OAL News
It’s time to fix manual ingredient weighing at iba 2018
If you’re planning to visit iba 2018, you’ll be able to see our robotic ingredient handling solution in action for the first time.
If you’re planning to visit iba 2018, you’ll be able to see our robotic ingredient handling solution in action for the first time. Did you know that manual handling and weighing of ingredients can cost bakeries up to one per cent of turnover? We’ve developed our patented robotic ingredient handling system to help you to tackle this problem, increasing your margins, as well as delivering improved accuracy and product safety.
We’re delighted to announce that the iba award judging panel has recognised the potential of our revolutionary ingredient weighing solution as we have been shortlisted for the prestigious iba award, with the winners to be announced at the show!
Robots on a roll
Our APRIL Robotics Ingredient Handling system offers a real alternative to bakeries that generally rely on operators on the factory floor to weigh out micro-ingredients. The system’s cells automatically weigh powders to an accuracy up to +/- 1g at weigh-up rates of up to 1,000kg/hr. It can also deal with a wide weighing range without any mechanical change components, reducing the risk of downtime caused by machine stoppages or breakdown. The cells have a turndown of 1,000 to 1 while maintaining the highest level of accuracy and zero product cross-contamination risk - increasing traceability and improving food safety.
Going against the grain
The reliance on operators to complete arduous weighing tasks in harsh, dusty working environments is a real problem for all involved. Health problems can ensue from working with powders, while bakeries are exposed to labour costs and the risk of errors that is par for the course when humans undertake repetitive tasks.
Traditional alternatives to labour have included mechanical, screw and auger based systems, yet they often don’t have the flexibility needed for large-scale bakeries working with many different ingredients. What’s more, common transfer lines in pneumatic conveying expose bakers to the risk of cross-contamination, not to mention the number of ingredients that these systems can't handle. Can a traditional system switch seamlessly from handling calcium propanoate to seeds? And how can bakeries deal with ‘free-from’ production with such limited tools?
Rising to the challenge
This is where autonomous robotic ingredient handling comes in. Bringing unprecedented flexibility, you can significantly improve your profitability by fully automating your ingredient handling and storage, minimising human intervention and maximising traceability and accuracy.
The APRIL cells are simple and easy to use. Ingredients are decanted into dedicated APRIL Smart Containers (ASC) and stored in a robotic cell. Whole pallets of ingredients can be decanted and stored, significantly improving operator productivity and freeing their time for other activities.
The APRIL cell integrates with ERP systems, so you can import works orders automatically into the system. Live stock levels are reported back for accurate ingredient tracking, so the robot retrieves and manages the ingredients as required and weighs them out to your recipe. The recipe mixes are then presented at integrated retrieval stations. The APRIL Robotics Ingredient Handling System combines exceptional storage density with very high flexibility. It’s easy to fit into existing bakeries and makes optimal use of the available area.
Ready for a slice of the action?
OAL has a full-sized demo operating at its Peterborough facility. Systems are currently being installed and will be operational in European plants prior to a wider roll out in 2019. With unprecedented demand already, the team is focusing on applications where weighing takes place 24/7, maximising your return on investment.
My time as a work experience student at OAL
Heading into my final year of Sixth Form, trying to determine what career path I want to go down is vital in helping me decide what my next steps are going to be, which is why finding a relevant work experience opportunity was very important to me.
Why I chose to do work experience at OAL
Heading into my final year of sixth form, trying to determine what career path I want to go down is vital in helping me decide what my next steps are going to be, which is why finding a relevant work experience opportunity was very important to me. I chose to do my week of work experience at OAL as I am currently studying maths, chemistry and art at A-level and I wanted to look into careers that combine both maths and science. Engineering was a key area of interest for me and so when OAL came to my school to talk about what engineering involves, I was immediately drawn in.
Who is OAL?
OAL uses engineering to deliver solutions to key problems within the food manufacturing industry. They offer robotics, Steam Infusion technology and label and date code verification to help improve efficiency of production and to ensure compliance with codes of practice. OAL works with customers such as Bakkavor, Diageo and Heinz to help their factories run as smoothly as possible.
A week in the life of a work experience student at OAL
On the first day of my work experience, I was introduced to everyone and taken on a tour of the premises. I also spent time with the innovation department which was extremely interesting as I had the opportunity to see one of the robots in action and learn about the testing that goes into making these robots work. The following day I was taken on a trip to the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, where I saw an APRIL robot and was shown how this technology is used in the food industry.
“It was eye-opening to see how the topics I have learnt about at school are applied to real life situations.”
Seeing projects come to life
Project design was where I spent the day on Wednesday, learning about how mechanical and electrical drawings are produced and how vital these are in the running of factories. I took a particular interest in this department as I think it is fascinating that you can go from designing a part on your screen to seeing it be manufactured and used in real life.
An opportunity to delve into something new
The following days of my work experience were spent in project software, marketing and the OAL Connected department of the company, helping expose me to areas I didn’t know anything about and wouldn’t have found out about if it weren’t for this opportunity.
Why should you choose OAL for your work experience?
I would definitely recommend work experience at OAL to anyone who has an interest in engineering or doesn’t know what path to go down with their interest in science and maths. They provide an insight into engineering that you would never get to experience at school. Getting into contact with OAL was incredibly easy and they were very keen to have me for work experience, which I found extremely refreshing after struggling to find work experience in the past.
The people I met during my time at OAL were very helpful and knowledgeable, talking me through and explaining what they were doing even if they had important jobs to get on with themselves, which I greatly appreciated. I’d like to thank OAL for the experience they gave me and in helping me gain a clearer vision of what I would like to do with my future.
If this sounds like something you'd like to do, then get in touch by clicking below and they'd be more than willing to help.
OAL’s Jake Norman keynote speaker at Cambridge University's Open Innovation Forum
We’re pleased to announce we'll be sharing insights on "Flexible Food Manufacturing" at the University of Cambridge’s Open Innovation Forum. The event, hosted by Siemens, takes place on Wednesday 11th July 2018.
We’re pleased to announce we'll be sharing insights on "Flexible Food Manufacturing" at the University of Cambridge’s Open Innovation Forum. The event, hosted by Siemens, takes place on Wednesday 11th July 2018 and will be attended by industry experts from some of the largest food manufacturers in the world.
With rising labour costs, food manufacturers ability to adopt and successfully implement robotics and automation is critical to remaining flexible. Jake Norman, Head of Innovation at OAL will share how foodtech can offer food companies affordable flexibility.
The University of Cambridge’s Open Innovation Forum is a membership group where members share best practice, exploring key topics within the food and FMCG industry, collaborating ideas and networking at regular events. The idea of a collaborative approach allows the industry to share ideas, research and experiences to help the UK’s food manufacturing industry to become number 1 in the world for flexible and innovative manufacturing.
Current members of the forum include Mars, Pepsico, Moy Park and Samworth Brothers.
“It is a pleasure for OAL to be asked to speak at this event. We won the Open Innovation Food and FMCG Innovation Pitch back in 2015 and I’m excited to share our rapid progress. Our APRIL Robotics Ingredient Handling System is a great place to start as it ensures your putting the right ingredients in the right quantities into your processes.”
If you’re interested in the technology and are ready to get started, get in touch with our experts!
OAL to speak at Lincoln International Business School Industry 4.0 Event
The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Robotics, Productivity and Skills: Are you Industry 4.0 ready?
We’re very excited to announce we'll be speaking at the Lincoln International Business School’s event in partnership with InvestSK. The event is taking place on Thursday 28th June at the Council Chambers, Grantham and will focus on the impact of Industry 4.0.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Robotics, Productivity and Skills: Are you Industry 4.0 ready?”
Samantha Norman speaking about robotics
The event brings together business leaders from the engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors to give greater insight into how Industry 4.0 will impact performance, business growth and the types of skills requirements in the industry today.
Sam Norman, HR Director and Jake Norman, Head of Innovation at OAL will be focusing specifically on the food manufacturing industry and how APRIL Robotics can help overcome manufacturing challenges including the increase in labour costs, decrease in productivity, lack of flexibility and the increasing cost of raw materials. You'll also get to find out more from Sam and Jake how we are working with our partners to lead the robotic revolution in ingredient handling and processing to help make the UK the global market leader for robotic food processing.
Alongside our presentation, the day will investigate the following questions:
HOW prepared are you and your business for an uncertain and surprising future?
WHAT does it mean to be human in the context of the future of work?
HOW do we build and lead organisations in an Industry 4.0 world?
WHAT does firm success look like, how does it occur in South Kesteven today, and how will that change?
WHAT do leaders do in this emerging context — mindset, power and authority, collaboration, team?
APRIL™ Robotics inspires food revolution at FM2030
How many robots prepare and cook food in your factory? Food robotics in food manufacturing is an area set for major growth over the next few years as manufacturers tackle the perfect storm driven by the increase in labour costs and the decrease of productivity.
How many robots prepare and cook food in your facility? Robotics in food manufacturing is an area set for major growth over the next few years as manufacturers tackle the perfect storm driven by the increase in labour costs and the decrease of productivity.
At our Food Manufacturing 2030 conference last month, we inspired over 30 food businesses to start taking action by getting them to experience first-hand the future of food manufacturing. The day was held at the National Centre of Food Manufacturing, part of the University of Lincoln and in partnership with ABB Robotics.
Attendees learned how the use of robotics and automation can overcome their manufacturing challenges with the combination of expert guest speakers and live demonstrations of our technologies.
By adopting this approach, the UK will be leading the way in the food robotics revolution bringing with it higher skilled jobs, fantastic export opportunities and sustainability within the industry.
Breathtaking demonstrations
Our APRIL™ Robotics Flexible Food Manufacturing platform demonstrated the use of digital technologies putting robotics at the heart of food processing allowing end to end handling and processing of food ingredients with minimal human interventions. These applications included cooking, weighing and use of artificial intelligence systems for validation.
Expert guest speakers
On top of that, to inspire action and to reiterate the possibilities this revolution will bring about, we invited our guest speakers to present their success stories including:
Chris Brett from Ocado technology shared how they were transforming food retailing with digital technologies.
Steve Sanders explained how JSP Safety Products had transformed its manufacturing processes with over 30 robots, onshoring jobs to the UK.
Mike Wilson from ABB discussed robot adoption best practices.
“This is something that we need to do now! The day has opened our eyes to what is around and available.”
What's next?
We hold annual events and conferences so keep checking back at our events page for information about our next session. If you can’t wait until then, get in touch with our expert consultants today and we can arrange a demo day for you and your colleagues so you can start your robotic and automation journey today.
Thanks to everyone for coming - we look forward to starting you robotic and automation journey with you.
