Innovation and Technology Transfer

An earlier project for DEFRA had confirmed the feasibility of undertaking a more detailed investigation into automation opportunities in sandwich manufacture.

The aim of the project was to investigate and develop suitable product handling techniques in the key stages of sandwich assembly and packing and to establish the business case for production line investment by the food producer and for the development of equipment for the wider market.

Specific objectives included:

• Research into the handling characteristics of the sandwich materials (bread slices and filled sandwiches) to assure the operating of the automated assembly system for a range of sandwich types;
• Analysis of sandwich operator movements and manipulations to determine the engineering specification for an automated solution;
• Investigation, development and demonstration of effective automation mechanisms for the process activities of topping (closure), clapping (folding together of cut halves) and packing of sandwiches. Two multi-purpose demonstrator rigs will be built to evaluate cutter alignment, clapping and skillet insertion mechanisms;
• Demonstration that such automation is appropriate for food factory conditions and that an investment case exists for development and build of production standard equipment and to determine the engineering specification of such equipment;
• Demonstration of the reliability of the automation mechanism and its ease of use by operators

All the objectives were achieved.