The implementation of robotics and automation in the food sector offers great potential for improved safety, quality and profitability by optimising process monitoring and control. Robotics and automation in the food industry provides a comprehensive overview of current and emerging technologies and their applications in different industry sectors.Part one introduces key technologies and significant areas of development, including automatic process control and robotics in the food industry, sensors for automated quality and safety control, and the development of machine vision systems. Optical sensors and online spectroscopy, gripper technologies, wireless sensor networks (WSN) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are discussed, with consideration of intelligent quality control systems based on fuzzy logic. Part two goes on to investigate robotics and automation in particular unit operations and industry sectors. The automation of bulk sorting and control of food chilling and freezing is considered, followed by chapters on the use of robotics and automation in the processing and packaging of meat, seafood, fresh produce and confectionery. Automatic control of batch thermal processing of canned foods is explored, before a final discussion on automation for a sustainable food industry.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Robotics and automation in the food industry is an indispensable guide for engineering professionals in the food industry, and a key introduction for professionals and academics interested in food production, robotics and automation. - Provides a comprehensive overview of current and emerging robotics and automation technologies and their applications in different industry sectors - Chapters in part one cover key technologies and significant areas of development, including automatic process control and robotics in the food industry and sensors for automated quality and safety control - Part two investigates robotics and automation in particular unit operations and industry sectors, including the automation of bulk sorting and the use of robotics and automation in the processing and packaging of meat, seafood, fresh produce and confectionery

The implementation of robotics and automation in the food sector offers great potential for improved safety, quality and profitability by optimising process monitoring and control. Robotics and automation in the food industry provides a comprehensive overview of current and emerging technologies and their applications in different industry sectors. Part one introduces key technologies and significant areas of development, including automatic process control and robotics in the food industry, sensors for automated quality and safety control, and the development of machine vision systems. Optical sensors and online spectroscopy, gripper technologies, wireless sensor networks (WSN) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are discussed, with consideration of intelligent quality control systems based on fuzzy logic. Part two goes on to investigate robotics and automation in particular unit operations and industry sectors. The automation of bulk sorting and control of food chilling and freezing is considered, followed by chapters on the use of robotics and automation in the processing and packaging of meat, seafood, fresh produce and confectionery. Automatic control of batch thermal processing of canned foods is explored, before a final discussion on automation for a sustainable food industry. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Robotics and automation in the food industry is an indispensable guide for engineering professionals in the food industry, and a key introduction for professionals and academics interested in food production, robotics and automation. Provides a comprehensive overview of current and emerging robotics and automation technologies and their applications in different industry sectors Chapters in part one cover key technologies and significant areas of development, including automatic process control and robotics in the food industry and sensors for automated quality and safety control Part two investigates robotics and automation in particular unit operations and industry sectors, including the automation of bulk sorting and the use of robotics and automation in the processing and packaging of meat, seafood, fresh produce and confectionery.

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Industrial internet of things (IIoT) is changing the face of industry by completely redefining the way stakeholders, enterprises, and machines connect and interact with each other in the industrial digital ecosystem. Smart and connected factories, in which all the machinery transmits real-time data, enable industrial data analytics for improving operational efficiency, productivity, and industrial processes, thus creating new business opportunities, asset utilization, and connected services. IIoT leads factories to step out of legacy environments and arcane processes towards open digital industrial ecosystems. Innovations in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Smart Factory is a pivotal reference source that discusses the development of models and algorithms for predictive control of industrial operations and focuses on optimization of industrial operational efficiency, rationalization, automation, and maintenance. While highlighting topics such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, and data collection, this book is ideally designed for engineers, manufacturers, industrialists, managers, IT consultants, practitioners, students, researchers, and industrial industry professionals.

Agri-Food 4.0: Innovations, Challenges and Strategies addresses new research on digital technologies in the Agri-Food industry, including smart packaging, smart warehousing, effective inventory control, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and other Industry 4.0 concepts.

Using a combination of theoretical discussion and real-world case studies, this book focuses on current and future use of RAISA technologies in the tourism economy, including examples from the hotel, restaurant, travel agency, museum, and events industries.

As the capability and utility of robots has increased dramatically with new technology, robotic systems can perform tasks that are physically dangerous for humans, repetitive in nature, or require increased accuracy, precision, and sterile conditions to radically minimize human error. The Robotics and Automation Handbook addresses the major aspects of designing, fabricating, and enabling robotic systems and their various applications. It presents kinetic and dynamic methods for analyzing robotic systems, considering factors such as force and torque. From these analyses, the book develops several controls approaches, including servo actuation, hybrid control, and trajectory planning. Design aspects include determining specifications for a robot, determining its configuration, and utilizing sensors and actuators. The featured applications focus on how the specific difficulties are overcome in the development of the robotic system. With the ability to increase human safety and precision in applications ranging from handling hazardous materials and exploring extreme environments to manufacturing and medicine, the uses for robots are growing steadily. The Robotics and Automation Handbook provides a solid foundation for engineers and scientists interested in designing, fabricating, or utilizing robotic systems.

This updated edition presents an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of automation and robotics for industrial applications. The book initially covers the important concepts of hydraulics and pneumatics and how they are used for automation in an industrial setting. It then moves to a discussion of circuits and using them in hydraulic, pneumatic, and fluidic design. The latter part of the book deals with electric and electronic controls in automation and final chapters are devoted to robotics, robotic programming, and applications of robotics in industry. New chapters on UAVs (Ch. 19) and AI in Industrial Automation (Ch. 20) are featured. The companion files include numerous video tutorial projects. FEATURES: Begins with introductory concepts on automation, hydraulics, and pneumatics Features new chapters on UAVs (Ch. 19) and AI in Industrial Automation (Ch. 20) Covers sensors, PLC's, microprocessors, transfer devices and feeders, robotic sensors, robotic grippers, and robot programming Companion files have video projects, history of robotics, and figures from the text

The use of computer vision systems to control manufacturing processes and product quality has become increasingly important in food processing. Computer vision technology in the food and beverage industries reviews image acquisition and processing technologies and their applications in particular sectors of the food industry.Part one provides an introduction to computer vision in the food and beverage industries, discussing computer vision and infrared techniques for image analysis, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, tomographic techniques and image processing. Part two goes on to consider computer vision technologies for automatic sorting, foreign body detection and removal, automated cutting and image analysis of food microstructure. Current and future applications of computer vision in specific areas of the food and beverage industries are the focus of part three. Techniques for quality control of meats are discussed alongside computer vision in the poultry, fish and bakery industries, including techniques for grain quality evaluation, and the evaluation and control of fruit, vegetable and nut quality.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Computer vision technology in the food and beverage industries is an indispensible guide for all engineers and researchers involved in the development and use of state-of-the-art vision systems in the food industry. - Discusses computer vision and infrared techniques for image analysis, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, tomographic techniques and image processing - Considers computer vision technologies for automatic sorting, foreign body detection and removal, automated cutting and image analysis of food microstructure - Examines techniques for quality control and computer vision in various industries including the poultry, fish and bakery, fruit, vegetable and nut industry

The past decade has seen growing interest in the use of robotic technology in the food sector. There is a strong indication that this sector and, in particular, industries dealing with meat, fish and poultry products, would make even more use of robotics if such technology were better suited to the specific needs of the food production environment. Clearly the poten tial is high. This book aims to provide the reader with the state of robotic technology currently under development. For the first time a series of chapters, written by leading international authors, brings together a range of topics in robotics as applicable to meat, fish and poultry processing. The contents will interest researchers, managers, manufacturing engin eers, consultants and students. Manufacturers and suppliers of robotic technology or food machinery are strongly recommended to examine the content and exploit the potential benefits described. The co-operation and indeed the full active involvement of research establishments, manufac turers and food producers in teams, is essential in order to achieve the maximum use of robotics.