Food & Drink Processing & Packaging Issue 58 2025 | Page 13

the same response repeatedly, it makes it easier for organisations to predict what the output would be as there’ s minimal risk of variation- this means KPIs and trends can be accurately tracked and monitored.
How Robotics and Automated Dispensing is Transforming Food and Beverage Dispensing
Certain industries lend themselves easily to the rise of robotics and automated dispensing- the food and beverage industry being one of them. There is a whole range of potential applications including:
• Automated Dispensing Machines: These machines are often found in convenience stores, petrol stations, and fast-food restaurants. They utilise robotics and automated dispensing by supplying a precise dispensing system to deliver a variety of food and beverage items quickly, without the need for human input.
• Robotic Cooks: Advanced robotic systems( such as the Moley, B-Air Kitchen) can prepare complex dishes, from curry, stir fry, pasta and even risotto, with remarkable precision and speed. It’ s the‘ world’ s first robotic chef and intelligent RFID-enhanced IoT kitchen system.’
• Food Delivery Robots: Autonomous robots are being deployed to deliver food directly to customers, as operated in Milton Keynes by Starship Technologies. They have streamlined the delivery process and reduced labor costs.
• Entertainment: Some restaurants and bars have started to‘ employ’ automated robotic bartenders, mainly as an aesthetic and to provide an additional layer of entertainment for their patrons. These bartenders can mix pre-set qualities of drink, mix and serve accurately.
• Agriculture: Robots can plant, identify, and sort seeds. They can also assess crops and their habitats for disease, pests, or yield, and in some cases, provide a remedy to a potential problem e. g. spraying plants with pesticides should greenflies be discovered.
• Food and Drink Packaging: When it comes to speed, efficiency and accuracy, robotics and automation dispensing machines are perfect- they can open, fill or dose, pack, seal, and label packages within seconds and at the ease of a button.
• Food Sanitation, Preparation and Processing: Especially within the food and beverage industry, sanitation of the product and equipment takes top priority to ensure the cleanliness and quality of the product. Robots and automated dispensing machines are being used as they can endure harsher environments than humans( such as staying within cold rooms where bacteria and infection can’ t survive for prolonged periods). By guaranteeing efficient and accurate dosing, robotics and automated dispensing ensure any food and beverage served is consistently at the correct measurement.
The Role of Quantex Pumps in Automated Dispensing
Quantex pumps are already a critical component for many automated dispensing machines, including the Linstream / Cobell Juice Machine, Freshblends selfserve frozen beverages platform and can easily handle concentrates for post-mix soft and alcoholic drink dispensing machines.
Pumps without an integrated Quantex pump, however, often come with multiple pain points due to the upkeep required of the robotics and automated dispensing machines themselves as discussed in our blog‘ Top 10 Business Benefits of Refillable Drinks and Bulk-refill’.
When it comes to robotics and automated dispensing, Quantex can take things to the next level and help keep environments clean, aseptic and mess-free. By utilising a lightweight and compact Quantex pump, such as the Bag-in-Box, which is designed to be attached to the liquid packaging, manufacturers can also save valuable time and costs by reducing maintenance downtime and potential spills.
Working in a similar way to a Vitop tap used on a bag-in-box of wine, the Bag-in-Box range of Quantex pumps can directly replace this tap as it carries the same connection fitting – and, instead of pressing the tap and letting the product dribble out using gravity, the pumps are swiftly clicked into a small motor drive which doses the product accurately at various flowrates, with high vacuum and self-priming. This means that when the pack is emptied, it can be rapidly swapped in and out without the risk of spills, product wastage and technical training. When the new pack is in place, robots and automated dispensing machinery can then manage this product flow and be programmed to run as required.
As the liquid product is housed securely within the pack, it remains sealed to external substances and minimises the risk of spills between pack changeovers. Quantex’ s high vacuum capability also means that it draws out every last drop so there’ s less wastage. And thanks to the reverse cycling capability of Quantex pumps, they can suck product back in at the end of each dispense which is how drips and cross-contamination are prevented.
With only a standard motor drive and motor controller required, dispensing machinery can be highly compact, saving valuable space. And with such an easy-to-use system, no cleaning, maintenance or calibration are required. The Quantex pumps help to keep the liquid optimally hygienic and airfree, reducing the risk of product spoiling / congealing.
If you’ d like to discuss how a Quantex pump could work for you, please email quantex-info @ psgdover. com or call + 49( 2065) 89205-0.
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