings,andintegration capabilitiestofanandpump applications.Withoptions includingflange,foot,and flange/footversions,aswellasspeedsof1500rpmand3000rpm, theMSIseriesissettoredefineindustrialmotorperformance.The MSImotorseriesrevolutionizesmotordesignwithitscompact formfactor,offeringasizereductionof1-2framesizescompared totraditionalinductionmotors.Thissmallersizesavesvaluable installationspacewhilemeetingIE5efficiencystandards,making itanenvironmentallyconsciouschoice.Themotorsdeliveroutstandingenergysavings,helpingindustriesloweroperatingcosts andreducecarbonemissions,supportingglobalsustainability initiatives.ThesefeaturespositiontheMSImotorsasavaluable solutionforwholesalers,distributors,andsystemintegratorsacross variousindustrialapplications.Deltahasprioritizedeaseofuse withtheMSImotorseries,ensuringinstallationdimensionsmatch thoseofstandardIMmotorsforstraightforwardreplacement.
65459atwww.pcne.eu