Requirement:
Detect machining data from machines in order to process it and improve production efficiency
Solution:
Interconnection 4.0 of machinery to Mes software, via the Mid module
The digitization process is emerging in all production sectors and in different forms. In particular, we present a case study from the cosmetics industry, where we have realized the 4.0 interconnection of machines with Digimark Mid.
In recent years we are witnessing a rapid evolution of the digitization process, and specifically the cosmetics sector has been very responsive. This is evidenced by investments in innovation, about 6 percent of turnover out of a national average estimated at 3 percent (National Association of Cosmetic Companies data, June 2021). These investments are geared toward improving efficiency and environmental and social sustainability.
We therefore present, a case of technological innovation on production processes: Pierpaoli Srl. The company was founded in Senigallia in 1939 by Armando Pierpaoli. Today it specializes in the production and trade of ecological and organic products for household cleaning and personal care, under its own brand name.
Its strong “green” vocation , prompted the company to start a digitalization path. This, with the aim of: improving the use of resources, achieving the quality standards of sustainability and consumer safety.
Among the projects implemented is the interconnection of production line machinery. Interconnection is important to enable control of processing steps, manage and analyze data collected on cosmetic production.
Customer need
Pierpaoli, continues on the path of digital transition with the purchase of machinery prepared for Industry 4.0 in order to reap the full benefits.
In particular, it chose Digimark to interconnect machinery to the MES system already in place. This makes it possible to extrapolate from the machines the information needed to study efficiency levels and understand how to optimize resource use.
Specifically, they were interconnected:
- 2 mixers, already set up for interconnection;
- 2 filling and capping lines, integrated with special hardware to make them compliant with the 4.0 framework.
The solution
Mixers, packaging and capping lines are connected to an industrial PC hosting the MID (Data Interchange Module) from Digimark.
In this way, the system acts as a node for dialogue with machines to the MES and vice versa, exchanging information at regular intervals.
Precisely, three stages of the cosmetics production process were interconnected: mixing, filling, and capping. The infographic shows the information extrapolated about the operation of the processes thanks to the mid.
Benefits gained from interconnection 4.0 for the cosmetics industry
Overall, the 4.0 interconnection of production lines within the cosmetics industry helps to gain insight into the performance of production processes. This leads to an overall improvement in performance.
In particular:
- precise measurement of activities, through the collection of data processed into statistics and KPIs, thus enables informed strategic decisions, more easily achieving high production efficiency;
- by controlling the entire production process, the possibility of error is reduced and thus the highest quality of the finished product is ensured;
- data collected by the machines are retained and processed to be consulted at any time on the Mes, thus improving the traceability of the production batch.
Finally, the interconnection of the two production lines made by Pierpaoli also allows the company to access the tax incentives of the transition 4.0 plan.
