Packaging requires a wide array of machinery and systems, usually made by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to produce goods successfully and efficiently.

Most OEMs supply only their piece of the puzzle, so engaging a partner to implement reliable packaging and material handling automation solutions is critical to making your line function seamlessly.

Incorporating additional layers of communication ensures that OEM equipment is fully integrated, improves overall line balance and maximizes critical data interface to reporting systems. Additionally, it’s crucial that you understand your controls platform to design and integrate a system that is familiar to the maintenance team, reduces spare-part costs and ultimately improves overall performance.

Haskell’s teams of packaging experts hit these marks, whether with a new or existing line, by following a simple strategy.

• Enforce the client or Haskell controls standards with each OEM to develop a common controls platform.
• Control the system using real-world values, such as product size, conveyor width and maximum conveyor speed.
• Incorporate product recipes that make the system flexible and allow personnel without a controls background to maintain existing products or add products securely.
• Keep the programmable logic controller (PLC) simple and easy to follow.
• Present operators with the information they need on the human-machine interface (HMI) to understand their status, helping avoid distracting nuisance warnings and alarms.

All of these practices result in an automation system that is reliable, flexible and easy to operate and doesn’t require a full-time engineering service to support it.

About the author: Donald Kocher is Haskell’s Director of Packaging & Material Handling Automation. He has 25+ years of experience executing food, beverage, and consumer goods packaging projects. Before joining Haskell, he provided controls design, programming, commissioning, and daily operational support for several major food and beverage companies.