Industrial machinery: requirements in the food industry

The food industry is one of the most demanding sectors in terms of hygiene and safety standards. Machines used in food production must first and foremost meet strict standards regarding cleanliness, but also construction materials and resistance to corrosion or cleaning agents. Any neglect in equipment maintenance can result not only in financial losses, but also in a serious threat to consumer health – however, solutions such as CMMS systems come to the rescue , which can help in monitoring component wear or even in planning cleaning.

Hygienic requirements for machines in the food industry

Machines used in the food industry must be designed to eliminate the risk of product contamination . This requires, among other things, the use of appropriate materials – these must be materials that do not react chemically with food. In addition, a design that allows for effective cleaning is important, as well as the use of components resistant to high humidity and variable temperatures, which often occur in food production and storage processes.

The guidelines in this area are described in detail in various documents that apply to companies operating in this industry sector. For companies operating in Poland, the most important of these is the PN-EN 1672-2 standard , which specifies standards for the hygiene and safety of food industry machinery. According to the requirements of the standard, surfaces in contact with food must be smooth, without cracks and crevices , to prevent the accumulation of product residues and the development of bacteria. This makes it also important to carefully monitor the condition of the machines and quickly identify faults. In addition, the design of the machines should allow for easy disassembly and cleaning to minimize the risk of contamination.

Examples of machines used in the food industry

Food industry plants use many specialized machines – the exact configuration varies depending on the type of production. The most commonly used devices include homogenizers , which are designed to standardize the structure of liquid food products – such as milk, juices or sauces. Their functionality focuses on reducing the size of fat molecules, which in turn translates into stability and better quality of the final product. Another very important category is vacuum packaging machines , which protect food products from the impact of air, as a result extending their shelf life and reducing the risk of bacterial growth. This is especially important in the case of fresh products, such as meat or cheese. Using the right packaging can be crucial here, not only in terms of taste, but also the safety of future customers.

We cannot forget about industrial mixers , used in the production of bread, cakes, beverages and dairy products. Such machines are responsible for the thorough mixing of ingredients, which affects the consistency and quality of the final product. It is worth noting that in the operation of each of these machines, contamination from other parts of the plant can be a significant threat – which is why both proper maintenance and thorough cleaning of devices play such an important role in this area.

How do CMMS systems help keep machines clean and efficient?

Keeping machines clean and in full working order is crucial in the food industry. However, traditional maintenance management methods can be insufficient – ​​especially in large production plants that use a large number of devices. CMMS systems can significantly improve these processes by quickly and efficiently scheduling inspections, tracking the service history of each machine and automating maintenance activities .

One of the most important aspects supported by CMMS systems is the automation of cleaning and maintenance schedules . Properly configured software allows you to set regular inspections, as well as remind staff to clean machines in accordance with hygiene standards. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the machine operates in conditions conducive to the accumulation of dirt. The basic functionality of CMMS cannot be omitted, which is the constant monitoring of component wear . In the food industry, many machine elements – e.g. seals, filters or cutting blades – are subject to intensive use, which directly leads to the need for relatively frequent replacements. By analyzing data from machines, the system can predict the moment when a given component will reach its maximum service life, which allows it to be replaced before a failure occurs.

Autonomous maintenance in the food industry

The next step in improving maintenance in a production plant is the use of autonomous solutions . In this case, the role of machine operators also changes significantly – they are involved in basic maintenance activities, which include daily inspection and cleaning, in contrast to traditional methods, in which the entire burden of maintenance rests on specialized technicians. As a result, you can count on greater process efficiency and greater transparency of information on the condition and use of machines in the company.

With autonomous maintenance, operators can identify potential problems before they become major failures . This includes regularly greasing components, checking operating parameters, and cleaning critical machine elements. This approach not only increases maintenance efficiency, but also improves employee engagement in equipment care.

The Impact of CMMS on Sanitary Compliance and Production Quality

In the food industry, compliance with sanitary and quality standards is an absolute priority. CMMS systems also offer significant support in this field, facilitating the management of compliance with national and international regulations. It is worth bearing in mind that many norms and standards include requirements for documenting performed inspections and maintenance activities – CMMS, on the other hand, allows for automatic collection of the most important data, which may be needed both during audits and inspections, as well as within the company’s internal processes.

Thanks to data from the CMMS system, the company can quickly and transparently present the service history of the equipment, maintenance schedules and reports on the activities carried out . This type of digital documentation eliminates the risk of errors that could result from keeping records in paper form, and at the same time allows for easy tracking of all maintenance operations. What’s more, by using CMMS, food companies can ensure the highest quality of their products and at the same time improve operational efficiency . Both of these aspects translate into greater production stability along with cost optimization. This means that in the long term, implementing such a system often turns out to be a very profitable investment due to easier compliance with rigorous industry standards , as well as building customer trust in the brand by guaranteeing the safety and quality of the products offered.

Modern support in maintaining compliance with food industry requirements

Machines used in the food industry must meet stringent standards for hygiene, safety and reliability . To meet these requirements, proper management of equipment maintenance and cleaning is crucial. It is therefore worth relying on CMMS systems, such as QRmaint, which help companies plan and implement maintenance activities. The right software also means full control over inspection schedules, spare parts management and compliance with sanitary standard.

To manage equipment even more effectively and minimize the risk of failure, it is also worth considering the implementation of modern methods, such as autonomous maintenance . Food companies investing in such solutions gain greater operational efficiency along with the guarantee that their products will remain safe for consumers. All this makes CMMS systems, along with other technologies, an indispensable element of the strategy in the food industry.