The Role of Inline Process Refractometers in Consistent Quality Assurance of Tomato Products

In the fast-paced world of large-scale tomato processing, ensuring consistent quality and efficiency is paramount. Inline process refractometers are crucial, especially in producing popular tomato-based products like canned tomatoes, tomato paste, sauce, ketchup, soup, salsa, juice, pizza sauce, and marinara sauce. These sophisticated instruments have revolutionized the tomato processing industry, offering numerous benefits over traditional methods.

Refractometers measure the refractive index of a substance, which, in the case of tomato processing, relates directly to the sweetness and solid content of tomato products. This measurement is vital because it determines the final product's quality and consistency. For instance, the desired thickness, texture, and sweetness depend heavily on the proper concentration of solids and accurate Brix measurement in tomato juice, sauce, ketchup, or soup.

The primary advantage of using inline process refractometers is their ability to provide real-time measurements directly in the processing line. This immediacy allows manufacturers to make on-the-fly adjustments, ensuring the product remains within the desired specifications throughout production. Traditional methods often involve taking samples to a lab for analysis, leading to delays and potential inconsistencies since the process continues while the model is under evaluation.

Another key benefit is the reduction in waste and increase in efficiency. With real-time monitoring, processors can quickly detect and correct deviations from the desired solid content, reducing the likelihood of producing a batch that doesn't meet quality standards. This immediate feedback loop saves time and reduces the waste of materials, leading to a more sustainable and cost-effective operation.

Moreover, inline refractometers enhance product consistency. In the competitive food industry, consumers expect each bottle of ketchup or can of tomato soup to taste the same as the last. Maintaining this consistency is easier with continuous, real-time monitoring. Processors can ensure that each batch meets the exact specifications, leading to a more reliable and trusted product.

These devices also contribute significantly to automation in the processing line. By integrating refractometers with the processing plant's control system, manufacturers can automate adjustments to the process based on the refractometer's readings. This level of automation not only streamlines production but also minimizes the chances of human error, further enhancing the consistency and quality of the product.

Applying inline process refractometers also ensures regulatory compliance and meets nutritional labeling requirements. The accurate measurement of solid content is essential for labeling products correctly in terms of their nutritional content, which is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. This precision helps manufacturers avoid the costly consequences of mislabeling, including product recalls and damage to brand reputation.

Finally, using these refractometers is a testament to the industry's commitment to adopting advanced technologies for quality assurance. They signify a shift from traditional, labor-intensive methods to more efficient, precise, and reliable automated processes, improving the quality and consistency of tomato-based products and positioning the manufacturers as industry leaders who prioritize quality and innovation.

Inline process refractometers are invaluable tools for the large-scale production of tomato-based products. They offer real-time monitoring and control, enhance product consistency, reduce waste, aid in regulatory compliance, and support the broader move towards automation in the food processing industry. Their role is pivotal in ensuring that the ketchup, tomato soup, or marinara sauce that reaches the consumer is of the highest quality every single time.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Sweet Precision: How Inline Process Refractometers Transform Large Scale Ice Cream Production

Enhancing the efficiency and quality of large-scale ice cream production is pivotal for success in the competitive dairy industry. One of the critical factors in achieving this is the precise measurement of milk solids and sugar concentrations during the manufacturing process. Inline process refractometers play a crucial role, particularly the Electron Machine MPR E-Scan refractometer.

The core function of these refractometers is to directly measure the dissolved solids in the mixture, which is a crucial indicator of the product's quality. This measurement, typically expressed in Brix units, accurately represents the concentration of sugar and other sweeteners like sucrose or fructose in the mix. The most significant advantage of this method is its immunity to interference from bubbles or suspended particles, which often pose challenges in other measurement techniques.

In ice cream production, the Electron Machine MPR E-Scan refractometer excels by offering real-time measurements of dairy and sweetener concentrations. Its application is not just limited to the initial stages; it actively contributes throughout the production process. As the ingredients enter the mixing tank, the refractometer measures their Brix levels, allowing immediate adjustments to align with the desired final concentration. This inline measurement ensures consistent quality and taste in the final product.

Moreover, the refractometer's utility extends to the post-mixing phase. Additional measurements of the mixed product enable further fine-tuning of the composition before the product heads for packaging. This step is crucial in maintaining the uniformity and quality of the ice cream.

Installing the Electron Machine Corporation MPR E-Scan in a factory offers several tangible benefits. Firstly, it ensures precise process control, which is essential for consistently producing high-quality ice cream. This precision enhances the product quality and contributes to economical operation, directly impacting the profit margins positively. Secondly, by maintaining the desired process concentration, there is a significant reduction in offline testing. This reduction not only streamlines the production process but also elevates the overall quality control mechanisms.

Furthermore, implementing such advanced technology leads to optimization in workforce management. Reducing the need for manual testing and adjustments allows the workforce to focus on other critical aspects of production. This optimization also contributes to minimizing product waste, a common issue in large-scale production. The ability to make precise adjustments based on real-time data reduces the likelihood of producing batches that do not meet quality standards, thereby saving both time and resources.

Integrating the Electron Machine MPR E-Scan refractometer into ice cream production lines is a strategic move towards enhancing product quality, reducing waste, and optimizing operational efficiency. Its ability to provide accurate, real-time measurements is a game-changer in the industry, ensuring that each batch of ice cream meets the highest standards of quality and taste.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Electron Machine Corporation: Pioneering Industrial Refractometers

The refractometer, an instrument that measures the refractive index of a substance, has long been a staple in labs across various scientific fields. However, the transition of this tool from its conventional lab-bound limitations to vast industrial applications was driven mainly by the innovative efforts of the Electron Machine Corporation under the leadership of its founder, Carl Vossberg, Jr.

Electron Machine Corporation takes immense pride in its distinguished history and entrenched presence in the electronic instrumentation industry. Carl Vossberg, Jr., the brain behind Electron Machine Corporation, pursued electronics at City College of New York, Columbia University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During WWII, he collaborated with the U.S. Office of Strategic Service (now the CIA), contributing to creating remote radio transponders, artillery tracking systems, weapon fire detection controllers, and video transmission.

Post-war, Carl Vossberg Jr. endeavored to harness his electronics expertise for industrial purposes. He established Electron Machine Corporation in 1946, initially operating out of a radiator repair shop in New York. The company birthed and licensed innovative instruments, such as the first commercial x-ray thickness gauge, optical cable diameter gauges, and an industrial process control computer.

By 1952, Electron Machine Corporation relocated to Umatilla, Florida, where it operates today. Recognizing a gap in the burgeoning concentrated Citrus industry, the company developed the first in-line process refractometer. 

Subsequently, they constructed a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, maintaining their roots in Umatilla. In 1977, the mantle passed to Carl Vossberg III, who amplified the refractometer's applications worldwide across the food, chemical, and pulp/paper sectors. With the integration of microprocessor technology, the instruments saw marked enhancements in accuracy and reliability. 

Today, under continued third-generation C.A. Vossberg's leadership, the corporation thrives as a vertically integrated manufacturer, ensuring unparalleled service and support by efficiently controlling its manufacturing timeline, leading innovation, maintaining high-quality standards, and fostering partnerships for community engagement.

The company achieves exceptional quality control by integrating contemporary technology and methodologies with foundational designs. Modern advancements at the company encompass in-house microprocessor and DSP software design, surface-mount PC card design and assembly, 3D CAD/CAM design, CNC machining, and MIG/TIG welding. Moreover, the founder's pioneering spirit remains alive and influential, guiding the company's ongoing research and product development endeavors.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

The Crucial Role of Inline Process Refractometers in Manufacturing Industries

Industrial refractometers are an indispensable component of process automation because they contribute to maintaining product quality and uniformity, reducing waste, and enhancing output. A substance's refractive index can be determined using a refractometer, which assesses the degree to which a sample causes light to bend as it travels through the process media. This measurement provides helpful information regarding the composition and concentration of a solution, both of which are essential in a wide variety of industrial processes. 

Industries That Commonly Use Inline Process Refractometers:

• Inline process refractometers are used in pulp and paper manufacturing to determine the percent of dissolved solids present during various stages of the production process. These phases include the pulping process, the bleaching process, and the paper coating process. 
• Inline process refractometers are commonly used in the food and beverage sector to determine the percentage of sugar occurring in various goods like juices, jams, and other condiments. This measurement contributes to ensuring that the products have a consistent flavor and texture across the line and meet all regulatory criteria. 
• In the pharmaceutical sector, process refractometers measure the concentration of active pharmaceutical substances, an essential step in ensuring the product is effective and safe. 
• In the production of semiconductors, inline process refractometers measure the concentration of chemical solutions utilized in various production processes. These processes include cleaning, etching, and chemical mechanical planarization. 
• Process refractometers assist in producing industrial chemicals to measure the concentration of dissolved solids such as salts, acids, and other compounds at various points throughout the production process. 

Industrial refractometers offer real-time, precise, and dependable measurements by automating the process of measuring refractive index, thus eliminating the need for manual testing. This automation minimizes errors, enhances process efficiency, and reduces labor costs that result from manual testing. Additionally, automated refractometers supply data to distributed control systems and PLCs, enabling continuous monitoring and regulation of essential process parameters.

In general, industrial refractometers play an essential part in the automation of processes. They contribute to the maintenance of product quality and consistency, as well as to the enhancement of efficiency and productivity, as well as to the reduction of waste and expenses. As automation technology progresses, refractometers and other process monitoring devices may take on an even more significant role in industrial settings.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Inline Refractometers for Quality Control and Monitoring in the Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, and Chemical Industries

The Inline Process Refractometer is a measurement device used to determine concentration levels in the process media. The combined hardware and software continuously monitor the process in real-time and provide output signals that assist in monitoring and controlling the process.

Inline Process Refractometers accurately measure solids concentration, density, and purity levels. Industries such as sugar, food & beverage, chemical, paper, and pharmaceuticals commonly apply refractometers to their manufacturing processes.

Refractometers measure the amount of light that passes through a sample and then measure its refractive index to determine its concentration or composition. Their primary uses are quality control, product development, process optimization, and research. 

Pharmaceutical Industry

The process refractometer is used in pharmaceutical industries to measure the concentration of solids in a solution for quality control, such as checking the purity of water or other liquids. They are used to measure the makeup of solutions containing active ingredients to ensure that they meet predetermined specifications.

Food and Beverage Industry

Industrial refractometers provide a variety of benefits in the food industry. Since the primary function of an Inline Process Refractometer is to measure the concentration of dissolved solids in a liquid, in food processing, they measure sugar content, alcohol content, or water concentration by calibration to measure some specific solute or solutes. These solutes can be either sugars or salts, depending on the application.   Companies use Inline process refractometers to produce fruit juices, tomato products, dairy products, sweeteners, jams, and jellies, to determine the sugar content.

Chemical Industry

The chemical industry uses Inline Process Refractometers for the chemical analysis of liquids. They determine the magnitude of dissolved solids in a liquid solution by measuring the angle at which light passes through, assisting in deciding concentrations, and identifying chemical compounds.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

Inline Process Refractometers for Industry

Refractometry is the ideal method for efficiently, reliably, and accurately determining substance concentration, identification, or purity. Inline process refractometers are especially helpful as they supplement laboratory research and contribute to product improvement. These process analyzers deliver results within fractions of a second, allowing real-time monitoring and automatic control of processes.

Process refractometers offer the end-user a tool that can be relied upon consistently. They provide a consistent final product, which is essential for various reasons that vary depending on the business that utilizes this equipment. In the pulp and paper industry, managing the process to their desired level enables them to enhance and simplify the whole Kraft process, allowing them to operate at optimum energy efficiency, which is essential given the competitive global market. 

The same applies to chemical, food, dairy, and sugar-producing businesses. However, quality control is very crucial. Creating and sustaining brand loyalty is vital, and quality control guarantees quality. Product uniformity each time your client's purchase will help you earn and maintain market share. Not to mention saving money via waste reduction.

The benefits of using inline refractometers are apparent. Manual sampling and laboratory analysis are time-consuming and labor-intensive, making them less efficient and reproducible. The inline process refractometer is the more efficient and dependable option. These instruments provide real-time, inline continuous concentration monitoring and cross-contamination prevention. Furthermore, operators may utilize their time to do other vital tasks, allowing for further time savings and quality improvements.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101

The MPR E-Scan™

The MPR E-Scan™ is a rugged, industrialized, in-line process refractometer. It directly measures the refractive index of process fluids and then displays the reading in any number of customer-desired units (Brix, Percent Solids, Dissolved Solids, SGU, R.I., etc.). This reading may be used as an error indicator or part of a complete process control system. A high-resolution color display and a 4-20mA output is standard. HART® protocol, RS-232, and RS-422 outputs are available. Each sensing head is custom tailored and calibrated specifically for the desired process application to ensure the most accurate and useful reading. A simple 0-10Vdc signal is used to transmit the reading from the sensing head to the electronics console, ensuring a robust reading that has a minimal chance of being effected by interference. The entire package is NEMA 4X rated and designed and manufactured with the best materials for each application to provide years of trouble-free service with a minimum amount of maintenance.

Learn more at https://electronmachine.com or call 352-669-3101.

Ensure Juice and Beverage Quality and Consistency with Inline Process Refractometers

The inline Brix analysis of juice and beverages offers automated, exacting process control and quality monitoring by continuously measuring and monitoring the quality and consistency of each component with high precision and controls the dosage during the blending of the products. 

Inline refractometers also assure that the correct product is in process, particularly when blending and filling a variety of juices, syrups, nectars, soft drinks, and other beverages on the same line.

Syrups, juice concentrates, and other ingredients are frequently blended with water according to specific formulas, then held in stacking tanks, and lastly poured into product-specific bottles or containers in the beverage industry. 

The entire product batch may be defective if a primary component, such as a juice concentrate, does not precisely meet the specifications or if the blending process itself is incorrect due to incorrect valve switching.  It's also possible that the faulty product goes to packaging due to an improper phase transition. If this is discovered only during final quality control, the entire production batch could be at risk. 

With an inline refractometer, each process stage gets precisely managed by measuring the dissolved sugar in the liquid. In comparison, manual Brix control sampling with a hand refractometer is labor-intensive and open to operator error. Furthermore, any mistake can only be detected after the fact, affecting the production quantity between two samples or a complete filling batch, and then discarded. The inline process refractometer is integrated directly into the process with high accuracy and continuously, allowing the definition and differentiation of each component or product.

Contact Electron Machine Company at +1 352-669-3101 or visit https://electronmachine.com if you have any question regarding the usage of refractometry in food and beverage production.

Consistent Commercial Food Production Quality Through ºBrix Monitoring

All commercial food brands must meet the high standards that their customers have come to expect. A change in the quality of their product may cause a shift in the customer's purchasing habits. Consistency and flavor are essential for satisfied customers and continued sales. 

The measurement of "Brix" is vital for producers of many commercial food items, such as wine, fruit juice, jams, and carbonated drinks, to monitor quality. 

Brix is a unit of measurement for sucrose and other sugars (and other dissolved solids) concentrations in aqueous solutions. One degree Brix (symbol °Bx) represents the strength of a solution as a percentage by mass and is described as 1 gram of sucrose in 100 grams of the solution when measuring sweetness. 

Inline refractometers provide vital details about the make-up of commercial fruit, juice, and wine products. Many commercial food processing plants use refractometers to ensure quality by blending their products to a consistent Brix stage. Since the dissolution of sucrose and other sugars in a solution alters the solution's refractive index, calculating this adjustment is a reliable way to assess consistency and efficiency. A refractometer works by shining an LED light source through a product sample and onto a prism surface from various angles. A critical angle can be measured and the refractive index correctly estimated by calculating the difference in the light source's reflection and refraction. Thus, inline refractometers are effective instruments for measuring Brix in all food processing applications. Furthermore, this measurement and calculation can is performed reliably, repeatably, and quickly. 

Inline refractometers calculate sucrose, fructose, and dextrose content in the following applications:

 

• Dairy, soft drinks, and fruit juices 
• Apple sauces, jams, and jellies are all delicious. 
• Beer, wine, coffee, and tea are all available. 
• Oils from vegetables. 
• Sauces and pastes made from tomatoes. 
• Honey

Contact Electron Machine Company at 352-669-3101 or visit http://www.electronmachine.com if you have any question regarding the usage of refractometry in food and beverage production.

Inline Refractometers for Fruit and Vegetable Juice Concentration

The array of fruits processed into concentrate includes almost every commercially harvested type. The production of fruit juice concentrate involves taking a comparatively dilute feedstock of fruit juice and delivering a uniformly concentrated output. Fruit juice concentrate contains the feedstock fruit juice's solid components and provides more accessible transportation and longer storage life. The method of producing fruit juice concentrates is an excellent way to save money on packaging and transportation. It also ensures that the final goods are of consistent quality. In the meantime, the rise in sugar and acid content favors preservation. Qualified fruit juice concentrate must maintain the same color, taste, and nutrition as the original fruit juice.

Water is removed from freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice to make fruit juice concentrate.  The process requires the removal of water through a variety of operations employing purpose-specific equipment.  Juice is extracted from various fruits in several ways, specifically adapted for its shape, size, and nature. 

Vacuum Concentration
Vacuum concentrate systems, refrigeration-based concentrations, and membrane-based concentrations are the most used fruit juice processing technologies. 

Vacuum concentration necessitates heating fruit juice under low pressure to lower the boiling point and allow the water content to evaporate quickly. The most critical and commonly used device in the fruit juice concentration process is vacuum concentration equipment.

Freeze Concentration
Lowering the temperature of fruit juice to ice point is referred to as freeze concentration. Before the concentration of fruit juice exceeds the eutectic threshold, the water content freezes and separates. 

Membrane Concentration
Reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration are two forms of membrane technology. It operates based on osmotic pressure. A semipermeable membrane built in the center divides a container into two parts, with each position filled with solution A and solution B separately. 

No matter the method used, juice concentration will vary initially due to several natural factors. The concentration process chosen must produce output that will provide product uniformity.

Regardless of the method used for concentrating the juice, inline process refractometers can be used at strategic points in the concentration process to measure the percentage of solids and evaluate equipment performance and product quality. 

Inline refractometers produce accurate and repeatable output signals that allow the process to rapidly adjust, opening control valves, adjust the flow, change pressure, or modulate temperature.  The use of these instruments provides a continuous measurement of the process variables, ensuring consistency and making the most efficient use of the energy-consuming concentration equipment.

In a high-volume commercial juice production environment, ruggedness, reliability, and accuracy are critical features for an inline process refractometer.  While the devices are not inexpensive, their upfront investment pays off quickly in production speed and product quality.

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com​​
+1 352-669-3101

Demonstration of Measuring °Brix in Fruit Juices with an Inline Process Refractometer

Are you a juice manufacturer that wants better quality control while reducing cost? Stay tuned to see how this instrument can help you out.

Welcome to Electron Machine Corporation, manufacturer of the world's most rugged refractometer, found in various industries across the globe. 

The next series of videos will highlight some of the most common applications for Electron Machine refractometers. 

Typically installed in a pipeline, the MPR E-Scan is set up here as a piece of demonstration equipment. In this demo, a static cup measures a variety of juices. The juice industry uses refractometers to make sure they have a consistent product by concentrating or blending it. You may mix different types of orange juices to keep the same flavor and taste throughout the year. 

You also may concentrate the liquid, such as you find in a frozen can of apple juice. The refractometer ensures it stays consistent so that when you add three or four cans of water to it, it tastes as it should. In other cases, they sometimes add sugar to the juices to control the °Brix content, and that's where the refractometer excels. 

Hopefully, you'll enjoy this quick little look into what the refractometer actually can do and how it measures orange juice. Stay tuned for the next series of videos. We'll highlight another product for the refractometer to measure. 

Electron Machine Corporation
https://electronmachine.com
+1 352-669-3101