The purpose of FMEG is to promote automation in food manufacture and assembly as a sustainable strategy to the food industry.
The purpose of CenFRA is to break down the barriers and engage companies in new, alternative and innovative thinking.
Encouraging liaison between industry, academia and research centres.
A unique source of information on food automation. www.afa-net.com
Who Benefits from the FMEG?
- Food Manufactures
- Equipment Suppliers
- Retailers
- Producers e.g. Growers & Farmers
- Government
- Professional Bodies & Task Groups
- Academia
If you would like to become a member of the FMEG or would like to find out more
Call Jose on: +44 (0) 208 946 4078
E-mail : jaspring@compuserve.com
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FMEG Philosophy
- Communicate the industrial need for food automation and assembly for sustainability of the food industry
- Network a group of active researchers to provide a strong research base and link them with industry to focus on issues of practical significance
- Identify key new areas of science and technology to improve sustainability, productivity and hygienic design and direct these to appropriate research funding
- Present a professional focus on food automation and assembly by developing a strategy. For example, it submitted evidence to the DEFRA Curry Secretariat and automation of food assembly that is covered in the report on future research needs and a submission on future research needs to OSI/DTI was referred to in the report on future research needs.
FMEG Operational objectives
- Industrially-led group to promote food automation and assembly
- To communicate the benefits of automation including economic, environmental and hygienic through meetings, research brokerage, a website and disseminate best practice
- Liaison with CenFRA that will carry out opportunity automation audits, independent practical advice and assistance on automation technology, advise on selection of equipment and suitability for use and provide updated information on best practices, new technologies and production processes
How does the FMEG achieve this?
- Encouraging liaison between industry, academia and research centres to strengthen the research and development infrastructure of the sector
- Improve manufacturing by communicating the industrial needs for automation to research providers
- Raise awareness of the benefits of automation to the food manufacturing sector
- By working in collaboration with others including government and EU funding agencies
With whom does FMEG collaborate?
- Recognised by DEFRA, the Department has kindly provided fiscal support and publicity for the Group
- A number of projects have been undertaken, including those supported by LINK funding. These Grants include research into the automation of sandwich lines, the ergonomics of food assembly and research into a cost effective, flexible, reprogrammable robot for food production
- The Group also has agreed to collaborate with the Food Processing Faraday and works with the Faraday on areas of common interest, particularly sustainability
- In September 2006, the University of Salford was awarded a major contract by Yorkshire Forward to establish a Food Automation Centre in Yorkshire
- The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council gave a grant to the formation of the Academic Network for Automated Food Assembly and supported the establishment of the website
- The Group has links with automation groups in Europe and is participating in The EU funded NovelQ programme
How do you do this in practice?
- Foster best practice by organising regular workshops & symposia
- Provide information via the website which contains a major archive of all the presentations from the meetings, a unique source of information on food automation
- Publishing articles in learned journals, the technical press, liaising with the professional institutions and learned bodies
Which engineering and scientific fields do FMEG cover?
A technical domain that includes: Robotics, sensors, automation, manufacturing systems, electronics, instrumentation, computing, control, hygienic design, and end effector technologies (grippers, pneumatics and hydraulics)
Wider aspects include: Efficient use of energy and water, reduction of waste, ergonomics, economics, supply chain and financing of automation How do FMEG member companies benefit?
- Promote industry led, multidisciplinary research
- Encourage networking with academia
- Identify emerging technologies including those in other industrial sectors that may be adapted to food automation.
- Use links with government, research councils, EU and other funding bodies
- Raise public awareness of the benefits of automation including cost reduction, sustainability, environmental, hygiene, public health and social benefits
Why Join the FMEG?
- To participate in the automation of the food industry which will be sustainable
- To represent and promote your business, and meet people with common purpose to obtain information and network
- To access grant funds, expert speakers, influence policy, input to submissions to government
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