APEC Blog

Before investing in new process equipment, many manufacturers prioritize upfront cost. But a more important consideration is often overlooked: the equipment must match the process.  Too often, standard equipment doesn't meet that requirement.  No two food processing lines are exactly alike, so how could cookie-cutter equipment possibly fit every…

No one knows your production line like you do, from the exact mix of ingredients you're working with to the sanitation standards you must meet and how materials move through your process. Translating those variables into equipment that keeps your line running at peak performance…

Powder flow problems can cause frustration and hours of expensive downtime. These issues occur when bulk materials do not move consistently through processing equipment, leading to blockages, inconsistent output, or material buildup. In this guide, we’ll show you how to improve powder flow by identifying…

Before you make a large capital investment in processing equipment, it’s important to understand the entire process of equipment integration, calibration and testing.  In this guide, we explain: What process equipment integration involves Why calibration is important How operator training improves performance What testing should…

Ingredient handling systems are often designed around a set of expected material characteristics and assumed material flow properties. Engineers assume a certain bulk density, flow behavior or moisture range when selecting feeders and designing hoppers.  In practice, ingredient properties rarely remain perfectly consistent. Changes in suppliers, seasonal raw material…

When cold weather hits, your batching system feels the effects. Dropping temperatures can create a host of performance challenges that can lead to unplanned downtime, diminished product quality and material waste. The checklist below outlines the steps you can take to keep your batching system…

Investing in custom automated processing equipment can be a risk. There is uncertainty about potential problems, errors, or bugs that may emerge. When you partner with APEC, you can implement automated processing equipment with confidence thanks to our pilot testing and prototyping capabilities. With pilot…

The processing equipment industry is constantly evolving, and it is important to look for new innovations for improvement. At APEC, we believe in the value of research and development (R&D). Instead of being content with the way a process has always been done, R&D dives…

It’s essential to resolve lot traceability issues to protect consumer safety. While it’s impossible to prevent food safety hazards 100% of the time, lot traceability allows manufacturers and distributors to stop the spread of contamination when it occurs, and prevent more customers from accessing the…

Over thousands of years, food processing has evolved from simple preservation methods to the highly engineered systems that keep plants running today. Each step forward has improved safety, efficiency and the ability to feed growing populations. Now, with food processing innovations like automation, precision mixing…