Bühler Group has announced that it will expand the collaboration with German electronics manufacturer Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions for increased innovation and market launches.
The Uzwil, Switzerland-based global process engineering company has worked with Bosch in a two-year research and development (R&D) partnership.
The companies, which have expertise in the areas of the Internet of Things and food process technology, plan to launch the first products from the expanded collaboration in 2017.
The R&D was done for the integration of Bosch MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) sensors into food production technology.
It has helped them in equipping individual rolls in rotating machines with wireless sensors to measure real-time temperature and vibration during the production process.
According to their research, the integration allows in monitoring and optimizing the final product through improved roll alignment.
Bühler Grains & Food CEO Johannes Wick says that through the R&D, process solutions and services have been created to improve both output and cut down operating costs for food processors.
Wick said: “During the last two years Bühler and Bosch have established a good relationship and met the demanding requirements with first selected applications in grain milling.”
Bosch Connected Devices and Solutions CEO Thorsten Müller said: “At Bosch, we combine experience gained from our own manufacturing activities in more than 250 plants with our expertise as a leading provider of electronics, sensors and software for industrial IoT solutions.
“We are not only optimizing our own worldwide manufacturing base, we are also actively seeking to work with partners like Bühler to build a value creation network beyond company boundaries and turn Industry 4.0 into reality.”
