that product selection in this area needs to be ‘ right first time ’.
When it comes to hardware , the key universal standard is EN 1672-2:2005 , which “ specifies common hygiene requirements for machinery used in preparing and processing food for human and , where relevant , animal consumption to eliminate or minimise the risk of contagion , infection , illness or injury arising from this food ”. It identifies hazards relevant to the use of such food processing machinery and describes design methods and information for eliminating or reducing these risks .
This means that while the interior technology is largely the same , computer hardware products must be made from stainless steel which can withstand the industry ’ s cleaning regimes . Additionally , special films are needed to cover the screen to prevent glass or plastic shards entering the production area if the screen suffers physical damage . Products must have smooth angles rather than sharp edges , for easier cleaning and liquid run-off . Screws must also be stainless steel and adhere to a design negating the possibility for dirt to collect around and underneath them .
A key growth area in food production hardware is stand-alone human-machine interfaces ( HMIs ) rapidly adjustable for height and orientation to provide the optimal ergonomic set-up . As key items of production equipment , EN 1672-2:2005 applies equally to these , so the same materials and design requirements apply . In short , any hardware intended for use in the sector must be industry-specific in design and cannot be modified from something designed for more general applications . This means working with a specialist supplier is absolutely essential .
For software , products must adhere to FDA 21 CFR part 11 which governs the keeping of electronic records and , in particular , the scope and application of electronic signatures .
In essence , every single operation must be traced and recorded to provide clear information on who did what and when in case of an issue after products leave the facility . All software used must therefore be compliant with this . In addition , cybersecurity is a growing trend and it is important to work with a hardware supplier providing all the necessary components ; food & beverage is very much a field for players with domains expertise .
When it comes to cybersecurity , TPM 2.0 should be at the heart of your strategy ; it allows local encryption of data , with a full hardware check of the configuration ; any hardware manipulation will automatically create a notification . This strategy should apply to all hardware installed in the field , whether an HMI or a gateway . For this reason , Advantech provides extensive TPM functionality within its portfolio .
It is rare in this sector for any supplier to be expert in both sector-specific hardware and software , even within larger automation companies with extensive global resources . And given the stringency of regulation , ill-informed choices cannot be countenanced due to the cost of process rectification – while a modest financial saving will be more than outweighed by any issues resulting from under-specification .
As well as optimal compliance , decisions should focus on achieving flexibility – not being tied into a supplier in case requirements change . In these cases , selecting a supply source who can provide the best of both worlds makes perfect sense . The ideal solution combines specialist industrial hardware compatible with sector-specific software , where the compatibility of hardware and software has been extensively tested to ensure optimal functionality . This approach will deliver complete accountability for performance alongside long-term robustness and resilience , and access to long-term support . Having hardware ready for market requirements facilitates collaboration with specialist software vendors to provide complete solutions .
For further information visit : www . advantech . eu or email : IIoT . AdvantechEurope @ advantech . eu .
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