Berry Processing – Saving Time with Automation

Berry farmers have an extremely small window to harvest and process their product. They must work closely with processing facilities to make the most of the limited harvesting and processing season. Fresh product gets the best pricing and fruit must be harvested, packed and shipped in the shortest possible time. Because of this, efficiency throughout the entire process is of the utmost importance.

One of the biggest variables in managing this tight schedule is the workforce. With growers and processors all needing people at the same time of year, demand goes up and the pool of workers is not getting any larger. A delay in finding enough good workers can lead to delays and unnecessary loss of revenue from fruit going bad. Even when good workers are found, there is the ongoing background risk of workers becoming sick or not being able to work for a variety of other reasons. Helplessly watching product get wasted because of a lack of workers is not a situation anyone wants to be in.

Maintaining Efficiency and Quality

Another variable in managing berry processing is the ability to handle fruit gently and consistently in the fastest time possible. Maintaining efficiency while ensuring the quality and integrity of the berries can be difficult. Going too quickly can damage product and make it spoil at an accelerated rate, or make it completely unsellable. Going too slowly can bog down production time, lose money, and ultimately shorten the shelf life of berries.

Automation in key sections of a processing line can greatly minimize risks stemming from unexpected down time. Automated equipment saves time and increases overall reliability and efficiency. Processors can get more done at a lower operating cost while not being completely at the mercy of the changing availability of the workforce. Automation also makes quality control and monitoring more efficient, by allowing speed and handling to be optimized.

Operators can adjust multiple systems from one location. This saves time from workers walking around the facility making multiple adjustments at multiple machines. It also provides more opportunity for managing a processing line with less workers present. A central control makes it possible for supervisors and managers to troubleshoot systems remotely without tracking down individual systems, saving valuable time and resources.

A longer-term advantage evolves out of bringing in automation and centralizing the control. The perspective of an overall system gives production managers insight into where production can be optimized for better throughput, efficiency, and reliability.

Process Equipment Solutions

One type of process equipment that is often used in berry processing is the Innotech Lug & Flat Dumper. Innotech Lug & Flat Dumpers are designed to take advantage of complete automation. They feature easy to understand touch screen user interfaces with built-in security. This equipment has a gentle dumping motion that ensures fresh product is not harmed, as well as automated exit conveyors to remove empty lugs and flats where they can then be transferred to a washer. Lug & Flat Dumpers ensure product quality, reduce the need for physical labor, and allow ease of centralized control.

Another piece of process equipment that lends to berry processing efficiency is the Innotech Stone Trap. It is designed as an easy to use, rugged and reliable system for removing stones and heavy debris from a process line. It can run at various speeds depending on production goals and is designed so it can be easily placed in an existing berry processing line. Like the Lug Dumper, it is gentle on fresh product while also lightening the physical requirements of workers.