Manufacturing techniques based on networkable intelligent control systems and sensors

Control of the quality and safety of the food during manufacturing processes is one of the key technical and commercial challenges in food manufacturing, directly related to productivity and competitiveness. The project aims to introduce innovative new manufacturing solutions in the food industry. Key for high consistency, high quality, high speed and large yield automation, multiple node, multi-mode quality sensing and controlling is the novel technique for safe-guarding the efficiency and quality of manufacturing processes, two facets of the process. We will use new photonic sensing technologies to develop flexible and fast quality control, making the manufacturing processes more efficient. The proposed novel photonic manufacturing control techniques require digital signal processing and data analysis, which is important part of the project. The proposed approach is applicable to manufacturing processes for foodstuffs, such as flour, bread and dairy and to industrial sectors handling powdered products, such as polymers. There is a promising business opportunity and the project leader – Branscan Ltd is well positioned to take this opportunity and enable a step change in productivity and com-petitiveness of food industry with a clear public impact due to improved food quality and safety.