Chocolate is among the most popular non-essential food items globally [1]. An essential ingredient of several delicacies such as candy bars, milk shakes, cookies, and cereals [2], it makes a particularly important component for puddings, cakes, brownies, and other desserts [3].
Before it gets to the dining table, the chocolate has literally travelled around the world. The journey of chocolate begins on the evergreen cocoa trees located in the equatorial and tropical regions of South America, Mexico, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
After manually harvesting cocoa beans, workers ferment and dry them. Fermentation turns them brown and drying reduces their weight to half [2]. Next, cocoa beans are shipped to manufacturing facilities where they are roasted, winnowed, ground, and blended to form the chocolate we are familiar with [3].
Cybernetik has delivered customized automation and equipment solutions for the chocolate industry that enable close monitoring and control over each stage to make exceptional quality chocolate.
Manufacturers first clean the beans to remove unwanted material. Next, they roast and winnow the beans to obtain the edible part called “nib,” which is the edible part of the bean.
Thereafter, they melt the nib, and add sugar and flavor to it. The liquid chocolate so produced is either stored or molded into the required solid form [2].
Let us examine each stage of the manufacturing process in detail:
Roasting: is the important first step and plays several important roles:
Brings out the taste and flavor because it is the roasted cocoa beans that taste like chocolate, not the raw ones [4]. Typical cocoa bean color and aroma develop around 130-1500C [5].
Sterilizes the bean, eliminating any bacteria, molds, and fungi that are widespread in the tropical equatorial regions – the home of cocoa beans [4].
Simplifies cracking and winnowing by disconnecting the inner bean from the outer husk [4]. Roasting makes the outer cocoa shells brittle, making it easy to separate them [2]. Breaking down the inner cocoa bean gives tiny cocoa nibs [2].
Reduces moisture content from around 7% to about 1% [1]. This is important because chocolate and water do not mix. Lowering moisture simplifies grinding [6]. For effective roasting, three conditions are essential viz. transfer of heat to the bean, smooth airflow in the roasting drum, and cooling [7].
Winnowing: involves delinking the husk (outer shell) from the nib (edible part) of cocoa beans. The process directly impacts the final quality of the chocolate as better separation delivers top quality [8]. Any residual husk will introduce unwanted tastes [9]. Winnowing takes off 20-25% of the roasted beans’ weight [9]. Equipment for winnowing cracks open the outer husks, which are then segregated from the nib by multiple stages of sieves (filters). Air blowing fans complete the separation as husks are lighter than nibs [10]. Roasted beans are cracked open by passing them through serrated cones [11] or screw motion [10]. Vibration mechanisms may also be employed in addition to filters and fans for superior separation [10].
Grinding: passes nibs through rotating metal drums to convert them into liquid called chocolate liquor [1]. Nibs contain 50-55% cocoa butter [12], which is a crucial ingredient for making chocolate. Depending on the requirements, manufacturers utilize three or even more grinding stages [12]. The roller speed rises in every successive stage [12]. Eventually, the size of chocolate liquor particles is crushed to 0.0254mm [1]. From the middle of the grinding stage, the process handles liquid chocolate and this continues till step 8 i.e. molding stage.
Separation: involves the use of hydraulic press [11] or rollers [1] to hike the pressure on chocolate liquor. This makes most of the cocoa butter inside the chocolate liquor flow out as a yellow liquid. The residue is the press cake and is processed into cocoa powder [1].
Blending: manufacturers add cocoa butter to the press cake [1]. The quantity of added cocoa butter influences the consistency and texture, and, therefore, determines the type of chocolate produced [1].
Conching: is the most critical stage in chocolate production [1]. Operating somewhat similar to eggbeater, the machine paddles move to and fro through the chocolate mass slowly to mix it thoroughly and aerate it [11]. Such action further reduces the chocolate particles’ size and removes any minor, residual bitterness. Process speed and temperature influence the quality of chocolate [1]. Other determinants of quality are the speed at which other ingredients (sugar, milk powder or milk, cocoa butter, flavors etc.) are mixed and when they are added [1].
Tempering: is the slow cooling of the conched chocolate. Such machines can have heating and cooling mechanisms as well as mixers to maintain the molten chocolate’s homogeneity [13]. Steady temperature drop in tempering imparts stability to the chocolate [14] i.e. prevents the ingredients from separating on solidification – when poured in molds for example [11]. It also maintains the chocolate’s crisp texture and luster [11]. It is the tempering stage that prevents chocolate from melting when people touch it [14].
Molding: is the pouring of liquid chocolate into molds designed to provide the specifically shaped chocolate. Types of chocolates are pure chocolates, wafer or cookie including chocolates, raisin or dry fruit containing chocolates, or those with a core containing different materials such as jelly [15]. Totally automatic, semi automatic, and manual are the three types of mold machines based on the level of automation [15]. Stage 8 i.e. molding starts with liquid chocolate and ends with a solid one. Hereafter, all stages deal with solid chocolate.
Wrapping: protects the chocolate from contamination while also lending it a catchy appearance and enabling the makers to brand their produce. After loading the wrapper material and chocolate (of the required size and shape) in the wrapper machine, the machine wraps the chocolate, cuts the wrapper, and seals it. Thereafter, the wrapped chocolates are packaged into cartons [16]. Types of wrapper machines are Bar Wrapper, Coin Wrapper, Foil Wrapper, and Fold Wrapper. Different ways a chocolate is wrapped are Banding, Fold Wrapping, Foil Wrapping, Pleat Wrapping, Sleeve Wrapping, Twist Wrapping, and Foil and Band Wrapping [16]. Chocolates can be wrapped as much as five times viz. primary, double primary, secondary, tertiary, and final wrappings [16]. Molding machine is an auxiliary to the wrapping machine [15]. Equipment that serve as auxiliaries to both machines are [16]:
Tempering Machine
Chocolate Pump
Nut Feeder
Chocolate Enrober
Biscuit Feeder
Automatic Demolder
Feeder Mixer
Auto Chocolate Depositor
Chocolate Analyzer
Granule Doser
Granule Mixer
Weighing-Filling Mechanism
Finally
A process as long and complex as chocolate making demands diligent focus from the involved people and machines. Automation is a great way to make the process precise and fast.
Cybernetik has delivered customized automation and equipment solutions for the chocolate industry that enable close monitoring and control over each stage to make exceptional quality chocolate.
Among all the non-essential food items made and sold round the world, chocolate is a favourite of many. Candy bars, milkshakes, cookies, and cereals can scarcely do without it. Neither can many puddings, cakes, and brownies.
Contact us at +91 20 6790 9600 or [email protected] to feel the joy of made-to-order solutions.
References
Chocolate, Advameg.
The production of chocolate, Simon Fraser University.
Chocolate, Wikipedia.
Cocoa Bean Roasting, Chocolate Alchemy.
Cultivation, Preparation & Roasting the Cocoa beans, Ritter Sport.
An Introduction To Cocoa Roasting, XTC Chocolate.
Cocoa Roasting Machine, Coffee Direct Pro.
Cocoa Bean Winnowing, Oklahoma State University.
Making Exceptional Chocolate: Winnowing Cocoa Beans, Wild Mountain Chocolate.
Winnowing, Nemisto.
How To Make Chocolate: From Cacao Bean to Chocolate, The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club.
The Nib-grinding Process, The Manufacturing Confectioner.
Tempering, ProBake.
Tempering Chocolate, Ghirardelli.
Chocolate Moulding Machine, SaintyCo.
Chocolate Wrapping Machine, SaintyTech.
A New Normal
Global crises trigger far reaching and fundamental transformations in consumer preferences, industrial practices, and government policies. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different. It will force manufacturers to comprehend those aspects of business, society, and politics that will be radically modified. Furthermore, they will have to proactively build capacity to deal with the new normal [1].
Paradigm Shifts
Following areas will experience paradigm shifts:
Automation: will be increasingly deployed to resurrect the manufacturing sector. Productivity expansion via robotics and automation will be at the focal point of this effort, which will generate fresh employment opportunities for digitally proficient workers, but not for the low-skilled ones [1].
Rapid Factory Digitalization: that places a premium on flexible and precise management of factory operations from a remote location. Such management will necessitate fast incorporation of industrial IoT based on superior data visualization, sensing, artificial intelligence, and tools for remote collaboration [1].
Digital Divide among Manufacturers: two broad sets of manufacturers will emerge in the wake of the socio-economic decline. At the top end will be the digitally-savvy ones who embarked on the digital journey years ago. The late entrants will be at the other end [1].
Greater Attention to Health & Safety: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Current GMP (cGMP) will assume more significance given their focus on plant and operator hygiene. Employees can expect greater monitoring and tracking of their movements and geographical data viz. residence location, recent travels and particularly international travel [2]. Industries will also rearrange workspaces, operate in staggered shifts, maintain more distance between employees, and prohibit visitors on the shop floor to prevent coronavirus transmissions [2].
Improved Strategies for Worker Retention & Deployment: particularly for workers who have to be on-site. Such workers will receive more education on how to respond to symptoms and contain the spread of the virus [2].
Flexible Management Practices: that incorporate change management and adaptable work schedules to effectively handle greater automation levels, more number of remote employees, and the learning curves of such employees [2].
“Virtual Shift” Replacing “Physical Shift”: with fewer people on the shop floor (on site), a team of virtually-connected experts will be continuously available online for consultation by the shop floor personnel. Facilitating the virtual shift will be AI-enabled tools, real time handling of data, and numerous collaboration cum communication instruments [1]. The virtual shift will digitally scale the expertise of the specialist team over the entire institution while boosting the productivity of the shop floor team [1].
Emphasizing Cybersecurity & System Capacity to Resist Attacks: with more employees gaining online access to the main system areas, security of cyber network will be of paramount importance. The system design has to be resilient in order to withstand repetitive attacks [2].
Supply Chain Overhaul: is necessary in order to avoid last minute unavailability of parts, particularly the critical elements. Manufacturers will take more efforts to thoroughly understand in real time their supply networks. Suppliers identified as vulnerable to disrupting the chain will be replaced [2].
Survival of the Adaptable
Adaptability will be the key to survival at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed rapid and extensive transformation in most aspects of the manufacturing sector. The challenge also presents a huge opportunity for the digitally savvy manufacturer.
Cybernetik delivers customized automation solutions for a whole range of manufacturing operations.
Contact us at +91 20 6790 9600 or write to us at [email protected] for automation services that prepare your business for the future.
References
What Will Manufacturing’s New Normal Be After COVID-19?, IndustryWeek.
COVID-19: What it means for industrial manufacturing, PwC.
Transformation in the Making
Utilizing Big Data to improve its process, a gold mine in Africa saved $20 million a year [1]. The car industry struggles to build a new car model in six years; Local Motors does that in one by tapping the boundless capacity of 3D Printing [1]. Logistics firm Knapp AG slashed error rates by 40%; courtesy: picking technology based on Augmented Reality [1].
Big Data, 3D Printing, Augmented Reality and many more such technologies are steering the world of manufacturing and supply chain management towards a radically new destination – called Industry 4.0. Herein, three broad technological trends are clearly palpable – connectivity, adaptable automation, and intelligence [2].
These trends deliver a Cyber Physical System (CPS) which integrates manufacturing processes in the physical world with digital computers and networks. The digital monitors and controls the physical. Feedback mechanisms from both, the physical and the digital components, influence the other [3].
Also termed variously as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Smart Manufacturing, or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Industry 4.0 blends real world operations with intelligent digital technology, big data, and machine learning, to build a wholesome and linked network [4].
Smart Machines & Smart Supply Chains
Machines generate voluminous data when operating. Big Data analyzes this information to obtain valuable insights and spot patterns, something that would be near-impossible for humans. Based on such data evaluation, the machines make decentralized [5], autonomous decisions on operation and maintenance without human involvement [6].
Next, machines use interconnectivity to share the data and its analysis with other machines in the same organization [6]. The network also makes them capable of sharing the same with other manufacturers employing similar equipment and/or processes.
Consequently, the productivity and efficiency of all such linked manufacturing operations rises substantially while wastage falls to a bare minimum [6]. All in all, this creates an entire ecosystem of efficiency and productivity – smart machines in smart factories!
However, the human touch is not completely missing in this smart ecosystem. Making decisions in the face of uncertainty and executing operations that require intuition, experience, and creative thinking are areas still reserved for the human mind [7].
Supply Chains of the present day comprise of a complex web of interconnections that link the distribution network with product development and production operations [8]. Shifting over to an interlinked, automated, and digitized supply chain requires sizable investments. However, the returns are immense viz. [9]:
30% or greater cut in operational costs.
60% or more lowering of lost sales opportunities.
70% or higher reduction in inventory requirements.
Here is how these benefits can be realized [9]:
Improved Transparency & Precision: Knowing precisely and in real time where the goods are located in the supply chain boosts the accuracy of orders, batch and lot control, and estimated time of arrival (ETA), while optimizing inventory levels and minimizing related costs.
Better Collaboration: Through improved transparency and uninterrupted flow of data, all stakeholders get to work closely and develop trust. Greater cooperation allows continuous planning, flexible pricing in view of fluctuating demand-supply situation, and minimal lead times.
Superior Demand Forecast: Predictive analysis of data compiled from sensors, weather prognosis, developments on the social media and other such sources has cut down forecast errors by as much as 50%. As a result, companies can maintain optimized stock levels that lower inventory costs while also avoiding shortage and surplus situations.
Excellent Warehouse Management: Real time tracking of consignments means warehouse supervisors know when exactly the goods will arrive. This facilitates pickup and delivery without delay, which, in turn, prevent waiting times that escalate labor working hours. Again, upgraded demand forecast promotes optimal utilization of warehouse space.
Bringing Stakeholders on the Same Page: Since all stakeholders refer to the same data, they use the same inputs for decision making. Such coherence is priceless when swiftly responding to a situation.
Adaptable Supply Chain: Machine learning empowers the supply chain to learn and evolve on its own in the face of fluctuating situations. Dealing with unpredictable risks does require human inputs though.
Summing up, smart factories and smart supply chains under Industry 4.0 are [10]:
Linked: Data flows between various machines and departments of the ecosystem. Various points/stations in the related supply chains also exchange information.
Optimized: Operational algorithms analyze the data and optimize all operational facets with least human inputs.
Proactive: Data analysis predicts when a problem related to maintenance, inventory, or quality might arise. Such forecast enables preventive action.
Transparent: Management shares insights obtained from data analysis with the relevant department/point in the supply chain. The latter can initiate appropriate action.
Flexible: The factory is fast when executing changes in production, schedule, inventory etc. Through this, it maximizes returns and/or mitigates risks.
Technologies Powering Industry 4.0
A host of technologies are propelling Industry 4.0 towards greater acceptance. These include:
Internet of Things (IoT): Refers to a mechanism of interrelated and interconnected machines. These devices exchange data and its analysis over the network without human-computer or human-human communication [11].
Artificial Intelligence (AI): The capacity of machines (hardware and software) to learn from data evaluation is one of the pillars of Industry 4.0. It is AI that makes machines capable of self learning [12].
3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing: Is among the backbones of Industry 4.0. Makes products by accumulating thousands of layers of extremely thin molten material one over the other in the horizontal plane. A digital system directs the material depositing gun.
Mass Customization is among the chief benefits of 3D Printing. Manufacturers only have to change the digital file to make a new product. Traditional production processes involve costly product development and tooling stages, which compel mass production to make manufacturing viable. By eliminating the compulsion of mass production, 3D Printing makes it possible to set up small, decentralized manufacturing facilities that have short supply chains with better control over delivery.
Big Data: Collects and analyzes data from countless machines, points in the supply chains, social media developments, weather forecasts and the like. It is the interpretation of such data that empowers a proactive course of action, making Big Data a fundamental element of Industry 4.0.
Sensors and Data Collection: Data is the basic unit of Industry 4.0. Top quality sensors gather more accurate data. The evaluation of such data is more precise. Actions based on such analysis will invariably be more effective.
Nano Technology: Nano materials make exemplary sensors with incredible data gathering efficiency. And, data integrity is the starting point of Industry 4.0 [13].
Augmented Reality (AR): Visualization is a powerful tool. By superimposing virtual images on the real world view of the user, AR:
Simplifies complicated assembly involving large number of components [14].
Permits early detection of errors in prototypes [15].
Facilitates specialist support from remote locations [15].
Enables quick locating of warehouse inventory [15].
Allows salespersons to better explain products to clients [15].
Empowers supervisors to improve worker’s understanding of safety hazards and exit points [15].
Virtual Reality (VR): By generating a virtual environment resembling the real one, VR promotes [14]:
Superior training of employees.
Swift detection of glitches in the factory planning process.
Easier plant inspections.
Autonomous Robots: Will be among the main executives in Industry 4.0. These will perform manufacturing operations and handle goods [16] under the supervision and control of computers and networks.
Autonomous/Unmanned Vehicles: Delivering finished goods to end users is very much a part of smart manufacturing, as is product recycling and post-sale services [17]. Apart from internet connectivity and AI that respectively provide data and decision making ability, technologies such as Global Positioning system (GPS), Laser Illuminated Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), and Inertial Navigation System (INS) will make vehicles smarter [17].
Industrial Mobile Device (Platform): Present day mobiles or smartphones can collect and process tons of data. With internet connectivity, quality cameras, and top class software, mobiles can monitor and control factory operations [18].
Cyber Security: A 2016 survey of industry experts by McKinsey identified cyber security as a major roadblock [19] in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Improved cyber security measures will inspire greater adoption of Industry 4.0.
Slow & Steady: The Road Ahead
All innovations are slow to gather momentum. But once they accumulate critical mass, they cross the threshold of credibility and get moving in top gear. Premised as it is on the fate of numerous technologies, Industry 4.0 is in the process of gaining momentum. But thrive it will, for no one can stop an idea whose time has come!
Cybernetik has installed numerous turnkey mechanisms embedded with multiple elements of Industry 4.0 in our client’s systems to facilitate Predictive Maintenance and Process Monitoring. Shortly, we are coming out with Augmented Reality Modules to permit more Intuitive Operations and Maintenance.
Contact us at +91 20 6790 9600 or [email protected] and be a part of the next Industrial Revolution – the future of manufacturing is here!
References
Manufacturing’s next act, McKinsey & Company.
Industry 4.0: 7 Real-World Examples of Digital Manufacturing in Action, AMFG.
Cyber physical systems role in manufacturing technologies, AIP Publishing.
What is Industry 4.0—the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?, Epicor.
Fourth Industrial Revolution, Wikipedia.
What is Industry 4.0? Here’s A Super Easy Explanation For Anyone, Forbes.
Industry 4.0: Required Personnel Competencies, International Scientific Journal.
What does Industry 4.0 mean for the supply chain network?, Supply Chain.
Impact of Industry 4.0 on Supply Chains — All You Need to Know, GEP.
Industry 4.0: Required Personnel Competencies, International Scientific Journal.
Internet of things, Wikipedia.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Industry 4.0, Venkat Vajradhar.
Where Nanotechnology, the IoT, and Industry 4.0 Meet, Mouser Electronics.
How Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality fit into Industry 4.0, Plutomen.
Augmented Reality for Industry 4.0, Onirix.
What Industry 4.0 Means for Manufacturers, Aethon.
Industry 4.0 Revolution in Autonomous and Connected Vehicle, Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology.
Mobile devices in Industry 4.0, Critical Manufacturing.
Industry 4.0 after the initial hype, McKinsey & Company.
Natural by Design
Robots are not a new entrant in the food industry. They have handled palletizing and packaging jobs with speed and efficiency. It is only with the recent advances in gripper and vision technology that they are foraying into secondary food processing.
Managing sturdy or even the not-so-delicate parts is not a big task for robots. What is challenging is dealing with handle-with-care parts [1]. Take fragile foodstuffs such as raw eggs, soft chocolates, or strawberries for example. Or odd shaped apples and pears.
Quality and Speed are the two pivotal benefits of automation [2]. Employing conventional robots will damage these foodstuffs, and negate the quality advantage. In their mission to get over this barrier, robotic engineers turned to nature and came up with a simple yet excellent solution – the bionic gripper.
Nature has always triggered engineering developments. Bionics or engineering modelled on biology or living creatures [3] goes back centuries [4]. Jack Steele conceived the term bionics back in 1958 to describe engineering based on biology [5].
Japan’s Shinkansen trains for example employ the design of the Kingfisher’s beak to avoid sonic boom. Whale fin contours are the basis for the quieter, more efficient wind turbines with serrated edges [6]. And, there was the Gator Sharkote project that studied shark shin to develop an anti-fouling coating [7].
Robots & Grippers
Robots utilize two types of end effectors viz. grippers and tools. Connected at the robot wrist, they are usually custom built for specific operations. End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) is among the principal robot parts because it comes in touch with the part [8].
Grippers are generally involved with loading-unloading operations. One area where robots have an edge over manual labour is that they cause minimal damage to the handled part – the quality advantage of automation. But this advantage materializes only with the proper design and fabrication of gripper [8].
Robots utilize four main types of grippers [8]:
Vacuum Grippers are flexible, making them a standard EOAT. Polyurethane or rubber suction cups or closed cell layer of foam rubber acts as the pickup mechanism.
Hydraulic Grippers deliver up to 2000 psi gripping force, but are prone to oil leakages and maintenance issues.
Pneumatic Grippers are small sized and lightweight.
Servo-Electric Grippers use electronic motors for better control over gripper jaws. Plus, they are cost effective and can operate with varied material tolerances when working with parts.
Bionic Grippers
From the far reaching tentacles of the monstrous octopus and the mighty trunk of the colossal elephant to the sticky foot pads of the humble gecko lizard, nature presents countless examples for robotic engineers to derive inspiration from.
Festo’s Nano Force Gripper requires energy only to initially grip the object, not to maintain its hold. Located on the underside of the gripper is Gecko Nanoplast, a tape with 29,000 gripping members per square centimetre (cm2). Similar to suction cups, the gripping elements borrow their concept from foot pads of the gecko lizard [9].
Compressive force is applied on the tape to release the held part. The force reduces the size of the holding surface to a point where the part is smoothly released. Release action is based on the Fin Ray Effect, wherein the ends of a flexible structure bend towards the direction of a compressive force applied to its middle [10].
Four Fingers Lip by The Gripper Company has solid fingers for flexibly gripping parts and reinforced fingers for holding parts with greater force. With elastic material construction for smooth handling, the gripper has serrated tips for superior gripping of wet parts [11].
Ingrained self-compliance means the gripper can smoothly yet firmly handle parts of a whole range of size and shapes. Plus, it is available in three different configuration modules that allow eight different configuration builds for diverse utilization capabilities [11].
Tentacle Gripper is patterned on the octopus. Festo has made this gripper from silicone with suction cups in a double row formation lining the internal surface. Pumping compressed air bends the gripper towards the inside, enabling it to smoothly grip the part. And its soft structure allows it to assume the shape of the part [12].
Vacuum-actuated larger suction cups are actively involved in gripping. The smaller cups towards the gripper tip are passive. Coupled with its soft, pliable structure, the suction cups empower the gripper to grasp parts of umpteen shapes [12].
Gripper Selection & Productivity
Regulations dictate the use of grippers certified as food grade. EC 1935/2004 regulation deals with such grippers for use in Europe. The corresponding certification in the United States is FDA 21 CFR [13].
Soft grippers are best suited for handling random shaped, delicate foodstuffs. Vacuum grippers are better reserved for sturdier applications such as handling food boxes and beverage cans, as well as for palletizing solutions [13].
For maximum productivity and minimal downtime, use grippers that are [13]:
Compatible with the existing robotic set up.
Certified.
Suitable for dishwasher cleaning.
Of the required payload capacity.
Easy to replace with other grippers.
Finally
Robotic workspaces are moving towards zero separation and maximum collaboration between humans and robots. Festo’s BionicSoftArm robot, for example, eliminates the need for a safety cage. Based on the elephant’s trunk, it does not hurt technicians even in case of collision [14].
With the soft, human touch built into them, bionic grippers hold great potential in the times to come.
Cybernetik has successfully provided customized robotic automation solutions for the Food, Pharma, and Automotive industry since 1989.
Get in touch with us at +91 20 6790 9600 or [email protected] and harness the quality, speed, and productivity advantage of automation.
References
7 Types of Robot Grippers and their Industrial Applications, Ramon Ruiz, Ennomotive.
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