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MetaBridge

BUILDING DIGITAL BRIDGES

FOR YOUR QUALITY ASSURANCE

he new Brabender MetaBridge software

solution not only links the instruments
and their measurement results, but
also their users: internally within the
company, across all sites, but optionally
also suppliers and customers. The
Brabender Farinograph-TS and the
Moisture Tester MT-CA are now fitted
with this new, intelligent network
solution as standard. But theres more: all instruments of the later
generations, which have a USB port, can be fitted and therefore
connected with the MetaBridge controller. All members of staff
with the appropriate access rights can log in via a browser, and
access every connected Brabender device.
The really intelligent thing about the MetaBridge software is
its web-based, and therefore site and platform-independent, user
architecture. Multiple users can log in at the same time, so they
can always communicate and comment on their data wherever
they are in the world, using a PC/Mac, tablet or smartphone.
This not only simplifies operational processes in the laboratory
(or simultaneously in several!): the capability to directly track
measurement processes is an important step towards online
monitoring of processes a dream come true for anyone
involved in quality assurance. But the MetaBridge softwares
network capability is not compulsory. Every device can operate
totally independently, or alternatively, be integrated into its own
network, without direct access to the company network.

More than just a new interface

This means that the MetaBridge is more than just a new

interactive interface; rather, it makes laboratory work and results
compatible. Multiple colleagues can simultaneously carry out,
52 | August 2016 - Milling and Grain

track or manage measurements all using standard operating

systems spanning Android and Apple via Blackberry and Linux
to various Windows applications from Microsoft. The web-based
software means that no local installation is required, which
in turn enables equipment to be connected without problems
occurring. And when it comes to security, this means that it has
three plus points:
Password-protected login protects against unauthorised access;
The administrator mode enables you to individually customise
access rights;
The Linux-based software architecture makes the system more
secure on the web.
The MetaBridge was developed by Brabender itself, especially
for Brabender equipment, meaning that it is superbly geared to
this equipments functions and measurement profiles. Thanks to
adaptations for the widest variety of output devices, users benefit
from consistent, company-specific, configurable performance.
Multiple users can access the data at the same time, for example
to track a current farinogram on various different end devices.
This multi-access feature saves time, thanks to the continuous
exchange of information between team members involved,
but also when it comes to decision making on the part of those
responsible for quality management. To this end, the MetaBridge
solution has four important bonuses:
Info about updates of the instrument software is received
automatically;
It is possible to receive feedback on measurement results
directly from Brabender;
In the event of a fault, the Brabender service technicians can
quickly help via remote access, removing the need for a site
visit;
Within the device network, there are no charges for additional

In conjunction with the

Brabender MetaBridge
software, the new Brabender
Farinograph-TS enables
the flexible and easy yet
standards-compliant
qualification of flour.

Thanks to the new web-based

MetaBridge software, the
Brabender MT-CA enables
location and platformindependent monitoring of
moisture measurement.

user licences.
In order that measurements can be carried out not only quickly,
but also without errors, the MetaBridge offers system internal
quality assurance, featuring several features for the prevention of
errors. So, for example, the measurement range is set according
to the specified instrument configuration; taring is automatic, and
for farinograms, increments, timings and threshold values are
already integrated. But of course, they can also be customised on
a product by product basis.
The MetaBridge bridge builders have also built in further
intelligent communication opportunities, which enable
connection to existing laboratory management systems, and in
particular optimise customer communication of measurement
results. It goes without saying that Brabender applications can
call up the widest range of international benchmarks and display
them effectively. But custom parameters enable you to even
integrate data from other types of equipment and to combine it
into joint printouts. So, for example, various pieces of quality
assurance data relating to flour products undergoing testing
can be collated according to the customers specifications upon
request and sent as an email or PDF with a letterhead in the
companys corporate design. Whats more, as a further sweetener,
Brabender can set up a data export interface in existing databases
that run under Microsoft Access or Excel (for example).

A new level of user-friendliness

The new softwares user interface boasts a contemporary

tiled design. Behind the tiles there are a multitude of operatorfriendly applications and possible network options. This includes
responsive web design. The intelligent software automatically
adapts to each monitor resolution or screen size, meaning that

it is also ideal for end devices. Whats more, MetaBridge can

optionally be operated via the touch screen, with the focus on
intuitive user prompting and being able to quickly learn how to
use it. But of course, it also works with a mouse or via classic
keyboard operation.
The MetaBridge records measurements and assists with the
analysis and assessment of measurement results, for instance
by integrating reference curves and directly comparing various
values. This opens up the opportunity to prepare quality variants
in a Farinograph on a trial basis using menu commands. This
goes a long way towards preventing operating errors by less
experienced team members. This applies to independent devices
at their respective laboratory workstations as well as when
linked via MetaBridge to multiple devices, including at
decentralised workstations, i. e. in home offices. So, for example,
all a companys measurement results can be saved and managed
centrally, so that every authorised user has access to all the
measurement data and documentation required for a defined
equipment environment at all times, and wherever he or she
is. This simplifies the exchange of information between users.
Additionally, a comment function on the graphical chart display
enables the assessment or evaluation of measurement results to be
discussed online.

Farinograph-TS plus MetaBridge: Flour quality testing

in a new dimension

Today, reliable and reproducible testing of the processing

characteristics and quality of flour products is a basic requirement
in the milling and baking industry, in order to ensure continuously
optimised flour quality for various baked or pasta products. The
Brabender Farinograph has proved itself ideal for this task over
Milling and Grain - August 2016 | 53

The Brabender
MetaBridge can
run anywhere, on
the end device
type of your
choice. The user
interface flexibly
and automatically
adjusts to the
terminals screen
width

the course of decades, making it the worlds most-used piece of

equipment for determining the properties of wheat flour and rye
flour.
The farinogram shows the quality characteristics of the flour
being tested in a rheologically realistic test for the dough phase.
In the fitted temperature controlled measuring mixer, the flour/
water sample is mixed, and the mixing resistance is measured
as torque, according to the viscosity of the dough. This enables
water absorption, dough development time, stability, fermentation
tolerance and the degree of softening to be reliably depicted.
The MetaBridge records these measurements vividly, enabling
monitoring, analysis and documentation of the measurement data
on the equipment itself, or, if required, on external monitors for
others to see.
As well as the standard analysis, the software offers countless
possibilities for designing your own custom tests with the TS
generation of the Farinograph, such as for example:
Shorter test length and/or higher mixing intensity via
adjustable rotational speed (2200 rpm);
Variable mixing intensity and energy input into the dough for
applications in research and development;
Programming of more complex rotational speed profiles, e.
g. premixing at lower rotational speeds, mixing at higher
rotational speeds, or the definition of pause times for longer
dough-making processes;
Analysis of charts with atypical farinogram profiles, such as
with wholemeal and/or rye flours or with the observation of
enzyme effects.

Moisture Tester MT-CA plus MetaBridge: interactive

precision

The MT-CA electronically determines a samples moisture,

according to the principle of the drying chamber with moving
air. The drying oven method has been established as a reference
method, which removes the need for special calibration for
different samples. This moisture tester enables you to measure up
to 10 samples at the same time: quickly, reproducibly and superexactly, to a degree of 0.1% water content precision. And also
54 | August 2016 - Milling and Grain

for this equipment, the MetaBridge optimises the measurement,

analysis and administration functions: live monitoring, automatic
saving of measurement data, interactive validation of the inputs
and creation of a detailed test report.

Grounded competence and professional dialogue via

MetaBridge

The softwares many features, along with the combination

of instruments in networked interplay, increases its depth
of rheological competence and experience. The model-like
simulation of parameters makes it possible to test alternative
processing procedures, such as for example the effect and
observation live on screen of recipe additions to dough
development during kneading. This makes professional dialogue
between partners in the value creation chain much easier when
it comes to making decisions on complex quality requirements,
as well as providing documented data that can be used for
certifications or audits.
This is how the Brabender MetaBridge leads the way to a new
dimension of quality assurance.
Additional benefits of controlled reliability with the
Brabender Calibration Kit Regular control measurements
for the Farinograph, using the Brabender reference material,
guarantee reliability of the measurement data. The combination of
specially prepared calibration flour and its reference curve offers
direct comparison of an on-site devices measurement values to
the target measurement values. This is an easy matter using the
calibration kit that can be obtained from Brabender: Simply
prepare the sample according to the specifications, carry out the
test and compare the values to those of the supplied reference
curve taken from the master equipment in the Brabender service
laboratory. If the values are within the permitted tolerance range,
you can rely on your equipments measurement values, as well
as the validity of the measurement values in your application. If,
despite repeated testing, the values lie outside the tolerance range,
online and together with the Brabender experts, you can use the
MetaBridge software to search for the cause and quickly rectify
it.