Dairy Processing - December 2021 - 46

OPERATIONS
" The challenge of merging processing
lines into one continuous flow
to packaging varies from
application to application. "
John Kuhnz, vice president of engineered solutions,
Dorner Manufacturing Corp.
machine collects data in real-time and tweaks its algorithms from
what it learns.
KEEPING UP
John Kuhnz, vice-president of engineered solutions with
Dorner Manufacturing Corporation, said automation can
take different forms, and one challenge in automation comes
when the processing equipment runs slower than packaging
equipment.
" The challenge of merging processing lines into one
continuous flow to packaging varies from application to
application, " Kuhnz said. " Dorner has several solutions in
the toolbox that we can apply to an application, but it is
unlikely some modifications will not be required. With the
various product sizes, rates, environments and carton sizes,
what makes the merging successful is understanding what is
required and engineering the right solution from the toolbox
of options. "
Kuhnz said creating sanitary systems often comes at a
cost as stainless steel is expensive. He said they work to
46 DEC 2021 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
meet capabilities for cleanliness while trying to keep costs
reasonable. Dorner, which is based in Hartland, Wis., also uses
magnetic drives that boost energy efficiency by simply using
less energy and requiring less energy to clean.
" With the right design and education on how to address
the conveyor, we expect to reduce time to clean by
understanding areas to focus on and reducing areas requiring
focus, " Kuhnz said. " This will result in less chemical needed,
less energy needed to heat the water, and less water used. "
Omega Engineering, Norwalk, Conn., has also recently
introduced a HANI clamp-on temperature sensor. The sensor
attaches to piping systems in seconds without interrupting
product flow or production and requires zero contact with
products. It helps prevent pipe clogging and waste as well
as potential contaminants and sensor drift associated with
such buildup.
" Installing or relocating an invasive in-pipe sensor can be a
costly, time-consuming process, " said Ahmar Bajwa, director
of product management with Omega Engineering. " With HANI
sensors, customers do not need to worry about immersion
depth, material compatibility, corrosion, or contamination
risks. And there's no loss of performance, so it's really a bestof-both-worlds
approach. "
Moving forward, Stauffer said flexibility and reliability in
packaging systems will be key.
" Customers will continue ask us for more flexibility while
expecting a high level of reliability, and we will continue to
adapt to these needs of our customers, " Stauffer said. " That is
where the new equipment innovations will be discovered. "
©PARILOV EVGENIY - stock.adobe.com
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dairy Processing - December 2021
