APEC Blog

Welcome to the APEC Blog! Your resource for finding insights and equipment solutions for process automation, ingredient handling, weighing and batching, and more. Whether you’re an animal or pet food manufacturer, working in the food production industry, or another manufacturing industry, we cover a wide range of topics to help improve efficiencies, maintain quality, and solve your production challenges.

With a variety of different blog types, we have the resources to support manufacturers looking to streamline operations, reduce downtime, and stay ahead of industry trends. Check out our latest articles below.

6 Hidden Expenses Eliminated Through Automation

August 4, 2020 Engineer's Guide
The ROI calculation for automated systems too often comes down to direct labor costs versus the cost of automation equipment. However, there are many aspects to consider. The value and cost-savings realized through automation goes beyond direct labor. If you are thinking about adding or…
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Preventing Feeder Bridging and Flushing with the TSS Feeder

July 21, 2020 Engineer's Guide
Ratholing, bridging, and flushing are just a few of the problems that can arise as material flows through a hopper and into a feeder. Instead of dealing with these issues as they arise, it’s best to optimize and feeder and hopper design to prevent or…
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7 Considerations for Process Automation: What is the Right Choice

July 7, 2020 Engineer's Guide
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Automation can improve the efficiency, safety, accuracy and speed of a process, but it also requires careful planning. There are many factors to consider when deciding to automate a process and it can be difficult to know if automation is the right choice.  In…
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How to Select the Right Ingredient Feeder for Your Materials

June 23, 2020 Food Processing
The ingredient feeder is responsible for metering the right amount of ingredients from the source into the next process. This part of the ingredient system is often overlooked, which can cause problems later on.   Different materials, particularly fibrous, aeratable, abrasive and cohesive materials, can all…
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Process Verification in Manufacturing: Trust, But Verify

June 9, 2020 Engineer's Guide
In our previous post, we discussed the benefits automation equipment can have on business and on workers. One of the benefits of automation equipment and robots over humans is the machines’ ability to perform the same task continuously, consistently and reliably, without risk of injury…
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9 Inefficiencies in Food Processing Eating into Money and Time

April 28, 2020 Food Manufacturing
Inefficiencies in your operation aren’t always big problems like a machine break-down or product contamination. Though these are certainly concerns, many sources of lost time, energy and resources—and, ultimately, lost money—are a series of small things. These small inefficiencies add up and take their toll…
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Minimizing Risk in Food Processing: Worker Safety, Sanitation and Traceability

April 21, 2020 Food Processing
Safety and sanitation regulations in food processing are very strict, perhaps because the stakes are very high. Ineffective safety and sanitation procedures can put consumers at risk as well as workers. Maintaining high safety and sanitation standards is an ongoing and sometimes arduous process, but…
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USDA Safety and Compliance Requirements for Food Processors

April 7, 2020 Food Processing
Preventing illness and contamination across the food supply chain is a challenging process, with many regulatory bodies involved. It can be difficult to know where the responsibilities of one group ends and another begins. The USDA and the FDA work closely together in different areas…
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Mitigating and Preventing Recalls in Food Processing

March 10, 2020 Food Processing
Food processing plays an essential role in creating the majority of foods for both animals and humans. Ensuring that this process is safe and well-controlled can help to prevent costly and potentially dangerous recalls. Mitigating and preventing recalls in food processing means utilizing good manufacturing…
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8 Industrial Mixer Maintenance Tips to Extend Equipment Life

March 3, 2020 Engineer's Guide
Ribbon blenders, paddle mixers and other industrial mixers are essential parts of many ingredient systems. With regular maintenance, these mixers can continue operating reliably for years. Without maintenance, parts can wear prematurely and lead to unnecessary downtime. Setting aside time for routine industrial mixer maintenance…
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