Ken’s Foods Overhauls Packaging Lines with On-Machine Automation

The transition replaces centralized panels with Rockwell Automation PowerFlex 350 variable frequency drives, which are now mounted directly onto the production equipment. This shift eliminates the need for technicians to navigate to remote control rooms for routine troubleshooting. According to Elm Electrical, which partnered on the project, the move resulted in a 17% cost savings compared to the installation of traditional centralized panels and extensive point-to-point wiring.

Beyond direct cost reductions, the architecture provides immediate access to current, voltage, and speed data. This allows for faster identification of bottlenecks in palletizing lines. The system also integrates a network-based safety setup, enabling engineers to place electronic stops along conveyors without complex rewiring. Following these gains, Ken’s Foods has adopted the on-machine configuration as the mandatory standard for all future pallet-conveying systems, citing the flexibility to reconfigure lines as consumer demand shifts.