Rajesh. et.al / REST Journal on Emerging trends in Modelling and Manufacturing 5(4) 2019, 71-75 Copyright@ REST Publisher 71 REST Journal on Emerging trends in Modelling and Manufacturing Vol: 5(4), 2019 REST Publisher ISSN: 2455-4537 Website: www.restpublisher.com/journals/jemm Study of Process Variables Associated with Manufacturing and the Role of Automation in Packaging of Biscuits - A Review P.V.Rajesh¹, K.Karthikraja² ,* , A.Kathaperumal², S.R.Mathavan² 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saranathan College of Engineering, Tamilnadu, India. 2 U.G. Scholars, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saranathan College of Engineering, Tamilnadu, India. *Corresponding Author: rkmech489@gmail.com Abstract Biscuits are one of the most popular and widely consumed edible commodities across all ages of people. Their preparation and processing from raw dough is not simple. It requires a lot of human effort and production cost. In order to reduce human labour and flaws resulting due to human work as well as to conserve time and manufacturing cost, most of the processing industries are trying their hand in automation. Automation, as we all know, is the process of utilizing self-propelled and multifunctional equipment’s capable of accomplishing specific tasks, which are given to them themselves with no or negligible human assistance. Even though, they are having their own demerits like escalated capital and maintenance cost, sophisticated working environment and expert labour, their merits are far more abundant. This paper deals with an elaborate study about the effect of various process parameters implemented in the manufacturing and packaging of biscuits as well as the necessity and importance of automation implemented in the manufacturing and packaging of biscuits based on reviewing various research articles. It is observed that the functioning of process parameters are studied under three phases. First, Evaluation of flame geometry and air fuel mixture ratio of diesel fired burners. Second, Process parameters involved in effective baking of biscuits and third Automation in packing biscuits in cartons. From the detailed study, it is observed that the diesel firing can be normally analysed through any of the common analysis and evaluation software using parameters such as flame geometry, types of oven used, heat properties of flue gas recirculation, etc. It is identified that the parameters like dough composition, dough weight, baking temperature, baking time, moisture content, etc. exert a lot of influence over the effective baking of biscuits. Finally, it is observed that the effectiveness of packaging of biscuits in cartons depended on the area of the carton and area of each box containing biscuits to be filled in the carton. The packing of biscuits in the cartons is still done manually, which is a matter of concern. Keywords: Automation; Baking; Biscuits; Flame geometry; Packaging; Temperature 1. Introduction Generally, biscuits or cookies, as they are fondly called, fall under the category of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). As the name of the category suggests, the volume of production, transportation and consumption rate of these goods will be enormously high. While considering the biscuits, there are many stages involved in the production starting from the preparation of the raw materials followed by processing them and finally packing the biscuits. Here we consider three vital stages in the effective production of the biscuits by optimizing the process parameters influencing them. First is the procurement and transportation of raw material from various sources to the manufacturing unit. Second will be the preparation of the dough by mixing water with the available raw material. Once the dough is prepared in the basin, it alters its shape to the shape of the container. Third and final step is to transport the dough through the conveyer. The shaped dough, passing through the conveyors reaches the baking furnace. Here the shaped dough gets baked in a baking oven which lies beneath the furnace. In the furnace, diesel is used as fuel and it is sprayed in order to produce combustion which in turn dissipate heat and the heat is transferred evenly into the baking oven to bake the biscuits. By means of convective heat transfer, the heat from the heat source gets transferred to the dough and bake it by radiating it. Generally baking is a process of preparing food using dry heat. The baking of biscuits depends on various parameters such as the composition and properties of raw materials used, baking temperature, source of heat, moisture content in the dough and the weight of the dough taken. So, apt parameters are required to achieve proper and effective baking. Once the baking is done, the baked biscuits are moved out of the conveyor and they get inspected for their quality. After inspection, the biscuits move to the packaging section. Here by means of automation, the biscuits get packed based on the quantity to be packed. Finally, they are arranged inside boxes to be further transported to the required locations either wholesale or retail. The processing of biscuits are fully automated till the