bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developments in robot applications for food manufacturing
Authors: Wilson Mike 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper to provide an overview of the current state of play for robot applications in the food industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on experience and knowledge gained by working in the automation with specific contact with the food sector and automation suppliers who are working in that sector.FindingsThe food sector has enormous potential for the application of robots and many of the technical challenges are solved. The major problems lie in the lack of the necessary engineers to both conceive and implement automated solutions.Originality/valueThis paper provides an overview of the current situation including the benefits in favour of automation together an assessment of the challenges to be solved.
The use of robots in the Japanese food industry
Authors: Kusuda Yoshihiro 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the use of robots in the Japanese food industry, today and tomorrow.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on research papers, exhibitions, press releases and interviews.FindingsThe paper finds that food palletizing and packaging are the popular applications at present. Food processing and handling are emerging. Agricultural and farming applications are yet to come in spite of intensive on‐going R&D efforts.Originality/valueThis paper presents issues to overcome for the robotization of the industry in the future.
Guidelines for the design of low‐cost robots for the food industry
Authors: Moreno Masey Rene J. , Gray John O. , Dodd Tony J. , Caldwell Darwin G. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeAt present, the majority of industrial robots are not well suited to the specific needs of the food industry. Additionally, the high cost of robotic systems means that it is currently difficult for food manufacturers to financially justify the use of this technology. This paper aims to examine the unique requirements of the food industry with regards to robot manipulator design and outlines the design features of a low‐cost robotic arm developed specifically for use in food production.Design/methodology/approachConsiderations for the design of the robot arm in addition to industrial requirements for hygienic design, low cost, fast pick and place speed, safety for operation alongside human workers and ease of reprogramming are discussed in detail.FindingsA successful manipulator design must consider functional requirements relevant to food production from the very outset of the design process. The principal three requirements are those of ease of cleaning, speed and low cost.Practical implicationsThe availability of low‐cost industrial robots specifically designed for food production might encourage a wider adoption of robotics and automation in the food industry and would benefit food manufacturers by reducing production costs and increasing competitiveness in what is becoming an increasingly difficult market.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to engineers and researchers developing robotic manipulators for use in the food industry.
A Bernoulli principle gripper for handling of planar and 3D (food) products
Authors: Petterson Anders , Ohlsson Thomas , Caldwell Darwin G. , Davis Steven , Gray John O. , Dodd Tony J. 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the increase the flexibility of robots used for handling of 3D (food) objects handling by the development and evaluation of a novel 3D Bernoulli gripper.Design/methodology/approachA new gripper technology have been designed and evaluated. A deformable surface have been used to enable individual product handling. The lift force generated and the force exerted on the product during gripping is measured using a material tester instrument. Various products are tested with the gripper. A experimental/theoretical approach is used to explain the results.FindingsA deformable surface can be used to generate a lift force using the Bernoulli principle on 3D objects. Using a small forming a significant increase in the lift force generated is recorded. Increasing the forming further was shown to have little or even negative effects. The forces exerted on the product during forming was measured to be sufficiently low to avoid product damage.Research limitations/implicationsTo be able to improve the grippers lift strength a better model and understanding of the flow is needed.Originality/valueA novel Bernoulli gripper for 3D Bernoulli gripping have been designed and evaluated. The gripper enables flexible and delicate handling of various product shapes, 3D as well as 2D. Increased utilization of robots in the food industry can be gained.
A new algorithm for pick‐and‐place operation
Authors: Aminzadeh Vahid , Wurdemann Helge , Dai Jian S. , Reed John , Purnell Graham 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to represent a novel framework for optimization of robotic handling from disarray to structure where the products are randomly distributed on a surface, the initial location of the products are known (with the aid of image processing, laser position sensors, etc.) and there is a set of final positions for the products.Design/methodology/approachPick‐and‐place is one of the main solutions especially for the food products where the products are prone to damage, have adhesive surfaces and the grippers can be complicated. The aim of this paper is to maximize the utilization of the pick‐and‐place robotic system. In order to do so the handling process is modelled mathematically and the pick‐and‐place problem is formulated based on assignment problem where Hungarian algorithm is utilized to minimize the total distance travelled by the robot. Furthermore, a simulation program is developed to demonstrate the possible improvements of the algorithm in comparison with the existing algorithms.FindingsUtilizing the proposed algorithm can significantly increase the utilization of robots in the pick‐and‐place operation.Originality/valueThe new optimization algorithm can be applied to any industry with pick‐and‐place where time efficiency and maximum utilization matters.
Robotic cell for beef carcass primal cutting and pork ham boning in meat industry
Authors: Guire Grégory , Sabourin Laurent , Gogu Grigoré , Lemoine Eric 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe mechanization of the meat cutting companies has become essential. This paper aims to study the feasibility of cutting operations for beef and boning operations for pork ham. The study aims to enhance industrial robots application by using vision or force control.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for an industrial robot‐based cell. The first part of this paper focuses on in‐depth study of operators' expertise, so as to translate their actions into automatable operative tasks and to identify the constraints of robotization. It details more particularly a cutting strategy using a bone as a guide which shows the complexity of the process. The analysis of the cutting and task constraint parameters involves the use of a kinematically redundant robotized cell with force control. Then the cell model is developed, and experimentation is performed.FindingsThe paper explains how to solve the problem of the high variability of the size for beef carcass. It gives several ideas to realize the boning of pork ham. It develops the strategies, the sensors and the cell architecture to make this type of operations.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the choice of an existing industrial robot, the tool paths with force control are limited. Therefore, new force control instructions have to be developed to continue this work on more complicated operations.Practical implicationsThis study was carried out within the framework of the SRDViand project in cooperation with meat industry partners.Originality/valueThe paper fulfils an identified need to study the beef quartering which is a high‐variability operation and ham deboning which is a high precision operation.
A reconfigurable robotic folding system for confectionery industry
Authors: Yao Wei , Dai Jian S. , Medland Tony , Mullineux Glen 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate reconfigurable technology using robotic technology for folding carton in confectionery industry.Design/methodology/approachBased on the analysis of common motion and manipulation, modules such as robotic fingers and robotic folders are explored and designed. A robotic system is then constructed by arranging those modules for diverse cartons.FindingsA prototyped test rig shows the adaptability of the robotic system. The reconfigurability of the robotic system is realized and verified by experiments and an industrial demonstrator.Practical implicationsThis research leads to the development of a demonstrator, manufactured and controlled by industries, to further commercial exploitation of this robotic system. It has been applied in a strict industry environment for a chocolate manufacturer.Originality/valueThis robotic system applied successfully the theory of reconfigurability by using modularity in packaging systems into confectionery industry.
Accurate and steady control on trajectory tracking for the wafer transfer robot
Authors: Liu Yanjie , Cao Yumei , Sun Lining , Zheng Xiaofei 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the accurate and steady control on trajectory tracking for wafer transfer robot, suppress the vibration and reduce the contour error.Design/methodology/approachThe wafer transfer robot dynamic model is modeled. Through analyzing the characteristics of wafer transfer robot, cross‐coupled synchronized control is proposed based on the contour error model in task space to improve synchronization of the joints; the shaping for the joints by input shaper in task space is applied to suppress the vibration of the end effector during trajectory tracking. Then combining the cross‐coupled synchronized control with input shaping is proposed to improve accuracy and suppress the vibration.FindingsThe combination of cross‐coupled synchronized control and input shaping control method can improve the contour accuracy and reduce the vibration simultaneously during trajectory tracking. And the control method can be used to control the trajectory of wafer transfer robot.Research limitations/implicationsThe transfer station is in the center of the robot body. When the transfer station may deviate from the center of the robot body, the synchronizing performance of three axes on the same plane must be considered.Practical implicationsThe proposed method can be used to solve the vibration and synchronizing performance problems on similar SCARA robots in semi‐conductor and liquid crystal display industry.Originality/valueThe proposed control method takes advantage of the cross‐coupled synchronized control and input shaping control method. This combination has improved contour accuracy and reduced vibration than applying other methods, and it has achieved better performance than using single one control method only.
Introducing a new 3D ordering process for discrete food products using food categorisation
Authors: Wurdemann Helge , Aminzadeh Vahid , Dai Jian S. , Reed John , Purnell Graham 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to introduce and identify a new 3D handling operation (bin picking) for natural discrete food products using food categorisation.Design/methodology/approachThe research shows a new food categorisation and the relation between food ordering processes and food categories. Bin picking in the food industry needs more flexible vision software compared to the manufacturing industry in order to decrease the degree of disarray of food products and transfer them into structure.FindingsIt has been shown that there are still manual operated ordering processes in food industry such as bin picking; it just needs new ideas of image processing algorithms such as active shape models (ASMs) on its development in order to recognise the highly varying shapes of food products.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was aimed at locating a new ordering process and proving a new principle, but for practical implementation this bin picking solution needs to be developed and tested further.Originality/valueIdentifying new ordering processes via food categorisation is unique and applying ASMs to bin picking opens a new industrial sector (food industry) for 3D handling.
No cure for all evils
Authors: Pieters Angele , van Oirschot Charlotte , Akkermans Henk 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on a study investigating the limits of the applicability of the focused factory concept (FFC) in health care. The case setting comes from the Dutch obstetric care system, which is organised by principles in sync with the FFC; the organisation for “simple” pregnancies (independent midwifery practices) is fully separated from that for “complex” pregnancies (obstetric departments in hospitals). The paper investigates the degree of fit between how the Dutch obstetric care system is organised and how it operates (internal fit).Design/methodology/approachThis study analyses one year of patient data from one obstetric hospital department and from one midwifery practice in its immediate geographical proximity. Data were collected regarding the medical condition, consultations, and delivery. These data were used to test the degree to which the obstetric care system operates in line with the FFC; one would expect the midwifery practice to operate as a “line process”, and the obstetric department as a “jobbing process”.FindingsFindings suggest that the Dutch obstetric care sector is designed in line with the FFC, but does not operate accordingly. Root causes for this misalignment can be found in the characteristics of the medical condition of pregnancy.Research limitations/implicationsThe fact that the data concern only one region must raise caution for generalisation. However, the fact that medical conditions, which can be assumed to be universal, lead to an intrinsic mismatch between the FFC organisation and medical operational reality, suggests that this paper may have broad implications for theory and practice.Practical implicationsFor the Dutch obstetric case system, this paper is one in a series that casts doubts on the sustainability of the two‐tiered system. For obstetric care in general, integrated care seems preferable to the FFC. For health care in general, this paper suggests that caution is required in applying the FFC. Moreover, in OM research for health care, more efforts should be made to understand how medical conditions affect the daily operational processes and, hence, the organisational design.Originality/valueMost of the studies focusing on the applicability of the FFC look at financial and medical outcomes. This paper is original in that it looks at what drives these outcomes, i.e. the degree of fit between strategy, organisational design and operational performance.
An investigation of the adoption and implementation of benchmarking
Authors: Adebanjo Dotun , Abbas Ahmed , Mann Robin 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use survey data collected from 453 respondents, from over 40 countries, to determine the current levels of use of benchmarking as an improvement technique. It identifies where and how benchmarking is implemented within organisations and compares the popularity of benchmarking against other improvement tools. Finally, it provides an evidence based opinion on whether benchmarking is a fad or an established management technique.Design/methodology/approachAn on‐line questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was translated into five languages and promoted by the Global Benchmarking Network, a network of benchmarking competency centres, representing 21 countries. The data were then analysed using SPSS statistical software.FindingsThe analysis suggests that benchmarking (informal and formal) is used by a majority of organisations although best practice benchmarking is only used by a core minority. Benchmarking effectiveness compares favourably with effectiveness of other improvement tools and a majority of respondents intend to continue using benchmarking in the future.Research limitations/implicationsThe responses from some of the countries that participated were small in number. This study also relied on a single respondent from each organisation. Inter‐country comparisons were not carried out.Practical implicationsBenchmarking will continue to be used to support the improvement of operations. For organisations that currently use benchmarking the paper provides some insights into how to obtain the full benefits from benchmarking. For those that do not use benchmarking the paper highlights how other organisations are using benchmarking to obtain operational benefits.Originality/valueThe paper presents a multinational survey of benchmarking. Carried out a quarter century after the start of benchmarking's growth, it helps to establish if benchmarking is an established improvement tool or a management fad. It also positions benchmarking relative to other improvement tools and is the most complete study on benchmarking adoption to date.
Necessary condition hypotheses in operations management
Authors: Dul Jan , Hak Tony , Goertz Gary , Voss Chris 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that necessary condition hypotheses are important in operations management (OM), and to present a consistent methodology for building and testing them. Necessary condition hypotheses (“X is necessary for Y”) express conditions that must be present in order to have a desired outcome (e.g. “success”), and to prevent guaranteed failure. These hypotheses differ fundamentally from the common co‐variational hypotheses (“more X results in more Y”) and require another methodology for building and testing them.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews OM literature for versions of necessary condition hypotheses and combines previous theoretical and methodological work into a comprehensive and consistent methodology for building and testing such hypotheses.FindingsNecessary condition statements are common in OM, but current formulations are not precise, and methods used for building and testing them are not always adequate. The paper outlines the methodology of necessary condition analysis consisting of two stepwise methodological approaches, one for building and one for testing necessary conditions.Originality/valueBecause necessary condition statements are common in OM, using methodologies that can build and test such hypotheses contributes to the advancement of OM research and theory.
Modularity and the impact on new product development time performance
Authors: Danese Pamela , Filippini Roberto 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of product modularity on new product development (NPD) time performance, and the moderating effects of interfunctional integration and supplier involvement on the product modularity‐time performance relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes data from a sample of 186 manufacturing plants settled in several countries, and operating in mechanical, electronic and transportation equipment sectors. Three hypotheses are tested through a hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsData analyses show that product modularity has a direct positive effect on NPD time performance, and that interfunctional integration positively moderates the product modularity‐time performance relationship. Finally, this research does not support the hypothesis that a positive interaction effect exists between product modularity and supplier involvement.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should replicate and extend the model to samples drawn from other industries. Moreover, analyses carried out provide some interesting directions for future research on the effect of supplier involvement on NPD time performance.Practical implicationsThe practical implication for managers is that NPD time performance reduction requires levering simultaneously on product modularity and interfunctional integration to foster their interaction, rather than investing and acting on product modularity only. In addition, before deciding to invest on product modularity, managers should ascertain the level of interfunctional integration. In fact, it acts as prerequisite for the successful implementation of product modularity.Originality/valueEmpirical studies on the impact of product modularity on NPD time performance are really scant. This research empirically analyzes this effect, and contributes to the advancement of theory by investigating the effect of product modularity and integration practices in NPD in a comprehensive way.
Relational coaching: taking the coaching high road
Authors: Critchley Bill 
Published: October 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to articulate and elaborate on the practice of “relational” coaching, and to suggest that there are significant implications for coaching practice, in particular the need for coaches to risk themselves by engaging their whole person in what is an unpredictable and intimate process.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is to draw on perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, sociology, complexity science and philosophy, which all imply or suggest the centrality of relational dynamics in human interaction, and in particular an interaction in which the coach inevitably becomes a “significant other” for his or her client.FindingsThe main conclusion of the paper is that the dynamic of the relationship between coach and client needs to be explicitly attended to, as it is the main means through which change takes place in two key respects; first, because it serves as an analogue of the dynamical patterns which tend to configure a client's relationships in their work context and, second, because the quality of embodied resonance between the coach and client has been shown to be the main factor in effective coaching outcomes.Originality/valueThese findings are generally understood in the field of psychotherapy in particular, but much less so in the field of coaching. The findings arising from the particular synthesis of these perspectives in the context of coaching is original, and their potential implications for coaching are believed to have considerable potential value.