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Helping OEMs increase uptime for food and beverage manufacturers

Preventive maintenance technology is key for manufacturers to improve quality, OEE and downtime.

West Liberty implemented a Lean Execution System from Leading2Lean, coupled with its own mobile devices. The protein processor is now enjoying improved workforce utilization and companywide operational availability. Photo courtesy of Leading2Lean.
West Liberty implemented a Lean Execution System from Leading2Lean, coupled with its own mobile devices. The protein processor is now enjoying improved workforce utilization and companywide operational availability. Photo courtesy of Leading2Lean.

Increasing overall efficiency of individual machines or the entire plant is the goal of sophisticated food and beverage processors. To do that, you have to eliminate unscheduled downtime. Preventive maintenance is all about getting ahead of an equipment problem, says Mike Wagner, director of the packaging segment for Rockwell Automation’s global OEM team. 

The watchword now for equipment is simplify, according to Wagner: “The vast array of SKUs that have to run on every machine means that line changeover needs to be extremely flexible. Things like automated changeovers, user prompts, videos and help screens simplify the process.” How fast you can change from one product to the next is essential. One advantage is having machines that don’t require a mechanical change between products. “If I want to go from a 300-ml box to a 450, it [can do] it programmatically,” Wagner states. With the proliferation of servos, changeovers that used to be done with a wheel and by hand are now automatic. 

These new technologies help food and beverage manufacturers improve quality, OEE and downtime, while getting rid of delays that previously stalled production. 

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