Web sites
Article Type: Web sites From: Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 36, Issue 6
Centre for Food Robotics and Automation Ltd
The Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA) is a resource and research facility supported by a team of highly experienced professionals in the field of mechanised food assembly and automation technology. The centre provides independent, affordable automation solutions to the UK food and beverage processing companies.
Their web site provides information on the CenFRA team, advisory group, and CenFRA's vision and mission; Service and Industry Solutions which include case studies and research and development, local and regional partners, links and news.
While this web site only caters to the UK, it and the CenFRA serve as a possible model for other food robotics and automation centres in other countries.
Fanuc Robotics
This is the corporate web site for Fanuc Robotics America Inc., a leading supplier of robotic automation, headquartered in Michigan, USA. Fanuc offers a variety of food robots and though their web site is very comprehensive,information on food robots is located at several different places on the site.
On the Home Page on the right bar under “The Top 5 Most Popular”,the “Fit for Food” link provides technical information on picking,packing, and palletizing robots.
Also found on the Home Page under “Products” and “Robots”,are robots by industry, including “Food and Beverage Robots”. This link provides PDFs on food grade robots and accompanying application videos.
A search on “food” at the top of the home page results in 84 web links, including press releases, news features, and online videos.
Food Processing Technology Division at Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech Research Institute's Food Processing Technology Division,part of Georgia Tech's 35-year old Agricultural Technology Research Program (ATRP), focuses on collaborative food processing technology development,academic research, and public interaction.
The home page provides details on ATRP research news, current publications,upcoming events, and special interest items, which include an article on a washable robot for the poultry industry.
There are also additional links to the ATRP, the Food Processing Advisory Council, and the Directory of Personnel.
Robot Packaging LLC
Robot Packaging LLC is an experienced integrator of material handling and robotic palletizing systems for many industries, including food and beverage.
Their web site is organized and easy-to-navigate. They have links, which also contain slides and videos, on robot palletizing, robot packaging, filling machines, and conveyors. The site also lists details on the company, industries served, and its services.
