top of page

Food & Beverage vs Packaging Automation 

Why These Two Environments Are Often Linked, and Why They Shouldn’t Be Treated the Same 

At Stratos Control Systems Ltd, we have realised that, food processing and packaging are frequently part of the same production line, leading many organisations to treat them as a single automation problem.

 

While they are operationally linked, the automation requirements, failure modes, and design priorities are fundamentally different. 

Failing to recognise these differences often results in fragile systems, poor maintainability, and avoidable downtime. 

Regulatory Drivers Shape System Design

​

​Food & Beverage: Process Consistency, Hygiene, and Quality ​

​

Food & beverage automation is driven by: 

​

  • Hygiene and washdown requirements 

  • Process consistency 

  • Traceability and quality control 

  • Integration with utilities (CIP, water, steam) 

​

Automation must perform reliably in wet, aggressive environments while supporting consistent product quality. 

​​​

Packaging: Speed, Accuracy, and Changeover ​​

​

Packaging automation prioritises:

 

  • High-speed machine operation 

  • Motion control and sequencing 

  • Frequent format and product changes 

  • Mechanical precision ​

​

Downtime at packaging machines often halts the entire line. 

​

Automation Drivers Shape System Design

Control Panel Design: Hygienic vs Machine-Focused 

Food & Beverage Control Panels 

 

In food manufacturing environments, control panels are typically: 

​

  • Hygienic or washdown-rated 

  • Stainless steel enclosures 

  • Designed for frequent cleaning 

  • Easy access for maintenance ​

​

​

Packaging Control Panels ​

  • Machine-mounted or compact enclosures 

  • Designed for motion, drives, and I/O density 

  • Prioritise speed and accessibility over washdown 

​

PLC Software Architecture: Stability vs Speed 

PLC Programming in Food & Beverage 

 

  • Process control 

  • Interlocks and sequencing 

  • Stability over speed 

​​

​

PLC Programming in Packaging 

​

  • Motion synchronisation 

  • Fast fault recovery 

  • Tight sequencing 

SCADA & Data Requirements: Traceability vs Performance 

​SCADA in Food & Beverage

​

Food SCADA focuses on: 

​

  • Quality and traceability 

  • Process alarms 

​

Packaging SCADA focuses on:  

  • ​Throughput and OEE 

  • Downtime analysis 

Upgrade Strategy: Process Risk vs Throughput Risk

​How Stratos Control Systems Supports Both ​

​

​​​

Which Automation Approach Is Right for Your Line? 

​

!
Widget Didn’t Load
Check your internet and refresh this page.
If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Integrate Processing & Packaging Automation 

Avoid downtime by recognising the fundamental differences between food & beverage and packaging automation.

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page