The food industry is a growing and rapidly changing sector. As the global population continues to grow, the industry is constantly evolving and becoming more automated to meet increased demand. This industry is also being impacted by the growth of Industry 4.0 and IoT, and we are seeing a growing demand for connectivity. In this blog post, we will cover the latest trends in food production, highlighting both poultry and greenhouse productions as well as the B-COMMAND products that can be used in these areas.
The food industry
Due to government regulations, the food industry must adhere to strict procedures in terms of cleanliness, health, safety and the environment. As the world’s population continues to grow, there is an increased demand for food, which has led to a rise in factory farming. The rise of technology in agriculture and food production is known as “agtech“. This term emphasizes the increasing use of technology in this industry and its increasingly automated processes.
Greenhouse automation
Greenhouses are experiencing a boom in new innovations, with vertical farming and smart greenhouses becoming increasingly common. Technology is making growing food more productive and less time consuming. Where farmers used to rely on the weather, modern growers have much more control over the environment in their greenhouses. Many growers now use smart irrigation to water plants remotely. Using a smartphone app, growers can see when plants need to be watered. They can also monitor the lighting, pest control and temperature in the greenhouse remotely.
At B-COMMAND, we offer reliable solutions to regulate the airflow in greenhouses with our pendant controls. This is a great option for growers who are still physically present but are looking for a simple solution to open or close many windows at the same time. The swing station is usually used in combination with our FRS limit switch. This is our smallest rotary limit switch and is perfect for use on the windows of a greenhouse to measure the movement of the window. The rotations of the shaft are transmitted to a cam switch mechanism that actuates mechanical switch contacts. In addition, all materials in direct contact with the environment are resistant to oils, gases and extreme temperature changes.
Poultry farming
As the world’s population enters the global middle class, the consumption of meat, and poultry in particular, is becoming more common. Global poultry consumption is expected to increase and exceed that of pork by 2022. Due to this increase in demand, the industry is experiencing technological advancements as farmers automate the management of their flocks. Poultry houses require a lot of attention to cleaning, disinfecting and feeding the birds, all of which can be automated using robots. Similarly, many sensors are placed throughout the housing to regulate the environment, temperature and ventilation in the production hall.
As in greenhouses, oscillating stations and limit switches are often used in poultry farming to regulate the air flow. Our Lady Pendant Station is a single-row operating device for auxiliary power applications. It is designed for easy installation and handling, ergonomic and simple to operate. All materials that are in direct contact with the environment are resistant to gases, oils and extreme temperature changes. The all-round rubber seal offers optimum protection against dust and water, so that protection class IP65 can be easily achieved.
As the food production and agtech industry continues to become highly technical, we strive to remain your trusted partner for innovative solutions. Most of our solutions can be highly customized to meet the needs of our customers. Our consultants will work with you to ensure that the selected product is suitable for your application. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
