Why process control is indispensable in food production
The food industry is among the largest industrial sectors in the Netherlands. Due to the high demands on food safety, quality, hygiene and continuity, a reliable production process is not a luxury – it is a necessity.
An optimized control system is the foundation for this. Because only when all machines, systems and controls work together perfectly does a stable, scalable and compliant production process emerge.
In this blog you will read how industrial control panels contribute to efficient process automation, what requirements specifically apply to applications in the food sector, and how Gerbin Control takes care of this – from design to commissioning.
Table of Contents
What does process control mean in the food industry?
Process control refers to the complete control and monitoring of production processes. In the food industry, this includes accurately controlling temperature and mixing ratios, ensuring hygienic design and full traceability, and minimizing human error. Compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP also plays an essential role.
This is not about individual components, but about the cooperation of all parts as one integrated system. Only then is consistent product quality achievable – batch after batch, day after day. The beating heart of that system is the control panel.
The role of industrial control panels in food production
Industrial control panels are the central nervous system of an automated production line. They provide safe and efficient control of conveyor systems, mixers, slicers, heating and cooling lines, packaging installations and robot-controlled sorting solutions, among others.
Additional strict conditions apply within food production. For example, the design must be hygienic, with smooth surfaces and a housing made of stainless steel. Protection against moisture, steam and cleaning agents is also required, which typically means an IP65 rating or higher. And because manual intervention is a contamination risk, it is important that systems operate autonomously as much as possible.
Gerbin Control develops custom panels that meet these exact requirements. The panels are modular, which makes them scalable, and are seamlessly integrated with the PLCs and other systems in your plant.
OPEN CALCULATION
OFFER IN 5 DAYS
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS
UL/CSA
AT HOME
What should a good control panel for the food industry meet?
A good control system starts with a thorough inventory of the production environment. What process steps are there? What is the desired capacity? Does the system need to communicate with weighing stations, SCADA platforms or other external modules? By answering these questions early on, you lay the foundation for a robust design.
The choice of components then determines the quality and reliability of the final product. Think industrial PLCs from brands like Siemens or Schneider Electric, food-grade certified power supplies and relays, and a panel enclosure made of stainless steel with IP69K rating when needed.
Naturally, all relevant standards are also met. This includes machine safety according to NEN-EN 60204-1 and integrating HACCP principles into the electrical infrastructure. Thermal and electrical protections are a standard part of each design.
Finally, future-proofing is an important consideration. At Gerbin Control, we build our systems modularly so that expansions are easy to realize. We also ensure that our control panels are ready for integration with MES or ERP platforms via protocols such as Profinet, OPC-UA or MQTT. All documentation is delivered in full so that service, logging and audits can be performed effortlessly.
Method: from engineering to installation and service
At Gerbin Control, we manage every project from A to Z, completely in-house. Our engineers translate your production challenges into a technical design, complete with electrical schematics and component selection. We then build the panel in our Zeewolde workshop, according to industrial quality standards.
On site, our engineers handle the assembly, wiring and connection of the system. The associated software is tested and commissioned live in your production environment. Finally, you will receive a complete delivery package with schematics, test results and maintenance protocols from us.
That way you can be sure that your system is functioning properly – today and tomorrow.
Contact our experienced innovator
Cees Brasser
With more than 26 years of experience at the helm of Gerbin Control, Cees Brasser is your expert on panel construction for the machinery sector. Discover how his knowledge and insight can take your project to new heights. Get in touch now!
Gerbin Control: your specialist in control panels for the food industry
Our experience in sectors such as food, mechanical engineering and internal logistics makes us a reliable partner for process automation. Whether it is a retrofit solution or a completely new installation, we supply customized panels that meet the most stringent requirements of the food industry.
Need help optimizing your production process?
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. Together we will take your process to the next level with a smart, secure and scalable operating system.
